It is not often in life you get a chance to experience true Polynesian traditional cuisine and the fantastic time we had with the Barffs in experiencing the 'Ahimaa' at there house was a memorable experience indeed! Tihoti has erected an external cooking house which houses the ground oven, consisting of volcanic rocks placed in a small indentation in the ground. The house is well stocked with Ironwood for burning and heating of the volcanic rock for the purposes of cooking! A collection of various materials is required in order to prepare the ahimaa and this includes the collection of Wild banana leaves and stems, White hibiscus stalk, Breadfruit leaves, Palm fronds and Taro plant leaves too!

After heating the volcanic stones one uses the various collected materials and together with the meats, vegetables and fruits completely encloses the hot stones with the layers and closes off the ground oven with burlap sacks. Allow to steam cook for 3 and a half hours and then uncover and ohhhh baby what a feast!

Our table accesories included freshly squeezed coconut milk, plantains, taro, bananas, chicken, fish, beef and it was also extremely delicious. Thank you again to our wonderful friends, the Barffs, for sharing this wonderful part of their lives.