Hello my friends and family,
We’re visiting Bora Bora today. The “most beautiful island in the world” according to
James Michener. I remember reading his book, “Tales of the South Pacific” when I was
pretty young and remembering him saying so. I feel so lucky to be able to visit for a third
time. It was a dream of mine for forty years. The first time here was with Mike and we
actually met Michener’s dentist! But that’s another story.
Most of the photos don’t need much of an explanation, but I will list the one’s that do
now. There’s a small island that we pass on the way in and the first couple shots are of
that island. There was one of those huts-over-the-beach hotels that looked a mess a few
years back. Now all that is left is a few falling down buildings. The young man with the
tattoos was our tour guide. The blue water with one boat was taken from the restaurant at
Matira Beach. The one inside a restaurant is Bloody Mary’s as well as the one with the two
bloody marys on the bar!! The three ships aren’t all that close together in actuality.
We’re the big one furthest away. The restaurant over the water is the Bora Bora Yacht
Club, 2 photos. The couple is John and Mary, our friends from Sydney, Australia. The
fishermen were night fishing in the lights from our ship and right next to us.
We anchored at 8am, with an 11pm departure, at Vaitape, Bora Bora, so had a lot of time
to explore. The tiny harbor has the tour boats, a very nice market and super friendly
greeters and music. I just love arriving in this place.
We didn’t have specific plans but
there was a small bus advertising $25 per person to circumnavigate the island and we
hopped on. It’s a pretty small island so probably took a couple hours with several stops.
There is a place where they dye and decorate the beautiful pareos (can’t spell this!). They
did a presentation of all the different ways to wear them on several of the passengers.
Always a fun stop.
We continued around with lots of pauses for photo opportunities. Our
guide was fun and his mom drove the bus. There’s only one hilly area on the perimeter of the island and the views from up there are amazing. The fancy hotels over the water are
not on the main island, but on the motu’s that surround the lagoon. The airport is also
built out on a motu.
We didn’t go all the way around as we wanted to stop at Matira Beach and more. There
really is only the one beach on the entire island. Beaches here are all out on the motus.
So Matira beach is quite crowded and has lots of little restaurants.
We went to our
favorite little beach restaurant and enjoyed a couple beers with our old friend Jim (his
wife was there this time as well) that we met on Rangiroa. He ordered some fries with
garlic butter here and they delivered! We’ve created a monster.
There’s a shuttle from this popular beach that either goes back to Vaitape or will drop you
off at the Famous Bloody Mary’s Restaurant Bar. It’s tradition, you have to go. We found
some local boys on the way but we didn’t get to keep them. They were running the shuttle
and making lots of money!!
At Bloody Mary’s we sat at the bar, and across the way there is
that couple we see everywhere we go, Donna and Mike. We still don’t know them but that
changes soon. The bloody marys here are not as good as they should be considering what
they cost but it’s still a must do while on beautiful Bora Bora.
We made our way back to Vaitape and then went further on to the Bora Bora Yacht Club.
It’s really in a pretty location with docks and part of the restaurant out over the water.
We were there at a slow time but they wouldn’t let us sit over the water as it was set up
for dinner. There was a large area that was tables actually in the ocean. Looked fun.
There were some cruising sailboats anchored close by but we didn’t see any of the
cruisers. I’d have loved to talk to them. I think I’d like to go back there when it’s busier.
Just might do that!!
By now we’re hot and tired so made our way back home to the Amsterdam. It’s not tough
duty to sit on the ship and enjoy the beautiful views. The locals in the canoes have so
much fun in the tender wakes. It was fun to watch them from above as well as up close.
There was a Polynesian Bar B Q in the Lido that night, as well as all the other fun stuff.
The late sailaways are fun to stay up and watch, especially if you have a big balcony and
you can be in your pj’s.
We had a day at sea before our next port. We’re spending a lot of time with friends by
now. This day we played a dice game called Zilch with Marshall and Don. We had plans to
meet for dinner with them later in the Canaletto, which is the Italian specialty restaurant
onboard. In between there was a Sip and Savor and we finally met and conversed with
Mike and Donna. The first of many fun times together. Our friend, Bobbi, whom we have
met previously at S and S, was also in our little group. Dinner with the boys was fun and
we have plans soon to go to Canaletto with John and Mary.
Next stop, Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
Later, Gayle
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