The Tahitians’ unconstrained attitude to sex and, indeed, to life itself, was as far from European ways as Tahiti was from England. That was one of the first observations the men of Captain James Cook’s bark the Endeavour made during a stopover in Tahiti in 1769. They were there so that Cook could record the upcoming transit of Venus before sailing south to discover new lands. His men, however, had other priorities.
In the following excerpt from my new release historical adventure New Zealand: A Novel, the Endeavour’s company enjoy the hospitality of the villagers of Matavai Bay (pictured) early in their stay…
The feast that followed was worth the wait. Served on trays fashioned from the bark of trees, it included all manner of exotic fruit, fresh crayfish, prawns and oysters, and roasted pork and turtle meat topped with coconut cream. The food was served with generous quantities of kava, which, despite being an acquired taste, was well received by most of the visitors.
By now the celebrations were in full swing and many of the visitors were becoming intoxicated. Some of the worst-affected of the Endeavour’s company lay in a stupor on the ground while those still sober or partly sober participated in the trading now underway; others took advantage of the comforts offered by friendly wahines. Many of the womenfolk were either married or betrothed yet their promiscuity seldom caused arguments.
Unfortunately, venereal disease would soon sweep through the Endeavour’s crew, affecting thirty-two sailors and six of the marines – an unfortunate development that would surprise Cook. Surgeon Monkhouse had assured him his men were not poxed before they reached Tahiti, and the Dolphin’s medical records confirmed that the clap had not been a problem during her visit to these same shores. This could only mean the French were the culprits as their ships had been the only vessels to anchor in Matavai Bay since the Dolphin’s historic visit.
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New Zealand: A Novel is available at Waterstones Bookstores UK & Europe and via Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/New-Zealand-Novel-Lance-Morcan/dp/0473728524/
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Morcan Books & Films 