It was a clear hot day when we anchored and the tenders were soon up and running within the confines of the bay and the protective coral reef. Paul had organised for us to on a dive, but unfortunately the starting time was after lunch and the company couldn’t guarantee that we would be back in time for the last tender. So we decided not to risk it and didn’t go.
I did some catching up on my diary and later on Paul and I went ashore for a bit. Paul had to inspect a tender so it was a good excuse to take a ride to the island with him, and a good excuse for him to be on land for a bit. Moorea is such a beautiful island , the people friendly. There was a small shaded market next to the pier and despite it being a Sunday and Easter the stall owners were making the most of the ship being present to make a few pennies. Children were jumping off the pier into the small harbour or swimming 🏊 just around the corner from where the tenders docked. What a wonderful world ….
We took a walk to nearby church ⛪, its walls being of an unusual hexagonal shape. It was quite pretty inside and well kept. There was no service in progress so a few guests took the time to sit down for a few minutes in reflective silence. We walked away from the pier and up to a road which we followed for a bit before turning around and heading back to the shade of the market. We were steaming in the heat, perspiration streaming down from almost every available pore, but my skin was also starting to fry – I hadn’t put any sunblock on my exposed arms, shoulders and upper chest 😲. We had a bit of a wander around the market then took a local islander tender, open but shaded boat, back to the ship. On the way back I realised that I had forgotten to get something so we went with the tender back to shore. A quick zip around the market again, 2 small purchases made, and we headed back to the ship on the islander tender ⛵ again.
It was good to get back to the ship. The shock of the cool air-conditioning hit us – we realised how much we take the cool ship for granted.
Tomorrow is another day in paradise.
You can see my photographs on facebook via this link: ’Ōpūnohu Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia
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| The Maasdam's route to our next destination: Avatoru, Rangiroa, French Polynesia |
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