The main attraction is Cook's Bay, named after Captain Cook in 1777 after his third journey here. This scenic bay was made famous from the filming of the iconic musical, South Pacific, where scenes of here were portrayed as Bali Hai. Equally as beautiful, is Opunohu Bay, next to Cook's Bay, where we were supposed to have anchored originally. But as we know, the tender dock in Cook's Bay has been under re-construction for several years now, making a landing there by tender boat impossible. Last time we anchored there was in 2009, while we were on Radisson's Navigator. If our memory is right, there was not much there to see locally. You had to take a tour or a taxi anywhere you wanted to go. At least with a two day notice, those folks that pre-booked independent tours had a chance to contact their providers to make the needed changes.
The highest mountain on Moorea is Tohiea at 3657 feet. The views from the highest points are stunning, especially from Belvedere Point, where you can see both the Cook and Opunohu Bays.
There were three island tours, all 3 ½ hours, for $100 to $180. The other seven excursions were water or adventure tours. They ranged from 2 to 5 hours from $100 to $250. They included one and two tank dives, snorkeling, a motu beach and swim with rays, a catamaran ride, or dolphin watching or bottlenose dolphin encounter. Our tablemates Annie and John took the encounter, and really learned a lot about the dolphins they saw from a naturalist who lives on Moorea. Sometimes these tours are real winners. Hard to go wrong with anything to do with the water here. Snorkeling is spectacular as we remember. Yes, expensive, but probably the best you'll ever experience.
We were here last January, and we knew exactly where we wanted to go. Lucky for us, we did tender to the best tender landing in the village of Papetoai. This entire area has been in the process of being re-modeled for several years now. Permanent open-air buildings now house several local vendors, who sell their handmade jewelry. Many sold black pearl creations as well. Not as pricey as the highend shops around the island, but still very nice. One long table was set up with various island fruit….free for the guests. By the way, the Wind Spirit was also anchored in the same bay today. Thanks to friend Richard, he sent the details on that sailboat. She holds well under 200 guests, so their impact on this island was little.
There is one native vendor we always seek out. She sits in the shade and makes the seashell jewelry on the spot. We have bought something from her the last four years. So when she spotted us today, she had a smile from ear-to-ear. Although she does not speak much English, we ended up purchasing another one of her creations. She found matching earrings for a few dollars more. We got the "pat of approval" after Bill took her photo. Unfortunately, we won't be coming back here for a few years, so we do hope to see her again sometime in the future.
Once up at the road that circles the island, we found that a lot more work has been done there. The road had been widened by about 5 feet. Many of the trees had been removed to do this. When we got further up the road, we noticed that the pavement had been re-surfaced for over a mile. And just recently, since it still smelled like fresh oil. Black and sticky in the hot sun. Speaking of heat, it was promising to be a hot one today. The only savior was the strong breeze that cropped up occasionally.
The roadside fruit stands were still up, but the landscaped looked different. There is one spot where we normally walk through trees and weeds to access some stairs that go into the water at a rock wall. Under the shade of trees, it is a good place to cool down for a few minutes. We almost passed it up, since all of the mangrove-like trees were gone, and there were no more sticky weeds to navigate. Deciding to stop here on the way back, we continued on our journey.
It took us less than 1 ½ hours to get to the Intercontinental Moorea Resort and Spa. Their entrance is marked with tall palm trees and a huge sign. The driveway drops down to the facility build right on the water. Going through the open-air lobby, we made our way to their outdoor restaurant near the swimming pools.
It was just noontime, and lunch was being served. Perfect timing. There were many more vacationers here today, compared to January. Could be the weather is better now, as in January, you get more chances of rain….real tropical rain. We did bring one umbrella today, but not for the rain. We thought we may have needed it for protection from the sun. Never left the bag.
We ordered a chicken Caesar salad, that came with chunks of thick, smoked bacon and pesto-covered toast rounds. Delicious. We also shared a ground steak burger with a pile of skinny French fries. Also tasty. The meal always begins with a serving of three French bread rolls and butter (from France). Hinano beers made the meal complete.
Some more folks from the ship also began showing up. They had taken the free shuttle to the black pearl shop across the road, Albert's, checked out the jewelry, then discreetly walked down the hill to here. Kainoa was also here with a couple of fellows from the ship. The cruise director Gene showed up with Jodie, his wife, for a quiet afternoon. Nice to see they were able to get off together and enjoy some free time off of the ship.
It was hard leaving here, but we had a long walk to get back. All aboard was 4:30pm, and we wanted to finish photos from yesterday. It really gets hard to keep up when you have one port after another. Reminds us of a 12 day trip we did to Europe, with ports every day except for one. You need a vacation when you get home. Go-go-go all the time is hard work.
We did make that stop at the water's edge where the stairs are located. Just not as hidden as we like it, but a good spot to relax and cool off. We had brought lemonade and sodas, and by now, we had finished almost all of it.
Sipping even more ice cold lemonade at the tender pier was great, since it was provided by our crew. It can be a life saver. The waiting boat was filling up, so got on, and were soon joined by Howard and Denise, new friends from Concord. Passing the time chatting away, we noticed that it took a longer time before we got back onboard. Seemed there was another medical debark happening right as we got back to the ship. We learned at dinnertime, that the ill passenger was a man who was two rooms down the hall from Bill and Sylvia. Not sure what was ailing him, his wife told them that he was extremely sick. We thought we had been keeping track of all of the medical debarks, but we must have missed some. Annie said there was a total of 10 now.
Sail away was happening once again on the lower promenade deck, not the place we want to be. The same group seems to show up at the aft deck, where we get a total view of both sides of the ship as well as the back view. Soon after we left the bay behind, the Wind Spirit had lifted her sails, and was heading in a different direction away from us. The sun was going down rapidly, so we stayed until the last of the golden color was gone after 6pm. The wind had really gotten strong, and the seas rough as we turned northeasterly, heading for the Tuamotu Archipelago and the atoll of Rangiroa tomorrow. Hope we make it into the lagoon tomorrow, as sometimes they cannot get the ship in there.
The best part of dinner was dessert, one blueberry sundae and one blueberry crisp with ice cream. Yes, the berries are back for awhile with the new shipment we got yesterday in Tahiti. Sliced strawberries with blackberries and blueberries started our day off right this morning.
Bill & Mary Ann
Wind Spirit also in Opunohu Bay
Moorea
The garden island
Jutting peaks of Moorea
Towering peak
One of several peaks
A different view
Anchoring at the beginning of the bay
Very green and lush
Heavy rains come in December
Appears to be a clear day
A bit windy today
Carefully navigating the outer reef
One tender boat was dropped
Loading the tour folks first
We went over after 10am
80 square miles of beauty
Tendering to the point
Opposite shore & the Hilton Moorea Lagoon resort
All aboard times always posted
Here we go
Homes on the water's edge
Wind Spirit
Their debark point for the tenderboat
Sport's deck was not open today
Wonder if she is staying more than one day?
Many small resorts
Tender landing at Papetoai
Native greeters
The conch blower & dancer
They have been dancing since 8am
Welcome Moorean-style
Conservative dress
Possible rain clouds?
Assorted fruit - complimentary
Many tables of treasures
Handmade jewelry
Our friend remembered us
Locals offering tours
This wall was new since January
Which way to go? Right today……..
A small island church
Saint Michel Chapel
Fresh pineapples - $5.00
Bunches of bananas & stacks of mangoes
Breadfruit
Possibly noni fruit
Typical transport
Taro bed
Outrigger used for fishing in the lagoon
Clearing where the steps are located
Fresh coconuts
Assorted fruit with honey
Mangoes are ripe now
Local fisherman fixing his net
The only markets we saw today were roadside
Fresh
Eggplant too
Best bananas
Nicely presented
Road work
Lagoon was full of small fish jumping
Wall of bouganvilla
Coral-color
Double hibiscus
Local cafe
Shallow waters of the reef
Tern in the tree
Probably had a nest there
Mates for life
Beautiful setting
Terns in flight
Mature palms
Possible spot for swimming
Over-the-water huts at the Intercontinental Resort
Hillside bungalows
Seashells piled high
Homes along the road
Reef surrounds the island
Few beaches here
The one Pearl Farm Showroom and Ukuleles in this part of the island
Steep hillsides looked dry
Buses bring people to the boats here
Coco Beach - a place for whale watching boats
Multi-colors of bouganvilla
