14. Bora Bora
Our final stop in French Polynesia was Bora Bora, the paradise resort of the rich and famous. And why shouldn't we join the jet set for just one day?
As in Moorea we wanted to do some more snorkelling so in very much a repeat of yesterday we were tendered ashore and joined the group sailing out to the reef to swim with sharks and stingrays and a coral garden. The black tip reef sharks were very much in evidence once again and there were even more stingrays. The coral wasn't as good as Moorea but there was still an abundance of fish. Perhaps our highlight was coming across a shoal of 30-40 bright yellow angel fish and having them swim all around as we just floated on the surface.
Star Princess was staying much later in Bora Bora so when we got back from snorkelling we found a local operator who was offering round Island tours for $25. (We know Princess make a killing on tours....they were offering exactly the same round island tour for $75). As in Samoa, the tour bus had seen better days, it's suspension was non existent and it's air conditioning was open windows. But all good fun and off we went, making a few stops at the most scenic points. These included Matira beach, a large, shallow, and extremely popular bay and Bloody Mary's, which is evidently the place to see and be seen in Bora Bora. They have a board at the entrance containing the names of all the famous people who have had a drink there. We didn't add ours as there wasn't really enough room left.
By now it was late afternoon and just time for a little window shopping before getting back to the ship.
There is no doubt that Bora Bora is a beautiful island but it's not quite what we had expected. Nearly all the hotel chain resorts with their $5,000 a night water bungalows and watersport facilities are based on the smaller islets inside the main lagoon and not on the main island. There are places on the main island which are very run down and I haven't seen as many wrecked cars alongside the road in a long time. However the lagoon and it's waters are the most vivid colours, there are some fabulous spots for swimming and it's a photographer's dream.
Although it's a bit unfair to compare two islands on the basis of a few hours visit, Moorea was my favourite. It's certainly more spectacular topographically and the coral was better, although I'd rate the marine life about the same.
It's felt strangely familiar being in French Polynesia seeing business names such as Total and Carrefour along the roadside and "menu de jour" outside the bars and cafes. It was also interesting to hear how the islands have remained a French territory. A referendum was held in the early 60's to decide whether or not the islands wished to remain a colony or to be independent. There is strong evidence to suggest that the vote was rigged in favour of remaining French so that France could use the islands as a base for their nuclear weapon testing programme.
So we are now on our way back to Los Angeles and it's a straight run of eight sea days. I will post one further note about odds and ends on board before we reach port and continue our journey on land.
(Attached, hopefully, one picture each from Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora.)
As in Moorea we wanted to do some more snorkelling so in very much a repeat of yesterday we were tendered ashore and joined the group sailing out to the reef to swim with sharks and stingrays and a coral garden. The black tip reef sharks were very much in evidence once again and there were even more stingrays. The coral wasn't as good as Moorea but there was still an abundance of fish. Perhaps our highlight was coming across a shoal of 30-40 bright yellow angel fish and having them swim all around as we just floated on the surface.
Star Princess was staying much later in Bora Bora so when we got back from snorkelling we found a local operator who was offering round Island tours for $25. (We know Princess make a killing on tours....they were offering exactly the same round island tour for $75). As in Samoa, the tour bus had seen better days, it's suspension was non existent and it's air conditioning was open windows. But all good fun and off we went, making a few stops at the most scenic points. These included Matira beach, a large, shallow, and extremely popular bay and Bloody Mary's, which is evidently the place to see and be seen in Bora Bora. They have a board at the entrance containing the names of all the famous people who have had a drink there. We didn't add ours as there wasn't really enough room left.
By now it was late afternoon and just time for a little window shopping before getting back to the ship.
There is no doubt that Bora Bora is a beautiful island but it's not quite what we had expected. Nearly all the hotel chain resorts with their $5,000 a night water bungalows and watersport facilities are based on the smaller islets inside the main lagoon and not on the main island. There are places on the main island which are very run down and I haven't seen as many wrecked cars alongside the road in a long time. However the lagoon and it's waters are the most vivid colours, there are some fabulous spots for swimming and it's a photographer's dream.
Although it's a bit unfair to compare two islands on the basis of a few hours visit, Moorea was my favourite. It's certainly more spectacular topographically and the coral was better, although I'd rate the marine life about the same.
It's felt strangely familiar being in French Polynesia seeing business names such as Total and Carrefour along the roadside and "menu de jour" outside the bars and cafes. It was also interesting to hear how the islands have remained a French territory. A referendum was held in the early 60's to decide whether or not the islands wished to remain a colony or to be independent. There is strong evidence to suggest that the vote was rigged in favour of remaining French so that France could use the islands as a base for their nuclear weapon testing programme.
So we are now on our way back to Los Angeles and it's a straight run of eight sea days. I will post one further note about odds and ends on board before we reach port and continue our journey on land.
(Attached, hopefully, one picture each from Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora.)
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