French explorer Antoine de Bougainville discovered Tahiti in 1768 and was impressed by the health, beauty, and temperament of the indigenous people. Similarly, Captain James Cook made several voyages to the Pacific Islands shortly after and found the islanders to be kind and gentle. However, in 1779 a group of islanders on Hawaii killed Captain Cook and four marines, disemboweling and baking Cook's body as a sign of respect, showing the islanders were not as peaceful as initially presented.

1. South SeasIsland Paradise!The Last Frontier Posting II, Peoples and Empires Terry Onley

2. French explorer Antoine de Bougainville left Nantes in 1766, and discoveredTahiti in April of 1768…

3. He was most impressed withthe health, beauty, and generaldemeanor of the people. Noble Savages! Especially the women…

4. Captain James Cook made severalvoyages to the Pacific Islands shortlythereafter, and was similarly impressedby these kind, gentle folk, so unlikethe warlike people of Europe… Huh?!?!

5. Unfortunately, in Feb. of 1779, a group of these peaceful folkkilled Captain Cook and 4 of his Marines on a beach on theidyllic island of Hawaii… The Chiefs thendisemboweled him,baked him, and removed his bones, preserving them as a gesture of respect…

7. Wikipedia, Slides 4 & 5

8. Google Images, All Slides