Pacific Island Paradises

Bora Bora The warm shallow water of Bora Bora's majestic lagoon is world famous for its unspoilt beauty. Pristine white sand beaches line the main island and its motus (islets), providing the perfect backdrop for sun-loving travellers. Easily French Polynesia's most photographed island, Bora Bora lies 240 kilometres northwest of Tahiti in the Leeward Society Islands. Home to more than 4000 people, the main island and its imposing peak of Mount Otemanu dominates a multi-hued blue lagoon nestled inside a protective necklace of coral. Bora Bora impresses from the moment it comes into view on the short 50–minute flight from Tahiti. An exhilarating landing on a nearby motu emphasises the height of the island's towering peak as well as the stunning array of greens and blues that make up Bora Bora's famed lagoon. A short ride in a boat launch is all it takes from the airport on Motu Mute to Vaitape Village on the main island. Local transport options include a local bus, known as Le Truck, or minivans to the numerous accommodation options available on Tahiti's most developed island. Resorts, hotels, pensions and camping grounds offer a host of tours and activities to keep visitors entertained, from outrigger speed canoe and excursions barbecue and parties. scuba diving, to picnics on motus, catamaran cruising Bora Bora is easily explored by motor canoe, mountain bike or 4wd, with multiple tour operators happy to showcase their home to visitors. Travellers can opt to browse local boutiques or discover the island's secrets independently on foot. Alternatively you can choose to picnic French-style with baguettes, cheese and wine on Mt Pahia or one of the several gorgeous beaches. A boat trip around the lagoon provides endless opportunities to snorkel and explore small motus on the way, and arrive in time to watch the feeding of the sharks. This regular spectacle allows visitors to stand or float in about four feet of water and watch through a mask as several dozen hungry sharks are hand fed, only a few metres away. Deep-sea fishing off the sheltered waters of Bora Bora offers the chance to catch marlin, yellowfin, tuna, sailfish, wahoo and mahi mahi. When travellers tire of gazing at the 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. www.paradisesonline.com 239

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