Day 39 - BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

 Date: 2/12/2024     Day 39 ⚓                   Anchor Port: BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

Description: Bora Bora lies 150 miles northwest of Tahiti in the Society Islands. The main island, home to 4,225 inhabitants, is in the center of a multicolored lagoon, surrounded by offshore "motu" islets inside a protective coral necklace. Its lagoon is world-famous for its beauty. A partially paved road circles the island, passing colorful villages, archeological sites, and old Army bunkers and cannons left over from WWII, when 5,000 American GIs made a "friendly invasion."

Planned Excursion: LE TRUCK ISLAND TOUR  Cancelled due to weather

Settle in for a scenic drive around paradise in an open-air vehicle resembling a windowless bus.  Travel a route that includes rural villages, WWII military relics, and a Mount Otemanu lookout point.  Learn about daily life in Bora Bora – including how wraparound pareo sarongs are made, how locally grown fruits taste, and what the local artisans craft. See some of Bora Bora’s legendary waterfront resorts and stop at Matira Point, its prettiest beach.

Planned Excursion: SHARK & STINGRAY SNORKEL SAFARI (Ed only) Cancelled due to weather

Board a covered boat and head into Bora Bora lagoon for some thrilling underwater sightseeing.  Cruise by the ancient crater rim of Motu To’opua and tiny neighboring Motu Tapu.  Anchored in gin-clear shallows, watch in amazement as stingrays glide in balletic grace around you; even touch a few if you’re game.  Don mask and snorkel and slip into the water at Coral Gardens to explore the brilliant world below.  Diving to just 4-5 feet below the surface, have a close encounter with Bora Boar’s legendary marine life.

Today's Notes: I was up early to film and take pictures of our entrance into the Bora Bora harbor.  I was up in the forward observation lounge on deck 12.  As we approached a torrential rain down pour began totally blocking visibility.   Shortly after that the ship direction change heading us back out to sea.  Then about 30 minutes after that the captain announced that we were not stopping in Bora Bora due to the weather.

 

Position when the above picture was taken