Teahupo'o (Teh-ya-hu-po-o) is Tahitian for 'Wall of Skulls'.According to locals, the name Teahupo'o came from a rivalry against the tribes in Tahiti centuries ago. Other tribes came to invade the local tribe in Teahupo'o, but the locals were victorious and hence created a wall made from the skulls of the invaders. Some say this was also done to scare off anyone else who tried to invade the territory. This spot is now known as Teahupoo (commonly pronounced as choe-poo or chopes by English-speakers) and is famous for its giant barrel waves reaching up to 7-8 metres. Attracting the world's best surfers and holding the annual Billabong Pro Surf Competition, it is known to be one of the most dangerous, heaviest, scariest, deadliest waves in the world, causing countless numbers of injuries and even deaths. But what may seem like a place of absolute terror is not always the case. The beaches around Teahupo'o can be unbelievably calm and tranquil. Who could have known it was a place lined with a wall of skulls. These photos taken by Marc show you another side to Teahupo'o that you might not have known.
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A video I edited highlighting my first time in Tahiti. This was a trip of many firsts for me, including first time:
- visiting the beautiful beaches - eating sea urchin straight out of the sea - swimming with stingrays - seeing a sunset along the ocean horizon - climbing my highest mountain to date, Mt Aorai (2066m). - visiting overwater bungalows - immersed in country with a foreign language - meeting Marc's family Music credit: Moth's Wings by Passion Pit The shakas hand symbol - a.k.a hang loose - is a common gesture in Tahiti. It essentially means no worries, take it easy, be happy, okay, see ya later... It's a diverse gesture, and that's why tahitians make the symbol frequently. When getting to know my fiancé Marc, he would do the shakas after almost everything I said. Whenever a photo was getting taken of him, he'd be doing the shakas. Not a single photo he was not doing the shakas!! After travelling to Tahiti and getting to know the people, I realise why he did it so often. The tahitians are so friendly, and they really live a 'hang loose' sorta life. As the aussie's say, no worries mate! It's all good.
The gesture originally came from Hawaiian surfers. When those surfers came to Tahiti, the Tahitians loved it and it has been ingrained in the culture ever since, amongst males and females alike. So if you ever get to Tahiti, in true local spirit, do the shakas! Et voila! (French for 'And there we go!') My site is up and running. Let your eyes feast on the wonders of Tahiti and her islands!
There are three main reasons why I started this website and blog. First, I’m engaged to a lovely Tahitian man. Second, I had the opportunity to visit Tahiti in 2014, and it was INCREDIBLE. But, it definitely is the lesser-known and lesser-visited of tropical islands out there. Yes we all know Hawaii, we all know Fiji, we all know Bali, but what about Tahiti? Bora Bora? Moorea? Surfers: maybe you would know. Ever heard of Teahupoo? Where the annual Billabong Pro surf comp is held, and where waves can reach up to 7m. Yes, this is Tahiti. If you’ve seen the film Couple’s Retreat, it is set in Bora Bora. Tahiti might not be as popular as other famous islands, but it is a place rich in culture, history, beautiful people, breath-taking scenery, mountains, marine life, and of course, coconut trees. I started this website with the aim to inspire you, and inform you of the wonders of Tahiti. Third, as of February 2016, I will be calling Tahiti my new home. Over 22 years of living in my current home of Australia, I will soon move to a new country, with a new language, and a completely different way of life. Crazy. I know. Daunting? A little bit. Now what better way to prepare myself for this big change, than by creating a website with everything you need to know about Tahiti! Not only do I hope you are inspired and informed by this website, but for me as well.
Tahiti captured incredibly by cinematographer Chris Ray in this video of Robbie Maddison riding the giant waves at Teahupo'o. Check out the behind the scenes footage of him wiping out and fighting for his life below.
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November 2015
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