Day Four Hundred and Thirty-Seven

The Moorean Safari

With so much to do on this island, Adam and I decided that seeing the inner part of the Moorean land ranked high on our list. So, we called a local tour guide, hopped in the back of his truck, and had an incredible time learning about the history and well-being of this paradise. Our first stop was to Omphanu Bay, one of two bays on the island. This bay is much less occupied than the other: one, because it was discovered second, and two, because it’s home to one of the nation’s only dangerous fish – the stone fish.

Turning immediately around from the bay, this is the view. Roger – our tour guide – described to us why the locals call her the “Lady Mountain.” With her head tilted completely upwards, the very top point of the mountain is her nose. Her chin is the falling peak to the left, and her hair cascades down the right side of the mountain. She’s beautiful.

Making our way into the island was no easy task. The island has only one main road and it circles its entire base. As for roads going to the center of the island: think of the worst pot-holed road you’ve ever driven on and then make it dirt instead of pavement. But the bumpy ride was well worth making our way into the heart of their country.

These grassy looking hills are numerous in Moorea. They're not grass though. They’re pineapple plantations! Because of the nutrient rich volcanic nature of the soil, pineapples thrive here. We learned yesterday, that the Mooreans neither import or export any of their pineapples: they're in no way in need of any extra supply, and they sell the majority of their crop to hotels, resorts, and resturaunts on the island. Call us niiave, but Adam and I thought all this time that pineapples grew on trees or something! Not like this!

This is how they grow! And in 10 months, anyone can harvest their own pineapple crop with the right soil, water, and light. All you have to do is cut off the top of the pineapple when you’re finished eating it, rip off a few of the leaves at the base, and plant it! In three days, roots will begin forming. And no, in Washington, they never taught me how pineapples grow. I blame them for my ignorance.

Adam and I LOVE Moorean pineapples! They’re the juiciest and ripest here! And oh, so so sweet! Every morning for breakfast, we eat half a plate of the scrumptious fruit!

We jumped back into the truck and headed up. Up and up and up. Until we found this. Belvedere Lookout. Moorea’s most beautiful view. Incredible. On the left: Omphanu Bay. On the right: Cook’s Bay.

Adam, Roger, and I on Belvedere Lookout.

Even the wild chickens love Belvedere. They were everywhere up there. Roger told us that nobody hunts them; that they’re just left alone to hang out and be free. I like that. And they really liked Adam’s roll he fed them.

Making our way back down the mountain was slightly intimidating. The roads, again, are iffy…and so was the sound of the truck. But we made it down safely and came across an ancient Moorean sacrificial temple. Before Cook discovered the island and brought with him Christian and Catholic missionaries, the natives worshipped other gods and performed numerous offerings in the form of animals and even young men.

Our Safari truck! Adam and I noticed quite quickly that nobody on the island drives anything larger than this sized truck. That was until, of course, we saw the only full sized truck on Moorea: a silver Raptor. We laughed.

Roger didn’t accept credit card payment, so he dropped us off at a local bank to withdraw some cash. This is what they call 10,000 Francs. Roughly $110.

The bank, just like majority of local life, is centered around Cook’s Bay, which is directly behind us in this photo. When he discovered this island, Cook landed here and the rest is history.

Not far from Cook’s Bay is Moorea’s only fruit juice factory. This is how they deliver the goods…in small truck beds filled with the fruit.

Jus De Fruits De Moorea. Here, they sell and distribute the most wonderful tasting pineapple juices, along with many other drinks and cocktails. Adam and I purchased a few souviners from this shop and were served multiple small shots of local juices and liquors.

Finally, Roger took us up yet another steep incline to the lush and gorgeous Tropical Garden. Here, we were served various tastes of local marmalade, dried whole bananas, and lots of pineapple. Did I mention how good the pineapple is?!

Yet another stunning and captivating view from the top of Moorea. I don’t think I ever want to leave this place.