Moorea's most famous peak is Mouaroa,
better known around the world as Bali Hai.
But is it?
James A. Mitchener wrote Tales of the
South Pacific in 1946, which soon became
the basis for the all-time hit musical South
Pacific. Mitchener wrote about a perfect
little island paradise known as Bali Hai.
After the book, musical and movie, many
islands throughout the world jumped up
and shouted, "I am Bali Hai!" Bora Bora and
Moorea were among them. But Mitchener
had not visited Moorea before writing his
book. And when he finally did, he said it
was exactly what he had in mind when he
created Bali Hai.
Earlier in our itinerary, we had stopped
in at a bar/restaurant on Bora Bora called
Bloody Mary's, named after the Polynesian
woman who sang that haunting song in the
musical, where a plaque designated the site
as the official Bali Hai. I'm sure other such
plaques are scattered around the world.
So maybe Bali Hai is not an actual place,
but only a state of mind. In any case, the
peak of Mouaroa on the island of Moorea
seems to "call you" and hold your attention,
just as in the song.
So the answer to my quest, despite being
pampered at sea and mesmerized by these
islands, could I pull up stakes and reside
here like Marlon and Paul?
Probably not. But I'm sure glad I drop-
ped in.
DS
