Legend
: The Pierced Mountain
Hiro, god of thieves, plotted to steal the mountain of Rotui
on Moorea and take it to Raiatea. Pai -- who was half god, half
man, and had great strength -- was warned of Hiro's evil intent
by the gods. So he kept vigil from Point Tata'a on Tahiti.
When the thieves attempted to steal the mountain, Pai threw
his spear through the top of Mouaputa, wakening the roosters
who sounded the alarm and drove off the robbers. However,
the thieves managed to steal a piece of the mountain, and
with it some toa trees, which today can be found isolated
on a mountain in Raiatea. And Mouaputa, one of Moorea's three
mountains, still has the needle hole from Pai's spear. |
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Scuba
Diving |
One
tank dive-from $92 pp
Two tank dive-from $165 pp |
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As spectacular
as any island that rises from the Pacific, Moorea is everyone's
dream of a Polynesian paradise. Often thought to be James Michener's
mythical "Bali Hai," it is a magical island of savage yet captivating
beauty where emerald mountains rise from sandy shores, towering
over pineapple plantations, ivory beaches, and shady lagoons.
A mere 12 miles across the Sea of the Moon from
Tahiti, and only a few minutes by air or sea, the pace of life
here is much slower. A lazy, barefoot existence prevails, causing
some to proclaim it the "perfect South Seas island." This carefree
lifestyle, the coral reefs, and cascading waterfalls have served
as inspiration to countless artists, writers and poets who have
been drawn by the natural environment.
Moorea beckons the visitor to explore, to meet
her warm, somewhat shy residents, to discover the villages and
boutiques, restaurants and hotels, which dot the waterfront
road, interspersed with uninhabited beaches and secluded coves.
A detour inland reveals panoramic views of Cook's and Opunohu
Bays, their midnight blue waters dotted white with yachts riding
peacefully at anchor. |
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