|
|
Lunch with guides Ricky and Toran above the Marquesan
capital of Taiohae on the island of Nuku Hiva, October
1999. |
Herman Melville spent time in the Taipi Valley of Nuku
Hiva. |
|
|
|
The Aranui runs three week supply excursions to the Marquesas from
Tahiti. Here it offloads supplies in Nuku Hiva's Comptrolleur Bay
destined for Taipi Village. |
The third major canyon of southern Nuku Hiva is Hakaui. It
was once full of people, but now scarcely a dozen residents maintain the
park-like mouth of the valley. |
|
|
The Terre Deserte of Nuku Hiva. In general, the western
sides of the
Marquesas are leeward and thus much drier than the
eastern sides. |
View from the summit of the southern island of
Tahuata. |
|
|
|
Vaitahu bay on Tahuata was the first site of European
contact with Marquesans in 1595. Dozens of Marquesans were killed in
that encounter. |
The town of Vaitahu, Tahuata. |
|
|
|
Canoes on the waterfront of Vaitahu, Tahuata. |
The statue on the church at Vaitahu is an outstanding example of
Marquesan sculpture. The Christ Child is holding a
breadfruit.
|
