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sailboats in the bay at nuku hiva marquesas

Sailing The Most Remote Islands In The World

The Marquesas is our first South Pacific destination and our first chain of islands here in French Polynesia.  And to be totally honest, we’re so humbled to be here…but not sure how to absorb it all.

We’re sailing from the smallest inhabited island in the Marquesas, Tahuata, to the largest, Nuku Hiva.  We’re also sailing the most remote island chain in the world*.  Never thought I would say any of that, much less actually do it!  So, I’m in a strange place of trying to be present, appreciate where I am and what is around me.

The Marquesas archipelago is wild, dramatic, chalk full of culture, history and natural beauty…especially in Taiohae, the capital of Nuku Hiva.  But rather than trying to tell you about it, click the play button and join us for a few days.

A lot to absorb right?!?

After being here, I’m wishing I would have read the book Typee during our Pacific Passage.  I am diving into it now, but it would have been a good one to already have in the memory bank.  It’s a novel written by Herman Melville (Moby Dick) and is loosely based on his four months living here among the natives in the 1840’s.  It’s a book that is said to be in the realm of fiction and nonfiction.  He made up some of the experiences while other details were totally true.  Rituals, traditions, cannibalism, liberal sexual behavior…it was all very shocking for an 1800’s traveler, and wild to think about even now.  It’s a good read (or listen) either way and I recommend checking it out if you haven’t already.

Today, Nuku Hiva is very different but the culture, traditions and history are still alive and well.  Marquesans are very proud people.  They speak their own language (different from Tahitian or Hawaiian), they pretty much invented the tattoo, are incredible artists and are possibly the most gentle and patient people on earth.  They smile sweetly and don’t get frustrated when it takes me twenty minuets to fumble through currency, nor do they laugh at my Texas-Spanglish butchered French pronunciation.

marquesan woman helping Nikki with fresh produce

horses are a big part of culture in Nuku Hiva Marquesas

ancient tiki god Nuku Hiva Marquesas

main settlement and capital of Marquesas, nuku hiva

Jason wynn Hiking in Nuku Hiva Marquesas

Nikki Wynn Hiking in Nuku Hiva Marquesas

Bureaucracy, Checking in & Visas

We knew we wanted plenty of time to explore French Polynesia. More than the standard 90 day visa given to Americans visiting this French territory.  So, we started the Long Stay Visa application in Ecuador.  It is a time sensitive process and once we’re completely done, with visas in hand, we will give a final update.

One interesting thing to note about sailing in the Marquesas, is that the gendarme like for you to check in with their offices at each island (if there is a gendarme office).  You let them know when you arrive and tell them as you leave.  Being so incredibly remote, they like to keep track of sailors. Should something go wrong, at least they would know where you last were and your planned destination.  I like it.

GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO

AWESOME tunes for vids: http://bit.ly/artlist-gwtw
Artists Used In This Video: Giants and Pilgrims, Assaf Ayalon, The Places

SAILING REPORT

  • Dates: June 3 – 7, 2018
  • Nautical Miles Sailed: 84
  • Island: Nuku Hiva, Marquesas, French Polynesia
  • Anchorage: Bay de Taiohae

Whale, are you social?

As you’ll note from the dates in the sailing report, our posts/videos are always behind real time.  That’s because the editing, writing, uploading (when we can find internet) and all things associated take an exceptional amount of time.  We work as fast as we can but we’ll always be behind “real time”.  Soooo, if you want to see what we’re up to now, we share real time happenings on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  For example, right now we’re sharing photos of the incredible WHALES we’ve been swimming with!  No joke, it’s unreal but very real.

A huge shout out to all our Patreons for making this video possible!

Until next time…

 

*Most Remote Island Chain – We found some conflicting information when looking this up but both the Tahiti Tourism website & Wikipedia note The Marquesas as: “the island group farthest from any continent in the world”.

Hello there! I honestly don’t know what to say, so I am going to tell you a bunch of random facts instead. I'm a fish eating vegetarian who hates spiders and loves snakes. I almost never took vacations growing up. I wanted to be Pippi Longstocking (still do). I misspell about every other word I write and still struggle with grammar. I love splurging on a good high tea (which is really hard to find these days). And whatever you do, don’t tell me I can’t do something, because then I'll HAVE to do it!

Comments (23)

  • Richard

    We miss you terribly. You are a fresh breath of air in a covid 19 outbreak.

    reply
    • Curious Minion

      They’ll keep the Sunday videos coming as long as you stick around to watch! ;o)
      Curious Minion

      reply
  • Doug Davey

    Nikki & Jason,

    My wife & I have been enjoying watching your sailing videos for the last few months using your “Sailing Around The World || All Sailing Vids From The Beginning!” playlist. (I know, “newcomers!”, some people have been watching for years.)

    Since I have a one track mind, we started with the first video in the playlist and have watched one or two, in order, nearly every day since. We really like your work, so we’re patrons.

    However, after your “Our Windows Are Falling Out & Jason’s Leaving || Sailing Ecuador” (Published on Jul 22, 2018) video, the following four videos are missing from the playlist.

    1. All Alone & They Hit My Sailboat! This is What Happens When We Separate || Sailing Ecuador (Published on Jul 29, 2018)
    2. FINAL PREP for our Pacific Ocean Passage || Biggest Sailing Adventure Of Our Lives! (Published on Aug 5, 2018)
    3. Confessions At Sea: The Calm After The Crazy || Sailing Across the Pacific (Published on Aug 12, 2018)
    4. WHALES! & Dreamy Days at Sea || Sailing Across the Pacific Ocean (Published on Aug 19, 2018)

    After that, the “He Hates It. She Loves It. Moody Days Sailing Across the Pacific Ocean” (Published on Aug 26, 2018) video appears in the playlist, after which the following nine videos are missing from the playlist.

    1. Squalls All Night, Trouble All Day – Sailing Across The Pacific (Published on Sep 2, 2018)
    2. LIFE AT SEA: Groundhog Day or The Shining? || Sailing Across The Pacific Ocean (Published on Sep 9, 2018)
    3. Biggest Catch Yet & We Almost Sink The Drone || Sailing Across The Pacific Ocean (Published on Sep 16, 2018)
    4. WE SEE LAND! 585 HOURS AT SEA || Sailing Across The Pacific Ocean (Published on Sep 23, 2018)
    5. IT’S OUR FIRST TIME – The “FUN” of Bow and Stern Anchoring || Sailing French Polynesia (Published on Sep 28, 2018)
    6. Our FIRST TASTE of Land || A Walkabout Hiva Oa, French Polynesia (Published on Sep 30, 2018)
    7. WORST DIESEL EVER & Our Routine in Paradise || Sailing French Polynesia (Published on Oct 7, 2018)
    8. Lost Our Mainsail, But Landed in Coco Paradise || Sailing French Polynesia (Published on Oct 14, 2018)
    9. Small Island, Crusty Bottom || Sailing Marquesas, South Pacific (Published on Oct 22, 2018)

    Finally, the videos show up in the playlist again starting with “Sailing the Worlds Most Remote Islands || Marquesas French Polynesia” (Published on Oct 28, 2018).

    Please accept my apologies if these gaps in the playlist are intentional. However, if they are oversights, now you know.

    With kind regards,
    Doug Davey

    reply
  • Norman Frenk

    Thanks for another fun video!

    reply
  • Roger B

    I received your video so I know you survived the dangerous ascent up the mountain. Great drone videos again.

    reply
  • Mary Grace

    Love your vlogs but really glad to see your blog as well. (For when we have limited WiFi) We are also from the Dallas area (Coppell) and lived aboard our boat for 3.5 years. Await the delivery of our new sailboat in CA after the first of the year. We will head out to circumnavigate from there in a year or so. Who knows, maybe our wakes will cross.
    In the mean time, thanks for the great videos. We cannot wait to get back on the water so we really enjoy seeing your adventures.
    Fair winds!
    Mary Grace and Frank
    s/v Ticket To Ride

    reply
  • Valerie Coffey

    On Nuku Hiva, our cruise ship hired locals to drive us up and over the mountains to a remote beach where the locals made us lunch, not much vegetarian substance for me except for some lettuce, breadfruit paste and fruit. Polynesians eat a lot of meat — beef, pork, chicken, and goat. Even the beans had pork in them.
    Considering the ancient history of cannibalism, we were almost afraid to ask what the horses on the island were for. But our guide said, “for transport.” And then he explained, “Compagnie!” (Companions! Pets! Whew — not food.) He said he had four horses. Their names were something like “Belle,” “Bruno,” “Claude,” and “Pa-HO-ay-tu-ah-ha-AH-lay.” Of course I can’t repeat the names exactly but the effect was humor — we cracked up and so did he!

    reply
  • Wayne Pettengill

    In 1958 I sailed with my uncle to Nuku Hiva. The boat was my uncle’s 30ft ketch, the PU’ORI, formerly the Golden Rule. We sailed from Hawaii to Nuku Hiva and 5 other Marquesas islands, then on the 10 Tuamotu islands and on to Tahiti and the Societies before returning to Hawaii. Total 9 months, 8,000 miles. We had no electronics, we used only celestial navigation; we had no refrigeration; only canned and packaged foods. Quite an adventure for a 19 year old.

    reply
    • timothy w nisbet

      wow that must of been awesome

      reply
  • Marla

    My husband and I discovered your YouTube site a few months ago as we prepared for a bareboat charter in the BVI. Hubby’s goal is to retire on a catamaran. I appreciate how informative your videos are showing good, the bad, and the ugly! They have opened me up to considering my husband’s dream of living ona boat and sailing around the world. Thank you!

    reply
  • Clint Hulsey

    Thank you, Please keep up the beautiful videos!

    reply
  • Ed Grant

    Another glorious spot to visit “some day”! Love your new web page and the music is perfect! So glad you kids are able to share this adventure with the world. I am so jealous of your youth and energy, plus Nikki is so easy on the eye!!!

    reply
  • Alan Solomon

    Great, new Website. Congratulations.

    reply
  • Alan Solomon

    What up Guys? Another Awesome Video. Another awesome example of Tropical Paradise that I would like to experience. Thank you.

    I would like to ask where do you get Brie cheese in the middle of this Tropical Ocean? Also, that was a great hike you went on and took us with you. Thx. I think I saw another face in the mountain. I was wondering do you still take Cleo (if she wants to) and Singa for walks?

    Enjoy the Tropics and safe tropical encounters,

    reply
  • Deborah Kerr

    Love the moon rise, and the sun rise, and the drone footage. It is sooo relaxing to watch your videos – I actually took a deep breath and felt the stress of the work week melt away…..ahhhhhhh ? Are there bugs there like the no-see-ums or mosquitos??? What kind of food do the locals eat – seems like there aren’t many restaurants etc… Keep up the great work and… keep smiling ?

    reply
  • Sunny Harvy

    Seems you’ve really stepped up your game on this video. Love seeing the gauges right on the screen as you sail. The narration seems a bit more professional too. Good on ya! Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing with us.

    reply
  • JOHN SCHRETLEN

    Great video footage and editing.

    reply
  • Craig Jordan

    I have enjoyed your adventures so much I became one of your patreons. Through you I can vicariously visit places I’ve dreamed about from the comfort and safety of my home. Over the years I have extensively backpacked the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, but at 80 I am limited in what I can actually do. Thanks so much.

    reply
  • Jeffrey Newton

    Thank you both for another vicarious adventure to such an interesting location. Your passions for travel, writing and video production shine through in each episode created, absolutely wonderful. I discovered your channel when you were RVing the U.S. and now look at you two, sailing the world….outstanding!
    Bravo? Live the passion, be safe and can’t wait for my next vicarious adventure.

    reply
  • mary

    It looks like there is a lot of things to explore. I hope you get to hang around there for a little while and enjoy the island.

    I love your new website. I know it was a long time coming and a huge effort.

    reply
  • Terry Doudican

    Excellent video! love the scenery shots, the time lapse and the comments. Glad you didn’t fall off the cliff!

    reply
  • Peggy

    What a great video! Very enjoyable except for where I worried about you falling off a cliff! 🙂 Love the drone shots and overall excellent photography/videography!

    reply
  • Boyd Smith

    Wow! You are adventurous.

    reply

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