weeklyTRAVEL
Clockwise from this photo: Fiona at Fenua Mata’i’oa; the Coral Gardeners; lush island surrounds; Captain Taina.
FIONA RALPH UNWINDS ON A SERENE ÎLE
TIME J
Fiona (left) and Captain Taina get to know the local stingrays and sea turtles.
60
New Zealand Woman’s Weekly
Captain Taina shows how to harvest giant clams.
ust a 45-minute ferry ride from the main island of Tahiti, Mo’orea’s verdant mountains and bright blue waters feel a world away from French Polynesia’s bustling point of entry. As soon as we arrive on the laid-back isle, we know we’ve come to the right place for unwinding and exploring on our own time. We’re staying in the island’s north-west, at Fenua Mata’i’oa, a small lagoon-front resort with a maze of canopy-like gardens connecting its five rooms. Breakfast here is a feast worth experiencing. On our first morning we gaze out at the ocean as platter after platter arrives on our table. There’s more pineapple, papaya, croissants, pain au chocolat, banana jam, eggs, ham and cheese than we could ever get through. And unfortunately, we don’t have all day – we’ve got a date with Captain Taina. Maiau Taina has been running
