Great news! We couldn’t believe it…the Captain made an announcement that they had a meeting and made the decision to make a change in our itinerary. At first I thought, o no, what are we missing? He continued the announcement and explained they were notified another cruise ship would be visiting Rangiroa on the same day we were scheduled to visit. Rangiroa is a very small atoll, so they decided it would be in their best interest to take us to a bigger island. Moorea! I stood and cheered. This is the very island that Bob and I visited 21 years ago on this very ship (when this ship was owned by Renaissance Cruise Lines).

Moorea – what a dream! We loved it so much in 1999, we decided to go back a few years later and stayed in a beach bungalow for 10 days. We were told the amount of visitors to French Polynesia in 1-year was equal to 10-days of visitors to Hawaii. No high rise hotels on this island.

We arrived in Moorea early in the morning. We walked outside on deck so we could watch as we crossed the barrier reef. As you approached, you could see the shark-toothed mountain that rises up in the center is the iconic Mt Moua Roa. Stunning! So beautiful, this mountain is used on their coins. We were so excited to be back. I looked at Bob and said, do you believe it, this is our 3rd visit to this beautiful island.

Moorea is 12-miles from the main island of Tahiti and can be seen from Papeete. It’s the garden island. Lush green, tall, chiseled mountains surrounded by turquoise blue waters. The people are as friendly as I remember them many years ago. Always a smile, warm greeting and a beautiful white flower for your hair.

We decided to take the island tour with our friends. They have not been here and thought it would give them a good taste of life on Moorea. Our guide, William, was a fun tour guide. He said he was Tahitian, but did not look like the native Tahitians. He explained that his grandparents were from Switzerland, visited Moorea and decided to move here many years ago. His father married a Tahitian woman and they now have many relatives on this island.

He drove us around the island and stopped many places for photos ops. We drove up the mountain to Belvedere and Kia Ora lookouts. From here you could see Rotui, Opunohu Bay and Cook’s Bay. Yes, Captain Cook….every where we go Captain Cook has been there. Blows my mind how many places he went on a sailboat. Lol. We continued around the island and saw coconut plantations and many areas with fruit trees. They have a juice factory with juices made from papaya, pineapple, star fruit, ginger, mango and many others that I’ve never heard of.

We stopped at an overlook where we saw a blue lagoon and location of the Sofitel Hotel/Resort. Many were overwater bungalows that I remember from years ago. We spent many days on that lovely beach with great memories of snorkeling every day. As we looked down from the hilltop, I told Bob, we really should come back and stay here again. Maybe rent a bungalow for a month (now that would be hard to take).

We recall the agricultural school on this island and visiting it years ago (today is Sunday so it was closed). They showed us the area where they grow vanilla and how they manually have to pollinate each flower. We also remember the homemade ice cream stand where they sold ice cream flavored using their different native flowers as the flavor. Delightful!

We stopped at a shop that sells their famous black pearls. William explained that the pearls are from French Polynesia, but not specifically this island. I didn’t realize the islands with tall mountains do not have pearl farms. It had to do with rain. When it rains and water comes down the mountains into the ocean, there is too much fresh water mixed into the salt water. The pearl farms require higher salt content, so islands without tall mountains maintain a higher salt content within the pearl farms. We learn something new every day.

After our island tour, we went back to the ship that was anchored in the harbor. We spent the rest of the afternoon sitting out on the deck gazing at that spectacular view. As you looked way up on the side of the green mountains, you could see very tall waterfalls flowing down them. The clouds forming around Mt Moua Roa were very dramatic and changed by the minute. The sun shining brightly in one area and clouds dark grey in another. You could see people out surfing in some areas and then paddling by in their native outriggers canoes. Beautiful to watch.

Soon enough, it was time for us to pull up anchor. Awww, let’s stay! I tried to burn that image in my mind of the mountain and bay. As we started to sail away, I didn’t feel sad. I turned to Bob and said I believe we’re coming back here again some day. The sun had not set, so we were able to watch as we crossed the barrier reef again. There waiting for us, dolphins! They love to play and ride the wake of the ship. Always entertaining to watch them.

Unusual to leave one place and visually see your next port. Papeete, Tahiti is only 12 miles away and we docked in no time at all. They opened the gangway and left it open all night. After dinner we went out for a walk downtown. It’s funny to walk around in a warm climate and still see Christmas lights (Christmas lights and Chinese New Year decorations).

What a beautiful evening. The moon is shining and stars that do not look familiar. Now that we are in the southern hemisphere, we will go star gazing some evening with one of the experts on-board. I’d love to see The Southern Cross.

Looking forward to our day in Papeete, Tahiti tomorrow.