In June 1774, off the shores of present-day Tonga, the HMS Resolution glides between reefs and low coral islands, welcomed with fruit, laughter, and chants of “Wòa”—friend. But beneath the surface of peaceful trade, misunderstandings fester. One stolen hatchet becomes the spark for a violent clash, testing the limits of trust between Europeans and Polynesians.
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Only the wicked are offered,” says the priest—and Captain Cook believes him. But when painted warriors hurl spears at his crew on a nameless reef island, even that belief is shaken.
How can a people so gentle commit acts so cruel?
In May 1774, Captain Cook’s expedition returns to Raiatea—and finds paradise laced with paradox. At the center: the Errioys, a revered group of artists and priests whose vibrant performances hide a devastating truth.
Southern Lakes Air Rescue is more than an emergency service – it is the safety net for a region that promises adventure but, in an emergency, can become deadly without rapid help.
As HMS Resolution sails away from Tahiti in May 1774, the cannon fire masks more than just ritual—it conceals heartache, temptation, and unresolved tensions. Onboard, a sailor dreams of paradise and dives for it. Onshore in Huaheine, Cook’s crew finds not only coconuts and courtesies but theft, ambush, and a mocking dance that wounds more deeply than any weapon.