More Tales from the South Pacific
July 10, 1998
Some answers to your questions...By the way, thanks for writing!
O.K. Where am I?
I'm in Rarotonga, a very small island in the South Pacific. The island is really spectacular with a mountainous, densely forested interior and sandy white beaches that surround virtually the entire island. As for flora and fauna, mostly coconut palms along with a huge variety of flowers; hibiscus, bougainvillea, impatiens and many more. As with most islands, there aren't many mammals with the exception of a fruit bat which is indigenous. However, there a huge number of wild chickens that run all over the place (giving the term free-range chicken a whole new meaning), domestic pigs that people keep tied by one leg to a tree and everyone seems to have really big dogs.
Despite the fact that the Cook Islanders wear western style clothes and live in western-style houses, their culture is still very prevalent and it is quite easy to visualize them in their traditional dress and looking quite fierce! They are a very BIG people, quite tall and large boned. Coffee colored skin with black, coarse, usually wavy hair and very attractive.
A group from the hostel went to an Island Night where they have traditional Polynesian dancing which is really spectacular! Drums pounding, very fast-paced and energetic and sexually charged. Whew! Quite the sight to see!
On Saturday night, everything slams shut at midnight in observance with the Sabbath. These people take their religion very seriously and I can also say that the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints has done a most impressive job of establishing christianity in what was, in our eyes, a less than Christian culture. Cannibalism was once a part of this culture, if I didn't mention that in the past, and the national symbol and a wildly popular figure is that of Tangaroa, the god of fertility and the sea. There are many different stories regarding the origin of him, but you see him everywhere with a little pot belly and this incredibly large appendage. Absolutely hysterical! I don't think I can resist purchasing a wooden carving of him and sending him home. I'm also going to send home some Cook Islands money. They have a really unusual triangular $2 coin and they are one of only 2 countries in the world to have a $3 dollar bill.
Oh! I have also found it interesting that they bury their dead right in the front yard. Right off the sidewalk, there's a huge tombstone above ground usually surrounded by flowers and necklaces. Kind of different, huh?
Well, that's about it for now. Take care all and I will be in touch again soon!
Much love,
Kodie