Kaoha nui!
This year has been very
adventurous for Nāwa‘a and me – we’ve been privileged to spend most of 2011 in the
South Pacific, especially on the Tuamotu Atolls of Rangiroa (Tiputa) and
Fakarava (Rotoava), Tahiti and Moorea, as well as many of the Marquesas
Islands.
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| Nāwa‘a and me on Ua Pou, Marquesas (Photo by Father Moki Hino) |
And no, that is NOT our yacht behind us! We took a different type of voyage this trip (at least for us!). I was asked by the “Aranui 3” (386-foot freighter/cruise liner) to give a series of lectures regarding the
Marquesas. So, for two weeks, Nāwa‘a and I cruised from Pape’ete, Tahiti, to
Fakarava, and then throughout the Marquesas archipelago. What an incredible journey it was!
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| Aranui 3 |
My three lectures were presented
in both English and French. Nāwa‘a most
graciously interpreted the first lecture for me – he is a walking
encyclopedia and I am very fortunate to have had him accompany me for this
journey. His wise guidance, friendship, encouragement and support, as well as his incredibly helpful French, is awesome! I cannot thank him enough...
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| Randy Nāwa‘a Wichman |
My lectures were:
Early Ethnology of the Marquesas
Archaeology of the Marquesas
Material Culture of the Marquesas
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Also, I cannot thank the
Aranui crewmembers enough for their endless professionalism, warmth, and friendliness. They are all brilliant Pacific jewels, and the Aranui is fortunate to have them as part of their family (as well as their passengers!).
The Aranui is a great way to visit the Marquesas Islands, and I highly recommend this adventurous cruise! The unique freighter/cruiser is very, very comfortable and clean, heaps of fun on-going activities, superb food, and many memorable adventures! Not your typical posh cruise liner - more for the adventurous types...
The Aranui is a great way to visit the Marquesas Islands, and I highly recommend this adventurous cruise! The unique freighter/cruiser is very, very comfortable and clean, heaps of fun on-going activities, superb food, and many memorable adventures! Not your typical posh cruise liner - more for the adventurous types...
I would love to write a bit about each of these unique Marquesan islands - but that will have to wait for another post in the future. The following slide shows are a small sampling of more than 1,000 photos we shot during this adventure.
Life on and off board the Aranui 3
Nuku Hiva
Omoa, Fatu Hiva
Fatu Hiva
Hiva Oa
Atuona, Hiva Oa
Tahuata
Ua Huka
Please check back soon for more adventure postings as I am seriously behind (we finally have decent Internet!!!). Nāwa‘a and I have had several other amazing adventures since this Marquesas voyage such as our ancient rock wall restoration project in Nu‘alolo Kai with Nā Pali Coast ‘Ohana, as well as more aerial photos of another preservation project at Hui Mālama o Kāneiolouma in Po‘ipū, both located on our beautiful home island of Kaua‘i, here in Hawai‘i.
Nāwa‘a and I are so very blessed - the greatest gifts from all our adventures are the many new lifetime friends we have created along the way!!
Koutau nui!
