Welcome to my original home Island of Penrhyn. Penrhyn is one of the fifteen islands that make up the Cook Islands.It is the Northern most island within the Cook Island group. It is located 1300km west of Tahiti and a similar distance east of American Samoa. This is one of two of my original Islands. My other home Island is Palmerston, where my name is Joseph Marsters, I am known by no other name while on this Island. It is a traditional thing that other cultures find difficult to understand. The above photo was taken inside the reef at a little motu (bay) called Motutapu. Views like this is commonplace.
I spent my childhood here. I could not image a place more tranquil than this. It was a truly wonderful childhood filled with adventure and excitement. I remember the days of crayfish gathering and boy those crayfish were huge and so succulent when cooked.I can still remember the juices dribbling down the sides of my mouth! Yummy beyond your imagination. Or the days out fishing and my greatest joy was catching a parrot fish with an old bamboo rod, those buggers can fight...made dragging in a parrot fish a real pleasure.
With both my Dad and siblings we built a traditional house. This I count as one of my major achievements as I think this was really one of the last times we as a family were really united with a clear purpose and were determined to complete this as a truly united family.
I would spend days running after both wild pigs and chickens and the enjoyment of being able to ran freely with the air in your hair. My fondest memory was being loved by my Grandmother on my Dad's side and my Grandfather on my Mother's side. They loved me unconditionally and I loved them in equal measure. I left the Island at 13 after being there for 2 years and return 6 years later alone as a young man , sorely to see them both one more time before they passed. Glad I made that trip as getting there is not an easy matter. It can take up to a week by boat (slow,old, creaky, smelly cargo ship).

This is a photo of my Uncle, of whom I am named.
His house has my sister buried in a corner of the house as with tradition. Before the Missionary's arrived we used to mummify our close relatives and dressed them up in fantastic clothing and set aside a corner for them, within the house .I love my Uncle with every fiber of my being.

The Christian religion plays a vital part of our culture. Unlike other places, on Penrhyn no one is allowed to play,work or have open fires on a Sunday. Sunday is purely for God and the church! You can attend up to 3 services in a day

This is my village Cook Islands Christian Church in Tetautua. The name of the church is Bethlema

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We were famous for the best black pearls and the above photo is of divers in 1900.


Today's divers on an rock outcrop in the main lagoon. I spent months diving for pipi pearls and occasionally mother of pearls. The fantastic memories keep flooding back. What a fantastic time! But beware sharks are plentyful!!!!!!!
I cannot describe to people just how fortunate I have been. I have lived a wonderful life and experienced the most amazing childhood, seen amazing things and experience incredible things.If people were to see the things I have seen and experienced they would sit in awe because now I get to share these amazing stories with others but more importantly I get to share them with all my Nephews, Neices and Grand children. I hope you all enjoyed this!

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