Cannibals, Nuka Hiva

Tiki is a large wood or stone carving in humanoid form.  These are found scattered around the islands of French Polynesia.  These carvings often serve to mark the boundaries of sacred sites.

Two years ago a German Sailor, Stephan Ramin, was eaten here by cannibals.  He was invited to go boar hunting with one of the locals (local cannibal I take it) and never returned. His remains were identified by his dental records found in a fire. (At least they like their meat cooked!) You can google it!  

We sailed into the bay he was said to have dissappeard in and hiked through the jungle the highest waterfall in French Polynesia, Vaipo, with a single drop height of 350 meteres, all the while on the look out for painted faces peering at us through the wilderness.

The entrance to "Bay of Cannibal"

We weren't alone, whew!

Rourke ready for the hike

Sky, Layla and Emma.  The scenery is unbelievably beautiful.  The waterfall is in the mountains in the distance.  Its a 5 hour hike through the jungle, crossing quite a few rivers.

The water in the ponds looks opalescent

Chris giving Layla a helping hand

Many rivers to cross..  Rourke, Chris, Layla and friends

Hard hats were provided near the waterfall (found in a bucket near a sign) for the continuous falling rocks from the high surrounding mountains.  Layla, Chris and Sky

Vaipo Waterfall

Sky and Emma swimming at the falls

Rourke, Chris and Sky sporting hard hats

Chris crossing one of the rivers at low tide, on our way to lunch

 We did come accross some tattoed faces who invited us to lunch the next day, we were wondering if WE were the dish of the day! 

Our host!

Turns out we survived the meal, a delicious dish of prawns in coconut milk, with side dishes of strange mouthwatering fruits and fresh sweet lemon juice. You only live once  :)

Our host chatting to us over lunch with fellow sailors 

Augustine, another friendly face.  Wild boar hunter.  Only the brave.   The largest wild boar they have killed with spears weighed 400kgs.  Those are boars teeth around his neck.

On our way back to T R I B E.  Sascha, Layla and Rourke

Bastille island celebrations up next with a tragic ending...