Nuka Hiva Part 2 was our post about Vaipo Falls and Daniel’s Bay.
Part 3 is about some miscellaneous things but mostly about the ride to the airport. First, this large Manta Ray that spent some hours swimming close to the boat.
But back to the airport. The airport lies on the northern side of the island some 2 hours distant from the main town of Taihaoe – and a very interesting ride over the spine of the island on some pretty scary roads. When Dan and Lisa flew in, Deb and I rented a four wheel drive vehicle and made the trek over to pick them up.
The ride starts with a spectacular climb out of the village.
As the road climbs higher, the temperature cools and the tropical rain forest recedes.
The wild goats are a constant presence throughout the islands – and on many are a nuisance. Perhaps that is why one of the traditional dishes in the Marquesas is curried goat. The last time I had goat, it was supposed to be milk fed and tasted like a ball of twine – but our experience in the Marquesas is another story for another day.
As we moved higher, there were cows, wild horses and pine forests that reminded me of the Rockies.
A view of our trusty vehicle.
And some of the scenery.
And some of the rock slides near the top. No pictures but the final piece over the highest point was dirt road with no place to stop.
The road back thru the high plateau.
And views from near the top.
A remarkable canyon on the far side.
And the more desert like terrain on the far side of the island.
The airport itself is a bit of an anomaly. A nice runway, good sized terminal and even a control tower.
All for one flight a day most days with two flights every once and again – and with everyone living in town, the airport is really abandoned most of the time.
Anyway – after a long journey and a hair raising jeep ride, our friends Dan and Lisa aboard Beer Can.
