Entry Date: 03.05.2011, at 12:05:04 hrs (local)
Fatu Hiva (Marquesas) - Maupiti (Society Islands)
Bay of Virgins
| PRID: | 10167 |
|---|---|
| LegID: | 247 |
| LegNo: | 26 |
| Latitude: | S010°27.91' |
| Longitude: | W138°40.07' |
| Day#: | 240 |
| Log (Total): | 15862 nm |
According to the legend, the original French name for the bay was Bay des Verges, which translates as Bay of the Phalli, a reference to the spires surround the bay. But the missionaries were offended by calling it the bay of dicks, so an ”i” was slipped in, making it Bay des Vierges, or virgins. This isn´t the only castration performed by the missionaries in the name of spreading Christianity. They were also offended by the phalluses on the stone tikis throughout the islands, and so broke them all off. The ancient Marquesan name for the bay is Hanavave, which means ”strong surf bay.” We hope it doesn´t live up to this name while we are here.
On Sunday we are invited together with other yachtsmen to taste traditional Marquesan food. The meat (pork, mutton, chicken) is cooked for half a day in a whole in the ground. Among other dishes there are raw fish in coconut milk, bread fruit, cooked bananas, papaya salad.
Together with the crews of Wasabi”, ”Sail Away” und ”Anna X” we hike thru beautiful scenery of steep mountain walls to a waterfall up in the mountains. We enjoy the swimming in the fresh and clear freshwater. On the way back we trade with the villagers shower gel and sunglasses against grapefruit and bananas.
