Moorea - Land of Bali Hi!

We landed on Moorea Sunday morning with high hopes of finding a mass.

We had intentionally booked our shore excursion (to circle the island) for 

the afternoon. We had been told a taxi would take us to St Joseph's 

church for $5 each one way!

.

We tendered in (brought to shore in lifeboats). When we arrived at the

 pier and left the boat, we were greeted by local Polynesians dressed in 

 traditional regalia.

And island music

When we inquired about a Catholic church, we were told there was one 

 at the end of the lane!

So we walked excitedly the 3-4 blocks to find St Michael's

In spite of a sign that announced an 8 AM Sunday mass, and the fact that we arrived at 8:02 AM, there was no one there. We walked back to "Fleet Landing" and inquired about a taxi. Turns out, no one was sure where St Joeseph was plus we were quoted $35 per person one way - more than we'd brought ashore!

So we walked back to St Michael's and prayed a Rosary, several other prayers, and made a "spiritual communion" using prayers Theresa had with her.

The ambo was a beautifully carved with the Sacred Heart!

Over the door, was this painting of the patron saint

We walked about a mile toward the beach only to meet some folks who reported "it ain't worth it!" So, we decided to go back to the ship since there was very little where they had brought us in. Turns out, we learned during the circle island tour that there really isn't anyplace they could have taken us that was much better! Back on the quay, we encountered the "natives" on break between boats.

We noticed young Polynesian men paddling their canoes in the bay as well.

Off in the distance, we could see tiki huts on stilts out in the water - a very popular resort theme in Polynesia.

When another boat arrived, the Polynesians and ship's photographers swung into action!

The views from the boat as we returned to the ship were amazing!

On board ship, we relaxed and ate a bite of lunch. Then went ashore again in time to catch our shore excursion.

The first stop was a Polynesian village - The Tiki Village

All the Polynesians were in traditional regalia

They demonstrated life in a traditional village, including maintaining the regalia

Theresa in the village

We encountered the Chief!

This woman held the strands between her toes as she wove a rope!

A drummer looking very fierce!

The coast of the village was idyllic.

Theresa gets a photo op with the chief

A demonstration of how to peel a coconut with a sharp stick

And a woman from the audience attempts to shave the meat from the coconut

Then the dancers!

Many of the dancers had island body art

Bob gets a photo op with one of the dancers!

A final photo op with a Tiki "god"

A few miles down the road, we stop for a photo op with a large carved Polynesian warrior

And his little tiki buddy

These carved figures mark a nice little restaurant with a magnificent view

It's Tahiti's turn to be the mysterious island in the distance!

As we continued around the island, we encountered another resort with tiki huts on "stilts" over the water

Finally, as we drove very fast over very rough roads, we flashed by St Joseph's Catholic Church. It was not where the cab drivers thought and we were going way to fast to see any mass time info.

We ended up on fleet landing ready to return to the ship - a little less impressed with Moorea than we'd expected.

Tomorrow - Bora Bora