So it has taken me awhile to finish this but here goes. I told you that we found ourselves surrounded by wonderful people and things and that we swam with the Sting Rays and Sharks..now I will tell you about exploring the Island.
We have joined an Inland Island Tour and we will see the inside from the back of a jeep. WE are joined by a couple from Mo, a couple from New Zealand, and an older couple. Our first stop is "Magic Mt." which is reached by a track of cement that is single wide (yet twice we pulled over and let other jeeps pass. We back the last 20 plus feet up the cliff where we are treated to breath taking views. Back in the jeep we are off to an inlet where we are told about how they raise shrimp close to the sea and prawn more inland, near the fresh water rivers. We are told that the only wild creatures on the Island are chickens, dogs, cats, pigs, and rats. We are told that the small fires we see with much smoke are to keep the mosquito's at bay, that the Myna bird was brough in to eat the wasp, and the Red Venter Bulbul, was brought in to keep the insect down. We were advised that Hawks were imported to eat the rats, but since they are night creatures that was a mistake so Owls were brought in. All birds found on the Islands have been imported, by man, ships, or storms. Moreea and her sister Islands are all volcanic and all the vegetation and animals were brought in.
From here we travel deep into the forest and up on the top of yet another mountain where we can see both of the Inlets and all of the Island. Just down the road are ancient sacrificial sites. We are told that when the priest came in they order them all destroyed and only a few were rebuilt. They are areas when items were left for the Gods, including human lives. This is located in a quite tree covered area and all the rocks and stones are covered with green moss and could totally be passed by never knowing what they were. There were two; one which was quite large and was said to be a community area and another that was for brides.
Our next stop is a plantation where we see two different types of bananas (one grown down the other up), oranges, grapefruit, lime, passion fruit, mango's, pineapple's, and flowers of all types, colors, and sizes. Our next stop is a Pineapple factory, where we are treated to different types of liquor made from the pineapple. On to a garden where they grow the vanilla bean and more types of fruit. We are shown the different stages of the bean and advised of the different uses for said bean. Here we are treated to home made ice cream then it is back in the jeep and back to the hotel.
After a dip in the pool and a walk downtown we are off in yet another bus where we are taken to what is call the Polynesian Experience, which is actually The Tiki Village Theater. Here we were shown around the village and given history of many of their items. There was this beautiful long carved bench/chair. The story on this item was: Among the Tahitian people tattoos are a sign of strength and each group of people are know by their tattoos. Our guide stated that in years past they didn't need a passport because everywhere people knew you by your design, "now you must have a passport." Back to the story; In the not so distant past when a male child reached 5 years of age they received their first tattoo and it was always done on this bench/chair. The child would be sat(tied) on the chair and given the tattoo. After the priest came this was stopped. All males have tattoo's but they get to decide when it is done. After our tour we are lead into an area where a large underground oven is opened and large amounts of food is taken from the oven and then sit up for our evening meal. We are served smorgasbord style and they food is excellent and too many items for me to tell you about. WE are treated to a female and male demonstrating how to wrap the sarong and how to keep it on. Our dinner was followed by 2 hours of native songs and dances in the most beautiful outfits. I loved the dances which includes the torches.
We have joined an Inland Island Tour and we will see the inside from the back of a jeep. WE are joined by a couple from Mo, a couple from New Zealand, and an older couple. Our first stop is "Magic Mt." which is reached by a track of cement that is single wide (yet twice we pulled over and let other jeeps pass. We back the last 20 plus feet up the cliff where we are treated to breath taking views. Back in the jeep we are off to an inlet where we are told about how they raise shrimp close to the sea and prawn more inland, near the fresh water rivers. We are told that the only wild creatures on the Island are chickens, dogs, cats, pigs, and rats. We are told that the small fires we see with much smoke are to keep the mosquito's at bay, that the Myna bird was brough in to eat the wasp, and the Red Venter Bulbul, was brought in to keep the insect down. We were advised that Hawks were imported to eat the rats, but since they are night creatures that was a mistake so Owls were brought in. All birds found on the Islands have been imported, by man, ships, or storms. Moreea and her sister Islands are all volcanic and all the vegetation and animals were brought in.
From here we travel deep into the forest and up on the top of yet another mountain where we can see both of the Inlets and all of the Island. Just down the road are ancient sacrificial sites. We are told that when the priest came in they order them all destroyed and only a few were rebuilt. They are areas when items were left for the Gods, including human lives. This is located in a quite tree covered area and all the rocks and stones are covered with green moss and could totally be passed by never knowing what they were. There were two; one which was quite large and was said to be a community area and another that was for brides.
Our next stop is a plantation where we see two different types of bananas (one grown down the other up), oranges, grapefruit, lime, passion fruit, mango's, pineapple's, and flowers of all types, colors, and sizes. Our next stop is a Pineapple factory, where we are treated to different types of liquor made from the pineapple. On to a garden where they grow the vanilla bean and more types of fruit. We are shown the different stages of the bean and advised of the different uses for said bean. Here we are treated to home made ice cream then it is back in the jeep and back to the hotel.
After a dip in the pool and a walk downtown we are off in yet another bus where we are taken to what is call the Polynesian Experience, which is actually The Tiki Village Theater. Here we were shown around the village and given history of many of their items. There was this beautiful long carved bench/chair. The story on this item was: Among the Tahitian people tattoos are a sign of strength and each group of people are know by their tattoos. Our guide stated that in years past they didn't need a passport because everywhere people knew you by your design, "now you must have a passport." Back to the story; In the not so distant past when a male child reached 5 years of age they received their first tattoo and it was always done on this bench/chair. The child would be sat(tied) on the chair and given the tattoo. After the priest came this was stopped. All males have tattoo's but they get to decide when it is done. After our tour we are lead into an area where a large underground oven is opened and large amounts of food is taken from the oven and then sit up for our evening meal. We are served smorgasbord style and they food is excellent and too many items for me to tell you about. WE are treated to a female and male demonstrating how to wrap the sarong and how to keep it on. Our dinner was followed by 2 hours of native songs and dances in the most beautiful outfits. I loved the dances which includes the torches.
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