Pacific Paradise – Day 9/28

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Monday
17th April
Cruise (Day 2)

** I’m getting a few reports that this site is mis-behaving. If you can see this, you’re OK for now! **

Morning all! Another day, another French Polynesian Island! 👍. Here we are in Bora Bora! We’re here until fora fora o’clock this afternoon. 😉

Paradise Found! (click here)

If you’ve just discovered this Blog, click ‘Paradise Found’ above for how today fits in with our travel plans 👍

About Bora Bora

An iconic view

Bora Bora is part of French Polynesia, but sits in the Leeward Islands. Its name means ‘created by the Gods’. Luxury 5-star hotels, brilliant turquoise lagoons, necklace-shaped coral reefs, lush forests and extinct volcanic mountains are a photographers’ paradise.  

It’s only 12 square miles in size, with around 10,500 inhabitants, but during World War II, the United States fortified it with 7,000 soldiers. The USA military chose Bora Bora as a South Pacific military supply base after the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1942. The Marines constructed an oil depot, an airstrip, a seaplane base and defensive fortifications. The base, was known as “Operation Bobcat”, and seven heavy artillery guns were installed. The guns were set up at strategic points around the island to protect it against potential military attack by the Japanese. Luckily, the guns saw no action and the base was closed in 1946.

All Aboard!

After a quick breakfast, we headed ashore by Tender. It was just before 9am and we seemed to be one of the few ‘up and about’. Either we’d already missed the rush, or, we WERE the rush! Happily, it was the latter, and we were soon aboard for the ten-minute trip to shore.

Our enthusiastic Guide in action

Luckily, we were met by some locals, all eager to give us a tour around the Island. The first, wanted $100 each for a two-hour trip. We declined his offer as too expensive and instead chose the next ‘entrepreneur’ whose offer was a much more reasonable $35 each. Result! 👍

Air-conditioned! Phew!

As an added bonus, it was an air-conditioned mini-bus, rather than the rather basic converted Land Rovers of some of the competitors! Much kinder for temperature (and on the bum too!)

Our Guide was enthusiastic and full of local knowledge. Our mini-bus was comfy, cool and best of all, not completely full – Perfect! 😊😎

Just one of the many iconic views here

What followed, was a two-hour trip along the interesting route around the Island, taking in the key spots.

This was everything we’d hoped it would be, and so much better than our recent attempt in Mo’orea to go exploring!

Mr and Mrs Crusoe

We could easily see why this was promoted as an island for honeymooners! Blue, blue skies, crystal clear sea and a gorgeous temperature. For us, probably the most memorable stops were Maitai Beach

…the Bloody Marys Bar & Restaurant

…and the Four Seasons Hotel.

Returning to where we started, we could see the Regatta in the distance, and we were soon back on board.

It had been an excellent experience and our helpful Guide had helped us learn so much about Bora Bora. A highly recommended experience! 👍👍👍👍👍.

Tomorrow, we’re off to the Island of Rangiroa.

See you Tuesday! (Technology permitting) 🤔

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