This is a part of the world I had seldom heard or seen photos documenting. The Marquesas were named after the 16th century Spanish Viceroy of Peru , the Marquis of Canete , by navigator Alvaro de Mendana who visited them in 1595. Nuku Hiva meaning "the land of men" is a group of volcanic islands. The highest point is the peak on Mount Oave, on Ua Pou Island at 4,035 feet above sea level.

When you think about escaping to a semi-deserted, tropical island to recharge, FAKARAVA wins my vote! I had never heard of this place a month ago and when I did, people giggled, just saying its name. No one knew what we were going to do there for 2 days. Divers knew a little about it, but we couldn't find any tours through usual channels.