Friday, Day 21 - Jan 26 - 8am to 6pm, Tender, Bora Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia

Bora Bora lies 150 miles northwest of Tahiti in the Society Islands. The main island, home to 4,225 inhabitants, is in the center of a multicolored lagoon, surrounded by offshore "motu" islets inside a protective coral necklace. Its lagoon is world-famous for its beauty. A paved road circles the island, passing colorful villages, archeological sites, and old Army bunkers and cannons left over from WWII, when 5,000 American GIs made a friendly invasion”. On our first visit in 2010 we rented a car and explored the island, stopping at Bloody Mary’s, walking along the beautiful beaches and doing a little shopping. Then we did an afternoon dive.

Today we explore by catamaran on a free ship’s tour, Sail Bora Bora by Catamaran at 11AM for three hours. We have a big discussion during breakfast about doing the tour or not and finally decide to go look at the boat and make the call when we see how much room is available. First off, the catamaran is just across the dock from the tender, not a half mile hike like yesterday. We are already off to a good start. There are 28 of us and the catamaran has enough covered seating for everyone and looks like a catamaran with the mesh lounging area right off the covered area. We get on and as we pull out from the dock the captain raises the sail....yea. We sail out through the gorgeous lagoon surrounding Bora Bora, admiring the stunningly beautiful scenery both above and below the water’s surface. Along the way we are treated to a short rain shower. The island has almost a mythical beauty during the shower.

With its shallow draft, we cruise into areas off limits to other vessels and have a spectacular, up-close view of the lagoon’s coves and Bora Bora’s iconic over water bungalows, including some interesting activities on the private decks. We also enjoy an excellent view of Mount Otemanu, one of two extinct volcanoes rising from the center of the island. There is some time to swim and snorkel  along an actual coral reef that everyone says has colorful fish. Dick and Carolyn had decided not to swim beforehand, but we do spot graceful eagle rays, from the boat. The water is gorgeous. On the way back to the dock we sail by Bloody Mary’s while sipping rum punch and enjoying fresh fruits, chips and nuts.

The young lady crew member then entertains us with a dance lesson. WOW, she can really move her hips!!!

This was an excellent tour! Anita, one of the destinations staff, has come along with us today and we all tell her how good it was.

There is a nice little craft area there at the dock so we shop for a few handmade items before going back on the waiting tender. It is after 2PM and very still in the craft shop so by the time we get on the ship we are soaking wet. We get cleaned up and spend the rest of the afternoon getting the blog caught up, pictures down loaded and resting.

Bora Bora is really a visually beautiful island. The lush green of the mountain peaks and the multi-hues of the water are stunning. Jamie has planned a sail away party of food and music for us on the pool deck at 5:45PM. The sun is low in the sky and we are going to have a nice sunset. It is not to be missed. Sailing from Bora Bora is worth the price of admission!
We go Sette Mari for dinner and luck into an outside table. What a way to end our time in French Polynesia!