For over a decade, Mark Eddowes has been enthralling guests aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin with captivating accounts of French Polynesia's rich history. His lectures, which cover topics such as "The Cult of the Tiki", "The Ancient Culture of the Marquesas Islands", and the true story behind the Mutiny on the Bounty, are often highlighted as a standout experience by our guests.

Much of Mark's extensive knowledge was acquired through hands-on experience, as he literally unearthed the past during archaeological excavations. A native of New Zealand, Mark first set foot in Tahiti in 1988 as a graduate student in anthropology at the University of Auckland. He had been invited to participate in a dig on the island's north shore, and upon completion of the four-year project, he chose to remain in the region. Mark went on to lead the excavations of ancient sites throughout the Society, Austral, and Marquesas Islands, significantly contributing to our understanding of early settlements in southern Polynesia.

Presently, Mark is recognized as a leading authority and researcher in the field of Polynesian anthropology. In 2006, he was bestowed with the title of National Geographic expert in the archaeology of French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. Mark has also been entrusted with heading an archaeological research committee tasked with classifying the historical temple site of Taputapuatea on Raiatea island as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Currently, he is collaborating with UNESCO to classify the marae (temples) of the Cook Islands, including those in Aitutaki where he is directing a research project, as similar heritage sites.

When not traversing the South Seas for his research, Mark resides in Huahine, known as the "Garden Island" of the Society Islands chain. Fluent in French, Tahitian, and his native English, Mark joins us on many voyages of The Gauguin. Therefore, it's highly likely that you will have the opportunity to attend one of his engaging and enlightening lectures, delivered by this esteemed archaeologist, scholar, and talented storyteller.