Bonjour!

It took 25 days to get from Panama to the Marquises. For the last 500 miles, the wind decided to drop, leaving us almost becalmed for a couple of days.

The Marquesas Islands are spectacular like the Galapagos, but are much greener with rainforest running up deep valleys that stretch up to the clouds. We stopped on the island of Nuku Hiva which is the administrative capital of the Marquesas. But really it is a very small and remote outpost. Basically, the French run it, the Chinese own the local shops (of which there are 3) and the Polynesians own it - so that makes for a bit of confusion for everyone.

There is no Customs office there, and the Gendarmerie take care of clearance paperwork. It is kind of strange to walk into a police station and have them get up from their desks so that they can come over and shake your hand and say "Bonjour". We were the first yacht to arrive there from Panama since Christmas, so perhaps we were a bit of a novelty to them.

Still, there were many other yachts in the anchorage - mostly from Tahiti, but there is limited English there - school French lessons came flooding back! It is a very expensive place, and there is very little there anyway, so a couple of days to recharge the batteries was what Pete and I were after.

We are sailing again now - left Nuku Hiva 24 hours ago, and have done over 200 miles already towards Fiji - beautiful downwind sailing has us flying along at 9 or 10 knots. We look like getting into Fiji on about the 6th or 7th March, so will be able (I hope) to get some pictures up from there. Nuku Hiva had internet, but it was slower than dial up connection speed, so not really of any use than to check email.

Hope you are all well. We will keep sending our position for the map, and write again from Fiji. If you want to visit, we are hoping to be at the Suva Yacht Club....never know, someone might want a holiday!

Pete and Geoff