Page 167 - Pacifia Paradises - 2020

ARANUI CRUISES

All aboard for a South Pacific voyage like no other. The regular 13-day roundtrip cruise also visits Fakarava and Rangiroa
in the Tuamotus and Bora Bora in the Society Islands, offering
As one of the few remaining cargo cruises in the world, plenty of time for snorkelling, swimming or just relaxing in the warm
Aranui Cruises offers a South Pacific adventure with a difference. tropical waters.

Acting as a vital lifeline to some of French Polynesia’s most remote While Aranui Cruises will always be the Marquesas Islands experts,
islands, the cruise line’s 125-metre long mixed cargo and passenger the cruise line is opening up new corners of French Polynesia and MOOREA
vessel, Aranui 5 delivers supplies to the six inhabited Marquesas beyond in the coming years. In 2021, three new Discovery Voyages
Islands – Hiva Oa, Nuka Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Tahuata, and will take guests to 11 new island destinations including the cruise line’s The beautiful large garden and old colonial home in Opunohu Bay
Fatu Hiva – while guests disembark to explore complimentary maiden voyage to the Cook Islands via the Australs, an expanded Pitcairn Like all Polynesian islands, Moorea is enveloped in at the Kellum is worth a visit, built last century and well preserved.
shore excursions including hikes, traditional feasts, 4WD tours, itinerary and the first dedicated Society and Tuamotu Islands cruise. folklore. Opunohu valley is also home to stone marae temples and archery
archaeological sites and local markets. Everywhere the ship calls, Legend has it that a golden-skinned lizard abandoned by its human platforms used by Polynesian royalty in pre-Christian days. Le
local villagers welcome Aranui’s guests ashore and invite them to The cargo cruise ship offers 103 comfortable rooms each featuring parents became stranded on the reef of Emeho as it swam after Belvedere Lookout Point offers an unequalled panorama of Cooks
explore their piece of paradise. an en suite, air-conditioning, flat screen television, safe and hairdryer. them. The merciful gods turned it into the island of Moorea (which
Most cabins have a private balcony while exterior staterooms feature and Opunohu bays, divided by the sacred Rotui mountain.
A journey aboard Aranui 5 is a step back in time to a land steeped in a picture window or porthole. There are also 16 shared dormitory means ‘golden lizard’), one of the true jewels of French Polynesia. Moorea has many talented artisans whose creations are sold
history, ancient customs and intrigue. The Marquesas Islands are berths. Amenities are spread over eight decks, which are accessible Only 17 kilometres from Tahiti or an eight minute flight and regarded in boutiques around the island. Ideal for the tropical climate,
the northernmost of Tahiti’s five archipelagoes, lying nearly 5000 by two elevators, with the interior décor of Aranui 5 reflecting as her sister island, Moorea is renowned for its natural beauty handpainted pareus, sundresses, bikinis, shirts and beachwear add
kilometres from the nearest continental land mass. As the cargo the Polynesian heritage of her owners and crew. A casual dining and tranquillity and often thought to be the inspiration for James instant beach chic to any wardrobe or make perfect gifts.
cruise line journeys through the Marquesas, guests follow in the restaurant serves delicious dishes using fresh, local produce and Michener’s mythical island of Bali Hai. The island’s steep volcanic
footsteps of French artist Paul Gauguin, Treasure Island author tempting desserts. Onboard guests relax in one of three bars, a peaks rise sharply from the island’s basalt base and are best viewed Tahiti’s prized black pearls are available loose or set in designer
jewellery from jewellers and boutiques on Moorea, while the public
Robert Louis Stevenson and Belgian singer Jacques Brel as well as lounge or library, enjoy informative talks on history, art and culture from Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay. market in Pao Pao beside Cook’s Bay has locally made shell jewellery
renowned explorer, Thor Heyerdahl. from a guest lecturer and try their hand at traditional weaving or take Moorea’s laid-back atmosphere provides the perfect backdrop for
dance lessons. relaxation but the island also has a wide variety of recreational as well as hats, tote bags, baskets and mats woven from palm fronds,
pandanus and banana plants.
activities to suit the most active traveller. The island is home to a
Aranui Cruises P.O Box 220, Papeete, TAHITI third of French Polynesia’s total hotel capacity, with accommodation Moorea plays host to a number of special events each year that
Tel: +689 4042 6242 Fax: +689 4043 4889 Email: [email protected] www.aranuicruises.com.au are well worth attending, including the Tahitian Tamara’a Show.
ranging from luxury resort over-water or beach bungalows to hotel
rooms and small local-style thatched roof ‘fares’. Visitors arrive by outrigger canoe at sunset, try foods cooked in a
traditional underground oven, enjoy a spectacular Polynesian dance
One of the best ways to get to know this magnificent island is hire performance and stay for the bringue, or party, that follows.
a car or scooter and tour the single road around the island, visiting
secluded beaches, pineapple and vanilla plantations and small
picturesque villages. The trip should take about four hours depending
on how many stops are made along the way. Inland, lush forests cover
Moorea’s mountains, which offer spectacular views of the island’s
valleys as well as its lagoons and bays.

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