First Impressions – Ua Huka

We arrived right on time, I was very impressed with Air Tahiti’s punctuality.  Since Ua Huka is a smaller island, we had to change planes in Nuku Hiva.  The airport is small but it was nice to stretch my legs after the long flight from Papeete.

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Always ready to watch birds, I spotted a Nuku Hiva pigeon near the airport.

IMG_9798The plane to Ua Huka was much smaller.  It turned out that the son of my guesthouse owner was on the plane so I was looking forward to a smooth transfer to our bungalow.

IMG_9801The rugged topography of Ua Huka soon came into view.

IMG_9802 IMG_9803 IMG_9805We touched down at the tiny airport and “surprise” no one was there to pick us up!  The son had taken off with his friends.  Everyone seemed to know everyone else and assured me that Maurice, the guesthouse owner would be along shortly.

IMG_9810 IMG_9806 IMG_9807 IMG_9808When everyone else had taken off, an airport employee took pity on us and gave us a lift to Hokatu.  The scenery along the way was amazing!  If these islands were as close to Papeete as Bora Bora, they would be over-run with tourists so I was starting to appreciate the long (albeit expensive) journey to get there!

IMG_9811 IMG_9812 IMG_9813 IMG_9814 IMG_9816 IMG_9817 IMG_9818 IMG_9819 IMG_9820We were dropped at Maurice & Delphine’s home where Maurice came out, apologized for not being at the airport and took us to our bungalow.  Review coming!