Bora Bora
And so my 54th birthday was celebrated in great style anchored in the most idyllic spot off a small motu (Motu Toopua) with the iconic image of Mount Otemanu towering above us in Bora Bora. Richard and I went on a tour of the island with Joe and Cathy from On Liberty and the main island really has little to call itself the most beautiful island in the world in my view – it is extremely touristy and full to bursting with Americans! The motus surrounding the main island are undoubtedly the most beautiful and if you came here on honeymoon the views and waters are not going to disappoint you. However, it is all geared up for tourists and is jam packed with uber-luxury hotels in truly legendary resorts with Polynesian spas, gourmet restaurants amazing overwater bungalows, villas and in the case of the Hilton two utterly enormously glass walled bungalows out on the water. On land there are hip bars, restaurants and numerous pearl shops (the pearls are way more expensive the further up we go!).
The Americans came here after Pearl Harbour and made a base staying for four years – they built the roads round the main island and the airport on one of the outside motu – a few cannon mounted on the hills and some metal shelters form a big part of ‘what there is to see’. Having said all of that where we anchored was one of the most beautiful anchorages we have had with bright blue, crystal clear water and an abundance of wonderful snorkelling. Very bizarrely very close to the shore there is a small yacht that has sunk after hitting coral and it sits there with half its mast above water and is a very spooky sight. We snorkelled on it and so strange to imagine someone’s pride and joy just sat there forever more.
On the bottom of our motu there is the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa and I was treated to a wonderful massage and then lunch the day after my birthday which was wonderful and the four of us had a great time – Oscar and I took out a pedaloe which was much harder to steer than you would think. We spent two days here in the end getting well and truly pampered – that side of Bora Bora is wonderful! The Haiva I was underway here in Bora Bora (here for entertainment not the competition that was going on in Tahiti) and once again the costumes are just out of this world and the dancing truly one of the highlights – quite extraordinary and chatting to some of the dancers it is so important for them and actually is a way for them to hold on to the cultural roots. Oscar and Charlotte have bought a rather swish paddle board from one of the other Oysters (they had two) and I am learning how to use it – very amusing and a lot harder than I thought it would be – my legs really hurt and apparently they shouldn’t if I am doing it correctly! All in all we are having a truly wonderful time in yet another stunning location (and i am taking full advantage of the free and very powerful wifi to upload some photos as i am not allowed to do much on the boat email!) – the eagle rays here just seem to wander around playing under the boat and are a wonderful addition to the vast array of tropical fish we have seen to date.
Sophistikate 