According to Lonely Planet Marae Taputapuatea is the most important marae (traditional temple) in French Polynesia. Information boards explain that a Marae was created for changes in the tribe and / or chief. The old marae is torn down or destroyed while the new marae is built in its place or erected in a new location. Scary enough this is also where human sacrifices were made to honor gods of war and creation. We found the place very pretty and mystifying.
Locals nearby were amazed by Kalo flying capturing all of the beauty and joined us under a tree. Afterwards they picked us mangoes and a breadfruit. We walked down the road and came across the lovely Hotel Atiapiti. All the guide books say that there are no beaches in Raiatea but we were very impressed with the large beach in front of each bungalow.
As we are anchored on a ledge of sand we tried out the paddle boards, but the wind has been 12 to 20 knots all day and the waves were high for the lagoon. We’ve retired paddling until Huahine.
Cheers,
Wade and Sara
Position at noon: 16 degrees 50.936 minutes South and 151 degrees 20.861 minutes West
