Bark Europa

Arrival on Raiatea, the sacred centre of the Polynesian world.

Said to be the place the Polynesian wafinders of old sailed their vaka from the East, and landed on Raiatea before spreading to the three corners of the Pacific triangle – Hawai’i, Rapa nui Easter Island and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Taputapuatea, Tapu – meaning sacred and where the word Taboo comes from is a site like no other…

Welcomed on with floral ei, necklaces placed around each of our necks and sharing a “breath of life” with our guide Susan. The beautiful ei and its flowers are to protect us from spirits, connect us to our tipuna, ancestors, as we walk the grounds of Taputapuatea. The spirit of place is thick in the air, but not heavy, a light and sacred presence gently sits on us all as we all hear stories about the sacred marae site, dedicated to the Polynesian God ‘Oro. Encouraged to slow down and take a breath and reflect on our own heritage as we learn about the Polynesian history… each of us come from somewhere different but here in Taputapuatea we can connect to the place, each other and the people who walked through history so we could stand here today.

The place where Te Ao meets Te Pō, where the land of the living meet the land of the Gods and ancestors will live long in everyone’s memories.

The afternoon gave us a scenic cruise through the lagoon that surrounds both Raiatea and its sister island Taha’a. Weaving through crystal clear waters seeing the coral and sea life pass by us at their relaxed island pace.

Once safely at anchor in Apu bay the voyage crew went for a swim in the tropical waters. Washing off the days work and settling into a relaxed boat and island tempo, making new memories and new friends aboard.

✍️ Mike Barber
📷 Fraser Edwards
🌊 Set sail in 2027: www.barkeuropa.com/en/sailing-north-2027

Setting sail and making way…

Slowing down

Being curious

Trust the journey

Be open and grow

Find happiness in the little things… and fully appreciate the big things…

You’re on board a tall ship, you’re sailing across the Pacific… it’s day one and you’ve put the sails up and are on your way to Raiatea, the sacred heart of the Pacific triangle and centre of Polynesian wayfinding.

Fair skies and a steady wind accompany Europa and her new crew and we sail past Moorea – Maiao Mo’orea. Her new crew find her feet and get used to the gentle roll of the ship as we glide through turquoise waters full of life and take in the surrounding of the tropical French Polynesia.

Tangaroa, the Polynesian sea god was kind to us today.

✍️ Mike Barber
📷 Fraser Edwards
🌊 Set sail in 2027: www.barkeuropa.com/en/sailing-north-2027

Ia ora na and all aboard!

The traditional Polynesian welcome has been heard by all around Tahiti… but now it’s time to get on board and become a part of the Europa family.

Having spent a couple of days loading supplies and making Europa ready for her new voyage crew in Papeete port, Tahiti. The team on board were excited to welcome people from all over the world and help them settle into their new home for the next 19 days. Bags into cabins, room mates met and familiarisations completed, everyone tucked themselves into their bunks for their first night on board and a good sleep ahead of leaving Tahiti the next day.

✍️ Mike Barber, August 24 2026
📷 Fraser Edwards

“Stunning sails.” That’s what our own Sailor’s Handbook calls them, and looking at these, we’re not going to argue.

They’re properly called studding sails, stuns’ls, if you want to say it the way a sailor does. Extra canvas set beyond the edges of the square sails, on booms that slide out past the ends of the yards.

EUROPA carries six, and they only come out when the ocean is in a generous mood. Wind from behind, a gentle sea, nothing too strong. Any real weather and they come straight back down. Which is part of their charm, you can go a long time without seeing them at all.

So when the call goes around that the stuns’ls are going up, people put down what they’re doing and come on deck to watch.

There’s no engine in the world that feels like this.

🌊 Book your voyage today: www.barkeuropa.com/en/our-voyages
📷 Fraser Edwards