Promptly at 5 am, the Zuiderdam was underway from Papeete starting the short journey to Moorea, where we anchored in ‘Ōpūnohu Bay.

Tendering started about 8 am and our small group headed ashore for a privately arranged 4×4 Photo Safari.

A quartet welcomed us with music as ladies passed out small tuberose flowers as we entered the craft market area.  The craft market area seems to have expanded since we were here last in March, and I noticed some new restrooms nearby.

Welcome to Moorea!

If you don’t have a tour arranged in advance – there are plenty of last-minute options available.

There were about five similar signs offering private tours

Nyron and Adeline from HAL shore excursions greeted everyone with big smiles (see photo above).

Our tour was advertised as a 4×4 photo safari.  HAL offers a similar tour for about twice the price.  The HAL tour says a photographer will accompany you.   Our tour with Moorea Explorer  says a knowledgeable guide will accompany us.  Our driver, Mata, was interesting and knowledgeable, and we visited the view spots common to many tours.  We enjoyed the tour, which was a good value.   The price was $350 for the vehicle which holds 8 people.  Here is the description from their website:

During a 4-hour visit, as a couple, with family or friends, aboard a private vehicle, you will discover the history, the flora, we will make you fully enjoy all the wonders of the island of Moorea .

Our local guides will share with you their love for their island, their knowledge, their culture. You will experience a trip filled with unforgettable scenic panoramas. In an idyllic setting we will pass on the best information and regale you with anecdotes and historical facts.

During these four hours, you will discover:

The magnificent bays of Moorea (Cook and Opunohu)

The Belvedere viewpoint

The ancestral temples

The volcanic crater

Crossing the rivers of Moorea with eel feeding

Fruit plantations, the large and magnificent pineapple fields of Moorea

The Tropical Garden to enjoy the beautiful view of Opunohu Bay, discover the Tahitian vanilla plantation and taste local jams

Refreshment in a souvenir shop where you will enjoy a course explaining in detail what there is to know about the pearl of Polynesia, our local jewel.

In a private tour, compose your own itinerary and visit only the desired points.

Mata, our driver and guide, met our group of eight, and we headed off to our first of ten stops.  Today was Sunday, so most restaurants and many shops were closed.

Pete, Mata and Judy

This shows the ten places we stopped on our 4 x 4 Photo Safari

Our first stop was at a place Mata referred to as a Bio Museum or the “Te Fare Natura” – More HERE and  HERE

The Bio Museum was our first stop.

We traveled in a covered pickup truck, with cushioned seats in the bed facing each other with room for four on each side.  Seat belts were available.

Our tour vehicle at our second stop in the pineapple field

Mata showing us pineapples

The tour had 4×4 in the name, but while the roads were narrow in a few spots, they were all passable in 2-wheel drive cars.

We visited a few stops using narrow gravel and dirt roads

The Belvedere lookout is a popular spot, and we enjoyed smaller crowds with fairly clear weather for some nice views.

Our tour group at the Belevedere lookout

Here are some photos from the rest of our tour

There were plenty of roosters and chickens at our Marae Ti’i-rua stop

We stopped alongside this view of a crater with a small village

Mau’aputa was visible at many spots throughout our tour

This is a screenshot from the app Peak Finder – available in the Apple Store – highly recommended for identifying mountains worldwide.  Be sure to download the data when you have good Wi-FI

The Sofitel overwater bungalows

Our final stop was at Jardine Tropical, accessible via a steep, narrow road.  There is a small Vanilla farm right below the restaurant.  They offer a variety of fruits and juices, and there is a spectacular view of Ōpūnohu Bay and the Zuiderdam.

Mata explained how vanilla flowers are pollinated.

View of the Zuiderdam from the Jardine Tropical

Judy picked up another pearl from the craft market, and we enjoyed this sign that declared they only had REAL pearls.

Real Pearls only !!

Back on the ship, we celebrated Chinese New Year.  There was a special menu in the Lido, so Table 89 enjoyed dinner upstairs while sporting our Chinese New Year’s clip-on hats.

Fabulous Sushi ready to eat in the Lido – Photo by Pam C

Table 89 wearing our clip on hats – celebrate Chinese New Year in the Lido

Comedy Trio, The Biddy’s, was on the mainstage.  Their show reminded me of a little more risqué Carol Burnett skit.  With extensive use of double-entendre jokes – the three ladies played off each other as they performed short skits intermixed with a few songs.

The Biddy’s put on a funny show

Tomorrow we will be in Raiatea