Day 7 - Thursday 11 January 2024

When rated out of 10, some days suck and are a resounding 1. Others are excellent and score 9 or 10. Without wanting to resort to hyperbole, I would have to rate today as a 20.

I awoke this morning to the rumble of thunder and the pattering of rain on the roof of my bungalow. On looking out of the window a huge puddle surrounded the steps down from the bungalow, and my first challenge of the day was to make it to breakfast with dry feet. This mission a success, after breaking fast I returned to my room to prepare for todays adventure; a Jetski and ATV combo with Moorea Activities Centre. 

Picked up from in front of the hotel at 9.10, the transfer to the activity centre took me around Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay to their waterside site. Moorea Activities Centre are good enough to take photos during their tours which are then made available, so thanks to them for the images I'm able to share.

First up was 2 hours of Jetski; some quick instruction on how the thing goes, and then onto the water to follow my guide; I was the only one with this guide this morning. We jetted around to Cook's Bay where we passed my hotel, and then continued clockwise around the coast within the reef until we reached a point where we were not allowed to go any further clockwise. 

Then out beyond the reef into the Pacific Ocean. If jetskiing within the lagoon can be compared to a nice blue ski run, the Pacific suddenly introduces moving moguls. Back into the lagoon after lots of fun including some time in the air (a jetski makes an interesting noise when it goes airborne and a comforting slap when it meets the water again) where we stopped off at a site where the sharks and rays gather.

Then onwards once more tearing counter clockwise around the east coast before turning back and returning to the base to end an exhilarating two hours.

A quick lunch, and a fast turnaround for three and a half hours of ATV adventure; in case you're wondering, ATV is All Terrain Vehicle. 

Another briefing regarding how to turn it on and off, how to throttle and change gear, and how to switch from two to four wheel drive, then off we set down Moorea's roads, driving on the incorrect side of the road of course. First stop was at Belvedere Outlook for a stunning view of the two Moorea bays.

Then onwards to a variety of overlooks, stops to learn a little about Pineapple farming, a stop to taste juices and alcoholic beverages at a juicing factory, a stop for some jam tasting, and finally a stop at Magic Mountain with a magnificent view of the coasts.

Finally we arrived back at the base, and enjoyed a run punch before being ferried back to the hotel; I was on the ATV leg with an extended American family from Conneticut, who were great fun to be with.

All in all, a most fantastically excellent day that's left me physically kaput and ready for a good nights sleep. It's also left me a little sunburnt despite trying to keep the sun cream topped up.

An absolute 20 of a day, bought to a close by another pizza like last nights; just as excellent and tasty. I returned to the hotel at 18:30, and once again everything was locked up, so a chance to blog today. I did start outside, but was getting well bitten so have retreated to the air conditioned safety of my room; no mossies, but I do seem to have a small lizard in the bathroom!