Moorea
Moorea - port code MOZ
The island of Moorea (more-eh-ah) is situated about 15 miles west of Papeete. It is one of the Society Islands, which in turn, are part of French Polynesia.
However, unlike her more modern sister island of Tahiti, Moorea is an uncrowded island paradise of dramatic jagged green mountains, lush tropical forests, and white sand beaches. It's no wonder that the Bali Hai parts of the movie "South Pacific" were filmed here.
The island is noted for its beautiful scenery and unaffected quality of life. Tahitian and French are the local languages. Except for a small coastal strip, the 51 square mile of the island are composed almost entirely of rugged mountains covered with blue and scarlet creepers.
Moorea has two spectacular bays, Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, which help give the island its distinctive butterfly shape. The 37-mile drive around the island introduces you to the relaxed lifestyle of Moorea's 5000 inhabitants and provides you with countless vantage points from which to savor this island's beauty.
The climate is tropical and divided into two seasons. December-February is warm and moist with a good deal of rain. March-April can be wet, but May-November is cool and dry.
General Description
Moorea: To discover the Polynesia of the past, you must travel to the outer islands. Measuring only 85 square miles and encircled by a scenic 37-mile road, Moorea boasts a tranquil way of life upon which Western culture has made limited impact. Here, you'll see fisherman paddling outrigger canoes, pareau wrapping strolling along the road, children fishing from bridges scenes right out of Melville, Michener and Gauguin. Most of the island's 6, 000 people live in villages along the narrow coastal shelf. Behind their tin roofed, wooden houses, mountains covered in lush vegetation fill up half the sky. (Note: Moorea is an anchorage port. Transportation from ship to shore will be via the ship's tender service.)
O Puno Hu and Cook's Bay: The fjord like bays that give the island its distinctive butterfly shape.
Papetoai: A village on the north coast whose octagonal church is the oldest European structure still being used in the South Pacific.
Kiaora Look Out: One of the island's most breath taking vantage points.
Tiki Theater Village: This village has been created to depict typical village life and handicrafts.
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