Tuesday 18 May Nuku Hiva

We left Hanemoi Bay after dinner and sailed 85 miles overnight north to the island of Nuku Hiva and Anaho Bay on the north shore. It was a fine sail until the last 10 miles when the wind died completely and we had to motor into the anchor. An incredible hidden bay. We motored a mile into a wide bay until we saw the first mast peaking over a rocky headland. Te anchorage is tucked around a corner away from the open sea, a big wide sweeping sand beach with a coral reef in front, four houses and a coconut plantation ashore. There were 12 boats here when we arrived and we were able to find a big space between them to drop our hook.


We went for a walk on the beach at sunset. The beach is someone's front garden and all visitors are welcome. One of the four houses looked like it had been a guest house with an open tiled terrace with a dining table. Hiding under the table were two of the sweetest kittens I've seen. A brother and sister 4 months old. The girl kitten was pure white with one blue eye and one green eye. Her brother was a blue (grey) tabby. I would have had either except they were the owners special pets and it is a great problem and expense to have a pet on board. Pacific islands protect their rabies free environment by not allowing boat pets ashore. New Zealand and Australia don't allow pets anywhere near their shore and insist on a veterinary inspection on arrival and a vet inspection every week all at your expense. So for now we have to be content with our sporadic dog and cat fixes.