moorea
"the magical island"
on an island shaped like a heart, how could every moment
not be magical? soaring out of the ocean in an explosion of
green velvet mountains and volcanic pinnacles—including
Moua roa, "bali hai" of the film South Pacific—every inch
is lush with thriving flora, fern-coated cliffs, magnificent
waterfalls, white-sand beaches, emerald meadows and valleys,
and small villages of pastel houses with gardens that overflow
with hibiscus and birds of paradise. under the sea, sparkling
tropical fish and friendly dolphins peer out from canyons,
chasms, and promontories, the lack of strong currents making
snorkeling ideal year-round in what is considered one of the
most beautiful lagoons in french Polynesia.
A picnic on an uninhabited motu on the reef is a delightfully
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romantic way to spend a day, with cook's bay to the east and opunohu bay to the west. get an aerial view of both, plus valley
plantations, from the belvedere outlook; shop the boutiques of le Petit Village; feed sharks and rays; watch for whales and
dolphins; and taste-test what's rumored to be the sweetest pineapple in the world from the many roadside stands and the
fruit Juice factory. want more? Just visit Moorea.
