Mo'orea, French Polynesia

Mount Tohi'e'a on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. is probably the most iconic landmark of this island. It can be seen from almost everywhere and is truly unique.

The first stop of our excursion on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia took us up the Magic Mountain. Quite a challenge to get up there as the driver had to go up a small path driving backwards to get us to the overlook. The view was quite rewarding though.

A great close-up of the reef at the entrance of the lagoon around the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. The views from the Magic Mountain overlook are magical indeed.

Intense turquoise in the lagoon around the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. The views from the Magic Mountain are truly spectacular.

Way down below the Magic Mountain overlook we could see some boats roaming the lagoon around the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. We will do something similar in a few days on neighbouring island Bora Bora.

Second stop on our excursion was at Baie d'Ōpūnohu on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. Gorgeous bay with lots of mountains surrounding it. We spent some time enjoying the lovely scenery and views.

If not for the excursion that we were on we could have easily enjoyed the view of this bay much longer. Great place to relax next to this fallen palm tree at Baie d'Ōpūnohu on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. In the distance our cruise ship patiently awaits our return.

True paradise at Baie d'Ōpūnohu on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. Palm trees around a beautiful bay, what's not to like? In stead of listening to the tour guide we walked along the banks of the bay.

Next stop on our excursion was the beautiful Baie de Cook (Cook's Bay) on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. We got ample time for relaxing near the bay, enjoying the flowering trees and the amazing colours of the water.

Wouldn't mind living here is what we thought while walking around Baie de Cook on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. The colours, the water and the surrounding mountains make this place almost magical.

Before reaching the pineapple fields inland, we had to pass the small village of Pao Pao on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia.

Dirt road driving on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. It was pretty hot inside the jeeps that were used to take us inland to the pineapple fields.

The pineapple fields in the centre of the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia are definitely worth a visit. Pineapples are literally growing all over the hills here. Every day people are roaming the fields to search for the ones that are ready to be sold. If one is taken out it is immediately replaced by a new one that can start its two years of growing until maturity.

From wherever you drive on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia, Mount Tohi'e'a is always visible. Here we are exploring some inland pineapple fields.

After visiting some of the awesome bays it was time to go inland and visit the pineapple fields on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. Pineapples left and right while driving on the dirt roads through the fields.

Simply amazing to be able to look at Mount Tohi'e'a from the Belvédère lookout on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. It is such an expressive mountain.

Because of views like this we found the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia the most beautiful one of the Society Islands we visited. Standing here at the Belvédère lookout made us feel humble and appreciative of the beauty in this world.

The volcanic nature of the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia can be seen from the Belvédère lookout. The lookout provides spectacular views of all the Mo'orea mountains.

At the end of our excursion on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia we visited Marae Ti'i-Rua. Here we follow a path leading into the jungle.

Marae Ti'i-Rua is a stone sacred temple platform built mid 15th century - early 16th century and enlarged in the 18th century, in the Ōpūnohu Valley. The marae is built on Ti’i-rua or 'double divinity' land, orientated toward the Mou’a Roa mountain.

After spending some time ashore we are returning by tender boat to our cruise ship. Here approaching the Norwegian Jewel which is anchored in the middle of Baie d'Ōpūnohu on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. I can never get enough of seeing these huge ships that are our home for a few weeks.

Relaxing on board of the cruise ship Norwegian Jewel, anchored in the middle of Baie d'Ōpūnohu on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. Time to enjoy some cocktails while admiring this beautiful view.

A true paradise sunset while sailing out of the lagoon around the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. We thought we would miss the actual sun but it appeared just in time from behind the mountain.

Sailing away from the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia after an awesome day. We will definitely miss this beautiful place in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It turned out to be more spectacular than we initially anticipated.