Point Venus is an unexpected beauty. We did not plan on stopping here but are really happy we did. You might wonder how this bay got its name? Well, Captain Cook set up an observation point to watch Venus pass in front of the sun. Cook’s observatory set up to record the transit of Venus. On this point is an impressive lighthouse, park, upscale crafts market and small eatery.
We landed Sweetie on the black, mysterious sandy beach. Mysterious because how many black sand beaches have you been on – what is it hiding? Hmmmm. The sand sticks to everything and gives your feet a funny freckle look.
Black sand beach at Point Venus, Tahiti
Polynesians voyaged in canoes across French Polynesia, thousands of years ago, guided solely by the stars. The voyagers detected each island by its zenithal star (vei’a). Can you imagine traversing the Pacific Ocean with nothing but astronomical knowledge and nature? We on the other hand thoroughly enjoy using a half-dozen instruments and digital charts to navigate.
THE HMS BOUNTY
The HMS Bounty,was a Royal Navy three-mast ship. She was made famous by the movie “Mutiny on the Bounty” starring Marlon Brando. Fletcher Christian, the second in command staged a mutiny against Captain Bligh at Point Venus. The Captain and 19 sailors escaped. Meanwhile the rest of the crew settled in Tahiti. The sculpture below presets the mutineers’ names and the Tahitians who accompanied them.
HMS Bounty Marker
PIROGUE – CANOE’S
The Tahitian word for canoe or “pirogue” is “Va’a.” These were used to travel between Hawaii, New Zealand and the Polynesian Islands. This is no small feat as they are thousands of miles apart. There were two types of pirogues in Polynesia.
- Single Hull with an equalizer used for fishing and short trips between the islands.
- Double Hull used for big journeys and war.
In addition, Polynesians used pirogues as a receptacle for dead people to transition from life to death. Young boys used Pirogues to transition into becoming a man. They boys transition would be through their first shark or bonito fishing exposition. Certainly a beautiful and ancient Polynesian tradition.
Pirogue – Polynesian Outriggers
LIGHTHOUSE
The lighthouse called “Te-ara-o-Tahiti” or “Tepaina Venuti” was built in 1867. Coral rubble and cut stones from the Gambiers were used to construct it. It is an eight-floor square lighthouse that originally measured 25 meters high. However, seven meters were added and its electrification was realized in 1963. During the war, 1939-1945, the inhabitants hid the lighthouse by painting coconut trees, palms, and nuts on its lower facades. The lighthouse standing in the middle of the coconut grove became virtually invisible to the Japanese enemy. Consequently, they had no reference point to land.
Te-ara-o-Tahiti lighthouse
Here is a photo of Captain Cook
Captain Cook
This beautiful statute had no plaque, but it was too pretty to not show you.
Sculpture representing history
Additional photos at Point Venus:
Sunset off Point Venus
Point Venus Bay