Polynesian Adventure Day 5

 March 4:  Sunny, with scattered clouds and the usual 85 degrees with humidity.  And we had rainstorms, lasting 5 minutes or less.

The rest of yesterday was spent chilling at the villa.  The most ambitious thing that EP and PT did was to walk for two miles along the road passing closed shops and restaurants (it was Sunday after all).  After that we returned to the water.  BS and PT sat in the water for hours in the shade of the trees/palms.

Hibiscus flower.

Ditto.

One of several statues or monuments seen on our walk along the highway.

Ditto.

Ditto again....

Banana stalk.

A cell tower.

A cool looking gate.

Indian Mango, on the villa grounds.

Today, we decided to tour the island, driving counter clockwise.  Our first stop was at an historical church with views to the inland mountains.  

Eglise de la Sainte-Familia, in Haapiti

Breadfruit tree on the church grounds.

A road stop for a classic photo of the landscape.

Oleander.

Sea Hibiscus.

Shampoo ginger.

Next stop - "Tensies" at a food truck bakery with coffee - we got the first slices of a homemade coconut bread.

Next stop - an overlook (Toatea Viewpoint) on the northeast side with the Sofitel Hotel below.

Panorama view.  Tahiti in background under the clouds.

Next stop - a beach (Temae) below the overlook with a great public beach.  Swimming and snorkeling was called for.  Snorkelers spotted sting rays and black tip sharks.  The swimming worked up our appetites, so we had tasty lunches at Moz cafe,

One of the several ferry boats serving Moorea.

Next stop after lunch - The Belvedere de Opunohu, at 820 feet elevation.

The belvedere provides a good view of Mt. Rotui located between the two prominent bays of Moorea.

Captain Cook Bay.

The start of one of several trails at the belvedere.

LS playing with play-do.

Ditto.

We returned to villa after a quick stop for some groceries and almost immediately went into the water.  Dinner was at the Holy Steakhouse (another fine meal).  It was an active day and everyone crashed pretty quickly.

Lobster ravioli.

Taste of the Sea (tapas)

Holy Steakhouse.