Kura ora, or “hello.” Today we arrived in Anaa, and we were greeted by the beautiful singing of the local people. The morning was filled with amazing activities.
We visited the markets and admired handcrafted shell necklaces and hats made from pandanus and coconut fiber.
While exploring the island, we came across locals practicing javelin throwing (patiafa) for the upcoming Tu’aro ma’ohi games in July. Anaa are known to be the champions of this sport in French Polynesia.
While some of our guests explored the island, others went for a swim to cool down. On our way back to the ship, we spotted a group of pilot whales. What a great way to end the day.
Kura Happ is a gifted Rarotonga born songwriter, performer and eco warrior with a deep passion for caring for nature and the environment. Her knowledge of the reef, ocean and environmental conservation is innate - handed down verbally and through pra...
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We arrived at the dramatic, lush, volcanic island of Moorea early this morning. This is the second largest of the Windward Islands in the Society Islands of French Polynesia, and it is different from the coralline Tuamotu Islands we have been exploring. Some people claim that Moorea is the most beautiful island in the world, and it is difficult to argue. The island is the remains of an ancient, half-eroded volcano with rugged and mountainous land, many streams, fertile soils, and beautiful landscapes. Its highest peak is Mount Tohivea, which rises to 3,960 feet or 1,207 meters (see our first photo). The peak guided us into the inner waters surrounding the lagoon. We anchored in Opunohu (Papetoai) Bay on the north coast at the center of what was once the volcano’s crater. We anchored here for the rest of the day as we enjoyed this picturesque island. The island is less developed than some of the other Society Islands, such as Tahiti and Bora Bora. Many of the inhabitants still live quite simply, growing their own food and catching fish for themselves. The island’s commercial crops include pineapples, vanilla, copra, and coffee. There were several options to take advantage of in the morning, and guests chose between scuba diving with sea turtles, driving about the more rugged parts of the island in four-wheel drive vehicles, visiting important archaeological sites, and hiking in the surrounding forest. The tropical rainforest habitat is especially photogenic with its tall trees, impressive, shade-giving canopy, and a rich diversity of species. After lunch, we departed for our own private Motu. An idyllic tropical island awaited us. The hotel team greeted us with drinks, and local musicians played instruments as we arrived. Alas, it was time to say our farewells as National Geographic Orion sailed to Papeete, Tahiti. Moorea is so breathtaking, and we could not ask for a better place to end our incredible Polynesian adventure!
Our first day in the Society Islands was one to remember: stunning islands with blue lagoons, beautiful people, sharks, and rays galore. What a day! We visited a vanilla farm and had a chance to do some shopping. We enjoyed the clear water, amazing fish, and curious blacktip reef sharks. We had an iconic Bora Bora afternoon with sunset drinks on the beach in one of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet.
In the heart of the remote Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia is a special little island known as Makatea. Like all the surrounding atolls, Makatea was born of volcanic fire, which once formed a massive cinder cone rising above the tropical seas. As the coral reef accumulated around Makatea, she slowly began to subside under her own enormous weight. Her volcanic core slipped beneath the sea surface, and her coral reef continued to build, ultimately forming a reef of great antiquity. Makatea appeared to be on her way to settling into a life as a classic atoll. Fate however, had different plans. The cataclysmic eruptions that formed the nearby Tahitian islands deposited stupendous volumes of volcanic rock on the tectonic plate. The subsequent folding of the Earth’s crust thrust Makatea high above the crashing waves, exposing her ancient reefs to sun and sky. Today Makatea stands as a monument to millions of years of reef deposition. Heavy tropical downpours have slowly dissolved Makatea into a lunar landscape with cracks, fissures, and mysterious caverns. Intrepid Polynesian explorers ultimately discovered pools of potable water in a subterranean aquifer known today as the Grotto. This deep limestone labyrinth is filled with shimmering crystal calcite flowstone. Modern explorers from National Geographic Orion took advantage of the subterranean pools and enjoyed a refreshing swim on a warm, tropical day.
