TAHITI
Moorea
Like all Polynesian
islands, Moorea is enveloped
in folklore.
Legend has it that a golden-skinned lizard
abandoned by its human parents became
stranded on the reef of Emeho as it swam
after them. The merciful gods turned it
into the island of Moorea (which means
'golden lizard'), one of the true jewels of
French Polynesia.
Only 17 kilometres from Tahiti or an eight
minute flight and regarded as her sister
island, Moorea is renowned for its natural
beauty and tranquillity and often thought
to be the inspiration for James Michener's
mythical island of Bali Hai. The island's
steep volcanic peaks rise sharply from the
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island's basalt base and are best viewed
from Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay.
Moorea's laid-back atmosphere provides
the perfect backdrop for relaxation but
the island also has a wide variety of
recreational activities to suit the most active
traveller. The island is home to a third of
French Polynesia's total hotel capacity,
with accommodation ranging from luxury
resort over-water or beach bungalows to
hotel rooms and small local-style thatched
roof 'fares'.
One of the best ways to get to know this
magnificent island is hire a car or scooter
and tour the single road around the island,
visiting secluded beaches, pineapple and
vanilla plantations and small picturesque
villages. The trip should take about four
hours depending on how many stops are
made along the way. Inland, lush forests
cover Moorea's mountains, which offer
spectacular views of the island's valleys as
well as its lagoons and bays.
The beautiful large garden and old colonial
home in Opunohu Bay at the Kellum is
worth a visit, built last century and well
preserved. Opunohu valley is also home
to stone marae temples and archery
platforms used by Polynesian royalty in
pre-Christian days. Le Belvedere Lookout
Point offers an unequalled panorama of
Cooks and Opunohu bays, divided by the
sacred Rotui mountain.
Moorea has many talented artisans
whose creations are sold in boutiques
around the island. Ideal for the tropical
