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2 Days in Taiohae, Nuku Hiva

May 1, 2018May 20, 2020, Traveling
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I would like to announce this is my very first travel post. Hip-hip-hurray!🎉  This trip to The Marquesas and Nuku Hiva was meant to kick-start my nomad world-travelling adventure – instead, I returned to the well-known corona situation in March and all travelling plans have been put on pause for now. 
BUT let’s get this storytelling started! I would like to share my experience and recommendations on how to spend 2 days in Taiohae in Nuku Hiva. 

From the airport

When finally arriving at Nuku Hiva airport after almost 2 days of transport (departed from Stockholm), I was drained of energy and didn’t look forward to the final one-hour drive from the airport to Taiohae, the main town and harbour. But it proved hard not to appreciate! The view when driving through the mountains is breathtaking and we stopped at several viewpoints. One overlooking Nuku Hivas Grand Canyon and another stop with a stunning view over Taiohae harbour.

Tip: Make sure to arrange airport pick up before arrival, either with the place you choose to stay or contact Yacht Service. There’s only up to one flight departure/arrival per day which mean the locals drive to the airport only once a day. 

Nuku Hiva

French Polynesia is divided into 5 areas; Society, Tuamotu, Gambier, Austral and Marquesas Islands. Nuku Hiva is the largest island in the Marquesas. The island has an incredible history and culture, once the population was great and the culture strong. In 1842 the French took control of the island and missionaries banned cultural practices. When the Marquesas was free once again, they maintained some Christian values but also reestablished their cultural identification. 

Where to stay

I can highly recommend the charming and simple Tata Pension Mave Mai. It’s located on a hill and there’s a nice view from terrasse over the harbour bay. The pension is family-owned and they are all very friendly and helpful, although not all of them speak English very well. Breakfast is served on the terrasse where you will also find wifi. 

2 Days in Taiohae

Taiohae

In this small harbour town all necessities can be found; supermarkets, restaurant, bank incl. ATM, pharmacy and post office.

There’s hardly any wifi or data coverage this far away. Which leave one with two options: 

1) Purchase a local sim card at the post office, it’ll provide a low signal in Taiohae and no signal when leaving the city area.
2) Use wifi wherever you are staying and at the harbour port (Yacht Service or Snack Vaeaki). Then you can enjoy being unplugged the rest of the time.

Beach

The first thing I did after checking in at Mave Mai, was changing to swimwear and finding the nearest beach. The feeling of walking into 28℃ water after a long transport is fulfilling immediately – “I’m finally here and it’s amazing!”

Food and places to eat

First of all, I have never ever tasted as wonderful fresh fish as in Nuku Hiva. My favourite dishes are “poisson cru” (tuna, coconut and lime) and “sashimi” with a tasty sauce they make. 

When going out in Nuku Hiva, the menus are usually written on a piece of cardboard and the food will be served on plastic plates. But do we really need more, as long the food is fresh and tasty? 

Restaurants I recommend:

  • Snack Vaeaki – At the Harbour port. Serve meat, fish, fries, rice and the best fresh juice.  
  • Snack Tuhiva – Inside a green market area. Serve sandwiches, salads and more.
  • Bella Pizza – When feeling hungry for pizza. 
  • Pearl Lodge – Most fancy, I didn’t go there myself.
  • Beach restaurant – Occasionally, there’s a pop-up restaurant in a tent. Offer a few local dishes. 

Tiki Tuhiva statue

A must-see (also impossible not to see) is the Tiki Tuhiva statue. Standing 12 meters tall on a hill, a combined statue of a female tiki and a male hunter. The female figure has a hole in her bellybutton, intended for paper written wishes. 

Time to get a Tattoo

Tattoos are an important part of the Polynesian culture and The Marquesas has its very own tattoo style called “Patutiki” which mean “Print-tiki”. A reference to printing tiki symbols on the body. Most locals have their bodies covered in decorative tattoos and it isn’t unusual for youngsters to start getting tattoos when they become teenagers.

Nuku Hiva is known to have some of the best tattoo artists in French Polynesia. Of course, I had to give myself a permanent souvenir. My tattoo artist is called Daniel and his studio can be found next to the bank, in “Maison Pour Tous Mata Hoata” area. 

A local guy has written a book “Te Patutiki” which describes The Marquesan tattoo history and has an overview of their symbols. I bought the book at Yacht Service and it’s available in both French and English.

  • Maison-Pour-Tous-Mata-Hoata

Vanilla farm

The Tourist Information can arrange trips to the local vanilla farm. It comes highly recommended, but unfortunately, I didn’t find the time to visit.

Part 2
28 days sailing around Nuku Hiva – What to explore and where to dive.

Posted in Traveling
Tagged FrenchPolynesia, NukuHiva, Taiohae
1 Comment

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Comments (1)

  • Jannika June 2, 2020 at 9:21 am Reply

    Wow!! This place looks almost surreal. Super helpful tips and incredibly inspiring too. I seriously can’t wait till it’s safe to travel again!

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Heidi Manøe

Tales from a newly-hatched digital nomad’s solo journey. Unfortunately, this young bird hardly got out of the nest before a pandemic kicked in. Nomad traveling to be continued! :)

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2020 - Året hvor jeg tog et spring for at blive 2020 - Året hvor jeg tog et spring for at blive selvstændig og rejse. Men faldt lige igennem. 

Når jeg så ser tilbage på 2020, er der alligevel sket en smule...

Oplevet Sydney og sejlet en måned i Fransk Polynesien. Nåede at bo halvandet år i Stockholm. Startede så virksomhed og rejste solo i Europa i sommeren. Sadlede om og lagde en plan b.  Købt og bosat mig på en båd, samt total isoleret den. Seneste sagt ja til at produktudvikle business hos Lunar.

Hallå! Det er da en hel del. Vil mindes 2020 for alle de gode ting, være mere stolt og se frem imod 2021.✨✨

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Der er stadig et stykke vej til svane forvandlinge Der er stadig et stykke vej til svane forvandlingen👹🦢

Men men! Stor milepæl er nået. Jeg er færdig med isolering 😎🎉 Nu er jeg godt igang med at beklæde den sorte isolering, så kahytten kan blive lys og fin igen. Skal hilse at sige, at det sleet ikke er nemt i båd, hvor alt er skævt og det tager såå lang tid! 😄
Så er sejlene også pakket væk for vinteren og fortøjningen er sikret med dæmpere. ❄️💨
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De sidste knap to uger er der nået nye milepæle på båden: 3) Fået vandvarmer, trykvand og nyt blandingsbatteri installeret. Tak til far!⭐️ 
4) Fredag sejlede jeg sammen med  @mette_manoe og @kirstine_st båden fra Vejle til Marselisborg havn for vinterhavneplads. Tak for en god tur. 😘 

Påbegyndt vægbeklædning og fået beklædt væggene i kahytter og sat alle hylderne op. 👏

Jeg føler ikke længere båden er i “undtagelsestilstand”, det begynder at se ordentlig ud og ting kan få sin rette plads. 😀🥳

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Tør jeg kalde det halvvejs? 🤔🤔 De sidste Tør jeg kalde det halvvejs? 🤔🤔 

De sidste tre uger har stået på renovering og vinterklargøring i båden. Hele tiden popper nye udfordringer frem, som jeg ikke aner hvordan skal løses, men efterhånden og på mirakuløs vis får løst alligevel.. Eksempelvis lært hvordan man bruger en stiksav og beholder alle 10 fingre! 😬
De første to milepæle er nået 1) Al den gamle vægbeklædning er væk! 2) Oliefyr færdig-installeret 💯💥 

Så er jeg næsten færdig med isolering! Næste store udfordringer; sidste isolering omkring vinduer og begynde at sætte den nye vægbeklædning på.
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Dårligere timing findes ikke for et planlagt rejsende nomade år. Øv, med øv på! 😔 Jeg nåede at rejse i Europa over sommeren, indtil verden begyndte at lukke ned, igen.. 
Hvad gør man så? Så finder man på plan b! 💪 
Jeg har erhvervet en fin 29fod sejlbåd, som jeg har bosat mig i og kastet mig over et stort vinter/isoleringsprojekt ! ⛵️❄️ Den næste måned ligger båden i Vejle, indtil jeg sejler den op til vinterplads i Marselisborg havn, Aarhus, for vinteren. 
Yes yes, mit første håndværkerprojekt og så er jeg ikke en habil sejl-sejler. Lær’ det nok. Wish me good luck! 😅🙏
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