Island of Raiatea, Tahiti

We are spending two full days on this beautiful island.    The ship landed at the dock, so our on/off was much easier.

Our first day was Sunday so there was no excursion scheduled.      The shops are mostly closed.   Bob caught a cold, so it’s a good day to take it easy.           The jewelry store was open, though, and I think I have found my purchase for this trip as well as my wonderful Granddaughter's birthday presents.    I will think about it overnight.

Monday morning we had a sightseeing excursion around the island.   I was surprised at how few flowers there were, although it was very lush with trees.       

One of our stops was a black pearl business.   The father and son dive for the shells, clean the pearls and rate them, while the wife and daughter design the jewelry for their shop out over the water.     Yes, on our return into town, I did revisit the jewelry store and made my purchase.   

As on Moorea, when the missionaries came they banned the local language, religion and heritage.     Much of it was lost because there was no written language.   They are now working at bringing it back. 

One interesting approach:     Our driver’s wife’s family is a major part of this.      Their land is dedicated to that family and only family members may enter  (as a guest).      The native language is solely used, and the children are raised in a small school dedicated to their heritage.      This is primarily living off the land, conservation, ancestral ways.    Girls become women at their first menstrual cycle and boys become men when they grow facial hair.

We visited Taputapuata, a UNESCO world heritage site.   The marae was where ascetic priests consecrated the rites of the rahui (a temporary prohibition on a resource or on actions).    Human sacrifices were perpetrated on a sacred stone placed in front of the courtyard.    

The Council House was where chiefs, priests and other specialists gathered and slept.    Archery was only for great warriors and contenders for the title of sovereign.   Another site here was dedicated to the god of peace and war.   There are ongoing archeological digs, which we observed.

Tattoo’s are a major part of their heritage.    A man tattooes part of his body when he has done something worthy of the honor.      The more tattoo’s, the more honorable he is.