Not all locals have been to an area we call 'Down the God'.

Protected by steep cliffs and a rocky coast line, it's the second location on the island where petroglyphs are located. ‘Down the God’ is situated to the east of Bounty Bay, almost opposite St Paul’s Rock.

There are two approaches to ‘the God’. From Bounty Bay, you make your way along the coast via ‘Old Man’, over the point and back down to shore line. Sounds easy, but it’s not.

The second approach is from St Paul’s, heading east along the coast line back towards Bounty Bay.

Either way you need the genes of a mountain goat to negotiate the rocky terrain and a very strong desire to see these fascinating petroglyphs. They are entirely unlike those found ‘Down Rope’ and you can only wonder as to their origin.

The decision to visit this mysterious area took Darrin, Zara and Brandon some deliberation but being the adventurous individuals they are, the ultimate decision to see these intriguing messages from the past for themselves was unanimous.

A journey to ‘Down the God’ can take a good part of a day. To speed things along the trio decided to drive from Big Flower to St Paul’s and start the trek from there.

From St Pauls they headed towards ‘Glenny’s Harbour’.
The trail had taken them inland and eventually back out onto a barren landscape of red dirt. At this point they were wondering what all the fuss is about – “Ok, you’re got to watch the dry dirt, which can be slippery at times, but otherwise it’s easy peasy.”

During the first stage of the journey you are still many, many metres above sea level. Upon reaching Glenny’s Harbour however you start the descent to sea level.
…And this is where things become a little trickier and worse later on!

Above the harbour Brandon insisted they regroup and recommit and the agreement was to carry on “…no turning back now”. And, they started the climb down what really does feel like a sheer rock face.

The adventurers soon got that it’s critical to watch your footing, one slip and you’re over (and down) and the razor sharp rock can cut without knowing. Inching their way around the harbour’s cliffs they eventually found themselves at sea level.

Following the coast line over rocks and boulders, they eventually made it to an over-hanging cliff and taking a moment to catch their breath they took in and pondered these ancient early Polynesian rock drawings.

Unlike the petroglyphs found ‘Down Rope’, in an area of approximately 3 x 1 metres, those ‘Down the God’ in fact appear to be, what one could only described as, ‘a calendar’.

Within the grid work of the carved rock are small indentations. Who knows, perhaps these denote events in time or a timed event. And as is always the case, Down the God discussion and numerous ideas were put forward as to what these drawing mean. After a good hour they came to the conclusion that we would simply never know.

Eventually as ideas came less, Zara with much anticipation, tried to make a connection to the outside world on her iPhone.
Was she thinking 'Down the God' was some kind of divine portal to apple-ville?

So what do you do when you have no explanation for the things of the past? You leave something for those to ponder in the future!
Albeit that the trio’s carefully balanced rock totem wouldn’t last a week with high tides and winds. Oh well.

Once all were satisfied the long trek back to Big Flower became the next mission. Each left the site knowing they were victors having been ‘Down the God’.
What they hadn’t counted on was the turning of the tide and enormous seas rushing at Glenny’s Harbour - practically blocking the route home.
What’d they do?

RUN!