Bora Bora

Sunday, October 21st
South Pacific
Day 22
ms Westerdam
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Society Islands
Arriving:  7:00 AM
Sunny - 84 Degrees

"After the end of World War II, some American soldiers stationed on Bora Bora didn't want to leave. In fact, they stayed until their families back home began complaining. It's hard to blame the soldiers. James Michener called the island the most beautiful in the world, and used it as inspiration for his Bali Hai. The island's mountains, beaches, and lagoons form the very archetype of a tropical paradise"

Arriving with the sun this morning, it would be hard to disagree.

To have any hope at all of getting your bearings on an atoll, nothing beats an Island Circumnavigation by Jet Boat & Snorkel, and the jet boat picked us up right from the ship.  As we jetted away sitting saddle-style astride the seats, the first view was back at Westerdam, far more than "80 feet of the waterline."

Our evening walkabout in Vaitape was a failure.  The famous Bloody Mary's was closed.  So too the Yacht Club.  The Community Center, Singing Bus, and Top Dive provided brief respites of entertainment, then back on board for dinner at the Pinnacle Grill.

Monday, October 22nd
South Pacific
Day 23
ms Westerdam
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Society Islands
Departing:  5:00 PM
Sunny - 84 Degrees

An island so nice they named it twice deserves a second day.  So, today we reached for the pinnacle of paradise, The St. Regis Bora Bora.  But today started the same as yesterday, with pickup shipside for the ride to the St. Regis.

"Offering the most exclusive island accommodations in the region, this sprawling 44-acre resort matches blissful Polynesian paradise with flawless signature service."

"The debut of The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort in the mythical archipelago of the South Pacific, features a number of firsts in French Polynesia—including five over water villas with private swimming pools suspended over the lagoon, two secluded beach villas with access to a private helicopter pad, and an extraordinary, world-class spa and fitness center located on its own private island.  From the Oasis Pool, our own natural wonder; to the central pool, with a swim-up bar; to the saltwater private lagoon, full of native fish and stingrays—dive into the many pleasures of paradise."

We were greeted with scented cool towels and vanilla iced tea to refresh form the morning's travels, and left somewhere between poolside and beachside to settle in for the day.

Lunch al fresco had a Mediterranean flare. "Te Pahu Restaurant, boasts beachside dining and features Executive Chef Romuald Feger's exquisite taste."

Sprawling indeed, Marion Gibert gave us a tour of the resort after lunch.  44 acres is plenty to get lost in.  Sadly, she kept us on a pretty short leash.  Tut tut, hut hut.

With the orientation complete, Tres set out to take the tour again from the water.  You can snorkel under the bridge, out of the lagoon, all the way around to the other side of the resort, and back again just in time for a rinse before the ride back to the ship.

Next Stop:  Moorea, French Polynesia