Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Spending January 17 in Bora Bora, French Polynesia. We arrived about 7:30 am, anchored in the bay, and tendered to Vaitapi.  Bora Bora is only 4 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, with 10,000 residents.  The landscape reminds me of Hawaii -- lush greenery and volcanic hillsides.  We took a 2.5 hour excursion around the perimeter of the island on an open air "Le Truck".  Stopped first at an open air market and watched a demonstration of dying cloth to make pareos. Simple cotton pareos were $10. Next we stopped at a small sand beach and got a chance to walk into the warm, turquoise water that surrounds Bora Bora.  Our last stop was at the famous Blood Mary's bar and restaurant, where we could buy a drink at 10:30 am!

Bora Bora is a beautiful, peaceful island; much different than Tahiti, which was busy and very commercialized. The airport on the island was built by the U.S. military during World War II and now allows small planes to land on its 1/2 mile long runway.  There are no rivers or lakes on the island, so no source of fresh water.  Desalination of sea water is how the island is supplied with water.  Living on Bora Bora is expensive  because of high energy costs and limited area for constructing houses.  The unstable lava soil in the hills is unsuitable for building, so everything is around the perimeter of the island.

There are several luxury resorts/hotels on Bora Bora.  Our guide said that one night's lodging at The Four Seasons in a tiki hut over the water is about $1000.  That does NOT include food, beverages and activities. So, a beautiful but expensive place to vacation.

Arriving at Bora Bora

Musicians at the pareo market

Displaying a pareo which was just dyed

Looking into the center of the island

Stop along the beach while touring Bora Bora

Blood Mary's bar and restaurant

Interior of Blood Mary's