Varun, Tim and James are currently in Polynesia visiting some of the islands by private motor yacht http://www.roa-yachting.com/ This means that they are unable to access the internet and update the daily diary.

One of the private yachts set against a Polynesian sunset

A couple of days ago Varun had a Polynesian tattoo of a Ray applied on his right shoulder. I thought I would find out a little more about the significance of the tattoo in Polynesia. Apparantly the word tattoo is said to be derived- from the polynesian word ‘ta’ which means striking something and the tahitian word ‘tatau’ which means ‘to mark something’.

In Polynesian culture tattooing has a huge historic significance - it was considered that a person's "mana", their spiritual-power or life force, is displayed through their tattoo. Today this ancient art has been passed down through legends, songs, rituals and ceremonies. It was common practice for elaborate designs to be added, renewed, and embellished throughout the life of the individual until they covered the entire body.

Luckily for Varun his experience was very much a "one-off" - the pain would be too much for him to make it at way-of-life!

From Emma (ILT Producer)