Underground Oven Feast

December 19, 2017 day two of the festival and the Arinui 5 supply/cruise-ship showed up with a bunch more tourists. They were there for only this day, which is why they had the food fest.

Back at the ceremony grounds on the far side of the bay, holes were dug and tents set up for each island group to cook and offer their best traditional meals to everyone.

I am not sure how long they cooked, maybe over night. But we got to watch as they uncovered one of the ovens.

Somehow I don't think their ancestors had tarps like this, but they do the trick for keeping the heat in!

The food is buried in metal trays under many banana leaves and other natural leaves, with a fire underneath (or maybe just hot rocks). 

 They use big hooks to hang the metal frames onto large sticks to be carried to each tent and served.

The groups dress in costume while carrying the baskets of food and sing or chant loudly as they go by.

Our friend the dance troup leader, watches as they un-bury the food.  

Once the food is removed they send the tray back with the excess leaves.

The men carry off the tray, obviously not as hot now.

The rest is returned to the hot hole in the ground.

Each group brought their own and very intricately carved huge bowls to serve in.

Everyone is ready to serve and getting excited about all the food!

These ladies are ready to go as soon as the padre says a prayer. That is a giant bowl of pork!

There are lots of people here!

Come and get it!!!

This is a huge bowl of poi. Take notice she is serving into a coconut shell. The deal is that everyone must bring a natural plate, no paper, Styrofoam or anything man made to be eaten off of. They would only serve the food on something natural. We brought our wood salad bowl. No cost, just show up!

The people watching was absolutely incredible and so many different types! Here a young cruiser girl walks her wood plate past a tattooed Frenchman sitting by a Polynesian lady.

This buff Marquesan is watching over as the food is served. Love that necklace!

One of our French cruiser friends eating on a bamboo plate.

This adorable dog was a gentle beggar. His spots looked like tiger stripes. He was the only dog we saw here. 

A lovely Polynesian girl with feathers in her hair.

A well decorated lady. Love those earrings!

This girl is dressed very simple, but she is strikingly beautiful.

Yeah, I think Mike had the camera here. But with all my shots of studly dudes, the boys deserved some eye candy too!

Now that is how you wear a Marquesan flag!

Love this guy's mohawk with died blond ponytail tied up and his great tattoos, including on his neck!

This was the big guy dressed in yellow at the opening ceremony. Note his 4 carved coconut shells fastened to a board for his plate.

He had the best head dress! That is a boars tusk which makes a complete circle with a Marquesan cross carved on either coconut or other bone in the middle of it, topped of with the white feathers. And his pearl shell necklace, he was so cool!

The crowd was enjoying the food in the shade on the beach. Lots of boats out there!

One kid caught a wave! Not as big today as at the opening ceremony.

Lots of kids playing in the water and the Arinui 5 anchored in the background.

The crowd stretched all the way down the beach!

Finished stuffing ourselves with the most amazing pork, shrimp and lots of other stuff I don't really know what it was, other than yummy, it was time to head back to the village. We of course took the short cut with everyone else and who do we find making sure no one falls? This fireman or rescue squad guy had picked us up back on Hiva Oa when we were hitch hiking to town! He told us then he would be here and he was hard to miss!

It is a steep path back down to the road.

Looking through the trees on shore at the village at all those boats anchored out there! Arinui 5 and Navy ship included!

The guy with his horse, watching the surf come in while cooling off.

The dance stage is ready for the night's show and the church is hiding behind the flowering tree. We sat by that tree last night, so we hope to get better seats tonight!

At the artisan tables, our friends from Hapatoni were playing and singing by their tables this time. Our friend David, singing.

The whole village seemed to be here having a good time. 

This lady demonstrated one of the long carved horns, which was a piece of artwork for sale.

Shelly standing by the Momma Tiki with baby at the corner of the stage. Sun will be going down soon and the dancing will begin again! Can you hear the drums yet?