Sandwiched between my three days in Tahiti and three days in Bora Bora, I had just one day to explore this less popular but no less beautiful heart-shaped island of Mo’orea. Finding local Patrick at Albert Transport for a tour of the island had been a good choice. A jeep safari adventure is one of the most fun things to do in Moorea!
As we started out, we passed some overwater bungalows lazily resting over brilliant turquoise water, arguably one of the most beautiful beach scenes in the world. The Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort is one of the best places to stay in French Polynesia!
Patrick drove from one end of the island to the other, inland through the thick jungle to the Belvedere Lookout where I got a bird’s eye view of one of the South Pacific’s most iconic scenes – the rugged volcanic Mt. Rotuni resting between two famous bays. To the right, the lapis blue water, black-sand beach, and the dramatic craggy backdrop of Cook’s Bay, named after Captain James Cook; to the left, Opunohu Bay, where Captain Bligh and HMS Bounty landed and the setting for the acclaimed novel, Mutiny on the Bounty. After this tempting view, we descended and I was able to squish my toes into the beaches on both bays.
The open-air “safari” jeep bucked hard on the vertical jungle path on Mo’orea, a small island in French Polynesia. I banged into the side of the 4×4, which was better than being hurled over the enclosure and down the mountain, only inches from the path. I use the word “path” loosely; it soon gave way to two dirt tracks, and not well-worn at that.
View from the jeep as we began our ascent of Magic Mountain
Clasping white-knuckled onto the grab bar, I looked at the woman on the bench seat across from me. A tourist from Japan, she did not speak my English; her fearful eyes locked on mine, and then spontaneous, internationally-recognized grins escaped from both of us, followed by whoops and hollers from our group. Someone yelled, “yee-ha!” It may or may not have been me.
“I call this “Magic Mountain,” yelled our guide Patrick over the grind of tires spinning on gravel. I could see his point, having ridden the namesake rollercoaster. “You will love the view at the top,” he said. I already loved what views I could steal along the bumpy ride – lush tropical flora and the ocean beyond.
But when we came to a stop, there was no view to be seen. “It’s just a short hike to the top,” said Patrick. So under the punishing midday 90-degree sun, I made the trek to the top, hot and sweaty. About halfway up, I heard someone curse. It may or may not have been me.
Oh, the view! Spread out in splendid panorama, I could see at least half the coast of Mo’orea. Looking down past the uneven mountain overhangs that eventually tumbled into the shallow surf, the sea spread out in swirling patterns of cerulean blue, aquamarine, and several shades of gray, held in place by an offshore coral reef.
Yes, the kidney-jarring, sweat-laden journey was worth that dramatic vista above.
Jus De Fruits De Mo’orea was our next stop, a local distillery near Cook’s Bay, for a (or several) free samples of their special tropical liquors. The Vahine Coco Crème was much to my liking – smooth, slightly sweet with just a small bite. I didn’t find out until I returned home that they don’t export it. Wish I had bought an extra bottle.
An obligatory visit to the stone marae temples that the ancient Polynesians held sacred was not very impressive, though I did show due respect. I freely admit to being an ancient ruins snob – having seen the likes of the Giza, Tikal, Chichen Itza, and Teotihuacan pyramids, Stonehenge, the Acropolis, the Coliseum, and Ayutthaya, I’m not easy to impress.
One thing that did grab my attention, though, was the “lipstick fruit” found on the temple grounds. This spiny red fruit has hard red seeds that are used as a spice, an industrial dye, and historically for body paint. “If you rub the seeds with your fingers and touch your lips, it will stain like lipstick,” said Patrick. Interesting concept; filed away for future research.
The late afternoon Moorea ferry took me back to Tahiti before heading off to Bora Bora in the morning. But I did not say goodbye to Mo’orea just yet…. I settled into the lounge chair on my hotel balcony and enjoyed one last sunset over Mo’orea in the distance.
Moorea jeep safari adventure was first published by Women’s Toolbox in November 2013.
You may also be interested in:
Lipstick Fruit: Homegrown Lipstick in Moorea
Adrenal Junkie’s Guide to Bora Bora
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About the Author
Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the new few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
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