Escape to Bora-bora, Paradise Found
Undoubtedly the most celebrated island in the South Pacific, Bora Bora is French Polynesia's leading lady.
January 29, 2014
Bora-Bora
Bora-Bora, the most mythical of the Pacific Islands, and dubbed the in vogue haunt for honeymooners, and celebrities, it remains the island of dreams. It has a lot of swanky over the water bungalows that can cost up to $15,000/night. Is that an exaggeration? Not really. It is a high-end playground of the rich and one can expect to see more resorts than old fishing villages. It is a superlative romantic spot. From the dramatic scenery to the privacy and amenities of the over water bungalows, everything in Bora-bora equals a #10 on the romance scale!
Seen from the ship's deck, the scenery is just as spectacular above the surface; as below. It was well worth waking up at 6:30 am. to see the sunrise, and witness the early morning. I joined other passengers to a great view of Mount Otemanu, the 2,400-ft. peak that towers above the island. Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia rise in the center of the island and make an awesome backdrop for the crystal clear emerald waters of the surrounding lagoon.
Today we are earlier than expected and our tender procedures took only ten minutes or so. “Don't worry Madam, the boat is on the way. Take some pictures, enjoy the market,” a voice on the other end of the cell phone suggested. I then started to relax thinking we're on island time, and it is still breakfast time here.
Soon, Ken, of La Plage, whom I booked the Champagne trimaran for four hours for a party of twelve, met us at the pier. I was immediately swept up by his friendliness and “joie de vivre”.
All aboard, on our beautiful trimaran, I sat giddily, and anxious; already feeling over my head, and I wasn't even in the water yet. Ken, our captain for the day, circumnavigated the island.
Off the Point Matira is an area where the Manta rays congregate. We stopped in the knee deep crystal clear water of the lagoon, with white sand under our feet, to discover and meet these elegant creatures in their natural environment. One in particular was pregnant. It was the biggest in the group and seemed a bit irritable.
We saw several types of rays such as the Spotted rays and the friendly Gray ray who loved being petted, and kissed during our ray feeding excursions.
More black tipped sharks here today,” pointed Ken. They were not threatening, even if they came very close. They looked so majestic, in their natural environment and it was addictive to watch. After our sting ray and shark encounter, Ken showed us all those over the water Hotel bungalows starting from Palazzo, St. Regis, Four Season's and including the Bora-Bora Nui (the first and oldest) that was ruined by a cyclone in 2010. With perfect white sand beaches and turquoise water, those over the water bungalows, were a visual feast that dazzled our eyes. As we sailed around the island on our trimaran, we saw multi-colored lagoons, surrounded by palm-covered Motus inside a protective necklace of coral. The lagoon is three times the size of the land mass and offers an amazing range of different hue's of blue and turquoise. As Ken navigated its crystal waters, we sat enjoying our cold Hinano beer and a background music from the stereo. Once in a while, we would shriek with excitement every time we see the affectionate sting rays and sharks.
Ken also took us to the southeast of the island to the Coral Garden area. It is a natural underwater park where all types of fish and coral can be found. He showed us the coral garden, like a proud parent, delivering a non stop narrative of their island history, while pointing out the sights. He was also fully respectful and confident with the Moray Eel.
“Madam, over here,” he exclaimed. It was an exciting experience to see the intimidating Moray Eel with its huge eyes and barracuda like teeth; come out of the coral and eat the fish from his hand. Below us, sponges shaped like barrels pulse in and out with jewel hues of ruby, emerald and amber. There were hundreds of tiny colored and striped fish including a parrot fish. There was just a little current. I took it all in. As I looked up, I couldn't imagine the exhilaration of this experience. It's a completely different universe. Gliding in the calm water, watching the bright, striped and spotted fish dance around the coral below, is pure happiness. At the end of the day, there is nothing like soaking in the sun, basking in the shallow waters and encountering the sting rays and sharks. I'm glad we found a way to experience the best of paradise – the Bora-Bora of my dreams!
P.S. Two thumbs up for La Plage.
To book for a trimaran, you may contact Isabelle of La Plage at :
laplage.bora@hotmail.com
www. laplage-borabora.com