Page 29 - Explore Magazine Spring 2017

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wraps, or pareos, adorning shopfronts and blowing gently in the
island breeze. A staple part of any island wardrobe, the pareo is a
wrap of many moods and occasions, a must for wearing over togs or
as a skirt, dress, shorts or colourful top.
Back on the road we pass pineapple plantations spilling down the
hillsides and flourishing in the rich organic soil and warm sunshine.
At Cook’s Bay on the northern coast of the island we discover Brut
d’Ananas, a locally produced bubbly that is a unique taste of Moorea:
it’s like fruity pineapple sunshine captured in a bottle and corked.
The Manutea Tahiti Rotui Juice Factory, home of the local pineapple
tipple, is also brimming with local juice delights sans alcohol, very
welcome on a hot drive.
Next on the itinerary is a highlight of any holiday in Moorea:
swimming with reef sharks and stingrays on the northwest coast
of the island. It isn’t as daunting as it sounds. Captain Taina from
her tour company of the same name eases her boat into the beach
and we head off to the outer reaches of the lagoon in search of the
“locals”. An aquarium drifts below us as we skim the waves, visible
through the glass bottom of the boat. There is colourful fish life of
all sizes and shapes including the sight of the day, turtles. They are
furtive and hard to spot, popping their heads up and then darting
quickly back under the safety of the water.
Totally skilled up on the fish population we arrive at the stingray
greeting spot. Well used to Taina’s daily visits and attracted by the
sound of her boat, plus the lilting Tahitian music and the ever-
popular fish mouthfuls she gently feeds them, the boat is quickly
surrounded by these incredible gliding creatures. When the tour
passengers plop off the side of the boat, the rays gently nuzzle them
in search of morsels of fish. Finding the cupboard bare they glide
off to Taina, their reliable food source, for their daily treat. The reef
sharks are a little more cautious. Keeping their distance they dart
between us and the rays, snapping up the scraps but not lingering
for a pat. It’s an experience like no other.
Swimming with the locals ticked off the list, it’s time to be homeward
bound, or at least back to the luxury of the Sofitel Moorea for the
night before another day’s adventures. As a way to see this beautiful
island, with time to stop and savour the full colour of local life, a self-
drive holiday on Moorea is highly recommended.

HELLOWORLD : EXPLORE : SPRING EDITION