Ancient Polynesian Culture
Departs 4th February 2009, from London, for 19 nights.
Overview | Lecturers | Shore Excursions | Itinerary | Prices | Deck Plans
From Papeete in Tahiti, we visit the colonial style former home of James Normab Hall, writer of ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ and the beautiful black sand area of Point Venus, so named by the explorer Captain James Cook.
On Moorea we explore the rarely-seen mountainous interior of Tahiti, picturesque Robinson’s cove and visit a traditional temple, as well as trekking through ancient forest.
On Rarotonga our journey around the island takes us to its historical sites to learn about traditional carving and the Polynesian art of the tattoo, which European sailors brought back to the west.
At Nuku Alofa on Tonga, we see the whitepainted Royal Palace, traditional villages and giant blowholes where Pacific rollers forced through natural fissures sprout 90 feet skyward. A buffet lunch is preceded by a traditional Kava ceremonial welcome. After visiting Cook’s landing place, we see the ‘Langi’ tombs of the ancient Tongan kings, dating back to 1300 BC, and then to the easternmost point of the island to view the Ha’amonga - a 15 feet high stone arch built at the start of the 13th century.
On Fiji we travel up river in a traditional longboat, to be greeted at our destination by the distinctive trumpet-sound of a conch shell. We will be treated to a ‘yonga’ welcome ceremony, reserved only for high-chiefs and VIPs. After a tour of the village, we enjoy a buffet lunch while entertained by energetic dancing warriors.
At Noumea, in New Caledonia, we discover Kanak culture and arts at a cultural centre dubbed by Condé Nast Traveller ‘One of the Next Seven Wonders of the World’.
From Brisbane, we travel into the Lamington National Park, which includes Eucalyptus forest, temperate beeches and sub-tropical rainforest. Here we walk along suspension bridges at tree top level, some 590 feet up in the forest canopy.
In Sydney our tour takes in the city’s historic Rocks area, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Lunch at Akuna Bay, is followed by a short walk into the bush to examine centuries-old Aboriginal rock art.
