Bora Bora Dream, Part 3 The Finale!

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Updated 7 years ago

(Photo - Bora Bora Four Seasons)

When I first posted “Bora Bora Dream, Part 1” at the end of the article I wrote that I would be posting the follow up “Bora Bora Dream, Part 2” on June 1.

However, over the two days I was unexpectedly swamped making response comments to WA members congratulating me for becoming an ambassador on my “90 Day” thank you post.

As a result, I decided to post this article in 3-parts, and now as promised “Bora Bora Dream, Part 3, The Finale!” is here!

Once again, to show my appreciation, for those who read this entire article finale, there is a BONUS GIFT waiting for you at the end. (No skipping please, that’s CHEATING!)

So here it is, the Finale! - I certainly hope you all will enjoy it!

Bora Bora Dream Trip

Our Bora Bora dream was a true paradise found, a surreal dream that came true for me and my partner on a day in late November 2012.

Was this our best vacation ever? You betcha!

What is Paradise?

After all what is paradise? The word Paradise: think of it every human being on earth has dreamed of being there, and assigned their own personal definition of what this word truly means for them.

Time travelers have visualized this word to represent an idyllic place in a time space continuum leading to a multi-dimensional tesseract; mind travelers have believed paradise to be an enlightened state of supreme mental acuity, while fatalist travelers have long imagined it to be a transformational state of pure energy from the physical body to a mystical nirvana of an afterlife.

However, for most terrestrial travelers like you and I, few could ever argue there is any doubt that one of the most sought after magical places on earth, a true paradise found is one that has been depicted from the legends from lost stories, from ancient seafaring travelers to the intrepid modern journeymen of today as a place of mystical beauty, a place located in the Society Islands on the western edge of the French Polynesian archipelago where all of the mundane rituals of one’s everyday life is forgotten and time becomes suspended

A place of dreams. A place called Bora Bora. Her beauty is unrivaled and her fame, unwavering. Bora Bora is one of the few places on earth that everyone hopes to witness in their lifetime—and once you see it, you are forever enamored.

One day my Bora Bora dream became a reality.

Well, where do I start?

At the end our lovely trip on the island of Moorea, we boarded the Aremiti 5 ferry for the 12 mile (19.2 km) trip back to Tahiti. The weather was hot, and there was a strong ocean current rocking the boat sideways across the channel. However, along with the choppy currents there was a strong leeward breeze that sprayed a much welcomed refreshing ocean mist upon our faces.

Upon reaching Tahiti, it was a short taxi ride to Fa'a'ā International Airport, where we were scheduled to board our 1 hour 20 minute Air Tahiti 2:55pm flight to Bora Bora. This was a larger 40 seat jet engine plane than the flight to Huahine, and it serviced the airport on two daily flights.

(Photo 1432)

Our flight landed in Aeroport De Bora Bora at 3:15 PM local time. Unlike the amazing island we were about to experience, surprisingly their airport was a relic, an artifact suspended in time from the 1950s, worn and dinghy like a dusty old amphitheater, and in immediate need of maintenance repairs.

(Photo 320, 323)

Upon our arrival, we were greeted with a warm smile by aboriginal Polynesian locals and each given a fragrant flower lei. We and 6 other travelers were then escorted into a “large golf cart” and transported to a high speed catamaran which would take us to our first stop in paradise, the beautiful Le Meridien Bora Bora located on Motu Tape.

As the boat sped away under the scorching midday sun shimmering off the marvelous turquoise water, we were mesmerized by the wake left behind us by its motors, and immediately transfixed by her famously translucent lagoon.

(Photo 325, 340)

But before I tell you our story, let me first give you some background on its location, about its community, and the topography of this legendary South Sea splendor.

Where is Bora Bora?

Where is Bora Bora, exactly? The island lies is in the Leeward group in the western part of the Society Islands of French Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean, located about 143 miles northwest of Tahiti, less than an hour away by plane from Papeete.

(Photo – Society Islands Map)

The Society Islands are located in the South Pacific Ocean about 2600 miles directly south of the Hawaiian Islands, and are an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean

Latitude: -17° 31' 59.99" S Longitude: -149° 49' 59.99" W

The airport in Bora Bora ( Aerport De Bora Bora) is located on a small, separate part of the island known as Motu Mete.

The Bora Bora Community

The community of Bora-Bora consists of its largest main island in the center called Bora Bora proper. The major settlement, Vaitape, is on the western side of the main island, opposite the main channel into the lagoon. This is the largest population on the main island.

The 11 surrounding islets emerging from the coral reef are named by the following:

Motu Tapu, Motu Ahuna, Tevairoa, Motu Tape, Motu Mute, Motu Tufari, Motu Teihotu, Motu Pitiaau, Sofitel Motu, Motu Toopua, and Toopuaiti.

(Photo – Bora Bora Map)

Most of the island’s permanent residents and the luxury resorts are located on these outer motu islets which encircle and are facing the inner lagoon surrounding the lush mountainous main island in the center.

Therefore, anyone staying on any one of these 11 islets have an incredible direct facing view of Mount Otemanu.

Topography of Bora Bora

This South Sea splendor has a topography quite unique to the Society Islands, and from an aerial view gives this truly magical paradise its unparalleled alluring charm.

Essentially Bora Bora is a lush mountainous volcanic island in the center, concentrically surrounded by a lagoon, a barrier reef, and many small islets called motus encircling the outer rim.

(Photo 890)

Bora Bora proper, the largest and least inhabited island located in the center, are actually remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the latter having a highest point at 727 meters.

Once seen, Bora Bora can never be forgotten. From the day we arrived until the moment we parted ways, we were in awe of how her soaring mountain peaks, turquoise lagoon and luxuriant overwater bungalows somehow looked even more spectacular than the pictures.

Now back to the story…..

After checking into the Le Meridien for 2 nights, by a stroke of good fortune we were given an accommodation in a beautiful bungalow called “Bungalow 59” located right in front of a small enclosed lagoon.

(Photo 1886)

Behind our enclosed lagoon was a narrow strip of land separating our lagoon from the main lagoon separating our motu from the main island.

Here within steps of the lagoon for 2 days, we would relax, sun, windsurf, and go snorkeling in this enclosed pristine turquoise lagoon. Some areas of the lagoon were deep, but many areas were shallow enough to walk.

(Photo 1884)

The next morning while snorkeling and waddling about the lagoon, we made a unique privileged encounter and most auspicious meeting with a very curious and affectionate boxfish that we named “Puffer” who took a very fond liking to my partner.

(Photo 365)

I swear this boxfish had the mind of a small dog!

Wherever we would snorkel to, wherever we would walk, this little guy would actually FOLLOW US all around the lagoon, and one time even swam over 150 meters behind us to a spot in the lagoon right in front of our bungalow!

“Mr. Bojangles”

During the day as we would need a break as the midday sun could become unbearable, we befriended one of the funniest Polynesian locals, a gentle giant of a man who was a member of the Le Meridien restaurant’s staff who we called “Mr. Bojangles”.

One of the nicest and funniest guys you would ever care to meet, here we are “cutting it up!”

(Photo 1956)

Even though we did some wind surfing and other activities, “Puffer” was definitely the highlight of Day 1 and 2. My partner attracted such a strong bond and loved this fish so dearly, she often later would tell me how much she longed to make a special trip back to our mysterious lagoon in front of Bungalow 59 to visit our very friendly and curious aquatic friend!

Jewel of the South Seas

It was Day 3 and we are off to our final destination stay – the Four Seasons Bora Bora.

This locale is unique in the fact that most Bora Bora resort hotels are built on their own tiny island, or motu, and visits elsewhere must be arranged by boat transfer. Therefore, the resorts themselves arrange for pickups of guests at other hotels.

That morning at 10:00am, a charter from Four Seasons resort would call us and pick us up at The Le Meridien on Motu Tape and take us on a short 15 minute boat ride north along the eastern lagoon.

As we approached this renowned exquisitely beautiful 5-star property on the islet of Motu Teihotu, the surrounding view was absolutely breathtaking. We were promptly escorted from our charter and stepped off the boat onto a gorgeous dock leading to the lobby.

(Photo 040, 045)

Our guest concierge immediately greeted us each with a glass of champagne, and asked us how our vacation in Bora Bora was so far. As good as it was, there was never a way that I could have ever anticipated it could get so much better. But it would happen.

He then walked us through the lobby doors and to the end of the dock, where he asked us to ride with his assistant on a golf cart.

Swiftly, we were being taken over a maze of interconnecting wooden bridges to one of the renowned overwater bungalows that Bora Bora is famous for. The view along the way was unreal.

(Photo 1979 – Overwater bungalows)

Upon entering the over water bungalow at the end of the line, he opened the door where we entered and were summoned to take a full tour. The interior was a 2-bedroom with high end natural furnishings; however the view of Mount Otemanu was less than ideal as it was partially obstructed by the edge of the other bungalows.

Although ours did not, often these lavish floating villas have glass bottom floors that supply a window to the lagoon life below.

Don’t get me wrong. The place did not suck. In fact it was quite amazing. My partner was not very thrilled. Despite having the seven foot deep gorgeous turquoise water below the outside of our front patio, it just didn’t feel ideal, as not having a straight on view of the volcanic island mountain was ever so slightly disconcerting.

(Photo 2012)

Sensing our lack of enthusiasm, he told us, “Would you be open to seeing a private property not over the water, but on dry land with your own private beach? My better half’s face lit up and I could tell she was excited. So we said, "Yeah let’s see it.”

The Deal

We were back in the golf cart again, and he would take us back over the maze of interconnecting bridges back onto dry land, and on quite a journey though the immaculate grounds. Finally we reached our destination where we stopped in front of a large house made from wood, field stone, rattan, and other natural materials.

(Photo 850, 859 _Front of House)

We walked inside and the interior was magnificent! The living room was huge with niches on the walls, there was beautiful Polynesian art everywhere, and the living room had a long corridor leading to a large bathroom with 2 showers and an amazing oblong dark granite stone bath tub.

Best of all was the amazing view from the bedroom, with the king sized bed facing alabaster French doors that when opened, displayed the perfect, most awe-inspiring view of Mont Otemanu.

Here is the view from our bed through the French doors.

(Photo 591 – Bedroom view of Mt Otemanu)

And our incredible private patio off the living room, with its shaded breakfast area, and best of all our own personalized infinity pool directly facing Mount Otemanu, leading to a short walk onto our own private expansive white sand beach.The beach also had a gazebo located on it.

Here are photos of our own private beach both on land and from the water.

(Photo 2051, 1031)

We were told this was a private suite where celebrities like Michael Jackson have stayed, which only made us depressed. We already knew what these private suites were going for in cost, so why torture us? How could we ever afford this?

Just when we were about to give up and concede by taking the overwater bungalow, he told us that since it was off season and business was slow, he could work out a deal.

He made us an initial offer, and it was very surprising. It was only about 50% more than the over water bungalow. It was still well over our budget. However, I could tell he wanted to sell, so after 15 minutes of further negotiation, we agreed on ½ of this amount.

We got our price. Rented for 4 days. I still cannot believe how we pulled that off!

Paradise Found

I am one of the fortunate ones who has been genuinely blessed to say I experienced a true paradise waking up every morning to head on magnificent picturesque perfect views of Mount Otemanu, hearing the sounds of the itinerant Southern Pacific ocean from my bed, the warm Polynesian breeze tingling my skin and hair through open alabaster French doors.

Despite living in our perfect paradise, we decided we wanted to remain active.

So on the 2nd day staying in our private suite, we went out on an adventure by chartering a 2nd private boat excursion with a local guide around the lagoon to snorkel the coral reefs along several secluded and remote uninhabited motus. We saw some amazing tropical fish, jacks, spotted grouper, anemones, and even a giant manta ray!

(Photo 626, 730)

The highlight though was during our aquatic rendezvous, I was even persuaded to brave swimming with the sharks – several 6 foot black tips and most unnerving of all – a 9 foot lemon shark which at one point swam right underneath my belly!

(Photo 622, 584)

But so much for bold misguided adventure. For the next 3 days, we would pass the time by indulging in rejuvenating spa treatments, quiet seclusion, and opulent luxury.

Here we are running on our own private beach overlooking Mount Otemanu, shortly to be entering the unbelievable turquoise South Pacific lagoon.

(Photo 2425)

Here is my better half swaying in the Polynesian breeze.

(Photo 2441, 2222)

Here I am cherishing life's abundances.

Here I am playing a ukulele on the beach lent to me by the Four Seasons staff, and in this case we are recording some of those incredible indelible lasting memories.

(Photo 2215, 2149)

Here is my partner praying to the great mountain.

And here I am chillin' and rockin' the cowboy hat in our infinity pool.

And finally, the incredible sunsets in the evening. Absolutely breathtaking.

Undoubtedly the most celebrated island in the South Pacific, Bora Bora is French Polynesia's leading lady. Bora Bora may feel worlds away, but this South Seas splendor is so well within reach.

The inevitable love affair with this island begins right before you touch down. The view from the plane window is a moment you will not soon forget. Have your camera in hand as you begin your descent and prepare for the moment when iconic Mount Otemanu comes into view.

For when first approaching Bora Bora, from that point on each experience will only continue to exceed even your highest expectations.

(Photo 1939)

Congratulations, you made it through the entire article, “Bora Bora Dream Part 3, The Finale! And indeed, it was a long one !!!

As I promised, to show my heartfelt appreciation for you “hanging with me” and reading this entire article, here is the BONUS GIFT that has been waiting for you at the end!

(Photo 2368)