Moorea -- 20-APR

Moorea is the nearest island to Tahiti, and actually only about 6 or so miles apart at the nearest points.  It has nicer beaches than Tahiti, but we did not see those beaches, I guess.  A lot of the beach area is private, especially by hotels. We rented a car (again from Avis) and drove around the island (again).  Avis had a tent set up near the disembarkation point, and a fair sized group ahead of us, but in a better mood than in Papeete.  People were joking about their “Ford Fiesta or similar” reservations.  I looked around at the Ford Fiestas (two newer ones and two older ones), but then we got the “or similar”…A Renault Clio.  Again, a French car.  And the “Clio” is as glamorous as it sounds, although this one was grey, at least.  Unlike our drive around Tahiti, when I was hardly ever able to get the car into 5^th gear, this one was so underpowered I easily got there!  In fact, there were several hills where it would not crawl up in second gear, and I needed first.  So, at 50 KPH (30 MPH), 5^th gear was about right.

A temple similar to the one on Tahiti, but with the trees.

Our first stop was Mount Belvedere, the highest point (drivable), with great overlooks of the island.  We were told the best time was the morning as the sun was behind you, and in the afternoon it would be in front of you, ruining the shot.  The road was better paved than the one in Tahiti, but not as wide.  They managed a solid line down the middle, and as long as it was scooter on the other side it was fine.  The cars were dicey.  Then we came around a turn, and 100 feet up the incline we saw a huge bus coming our way (like the 40-50 passenger types).  We stopped as close to the edge, but it was a drop off, so I was not moving anymore.  Well, the bus driver stuck his arm out the window and flailed signifying something, but I know not what.  We came to figure out he wanted us to back down and out of his way.  I backed down the hill a hundred feet or so, around the curve, and another 20-30 feet.  Theresa did NOT enjoy this part of the drive.  Then about 4-5 busses in a row came down and a few cars, and finally we could head back up the hill.  The island is sort of shaped like a W with two bays on one side.  At the top we could see both bays.

Panoramic from Mt. Belvedere

Oui, another French car!

After looking around at the top, we started back around the island.  We got to St. Joseph’s Church, where Theresa had previously determined that we could attend Easter Mass.  There seemed to be no Mass, as a few other cars were there, but the building was locked.  One driver called out to a few of the others, but we didn’t hear.  Then they all left.  We tried.

 

 

 

 

 

Look at that lovely airport terminal!

A little further around the island and we came to the airport.  Of course, I wanted to see it!!  So we took the little diversion.  It was quaint, but in the midst of rework, obviously!  We saw a couple of small busses and people standing around, so figured the incoming flight was probably soon to arrive.  We parked and went in, and asked.  The woman at the ONLY gate told us it was scheduled in ten minutes.    Great!  Is it on time?  No.  It had not yet boarded in its current location (which we did not get).  So, potty break and go.  As other places, the men’s room was not very closed.  I lined up for my, uh, business, and looked over my shoulder and saw people in the waiting area.  I looked for another location.  I’m sure they appreciated it!

A rather imposing security post by the AOA access!

We found a quaint little church and stopped to check it out.  It was closed, but we looked around a bit and found a bread fruit tree.  (We did not remember what these were, but when we got it on Bora Bora, we remembered.

Breadfruit.  Not yet ripe.

Fully ripe bread fruit.  Do NOT mistake this as "tasty"!!

Eventually, we found our way to what we were told was the better of the two public beaches.  Hmm.  Well, the sand was white.  The views were pretty good, palm trees in one direction, Tiki huts over the water in the other direction, Tahiti across the water, and the white waves breaking way in the distance.  But the beach was covered with broken bits of coral, so it was not particularly fun to walk across, or lay out upon.  But, we went in the water, explored a bit, and played a bit.  Someone suggested there was a surprise out there, but we never did figure out what he meant.  We bought an underwater camera, so took a few pix.

Colorful coral, but not fun on your feet!

This plant was in the lagoon, and swayed with the current.

Tahiti from Moorea

The coral looks better in the ocean than on the beach!

Another view of Tahiti.

The car was due back by 3 PM, so we kept moving and finished our island circle, and found a gas station.  On both islands we noticed that, first, they do not post how much the gas is at any stations, and second, they do not allow you to pump your own gas.  So, we are not sure how much the gas is, but both islands it cost about $15 and we only drove about 80-100 km (50-60 miles).  And the fuel needle never really got off of “full”, so I wonder if there isn’t a “tourist special”.  I guess we’ll never know.