Lā 1 1: Pōʻalua, Malaki 7 Rapa Nui to Tahiti to Moʻorea
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Moʻorea, Tahitiʻs small picturesque neighbor, welcomes Nāhiku for five days of environmental learning and community engagement. The Agriculture School and Plantation Tour are a reflection of the island’s effort to maximize the use of its rich soil and ideal farming conditions to generate highly marketable produce, namely a significant variety of fruits and fruit products.
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Kanoe and Kaiki
3/7/17
3/7/17
Welina hou kākou! Today is day 11 of our 16 day trip and we are hanging in there but still having lots of fun. This morning our flight to Tahiti was delayed by 3 hours, so by the time we set foot on Tahiti it was about 4 in the morning and everyone was restless and drowsy. When we settled at the Pearl Beach Hotel most of us were ready to retreat to our slumber. By the time we woke up we were eager to catch the Aremiti 2 Ferry to Mo’orea. As the ferry departed from downtown Papeʻete, we took in the scenery of Tahiti and were ready to embrace the beauty of glorious Mo’orea.
During the ferry ride we were able to gather our thoughts and reflect on what we have accomplished on this trip. We enjoyed the vast sapphire blue waters of Tangaroa, the manu gliding through the wind and clouds, and the majestic mountains of Mo’orea. When we arrived on Mo’orea we headed straight to the Lycee Agriculture School in ʻŌpūnohu valley and were treated to some refreshments. We then had the opportunity to observe Mauna Tohiea which is the tallest peak in Mo’orea. Because we were up so high we were able to see Paopao or Cook’s Bay to the east, and ʻŌpūnohu -- the bay to the west.
On the ride back to our hotel we had a jam session on board our totally packed bus (people and luggage). When we arrived at the Moʻorea Sunset Hotel, we all settled into our rooms and prepared for a study hall session after which we were able to take a dip in the beautiful blue Moʻorea water. After we swam and cooled down for a little bit we got ready to go to dinner, and then came back to prepare for hiamoe.
At the end of the day we were with plenty of information about the island and its people. We enjoyed going to the Lycee Agriculture School and spending time to relax and bond with our fellow Nāhiku members as we savored the tropical bounty of Mo’orea. We also enjoyed getting to see Moʻorea from different perspectives. With every moment we took to gaze upon the life of Mo’orea up in ‘Ōpūnohu it connected us with our home and our ancestors.
On the Aremiti 2 Ferry approaching Moʻorea
Group photo with the beautiful view of ʻŌpūnohu Bay
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Some of us squeezing together in the back of the bus
The beach fronting our hotel, the Moʻorea Sunset
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Our first dinner in Moʻoreʻa