Wednesday, February 1, 2023
If Kauai, Hawaii is Paradise, Mo’orea is Heaven on Earth. I thought that I would never see a place as ruggedly lovely as Kauai, but Mo’orea seems twice so. Mo’orea is less than ten nautical miles from Papeete, Tahiti. Our ship left Papeete, Tahiti around 4:00 A.M. on February 1, maneuvered through the arms of an exquisite coral reef into Opunohu Bay (Papetoai), and then we were awakened by the sinking of the anchors before 8:00 A.M.
After watching a season of Below Deck that was centered around Mo’orea, I knew that it would be incredible. However, there is no way that cameras can possibly capture its pristine beauty. From high above Belvedere Hill, looking down, you truly experience the magnificence of our earth. Belvedere is almost in the center of the island and offers the most panoramic views.
Not only are the rugged, towering green mountains fascinatingly magnificent, but the water is a bright turquoise as in the Bahamas. The brilliant color seems impossible. Mo’orea is an unspoiled haven of breathtaking beauty. If I could speak French and the government would have allowed it, I would have remained here on this island the rest of my life! Of course I would need to be a millionaire, or I would be living among the banana trees and gardenias with the chickens!
We tendered ashore, utilizing the ship’s lifeboats. Each holds about 150 folks. We sat on top in the open air, feeling the salt spray in our faces, and tasting the Pacific Ocean when we licked our lips.
Greeting us to Mo’orea were native musicians in traditional dress with drums and ukuleles, and shops with black pearls, native paintings, wood carvings, colorful sarongs, and of course, black pearl jewelry.
Walking through the crowds, we came upon a wonderful pair of Polynesian women who invited us to travel on their Toyota 4 x 4 open air truck around the two bay areas of the island for two hours, for only $40 each. We jumped in for the adventure of a lifetime.
We did not see the side of the island with the airport and its beach or the beach that is lined with hotels, nor the waterfalls (when it rains, more waterfalls can be seen throughout the mountainous areas) but we did see a school and a college.
The scenic views of the mountains and ocean took our breath away. We sped along a curving highway, moving higher and higher in altitude, until we came to a pineapple farm and factory. We tasted Tahitian rum, including coconut rum, pineapple juice, and juice punch with rum.
Along the way, our hosts explained why the mountains had their specific names. The highest peak is Mt. Tohivea. Mt. Route separates the two bays, Cook and Opunohu. Mt. Mouaroa looks like a woman lying down, looking at the sky, with her hair flowing behind her. Other mountains include Tearai and Tautuapae.
A coral reef surrounds the island, but there are several openings allowing access. The two bays represent the base of an ancient volcanic crater, and the mountains are the remains of the volcano’s crest.
We learned the difference in pronunciation of Moa, which one way means chicken and the other means mountain, the various plants, fruit and flowers. MoAH means mountain (emphasis on AH). R’s in this language are twirled on the tongue.
Mo’orea is very mountainous with a wild interior. The islanders live mostly within the valleys. When talking with them, you can truly feel their connection to the earth and their appreciation for their island home.
Next, we traveled up an extremely steep hill (Belvedere Point) to a botanical garden. Branches and leaves clipped our arms and heads on the narrow, rugged road. The views were out of this world extraordinary. We were able to go inside a greenhouse to see how vanilla orchids are grown and pollinated.
Then we climbed stone steps through exotic plants to a little clutch of huts overlooking Opunohu Bay and our cruise ships, the mountains, valley and farmlands. We were given samples of various jams, such as pineapple, guava, and papaya, and slices of pineapple. Cliff had a Tahitian beer while I enjoyed a Coke.
Then we headed down the steep hill again to enjoy a scenic ride back to the little shops where we started, including views of Cook’s Bay (Pao Poa), stopping only to take photos of palm trees growing in impossible ways over the water, and Island Princess awaiting us in the bay. Upon our return, we shopped again for black pearls and waited in line to return by water shuttle.
Although this is the rainy season here, the weather was warm, sunny and very breezy. The name of the island means yellow lizard, but its nickname is much more appropriate — Magical Island. There are no snakes, monkeys, or predators on this island.
If you have not traveled to any Polynesian Islands, you truly need to do it. Place Mo’orea at the top of your list!
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