Wonderful visit to Nuku Hiva marred by Elizabeth's enforced return to Canada.
We have had a wonderful visit to the beautiful island of Nuku Hiva, in the north of the Marquesas. But on Saturday afternoon, Elizabeth received the awful news that her Father had been taken fatally ill that morning at home. It had taken her family 3 hours to contact Elizabeth, and by that time it was Saturday afternoon here, and even later at home. Even though we knew there was a flight to Tahiti on Sunday, from where she could get a connecting flight home, it was too late to do anything about it until Monday morning. And inevitably, Sunday's flight was cancelled, and so, despite the urgency, there were no seats available until Tuesday afternoon. So this morning we sadly bade farewell to Elizabeth, wishing her the very best at this difficult time, and hoping that she will be able to rejoin Cleone soon, perhaps in Tahiti. Her journey will take nearly a full day; once in Tahiti she will need to fly via Los Angeles to either Detroit or Toronto, and then back to her home in Kitchener. We will miss her greatly, not only for her outstanding sailing skills, but also for her personality and her willingness to take on more than her share of the thousand and one other tasks around the boat.
We left Hiva Oa bound for Nuku Hiva on 1 April, knowing that yacht Malaika from South Africa, with Chris and Lynne on board, was headed for Anaho Bay on Nuku Hiva, and that Chris, a skilled sailmaker and boatwright, would probably be able to mend our torn Genoa. After checking in at the capital, Taiohae, we sailed around to Anaho Bay, a wonderfully safe and secluded anchorage on the North Coast of Nuku Hiva. There we found our friends from Quasar V, in great form. We had not seen them since the Galapagos, and we anchored close by. In true Quasar style, the entertained us royally to supper, and we stayed chatting until late into the night. The next day they upped anchor and left at dawn to keep an appointment in Taiohae. But soon Malaika arrived, and by noon the day after, not only was the Genoa's gaping wound neatly patched, but also the Mizzen Staysail had a new foot tape and was once more fully serviceable. Thereafter a steady trickle of the World ARC fleet made their way to Malaika, and she was kept busy patching torn sails and helping the fleet with all sorts of other minor repairs. Aboard Cleone, whilst trying to make more detailed plans of our cruise to Tahiti, we decided that we must see more of Nuku Hiva. Since there was only a small settlement and no road to Anaho Bay, we returned to rejoin Quasar in Taiohae Bay before they left for Tahiti. And here we have been ever since, not only arranging Elizabeth's trip back home, but also meeting and talking to many of our friends from the rest of the fleet, and touring this delightful paradise of an island with its huge variety of stunningly coloured flowers, pretty villages, flocks of exotic birds, outstanding scenery and delightful, friendly people.
Tomorrow we move on to Ua Pao (where we had intended to call on the way to Nuku Hiva) - more of that later.
Best wishes to all, and bon voyage to Elizabeth
James, Chris and Will
Yacht Cleone
Taiohae Bay
Nuku Hiva,
Marquesa Islands
French Polynesia