TAhITI
vibrantly coloured coral, searching for
graceful manta rays or diving for the giant
mussels buried in the white sandy lagoon
bottom, it might be time to retire to a local
bar and soak up the spectacular tropical
sunset, cocktail in hand.
While Bora Bora's breathtaking beauty
can best be enjoyed and photographed
from a helicopter, a more exhilarating
way to appreciate the island's beauty is
soaring 91 metres above the lagoon for
12 breathtaking minutes of parasailing.
Bora Bora is dotted with several maraes,
temples of the ancient Polynesian religion.
The most important marae is Marae
Marotetini on the point west of Farepiti
wharf, beyond a huge banyan tree. The
great stone ahu, 50 metres long and up
to three metres high was restored by
Professor Sinoto in 1968 and is visible to
approaching ships.
Movie buffs may recognise a large white
mansion on the north side of Pofai Bay, as
the residence of the governor of American
Samoa in the Dino de Laurentis film,
Hurricane, starring Mia Farrow.
There is only one navigable pass on
Bora Bora. It faces the principal village
of Vaitape. A partially paved road circles
the island passing colourful villages,
archaeological sites, army bunkers and
cannons remaining from World War II
when 5000 American GIs arrived to
defend the island.
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Local eatery, Bloody Mary's Restaurant
also provides a Hollywood fix with its
massive board listing the many celebrities
that have enjoyed meals there. The
restaurant also offers a spectacular
view across Potai Bay of Bora Bora's
soaring peaks.
Meanwhile, the boutiques in many of the
hotels are well stocked with suntan lotion,
film, T-shirts, pareus, souvenirs and black
pearls for that retail fix.
