Tuesday 17th February
Moorea, French Polynesia
The island of Moorea is just a short distance from Tahiti. We arrived early this morning and anchored in Opunohu Bay. Moorea is a mountainous volcanic island surrounded by a coral reef. The tender boats took us over to the island and we went on a tour. There is one main road that circles the island - a bit bumpy but it is being resurfaced before the French President visits later in the year. We travelled first to see Opunohu Bay where our ship is anchored and then to the next bay Cook's Bay. Captain James Cook did indeed visit the island but didn't anchor in the bay named after him but in Opunohu Bay. We headed inland and up to the Belverdere Lookout where we could look down on the both Opunohu and Cook's Bay. They are divided by Rotui Mountain. We went on to see the remains of a marae - an ancient temple. Maraes were destroyed when missionaries came to the island. We continued around the island and stopped to take this photo. The sea here is beautiful with clear turquoise sea inside the reef and deeper blue outside. In the distance is Tahiti. Back on the ship our departure was delayed as there was a problem loading one of the tenders. After a few hours the engineers eventually solved the problem and we sailed slow out through the reef.