Tour time! We found an outfit called “Safari Mario” who would take us by 4×4 to the pineapple plantations, Belvedere Mountain, Magic Mountain, and a vanilla farm where we have food samplings.
Our tour guide, Ron spoke English, Dutch and German. He was exceedingly happy and very proud of his rock! The first stop was the very same pineapple plantations that we had walked the day before. But this time we got a little more history.
The first stop was “the Bounty” which is a flat surface where they shot parts of the 1983 movie “The Bounty.” We had stopped here yesterday, but did not know any of the history. The beautiful mountain in the background is called Moua Puta or Princess Hei Ata and she stands 800 meters. You really have to use your imagination to see her silhouette.
The Bounty at Moorea
We learned more about the pineapple farming (inserted into Moorea post) and also about bananas. The banana tree will grow two flowers. The female will turn into a bunch of bananas while the male flower will hang low. The farmer must cut it once it droops as it will cause a reduction in the size of the bananas. Plantains grow up toward the sky (lower right corner) while bananas grow down (lower left corner)
Pineapple Crop, Banana and Plantain Bloom
We crossed over two small running rivers in our 4×4 tour truck and up the Belvedere mountain. From the top you can see both Cooks Bay and Opunohu Bay.
Two bays: Cooks Bay and Opunohu Bay
Our 4×4 tour to Magic Mountain was bumpy and twisty. The mountain got its name based on the famous theme park in California. Known for its twists and turns One family owns all of the property around Magic Mountain. They have built a “road” to take visitors to the top and another road to take them down at a cost of $2 per person. Not bad when you consider all of the 4×4 trucks, hikers, and ATVs that go up on a daily basis.
Safari Mario Roads Less Traveled
We had spectacular views from the top, but unfortunately it was hazy so the colors don’t show up well on the photos. The first photo is looking toward the Hilton where a large number of cruisers anchor.
View toward Hilton Hotel
The next photo is toward the Intercontinental where fewer boats anchor, but more day boats visit.
View toward Intercontinental Hotel
Breathtakingly beautiful views of the mountains and neighboring villages
On the way back to town, we passed by a sad, but majestic monument for Captain James Cook. The British and French are known for their dislike of each other. So, the French are not taking care of the British monument. It was surrounded by weeds and trailers. But, the globe, hand carved in stone showed Capt. Cooks three voyages: 1768-1771, 1772-1775 and 1776-1778
Captain Cook Monument
Our last stop was the Tropical Gardens where we sampled fresh marmalade and vanilla. All of the tables were adorned with floral arrangements. They had a least a half dozen Christmas palm trees (middle left photo), a pretty pond and a vanilla farm. The left lower image shows the vanilla bean and the lower right shows the vanilla flower. At this farm, they have to pollinate each flower by hand. One flower will produce one vanilla bean and it takes 9 months to transition from flower to bean.
Tropical Gardens
The entire farm as littered with blooming flowers. The flowering leaves on the top left incorporates the flower into the leaf. The alien flower top right just looks fabulous.
Tropical Gardens
Overall, it was a spectacular tour. Ron was very knowledgeable and passionate about Moorea.