Saturday, December 1, 2012

A Distant Place


Pukapuka is a coral atoll in the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the most remote islands of the Cook Islands. It is a triangular atoll with three islets with three small islets threaded on a reef, which encloses a beautifully clear lagoon. Together, the 3 islets comprise little more than 3 square kilometers of land area, yet on this small island an ancient culture and distinct language developed over many centuries.

The entire population is said to be descended from just 15 adults and an unknown number of children who survived a catastrophic storm and tidal wave (tsunami) over 300 years ago. 664 people inhabited the island as of the 2001 census.

Pukapuka is a place beyond the reach of the faintest echo from the noisy clamour of the civilised world. To this day Pukapuka is one of the most untouched and secluded places in the Cook Islands.


Couple of Pukapukan phrases:
  • PEWEA: Hello, how are you? 
  • KO LELEI WUA: I'm fine 
  • ATA WAI WOLO: Hello/Thank you  

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