Land Ho! The World ARC Pacific fleet have arrived safely in French Polynesia after the longest leg of their trip, approximately 3000nm from the Galapagos to the Marquesas Islands. The fleet arrived in Atuona Bay on the island of Hiva Oa, with the first arrivals coming in after 18 days at sea.
Coming into the bay the boats were met with very different scenery compared to the Galapagos islands they had left behind. The anchorage in Hiva Oa is a surrounded by volcanic mountains rising up from the sea, black sand beaches and lush vegetation as far as the eye can see.
Arrivals were warmly welcomed to the island with music, fresh fruit and refreshing local juice and given traditional flower or seed leis made by local women, arranged by the tourist board.
Whilst on the island participants made the most of their time on land with tours to see the island and learn about it's history very popular, highlights being a visit to the giant Tiki and a stop to sample some local food. Other events put on for the visiting crews were a Marquesan evening at a local hotel with traditional food and dancing. The Tourist Board put on a welcome event showcasing local traditions at the port with an evening of live music, a buffet and a Haka performed by a local men from the island who then invited participants to join them and learn a traditional dance of fertility.
After a few days exploring Hiva Oa the fleet moved on to visit other islands in the Marquesas before they will meet up again in Nuku Hiva ahead of the prize giving for the last leg.