Mangaia is not a beautiful island in the usual sense, but it is an island of great beauty. The landscape is incredibly rugged, many roads are rough and rubble-strewn, but everywhere there's greenery and life. And what makes it most special are the people. Mangaians have a fierce sense of independence, great pride in their island and show incredible warmth to visitors.
MANGAIA'S SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE?!
This road near Tava'enga village was blasted through the makatea in 1951 using war surplus explosives. It was an amazing engineering feat. Before it, bulky goods were carried on horseback up a series of steps. Ewan Smith, in his superb "coffee table" book 'The Cook Islands' likens it to Sydney Harbour Bridge for the way it revolutionised transportation.
Pigs and chickens seem to be everywhere. The pigs have a particular liking for coconuts and mangos...and their meat takes on these flavours.
The road connects the coastal plain with the richly fertile interior where swamps are filled with lush taro plantations (left). Their appearance has been likened to padi fields in the Philippines or Bali. Taro is something of an acquired taste, but its tuberous root and its leaves are a complete food...providing all the vitamins and minerals the body needs.
SNAPSHOTS OF ISLAND LIFE
The island is honeycombed with caves. Some have been used for hundreds of years as tombs...visitors can take a tour.
Lynn Martin is great ambassador for the island. She runs the little airport shop and also helps promote tourism.
The closest Mangaia gets to a supermarket! It may looked well stocked, but what's available is down to how recently the supply ship called in at the island. Typically it visits every two months.
But at least you can be sure of a very friendly welcome from the staff.
But at least you can be sure of a very friendly welcome from the staff.
TOP TIP FOR VISITORS
The number one "must have" for any visitor is a strong pair of walking shoes. The fossilised coral, or makatea, makes for very rough walking...and with almost no proper roads, my feet were sore for days after wandering around the island. But don't be deterred from venturing out...you'll meet some very friendly locals (both human and animal!) and enjoy unique scenery.
Tamarua is one of three villages on the island
Religion plays an important part in Mangaian life
New friends met while out walking...this grandfather was showing the boys how he clears overgrown vegetation so his goats can graze safely
And everywhere the makatea reminds you how ancient this island is
Outside the island school...a reminder to students that they can do anything if they try hard enough. It says: "The Maori can achieve anything the Papaa can but to do this he must Work! Work! Work!"
(A papa'a is a foreigner)
(A papa'a is a foreigner)
Personal Impressions
BRITISH AND PROUD OF IT
British vistors are given a particularly warm welcome on Mangaia...because islanders still think of themselves as British! I was told that this patriotism dates back to Queen Victoria's day when King John of Mangaia (pictured left, standing) paid Her Majesty a visit in London. After his audience at Buckingham Palace he was careful to walk backwards and so continue facing the Queen. Victoria was so impressed at his courtesy that she presented him with a Union Flag with her picture on it, and told him that Mangaia would from that day forward forever be part of Great Britain. I'm told the flag still exists, albeit in two pieces! Half is supposed to be in the the home of the current queen of Mangaia, and the other half in Tonga.
MEANDERINGS AROUND MANGAIA
POINTERS TO PARADISE:
MANGAIA VIDEO RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
MANGAIA VIDEO RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
