Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia

It is 2,250 miles of nothing but open water between our last port, Hawaii, and Nuku Hiva. It is winter in Hawaii and Summer in Nuku Hiva, What a beautiful island. Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick, said that Nuku Hiva was a, "country that no description could fit the beauty."  So there's that.

My knee is better and I walked the entire village and found the police department. Not very large, as you might imagine. I met Patrol Officer Mary. She looks like she could whup your butt; however, once we somewhat communicated she was a real sweetheart.  She knew as much English as I know French, which is to say almost nothing.

We struggled with the language thing but, again: its the same job here as most places.  You have to watch your back. We traded shoulder patches. Her's is pretty cool.

Officer Mary

Just getting off the ship by tender and then walking around Nuku Hiva presented hundreds of photo opportunities. Here are just a few.

Drumers

Dancers back on ship before departure.