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Moorea is a smaller island about ten miles away. We left Papeete on Tuesday morning and motored, as there was no wind. Moorea is spectacular, even more so than Tahiti. The mountain peaks are very high and jagged and the slopes are covered with pineapple plantations. The island is surrounded by a reef and bordered by white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons. We passed the famous Cook's Bay but anchored in opunhu Bay, where captain Cook actually anchored in 1777. We went ashore by dinghy on the beach and walked to the head of the bay where there is a shrimp farm.
The highlight of the visit was an evening at Tiki village theatre, which we organised through the nearby Hilton hotel. We were taken by bus to the village, where we were given a welcoming glass of punch. We had a tour of the village with an English speaking guide, who explained how traditional crafts are done, Everyone was very friendly and they all live in the village. Then we watched the opening of a Tahitian ground oven, in which our dinner was cooking. The buffet provided a good choice of dishes, or a bit of everything if you were really hungry. Finally we watched a traditional Polynesian show and fire dance. Yes we did the typical touristy thing but it was great fun. Audience participation was encouraged and they tried to teach us to dance but my bottom wouldn't shake like theirs did. Nancy did better and Jim had a go with the men, who shake their knees instead. William hid at the back of course and recorded the spectacle on camera.
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