Our 'man on the spot' Fionn McKee, reports:

The Blue Water Rally has been officially welcomed to French Polynesia with a truly memorable day of Marquesan hospitality. In the morning, the children of Taiohoe Bay greeted the sailors with the traditional aoti neck garlands, before escorting them to trays of beautifully prepared fresh fruits from the island of Nuku Hiva. Mango, coconut, papaya, orange, corossol, carambol, goyave, and of course the famous sweet, juicy, and enormous pamplemouse.

The islanders also demonstrated traditional plant weaving skills, and gave out gifts of freshly woven bags, baskets, and headgear. Deputy Mayor, Mme Deborah Kimitete spoke of her town's pleasure in hosting the Blue Water fleet, and in particular for being the important landfall point after the longest single leg of the rally, the 3,200nm passage from the Galapagos Islands. Deborah acknowledged the benefits that cruising yachts brought to these distant islands, and in turn the Blue Water team thanked the people of Nuku Hiva for their continued warm welcome and support of the rally, now in its 14th year.

In the evening, the rally crews gathered at Rose Corser's soon-to-be-open hotel, for a traditional Hima'a feast, which had been in the ground, cooking, surrounded by layers of earth and hot stones since 11am. The Hima'a involves many people from the village, working through the day, preparing foods native to the island, with wild pig as the centre-piece. As the sun set, the oven was uncovered and the feasting began. This delicious meal was enjoyed outdoors, only a few metres from the shores of the Pacific ocean.

And to end the day, an exciting display of dancing and singing, with islanders dressed in traditional costume, creating song and movement to the primal beat of drums standing four feet high. As the pictures show, the crews got into the spirit of it all, with the rally men taking part in the dance, and getting in touch with their inner Polynesian, calling to the Gods and spirits to bless them!

Over the next few days, the fleet will continue explore Nuku Hiva, visiting different bays, and taking 4x4 excursions to see the interior of this mountainous island, before beginning one of the most anticipated periods of the rally - an independent cruise through the stunning Tuamotu Islands.