Bora-Bora#

Bora-Bora is a 30 square kilomter island group in the Leeward group in the western part of the Society Islands. The main island, located about 230 kilometres northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano with two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the highest point 727 meters. Arrival by plane is an unusual experience, since the airport is on the reef, so one is transfered by boat to the island, probably to one of the luxurious tourists resorts, close or even above the water of the lagoon.

Bora Bora was a US military base during the second world war. This has helped tourism in two ways: First, soldiers returning to the US would be raving about the beauty of the island for their whole life; second, some would have love affairs or would even marry local girls, so till about 1990 there was a steady stream of US veterans visiting for nostalgic reasons. Of course this has stopped, but the reputation of Bora Bora as a gem has remained.

Bora-Bora map from www.openstreetmap.org

Bora-Bora from the air, Factbook picture in public domain, under PD

Getting closer to the island.Photo: H. Horizonte

Getting closer to the island, Photo from Pixabay.com, under PD

Approaching the island. Photo: H. Horizonte

When going fast it is important to note the markers warning of shallow water (see next picture) Photo: H. Horizonte

Marker warning of shallow water. Photo: H. Horizonte

Bora-Bora mountain. Photo: H. Horizonte

Driving on Bora-Bora. Photo: H. Horizonte

Bora-Bora. Photo: H. Horizonte

Motu in Lagoon of Bora-Bora. Photo: H. Horizonte

A strong 4 wheeler is needed to drive up to one of the peaks. Photo: H. Horizonte

Remanant of last war. Photo: H. Horizonte

Of course if one hears of Bora-Bora one thinks of the ocean, lagoons, nice and good looking Polynesian people, bungalows over the water, relaxation and discoveries by trips in a boat or a car. Maybe more surprising is that Bora-Bora has developend quite an active scene of art and artwork. This is shown in the next few picture. We then conclude by just a mix of further impressions from Bora-Bora.

Artwork.Photo: H. Horizonte

Other impressions of Bora-Bora#

Bora-Bora. Photo: H. Horizonte

Bora-Bora.Photo: H. Horizonte

Bora Bora.Photo: H. Horizonte

A village on Bora-Bora. This is even what Vaitape, the main village where the ferry from the airport arrives, looked like some 25 years ago. In the meantime much has changed, much has been modernized, yet also reducing the charme of a Polynesian village. The excellent restaurant "Bloody Marys" (with its unique sand floor) existed already and was top rated. Today, Trip advisor ranks it only in place 15 of 48 (!) restaurants on Bora Bora. Maybe the "Chefs Table" with an incredible picture gallery does deserve special mention. We discuss the phenomenon of changes caused by mass tourism in more detail in connection with Raiatea. Factbook photo, under PD