S1-E27 Huahine: Echoes of Endeavour

Podcast 02 July 2025

Episode 27 of our journey brings us to a turning point—farewell to Tahiti, the island that offered not only warmth and provisions, but also a glimpse of a society shaped by balance, kinship, and quiet dignity. Though their stay lasted just two weeks, Georg Forster and the Resolution’s crew witnessed everyday life, trade, class structures, and beliefs that challenged European assumptions. From reflections on social inequality and forewarnings of change to insights on food, fashion, disease, and divine birds, Georg painted a nuanced portrait of Tahitian society—one he hoped would add depth rather than repetition to what Cook’s earlier accounts had recorded.

**Captain Cook’s crew and Chief Ori’s people exchange gifts and banana saplings in a ceremony recalling Cook’s earlier visit. – Click on the image to listen to this episode on YouTube.**

As the ship set sail under a pale moon, Tahiti’s shoreline faded into memory—but the voyage pressed on. At Huaheine, familiar landscapes and customs awaited, yet the welcome was quieter, the people more reserved. The crew traded for food, encountered local chiefs, and learned that appearances could deceive—even when worn by their Tahitian companion Porea, now "Tom." In forests filled with chickens and pigs, by beaches of shell sand, and through unexpected moments of kindness, they continued their search—not just for discoveries, but for understanding.