Location: Hakatea Bay, Nuka Hiva, Marquesas, French Polynesia
We have had some fantastic jam-packed days here on Argo, but very few have been as exciting as today. At six in the morning, Argo put the sun to her stern to motor over to the secluded Haktea Bay. While motoring over to our starboard beam, Nuka Hiva’s massive cliffs were covered by a tropical forest, which towered over us like icing on a fluffy cake. When we arrived at Haketea Bay, we ate breakfast, and half of the group went diving. Some of the divers worked on Rescue Diver or Divemaster skills, while others enjoyed all that the Marquesan water has to offer. During this time, the other half of the crew went hiking through a tropical forest sitting in the valley of two monstrous cliffs. Throughout the hike, I expected a prehistoric dinosaur to push its way through the thick tree line as if we were in Jurassic Park. Unfortunately, this did not materialize. However, in the end, we found a waterfall with a large natural pool. The water was cold and extremely refreshing after a hot and sweaty hike. After the second hiking group boarded Argo, we were off to return back to Taiohae Bay. We enjoyed a lovely dinner with fresh watermelon, something I missed greatly while on passage. Currently, crewmembers are dyeing hard-boiled eggs in celebration of Easter. Others have taken the initiative to go to the local Easter Mass in Taiohae. It was a very memorable day; I look forward to more to come. Love to my Grandmothers back in the States.