Yesterday, we took the tender to go ashore.

On the way, we said hello to a French boat I met once in Fatu-Hiva, Hanavave Bay, when I was there with Shigeo.

There is no dinghy dock in this bay at all. But the swell and surf was low enough to use anchor of the tender in the sandy beach at a depth of about a meter. The water was warm like in a bathtub. The sand fine and white.

Although there are around 15 boats in the wide bay, the beach was dominated by local people. Even local tourist are staying in rental tents at both sides of the beach.

A girl in a hammock was busy with her mobile phone. Kids played in the shallow water. Two in plastic kayaks surfed the rather low waves successfully.

One house caught my interest. First there was the white, illuminated plastic Christmas tree and then the rather big photovoltaic installation. Comparing it with others I saw in the Gambiers, the installation should be good for two houses.

When the owner saw that I take a pictures of the Christmas tree, he first objected but when I had a chat in my broken French, with him, he became very friendly.

As this house was the end of the settlement due to the steep volcanic slopes at its side, I turned around and walked into other direction.

When I saw a wide trail I asked a local lady passing by if this trail is public. It turned out that the only public trail, is the one along the beach. All others are private trails, leading to private houses.

Shortly after that the man of a friendly elderly couple addressed the normal question about where to come from sand were go to me. We had a nice chat. I also asked him about the fruit of the tree we were standing under. It turned out that I didn’t understand the name but he showed that there is a soft, rather big nut inside, which cannot be eaten but is pressed for it’s oil to be put on the skin.

As Sam came back from the other direction where she hoped to get a better internet connection, we walked together along the public trail running parallel to the the shore but under trees.

We passed the little church where there was a service hours before. Inside it was very simple. No church benches only space to stand. Quite many nativity scene;
cribs (Weihnachtskrippen) showed that there is an intensive religious life.

At the school, children and two adults, most likely the teachers of this village, gathered for some activities. On our way back they sang Jingle Bells and made competitions in various activities.

The ground had many whole of about 5 – 10 cm diameter. We wondered if there are rodents or crabs inside. With the animal inside these many wholes, we connected that all coconuts lying on the ground have holes and are only empty shells still being in the husk.

At another house, a big family was sitting outside under the trees. A friendly “kaoha” and “bon jour” was exchanged. When, on our way back, we passed the house again, they offered us one of their puppies they had possible from one of their two dogs.

The trail continued over the rocks and, at some spots was made even made of concrete. We assumed that the trail continues around at least the biggest part of the bay and turned around to go back.

Then we saw what we missed before. A fully open air toilet. Using it, one definitely has a great view over the bay.

It was good to see, that there was not littering. Sam found only 1 piece of plastic, which she picked up to dispose into a plastic bag for garbage at the main part of the beach where our dinghy was at anchor.

Tired, hungry but filled with very many impressions we arrived at MaRe.