Mistral of Portsmouth - Ua Pou

What a name for an island and what an island! Nicknamed by travellers ‘the Cathedral Island’, as we approached, it was easy to see why. Amazing geology - at least 12 spires in basalt rock emerging from the volcanic mountainous land. We all sat spell bound as we got closer and closer to the land. 

Our anchorage was a little rolly (aren’t they all??) but in our excitement, we didn’t care. We anchored at 4pm and by 4.30pm we were in the tender and off to hike up the hill to a large crucifix to see the sun going down behind the stunning pinnacles. The view was definitely worth the 40 minute hike up and we were rewarded with a cheeky beer at a perfectly placed guesthouse on the way down. 

The next morning we had a trip into the village - I was super keen to find the culture centre where local artisans sold their work. Unique to Ua Pou is a stone with markings like flowers over it. The artisans polish them and create jewellery. I bought 2 necklaces - special memories of a very special place. 

Next stop Nuka Hiva - a fabulous 25 mile sail to the second biggest island in the Marquesas. Another stunning anchorage - we are in the crater of an old volcano. Lush green mountains all around us and hallelujah … a calm anchorage! We are here for a couple of days and this is where our lovely crew, Patrick and Janie leave us. P & J have been stars - we absolutely could not have got here without them. Their sailing knowledge and experience was invaluable and even more important, their good humour and positivity under all circumstances! We will miss them.

We had a fabulous last evening together - the prize giving dinner for the whole fleet. We were greeted with necklaces of flowers and treated to local dancing and fire eating as well as local cuisine of goat, pork and tuna. Lots of very odd colour fruit to go with the savoury - happy to try anything once! The island people have made us very welcome - we really are privileged to be in this lost paradise.