Ua Huka: Vaipaee, Hane and Hokatu
Everyone gathers on deck at dawn to witness one of the most extraordinary maritime manoeuvres in the world when Aranui 5 has to make a 180-degree turn in the narrow mouth of Vaipaee’s Invisible Bay. With no more than about 20 metres to spare on either side, it is a highly skilful operation in restricted waters. Once ashore, we visit an archaeology museum and an artisan market. Ua Huka is home to the Marquesas’ best wood carvers and here you will find a fantastic range of carved items including tikis, manta rays, turtles, bowls and ukuleles. The island, where the Marquesas’ first airstrip was built in 1972, is largely arid and home to many wild horses and goats. While here, we travel in flower decorated 4WDs to a large botanical garden and meet the extraordinary man behind it – Frenchman Léon Litchlé, who was mayor here for 30 years. After stopping for a wonderful dance show, we head to the restaurant Chez Celine Fournier in Hane for lunch. Tonight we all let our hair down on the pool deck for an evening of feasting, fanfare and frivolity – Polynesian night! It’s a chance to wear flowers in our hair, be entertained by fellow passengers and crew, and dance under the stars.