I was on Deck 10 at 6am to meet one of the most iconic places on Earth but sadly the weather subdued this masterpiece with dark clouds and grey seas. The tallest mountain was shrouded in cloud but made the occasional appearance. It would get much better later…
I was so keen to run. So much so that I turned up to the Deck 5 debrief at 8am hoping to get a lift with the Private & Helicopter Tours – Bingo. I was on the barge at 830am instead of 9am. That 30min would make all the difference. My 10km run took me to a famous Bar/Restaurant called “Bloody Mary’s” where all the glitterati of the world have been and signed photos that adorn the walls. At least this is what I was told because when I jogged past the place was being renovated with several over-water bangalows being built right next door. The run was great and very welcome. On my return to Vaitape, the main town on the island, I took a few photos and it was back on the barge at 11am. Vaitape is nothing special. It is very touristy and not well planned. The Aranui provided regular barges from the ship to Vaitape and back and from the ship to Motu Tapu and back. This way people could shop in Vaitape and drop their purchases off on the ship before lunching on the small island of Motu Tapu. This island is actually owned by Mr Wan, the king of Black Pearls in French Polynesia – much like out own Paspali with White Pearls back in Australia. I changed from running gear to swimming gear and caught the noon barge from the ship to Motu Tapu. This island is in the middle of the lagoon with fantastic views of Mt Otemanou and the main island of Bora Bora. We all enjoyed a BBQ lunch of fish, lamb, beef and chicken with several salads. Something from everyone. At this point the sun came out and the clouds left Bora Bora revealing the clear multi-colour waters that make this place famous.
At 130pm a boat arrived at Motu Tapu and took us on a 4.5hrs adventure circling the entire island of Bora Bora and its lagoon. Our first stop was waist-deep milky green clear water infested with Reef Sharks and Manta Rays. Both more scared of us than us of them. It was brilliant as the pictures reveal. The sharks often passed right next to me in groups of three to five. The sharks were 1-2m and the rays up to 1m. It was hard to leave this place. The next stop was a place called “The Coral Garden” and indeed it was. Clumps or underwater “islands” of coral of plant-like shapes but not as much colour as The Aquarium in Rangiroa. From here it was constant sailing around the Bora Bora Lagoon. It is amazing just how many over-water bangalows are here. Bora Bora invented these way back in the days of “Club Med”, a fancy hotel chain that pioneered the “all-inclusive” resort holiday. Sadly they no longer exist. The wind picked up just before our 5pm arrival at the ship so it was a very rocky disembarkation.
Today’s hot shower was more welcome than any other. We had finished a huge day on Bora Bora and started to sail the overnight journey back to Papeete. Suffice to say, it was a very colourful and loud farewell dinner with all guests welcomed by singing staff. Dinner was a rare roast beef, which just melted in the mouth. We even got extra wine. It was a very fitting last supper for all of us…
BORA BORA STATS:
Distance from Papeete: 255km
Land Size compared to Sydney: 0.3% (8km by 56km)
Coastline: 7250km
Population: 11,203
Highest Peak: 727m
Claim to Fame: Black Pearls & First Airport in French Polynesia (1945).
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