Moorea - An Island of Beauty
- Paul Hallman
- Feb 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 7
Today we visited Moorea, in French Polynesia. The temperature was hot from early morning, which is the kind of tropical heat that wraps around you the minute you step outside. Because there is no deep-water dock for larger ships, we anchored offshore and used tenders to reach the island. The short ride gave us our first close-up views of Moorea’s dramatic green peaks and the shimmering blue lagoon.
Moorea is a volcanic island and the largest member of the Windward Islands, a group that is part of the larger Society Islands archipelago. Moorea means 'yellow lizard' in Tahitian. The population is around 18,000 and there are only 12 police officers on the entire island and it's located about 12 miles from Tahiti.
Once ashore, we joined an island tour that took us to the famous Belvedere Lookout by driving a big bus up a single lane mountain road and around several switch backs. From there, we enjoyed sweeping views over the lush valleys, jagged mountain ridges, and the deep blue bays below. It was one of those spots where you could stand for a long time just soaking it all in.
The drive around the island gave us a glimpse of everyday life on Moorea. We passed many small homes where people clearly had very little in terms of material wealth, yet their surroundings were incredibly rich in natural beauty.
We stopped at a temple which consisted of rock walls and no roof. Most families had their own temple although some were smaller than others. They claim that there were over 500 stone temples on the island. The temple in our photos was considered large. We saw a smaller one that measured 10 ft by 15 feet only.
Along the way, we drove past the Sofitel Resort, perfectly tucked between the hills and protruding into the lagoon on stilts. At $1,000 US per night it represents the top of the class places on the island. From the road, we could see the barrier reef encircling the island, protecting it from the open Pacific and creating that iconic band of turquoise water.
When we returmed to the port and prior to our tender ride back to the ship, we checked out the local market at the port and were entertained.
After returning to the ship Jan relaxed in our air conditioned room while I perched myself on the balcony watching the boats scoot by our ship. All this while enjoying a beer as I was hiding under an umbrella - my way to get out of the sun.
The day ended on a lighter note. We headed to the Explorers Lounge for the “Liars Club,” a game similar to Balderdash. The panel spun outrageous definitions and explanations for obscure words, and the audience had to decide who—if anyone—was telling the truth. It made for a fun, laughter-filled evening. One of the words was Hawsehole which is the part of the ship where the anchor chain passes through, allowing the anchor to be deployed and secured. Christian, the director of Entertainment was hilarious as he told his definition of the eord in a story about his Mother-In-Law calling him a "something similar to the word Hawsehole" - Was he saying Truth or False ?
The perfect ending to our day was an amazing sunset. The sky slowly shifted through shades of black to gold, orange, and deep pink. As the sun dipped to the horizon the sky turned into a hot red glare, reminding me of a hot fire out of control. It was one of those quiet, unforgettable moments at sea.
Tomorrow we continue our French Polynesian adventure as we arrive in Tahiti, and in particular the town of Papeete.
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