Ua Huka - Rocks, birds and sea

Turning northwestward onto a broad reach around the NE corner of Hiva Oa was a welcome change during the trip to Ua Huka from Fatu Hivar. We got rocked around with big seas and 25-knot winds, being open to the full force of the tradewinds and seas once out of the shelter of the Bay of Virgins (Fatu Hiva). Ua Huka is not well traveled by cruisers or tourists in general, as was obvious when we approached the third anchorage along the south shore, not a boat to be seen in any of the three. Although it was pretty amazing to be the only boat on the island, there's a reason it's "off the beaten track". The swell and winds in the first 2 anchorages were such that we were uncomfortable taking the boat inside those bays, let alone anchoring there, so proceeded to the third (and last on that coast with our fingers crossed) to find it more sheltered from the 25-kt gusts, but still enough swell that warranted us staying on the boat. So we enjoyed the rugged rocky terrain and wild horses from the water. We were prepared to go to shore in the morning if the wind/swell subsided, but ended up leaving for Nuku Hiva instead as it was too dicey.