SERENITY NOW

  13 May 2023 (Nuka Hiva) Our second attempt at checking in with the police at Nuka Hiva was as successful as the first: The lady at the other end of the intercom at the gendarmerie advising “returné Lundi” (come back Monday!) All good - we tried! The pre-booked baguettes from the small supermarket were wonderful, filling the loaf sized hole in my life just nicely. I rather like this little spot - it’s verging on being touristy, but just barely. The locals smile and joke around together. There’s a few large dogs prowling around who delight in a bit of affection. The scenery: lush (there’s that word again!) high volcanic peaks surround us, coming down to palms at sea level. The anchorage (we’ve been told) is rolly, but we’ve had nothing but the gentlest of rock-a-bye baby rocks which haven’t bothered us in the least. Caught up with Becky again this morning - she’s found a new boat/home for her next leg to Tahiti via the Tuamotos - it’s actually our anchorage neighbours: “Into the Mystic

  5 May 2023 (The Marquesas) Both a little ‘jetlagged’ from the trip.. tired, headache, and aching all over, we’ve spent the first day back close to land just recuperating. Our first trip ashore - via a couple of familiar boats - was a delightful success.. managing to change USD into local currency, buy some food, and trade some manky ravioli for some pomplamous (local grapefruit). Came away realising that perhaps land isn’t so bad after all. Some new Swedish friends (Lars and Susanne) brought us over a flask of boiling water water for coffee - ah… the kindness of strangers I won’t bother with describing the scenery here - Google: Bay of Penises and you can see for yourself. Another lovely surprise visit later in the day: Philipp and Kristel , our Swiss friends /linehandlers from the Panama Canal. So so lovely to see them and to have a chat about our experiences with people who fully understand. They also had some spare gas and Kristel brought us over a curry at dinner time - can’t