ATV Quads and a Sweaty Frenchman!

Day 13 – Moorea

Awoke very early this morning. I needed to be on the 1^st tender. I had room service and was up on deck in time to see the ship move slowly into Opunowu Bay. As we dropped anchor, I made my way to the Casino Lounge for a tender ticket. Luckily, we were put aboard the 1^st tender with the crew that sets up the Princess station on land.

The tour operator, ATV Moorea, was waiting for us and off we went in air conditioned luxury to their office to pick up the ATV Quad Runners. I was a nervous wreck thinking I would not be able to operate this thing. I immediately asked our most yummy French speaking guide about the difficulty driving these machines and he said “You want to ride behind me” OH MY! But I decided to try it for myself and before we headed up to Magic Mountain, where you need to ride only on the cement planks the entire way up the mountain.

We had a group of 7—all from our roll call! I don’t remember the 2 of the couple’s name but knew their faces. The other duo was my new friends from The Village’s in Florida---Tony and Phyllis. (I’ve had 4 tours with them on this trip.)

I LOVED it!!! Turning was a bit difficult. It felt like an old car without power steering. Not super bad once you did it a few times. We rode on the main road that goes around the island for a bit getting used to the Quads. Then it was off road. Dear Lord, the bumps and hairpin turns. It was a bit hard on the arms and especially my right thumb as that was how you gave the thing gas.
Tony And Phyllis

Gui, our guide, drove us through Pineapple Fields. I never knew they grew on plants at ground level. For some reason, I thought of them growing high on trees like coconuts. After the new plants are put into the ground, it takes one year for them to grow. And I must tell you that I think I am ruined for any other pineapple other than ones grown on Moorea. Gui also told us that to grow a new pineapple, you can replant the top of the pineapple. A lot of work though for 1 pineapple—1 year, 1 pineapple.

This avocado was just laying on the ground. I couldn't believe how big they were. 

We also saw ‘wild’ banana and orange trees. The bananas here (there are 40 varieties) are so cute. They are very small and very sweet. Most of the other types of bananas you need to cook to enjoy.

Then we headed further into the caldera of the collapsed volcano to look at gorgeous tropical flowers that we would pay a fortune for back home. Bird of Paradise----4 different colors, from a dark purple-red, to red to orange and pink. Gardenias and so many others I have no names for. There were also wild avocado trees producing the biggest fruits I’ve ever seen. It was just amazing driving around this tropical paradise. I have never seen such lush greenery in my life.

There is also such a variety of trees—all except the palm trees were brought from other countries. For example, there is a scraggly type of pine tree that grows here. It was brought by the British because the trunk grows straight. They used them to make ship’s masts.

I finally got an answer about what the names of these trees I’ve seen on all the islands are. They remind me of Africa. Well, that’s because they are from Africa—they are Acacia Trees. They really stuck out to me because I’ve always seen pictures of them in the African veldt.

At one point, we rode to the center of the Caldera and we were surrounded by mountain peaks. It was just beautiful. We were also told that on the spot where we stopped, the movie, The Mutiny, was filmed. The scene where Mel Gibson meets the native Chief. I’ve not seen the movie but now plan to.

We also stopped at a juice, jam factory where they use the fruits and flowers to make all sorts of products. I tried the pineapple vanilla gelato and bought my parents a jar of homemade jam. After a short stop, we made our way out of the Caldera and back onto the main road. Thank Goodness for smooth turn free roads!

Our guide turned off and we all followed him. He stopped and asked if I wanted to ride with him for this last part up to the top of Magic Mountain. I said I did as I’d not been able to take a lot of pictures during the tour. So I slid back to the passenger seat and he hopped on in front of me. I must say, the smell of a slightly sweaty, good looking male made me want to just hold onto him very tight. But, I restrained myself and kept my arms and legs to myself—for the most part.

I am very thankful he was driving because the drive to the top of Magic Mountain was brutal even for the other men driving in our group. He stopped at various places along the way and would tell me what we were seeing. He was actually very, very knowledgeable. We finally reached what we thought was the top, only to find there was climbing on foot required to get to the top. It was very steep and there was a rope you could use to pull yourself along. I will say, the view at the top was so worth it.  We had a panoramic view of both Opunowu and Cook’s bay as well as the ocean. You could see the reefs and the waves breaking over the reef. STUNNING

Now for the ride down……I climbed back aboard the Quad for the ride down. OMGoodness. It was so steep that it took all my arm and inner thigh muscles to keep me from wrapping myself around Gui. I wanted to take a picture of him directly in front of me but literally could not free a hand to lift the camera. In any event, it was quite a long ride down—bumpy as hell and I will confess my thighs failed me once or twice and I went crashing into him. Not painful at all on my part and I did apologize profusely but Gui just looked back, smiled and said no problem.  (minor swoon)

Here is one of our guide, swinging like Tarzan on branch of a tree--I believe in the rubber tree family. 

It was very hot and those helmets we wore were heavy and most unattractive. We wore hair nets underneath the helmet and everyone’s hair was soaking wet with sweat.

Once we got back to the office, we wrote our email addresses, using a French keyboard. It is very different than an American Keyboard. I wouldn’t have thought that. Gui took pictures of us at various points during the tour. I’m sure they are just LOVELY. LOL

I started to feel very wobbly, despite the fact that I had eaten breakfast, drank ½ gallon of water and had some pineapple gelato and more water. When we got back to the dock to board the tender, I thanked the heavens those wonderful men were waiting there with cold towels and cold water. I really didn’t feel better until I was back in my cabin for about an hour and having gulped two bottles of water. Both of my hands are sore today. As a matter of fact, my right palm is still a bit swollen.

I decided to pack and got almost everything ready. I just had my toiletries, laptop, kindle etc for tomorrow. Off to the last dinner I went.

Lee and Tony and I decided to meet in the Club bar at 7:15 for a final ‘chat’ before we parted ways. I really didn’t realize just how many people I’d met until they started coming up to me to say goodbye. I bought a bottle of wine to share with Phil for our last night. (I needed to use my on board credit or lose it) Of course, I downloaded the picture of them later on and of course it's blurry. Sigh.

I really feel like I knew my waiters and the head waiter. We all hugged and kissed.. and I know they do this every 10 days but I felt like they were all so special and took an interest in us and how we were enjoying ourselves and the food.

They did the parade of the Baked Alaska tonight and that was nice. The only bit of ceremony they made the wait staff participate in. (Good idea in my book) We applauded them and then the chefs and kitchen staff came out. It was very fitting for the final night.