Mo'orea, French Polynesia

Located 10 nautical miles (19 km) from Tahiti , Mo'orea is one of the most spectacularly scenic islands in French Polynesia.  Mo'orea is said to have inspired the mythical Bali Hai from South Pacific, with a relaxed atmosphere and welcoming spirit.  Moorea is another place to which we have to return.

Our ship anchors in Cook's Bay (which, oddly enough, was never visited by Captain Cook), a spectacular, picture-perfect spot, with beautiful sea and beaches and a lush landscape surrounded rocky needles and peaks..

 Anchored in Cook's Bay

 We go ashore and walk along the Pineapple Road to the small village of Pao Pao and Opunohu Bay.

 Walking along the Pineapple Road

Fruit and flower stands along the road

As we enter Pao Pao, one of the first buildings we encounter is a Veuve Clicquot bar (we are in France!).

 Veuve Cliquot bar

We walk through town to the Hotel Mavana Beach Resort and Spa.  We spent our first two nights in Tahiti at the Mavana in Pape'ete and thought we would check out the Mo'orea version.  We add the hotel to our list of places to which we should return to stay someday.

 Hotel Mavana, Mo'orea

After poking around a bit, we walk back to Cook's Bay, admiring the tropical plants along the Pineapple Road.

 Tropical plants everywhere

  Back along the Pineapple Highway

At the Cook's Bay pier, we catch a ride back to our ship and soon sail away toward our next island stop, Raiatea, 190 km (118 miles) away.

Returning to the ship

 Leaving Mo'orea

 As we depart, the sun sets over the Pacific

Sunset