TAHA'A AND MOTU MAHANA

TAHA'A AND MOTU MAHANA

FRENCH POLYNESIA

We enjoyed our tour of Taha'a and the visit to a Pearl Factory but the highlight of this day was our trip to the private island of Motu Mahana.  Just arriving on Motu Mahana was incredible.  The colors of the water is breathtaking and something I will never forget.  As you approach the Island the calm waters look so inviting that you just want to jump in now.  And you do as soon as the boat arrives because there is no dock or ramp.  You get off of the boat and go right into waist deep water and then walk across to the beach.  Don't worry there is a floating bar between the boat and the beach so you can literally stop for a beer or cocktail before hitting the sand.  This alone was a sight to see and experience.  Once on land we went right for the food.  The staff of the Paul Gauguin brings all of the food, drinks, ice, beer and alcohol aboard the Island and then cleans up and packs it all up when finished.  Seeing the staff tear down the bar and transport everything to the tenders is amazing.  They have it down to a science and have fun doing it too.  The food served up on the beach was incredible. Everything from fresh fish to burgers, dogs and Turkey Wings.  After a great lunch a cold beer we ventured into the warm blue waters that were filled with Sea Cucumbers on the ocean floor.  You really need to wear reef shoes here to be safe.  This was an incredible day on the beach and one of our favorite days aboard the Paul Gauguin.

View additional posts on French Polynesia;

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2017/01/paul-gauguin-tahiti-and-society-islands.html

 TAHA'A

TAHA'A AND MOTU MAHANA

ARRIVAL AT MOTU MAHANA

BEAUTIFUL OCEAN AND A RAINBOW

ARRIVAL ON TAHA'A 

A BOAT LOAD OF COCONUTS BEING LOADED BACK INSIDE OUR BOAT

OUR TOUR GUIDE ON TAHA'A

FRESH FRUITS FROM TAHA'A

FRESH LOCAL BANANA WITH COCONUT SHAVINGS

VIST TO A PEARL FACTORY

SMALL YELLOW BEADS ARE INSERTED INTO PEARLS

APPROACHING MOTU MAHANA

THIS WAS ONE OF THE COOLEST SIGHTS ON OUR TRIP

AMAZING WATER COLORS AROUND MOTU MAHANA

YOU LITERALLY STEP OFF THE BOAT INTO THE WATER 

A QUICK WALK IN THE WATER LEADS TO THE ISLAND OF MOTU MAHANA

BUT WAIT...BEFORE YOU HIT LAND STOP AT THE FLOATING BAR

FIRST THINGS FIRST - LET'S HIT THE LUNCH BUFFET

THE STAFF FROM PAUL GAUGUIN SERVES UP SOME GREAT BEACH BBQ

HOT, DOGS, BURGERS, CORN, FRESH FISH TURKEY LEGS AND MUCH MORE TO
EAT ON MOTU MAHANA

A DARN GOOD LUNCH IF YOU ASK ME

THE FOOD WAS GREAT!

NOW ITS TIME TO HIT THE BAR

THESE COCONUT DRINKS WERE CONSUMED LIKE CRAZY ON THE ISLAND

HEADING FOR THE FLOATING BAR NOW

KAYAKS PROVIDED BY CRUISE SHIP

BEAUTIFUL WATER BUT SEA CUCUMBERS ARE EVERYWHERE 

MY GIRLS ENJOY SOME KAYAKING

THE PAUL GAUGUIN SHIP ANCHORED OFF MOTU MAHANA

SAD TO LEAVE MOTU MAHANA

GOING BACK ON BOARD THE PAUL GAUGUIN TO CONTINUE OUR ADVENTURE