Fatu Hiva, the southernmost island in the Marquesas Archipelago, is most unspoiled due to its remote location. When we arrived at Hanavave Bay, it was as if we entered another world - dramatic landscape of high volcanic mountains and lava turrets, and a small fishing village with a small church, a school for 30 kids, post office and one corner shop that was closed the entire time when we were there. 

We encountered the warmest and and friendliest people who are covered with artistic tattoos on their arms and sometimes faces. Everywhere you go, people always smile and greet you. Since we were often with Amandine who is French, we got to meet a few locals which made our experience more special. There's a lovely Frenchman Sidney who has lived on the island for one and a half year, and he kindly offered his home to us as our 'Internet cafe'. To return his generosity, we brought him chocolates and French pates. We went to the house of a local lady who prepared a dinner of curry chicken and fish marinated in coconut milk and papaya. My favourite lady is Veronica, who gave us trolleys full of mangoes, bananas, limes and super juicy pomelos (pamplemousse), and in return we gave them fishing lines and hooks, cans of food, Azania's old clothes for her granddaughter. Our first bartering experience during our travels!

On our second day, we were all anxious to walk on land after 16 days at sea. Grant sadly had to stay behind to fix the windlass. We did a lovely hike to the waterfall, and along the path picked mangoes off trees as yummy snacks. On this land, fruits are so abundant. We don't see many vegetable farms, so suspect the locals mostly live off fish and fruit.

On another day, we took our dinghy to the next anchorage and town Omoa, and did an epic 16km hike (over 1000m elevation climb) from Omoa back to Hanavave. It was exhausting as the hills were steep and the sun was strong, but the view was absolutely breathtaking.