“You will not find a more beautiful place on earth than the island of Raiatea. In native Tahitian, it means ‘Faraway Heaven’ and I was lucky enough to be born there.

My name is Mai.

Sadly though, for me it wasn’t heaven for long. I was still young when invaders from the neighbouring island of Bora Bora left me with no choice but to flee.

I escaped to Tahiti. Many, including my own dear father, were not so lucky.

When the British first came to these islands, in the chaos that ensued I was shot. But my fortunes soon began to change.

I presented myself to Captain Tobias Furneaux, second in command to the celebrated explorer Captain James Cook, and having made friends with his crew, persuaded him to take me to England.

The journey was arduous but in July 1774, we finally arrived.

I was the first person from the South Pacific ever to land on these shores, and many of Britain’s most influential people were keen to meet me.

It is true that some regarded me as a curiosity, but even your king, George III, opened his doors to me

Briefly I became what today you might call a celebrity, the subject of newspaper stories, plays, poems and this wonderful painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds.

I stayed in your country for two years, but my own faraway heaven was always calling and so I returned, taking with me many treasured memories and an astonishing story.