17 26S 149 29W
Libertyatsea10
Mon 16 Aug 2010 17:34
It is the most beautiful place we have seen, it is capitivating.
we sailed across the sea of moons having gazed over at the blue peaks from Papeete, it all looked so romantic..
we had a lovely sail on a fine reach with the longed for PAcific fetch rolling gently beneath us, we had heavily promised rain from the weather forecast and the clouds so we had all the oilies ready. We had a beautiful sunny crossing.
Cooks Bay has a lovely easy pass, well marked. AS we arrived the rain heaved down upon us, but it was happy benign rain, even Benj was out in his togs cooling off.
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We anchored with our new extra long anchor chain, and sat back to see what emerged after the rain. WOW. the bay is stunning. Sheltered, deep, still. Amazing peak formations all around, varied vegetation, and of course, the obligatory cock crowing.
We dried off in the sun and headed ashore to explore the little village. This is a well off little island. One real road of course and the rest, off road tracks.
There are only resorts here which we did not bother to investigate, but they all follow the grass hut on water routine, They don't seem busy at all. They don't appear to want to be busy!
We had a trek through the most amazing forest I have ever seen. Full of huge mango and Mape trees. The trunks of the MApe tree is shaped like a propellor I guess to root itself on the inclines. Johan told us that there was a great energy from the trees (I was a little sceptical as he IS a tree hugger and a vegetarian ,,,,so you know yourself!) However, after an hour or two, climbing along a path which was straight out of HArry POtter with big roots and squashed leaves softening our way, with beautiful light, lichens growing everywhere, waterfalls and little streams, I got it. Yep, you got energy from the ground, the atmosphere, the temperature..everything. We climbed to a couple of marea sites where humans were once sacrificed, and reluctantly had to head back as Grum didn't know where we were and thought we would be 15 minute,s we were hours.
we got slightly lost so, Benj turned himself into a witch doctor with spear and dagger and was soon whooping and babbling in an unknown language at every tree as he led the way and protected us from danger. God help him if we ever tell his mates!
Next day we went horse trekking through the mountains which was SO therapeutic,. We spent the whole time just ooohing and aaahing at the sites.
Yesterday we came to Oopenhoa Bay which is another gem.
we had drinks with Magic Bus (Najad Sarah!! apparently soon for sale!) and Johan met up with his friends on Nord Wind. Now SHE is a beauty. famous fastnet boat, and beautifully restored classic. Today we reluctantly leave Moorea but feel that we have had a very special experience here, Moorea is a very special place .
Raratonga, here we come.