First sight of land after sailing 3000 miles in 28 days at sea. Here we are arriving at the island of Atuona, in the Marquesas.

Ron, looking for the village of HIva Ova's harbor.

Michael and Ron

Michael and Nancy

The harbor in Atuona.

Hiva Oa harbor. The demasted schooner was a story from hell. The pick-up, unskilled crew mutinied against the Colombian owner. His dream to sail around the world ended when the rigging failed and the main mast fell. This was a rich man, who's friends advised, "Jose, you are a wealthy man. Hire others to fix and sail your boat and enjoy." Rather then learn to fix and run his own boat, he followed their advice. A sad tale.

Voyager at anchor from our bouncy dinghy.

Sailboats from all over the world, save at harbor, after sailing 1000's of miles for all over the world.

Black sand beach.

We started our first day on land, visiting a Marquesas church listening to beautiful Polynesian hymns.

Our first chance to meet some of the locals.

Our old friends Joe (1st on left) and Cathy (5th from left) of VIAJERO, with another crew, invited us to join them to visit their friend Moe and his family at their home.

Michael and Nancy fording a washed out road.

Michael and local Marquesas boy.

Felix, from Vanavatu, opening up a coconut for a cool refreshing drink. Felix was engaged to Moe's daughter and in exchange for room and board, was building Moe a boat.

Michael and Nancy enjoying a refreshing cool coconut.

Michael and local boy.

Scars from "no-ssee-um" bites. They are called "flying teeth".

Boys and pets.

Local soccer game.

Sailing to Up Ua Pou, considered to be the most beautiful island in the South Pacific with it soaring towers.

Dolphins!

Dolphins!

Sailing towards Haka Hau, the main village of Ua Pou.

Anchored in Haka Hau. The island of Ua Pou is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific with it's majestic bassalt towers soaring into the sky. This is a rare image as the peaks are usually covered in clouds.

And then the clouds rolled in.

Local French bread bakery.

While we waited for fresh bread, we watched the local kids play.

These are tough kids.

Michael with new friend

Michael in front of the new Mayor's office.

The main (only) road on the island. Yachts, from around the world, anchored in Haka Hau.

Michael and Ron with a local teacher we met and made friends with.

A typical Tahitian home.

Gathering breadfruit.

Michael and Nancy reaching for some low hanging breadfruit.

Local fisherman tying up to the dock.

The kids loved playing in the cruiser's dinghy.

Listening to drums led us to the locals practicing their song and dance for Fete. Fete is the month long festival celebrated throughout Polynesia.

The girls giggled and sang.

The songs were haunting.

They swayed and jumped to the drums.

The powerful rhythmic beats were so powerful and exciting.

And when the drummers were finished,

They brought out fresh coconuts to drink for everyone. It was a phenomenal evening.

Setting sail to the Tuamotus. These are an archipelago of 76 atolls considered to be the most beautiful in the world.

After 3 days of sailing we spotted Ahe, on the horizon. These are a stalk of bananas we brought to give to the locals. The atoll are so dry, they cannot grow fresh fruit. This will be a gift for those we meet.

As we prepared to enter the lagoon, Michael and Nancy get ready to loosen the anchor.