BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

 January 22, 2023

On land again after 6 days at sea - Bora Bora, the beautiful French Polynesian island made famous in James Michener’s South Pacific. The Island is only 15 square miles and is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs.

We walked around the little village where our ship was docked. Lots of shops selling all kinds of goods made by locals—emphasis on black pearls which are found here. We toured around the island in a small boat piloted by a colorful, laid-back islander who Rich thought looked like Derek. A light rain fell but with air temperature at 80 degrees it wasn’t uncomfortable. We stopped in shallow crystal clear water and one of the boat captains got in the water and using some bait attracted sting rays and medium size lemon sharks. We saw beautiful beaches, the lush green covered remains of the volcano that made the island, thatched-roof resort hotel cottages on stilts above the water and coral on the ocean floor. On the way back our guide/ captain played a mandolin-like instrument and sang while steering the boat with his foot. The tour gave us a really nice exposure to Bora Bora, given our short stay.


                                                Bora Bora in the morning as our ship arrived


                                            The tender that transported us from ship to shore


                                                        On the one street in Bora Bora


                                                   Welcoming musicians


                                          Getting on our small boat - (our cruise ship in the background)

                                One of the guides manhandling a sting ray.   Lemon shark in the foreground


                         Hilton cottages - each with swimming pool/hot tub.   ($1,500/night)


            Our small boat captain/guide playing the mandolin and singing and steering the boat with his foot

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