The Marquesa's

Nuku Hiva March 28 --Our last port of call for this adventure provided an interesting panorama of terrain consisting of high peaks, valleys and spectacular contrasts. Ashore, we were greeted by native dancers who welcomed us and of course, friendly shop keepers who elicited our interest in their displayed wares.

Ken, Don and Linda took a two hour excursion over hill and dale for an over view of the island and the views of the bays below. The SURVIVOR television series filmed it's Marquesa series near Anaho, which is located on the other side of the island from our port of embarkation.

This island seemed a fitting memory to a trip that has provided a dramatic reminder of the versatility, beauty and culture of the South Pacific.

In the coming days, I plan to compose a summary of our trip with pictures and first hand observations of our adventure. Undoubtedly, it will be opinionated, somewhat self serving and maybe a little enlightened.

Rangiroa

March 26 - Rangiroa -- Supposedly. The 4th largest atoll in the world. Ken, Don and Linda enjoyed the morning ashore, while I watched from the deck and enjoyed my book. Not a lot to share as to beauty and unusual traits. There were no mountains, bit there was an airport, several churches and lots of dolphins. Ken, Don and Linda did a brief tour of the island and took the ferry to the other side of the island that wraps itself around the bay. I did not have the impression that I had missed anything of great importance.

Getting into the bay required a bit of skill by the Captain and his crew but once inside the bay, it was very comfortable tendering ashore. Our friend Bill says that after awhile, you begin to feel that "if you have seen one island, you've seen 'em all". We have loved the diversity, enjoyed the beauty and basked in the friendliness but an atoll is an atoll.

We have a day at sea before our last port of call on Tuesday and then, it is sea days until we arrive back inSan Diego.