By John Roberts
No overwater bungalow for us on this visit to Bora Bora.
Our two-day stop at the little island in French Polynesia was during a voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises.
Bora Bora has about 9,000 residents, with about 5,000 native Bora Borans and the rest foreign workers and residents.
The natural beauty of the region is on full display here, from the smiling people to the lush hills rising rapidly from the coral-ringed clear-blue bay waters.
Yes, the island is known as one of the birthplaces of overwater bungalows, the luxurious accommodations on many a traveler's bucket list, but we would be sticking to active excursions during our far-too-brief stopover.
We hooked up with Cy, a friendly, funny and knowledgeable guide with Bora Bora Tupuna Safari, for an off-road tour up to a couple of picturesque high points, as well as a pair of gorgeous snorkel stops.
Mount Otemanu dominates the scenery (pictured at top). The unconquered peak (it has never successfully been climbed) looms over the island at more than 2,700 feet, with its craggy black volcanic rock peak in contrast to the blue water and green jungles below.
We would scale two different peaks in our Land Rover ride, the first to see two U.S. Army guns and a bunker left behind from World War II, when Americans occupied the island. This stop and another similar climb offered incredible 360-degree views of the island.
No overwater bungalow for us on this visit to Bora Bora.
Our two-day stop at the little island in French Polynesia was during a voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises.
Bora Bora has about 9,000 residents, with about 5,000 native Bora Borans and the rest foreign workers and residents.
The natural beauty of the region is on full display here, from the smiling people to the lush hills rising rapidly from the coral-ringed clear-blue bay waters.
Yes, the island is known as one of the birthplaces of overwater bungalows, the luxurious accommodations on many a traveler's bucket list, but we would be sticking to active excursions during our far-too-brief stopover.
We hooked up with Cy, a friendly, funny and knowledgeable guide with Bora Bora Tupuna Safari, for an off-road tour up to a couple of picturesque high points, as well as a pair of gorgeous snorkel stops.
Mount Otemanu dominates the scenery (pictured at top). The unconquered peak (it has never successfully been climbed) looms over the island at more than 2,700 feet, with its craggy black volcanic rock peak in contrast to the blue water and green jungles below.
We would scale two different peaks in our Land Rover ride, the first to see two U.S. Army guns and a bunker left behind from World War II, when Americans occupied the island. This stop and another similar climb offered incredible 360-degree views of the island.
One of two big guns located at the top of the mountain. The U.S. installed the guns and a bunker when the military occupied Bora Bora in WWII.
The ride up in the Land Rover, navigated expertly by Cy, who wasn't always actually in the seat behind the wheel (yes, he hopped out to take a pic and let the vehicle drive itself for about 50 yards in the mud ruts), was filled with bumpy excitement. The truck was filled with shrieks and "you've got to be kidding me" exclamations for nearly the entire route.
After the off-road adventure, we changed transport, hopping into an outrigger canoe for a ride around the bays and to a couple of prime snorkel spots. We dropped into a lively reef system and saw plenty of colorful fish, cruised around the lagoon and spotted overwater bungalows, of course, before heading back to the ship worn out and buzzing from our awesome excursion.
We caught a glimpse of overwater bugalows. Maybe someday we get a look at them from the inside.
There are so many active things to do on the island. We were happy to get as much in as we did in our short visit.
Now, YOU deserve a trip to Bora Bora, don't you think?
Thanks for reading, and always travel happy!
JR
Now, YOU deserve a trip to Bora Bora, don't you think?
Thanks for reading, and always travel happy!
JR
RSS Feed