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Wednesday 23 January 2013

Traders and Whalers at Tawhiti Museum

One of our safari trip’s “Must See” places was the Traders and Whalers exhibit at Tawhiti Museum.  The very talented Nigel Ogle created life sized figures to tell the story of life in the Taranaki Coast between 1820-1840.
  
DSCF4020 Entrance to Traders and Whalers

Once through the cave entrance, we carefully felt our way along the dimly lit winding passageway, looking into dioramas showing windows of the past.  We climbed aboard the boat, and our friendly boatman chatted as we drifted slowly by mossy banks and bush. The local Maori are keen to acquire flintlock muskets from the Europeans, and barter pork, potatoes and flax for this most prized item.

DSCF4025 Bartering muskets

Around another corner our boat of passengers almost got caught up in musket fire from both sides of the bank.  As one tribe possessed muskets which gave them the advantage in war-fare, the other tribes sought them too.

P1237680 Hauling cannons ashore

Whaling was a dangerous business in these times, with sailors throwing harpoons from small boats.  It was a dangerous business, but the returns were huge.

P1237681 Harvesting a whale for oil and bone

DSCF4031Whale oil pots, and scrim shore items

Rounding the last corner, all too soon it seemed, we arrived back at the loading bay.  Our trip was over, and there was another group of people keenly awaiting their turn.  We thought is was a great look into our country’s early past, and can thoroughly recommend it.  With two years in the planning, and a further two years to build, Whalers and Traders exhibition is a must see for anyone passing by. 

The ladies found their way to Mr Badger’s Cafe for a coffee fix, while Robin and Derek were enjoying a visit to the adjacent Farm Power Hall, chock full of all kinds of vintage machinery.  That kept them interested for quite some time!

P1237682 Plenty to see at the Farm Power Hall

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