This morning, National Geographic Orion dropped the hook in Hatiheu Bay on Nuka Hiva. Being Sunday, some of us took the opportunity to attend the 8am Catholic church service which was in the Marquesan language. Afterwards, we walked up the hill to the extraordinary archeological site of Kamuihei. Situated between three mountain peaks, the complex was an important sacred place in the past. The group gathered by the chief’s residential complex to learn about the site and we tried to imagine the ceremony that once occurred on the huge dance floor/plaza. At the top of the site, we found two huge boulders covered in petroglyphs with images of stick figures, a large fish, and lots of turtles. Turtles were considered sacred since they can travel on land as well as in the sea, serving as a metaphor for the relation between the living and the dead.
From the site, we headed down the hill for a cultural program, a weaving demonstration, making of breadfruit poi (ma), and an extraordinary dance performance. Leaving the shore was a sad moment for the staff as it will be the last time for a while that National Geographic Orion will visit these amazing communities.
