French Polynesia

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skip's retirement travel French Polynesia
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- Apr 20, 2023, 10:50am
- 🌬 29 °C
- Altitude: 13 m
- French Polynesia Leeward Islands Opoa Taputapuatea -16.836667, -151.3616°50’12” S 151°21’36” W
Day 12
Ra'iātea
April 20, 2023 in French Polynesia ⋅ 🌬 29 °C
Ra'iātea is second only to Tahiti in both size and population. However, it's importance to all of Polynesia is historical.
For many, Ra'iātea is a sacred island. It's original name was Havai'i which is related to the names of other Polynesian islands. It is in the center of the of called Polynesian triangle, with Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island at corners. This is apparent in the 1st picture. The octopus is a symbol of the interconnectedness of the Polynesian people. You will also see that Ra'iātea (using the original name Havai'i) is at the center where the body of the octopus is shown and from which all else emanates. And, Ra'iātea is believed to be where Polynesian culture began and from where colonization of the many islands began.
As a sacred place, it isn't surprising that the main marae of all Polynesia are here. Marae Taputapuatea, in the 2nd picture, is the largest marae and the center of religious and cultural life of Polynesia. It dates to before 1000 CE. People of Polynesia still gather here for ceremonies. The next 3 pictures are of more of the marae that have been built nearby over the centuries. As Polynesian culture spread, stones from Marae Taputaputea were carried to and incorporated in many marae elsewhere.
The last 2 pictures are of the town and waterfront on the island.Read more
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skip's retirement travel French Polynesia
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- Apr 24, 2023, 4:13pm
- ⛅ 26 °C
- Altitude: 189 m
- Cook Islands Ngatangiia -21.233261, -159.73013421°13’60” S 159°43’48” W
Day 16
Rarotonga Overview
April 24, 2023 in Cook Islands ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
The Cook Islands consists of 15 islands in the South Pacific that are self governing and are also in free association with New Zealand. They are not members of the UN, but are members of most other international bodies and organizations.
Rarotonga is the largest and main island of the country. The international airport and national capital area located here. My visit is limited to here.
The 1st picture is the view from my balcony. This is typical for most of the island with sand beaches and lush vegetation.
The 2nd picture is the main port with the local fishing harbor in the foreground and the commercial/cargo port to the rear.
The Cook Islands are a parliamentary democracy. The 3rd picture is the parliament building. I doubt that there is another country whose legislature is housed in a former hostel.
The 4th picture is simply a look at inland portion of the island. It is mountainous with no roads crossing the street interior. There are hiking trails across.
The Cook Islands has been a part of the British world for well over 100 years, but they are not full members of the Commonwealth. Yet, the relationship remains strong as evidenced by the presence of a King's Representative whose facilities are in the 5th picture.
The 6th picture is Muri Beach. Muri is "tourist central" here.
The 7th and 8th pictures go together. The 7th picture is an historical monument of 7 stones remembering the 7 vaka or canoes that made the migration to New Zealand in about 1350 CE. These are said to be the ancestors of the New Zealand Maori. The 8th picture looks out from the monument across the bay and through the passage through the reef that the migrants passed through.
The 9th picture is the national Library and Museum. Behind them is the center where cultural events take place. The area is surrounded by hostels for each island of the country where those folks stay, especially for the 10 day celebration each year of their self governing status.
The last picture is the headquarters of the Cook Islands Christian Church, the denomination descended from the London Missionary Society's work here. This year they are marking the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the LMS.Read more
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skip's retirement travel French Polynesia
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- Apr 25, 2023
- ⛅ 26 °C
- Altitude: 191 m
- Cook Islands Rarotonga Avatiu Teraamanga -21.205909, -159.77870821°12’21” S 159°46’43” W
Day 17
Avarua
April 25, 2023 in Cook Islands ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Avarua is the capital of the Cook Islands and the only town of any real substance. There are a number of small villages, but they don't have the definition of Avarua. This post adds to the overview (see another post) with more detail about this part of the island.
The 1st 2 posts look at the divided boulevard through downtown. Stores are to the left; the ocean is to be he right.
The overview talked of the hostels for each island. The 3rd picture is a couple of these. The performance hall is across the street to the right.
The 4th picture is the oldest school on the island. Apii means to teach or a place to teach.
The 5th picture, taken just before the skies opened up, is street art whose significance is in the message. It is a very abbreviated history, beginning from the indigenous creation myth to modern time, symbolized by the airplane.
The 6th picture looks across a modern cemetery to a raised marae (see other posts) in the background. Cemeteries like this only have foreigners and VIPs. Local families traditionally bury the dead on their own land. It is still the case today.
The 7th picture has a church hall in the front and the oldest church on the island to the rear. It is under renovation for the 200th anniversary (see the overview post). The 8th picture is of the stone where the 1st Christian sermon on the island was preached. This location in a modern traffic circle is the actual location, and the stone was moved back here from where it had been kept.
The 9th picture is the courthouse. The story has it that the current justice minister, in his youth, was a defendant in a suit and was talked into burning down the courthouse. He was caught and did his time. Since his release, he got involved in politics. I'm told that now he is one of the most popular politicians here.
The last picture, in front of the national police headquarters, is a group of officers doing what looked to me to be line dancing. Unlikely, I know.Read more
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Ra'iātea

Rarotonga Overview

Avarua