Travel between Taha’a and Bora Bora was an adventure that included two boats and an airplane. The first boat ride went quickly because one of the other passengers was a magician and entertainer who had stories to share. The flight and second boat rides were short.
Bora Bora lived up the hype. Our room at the Intercontinental was a little piece of paradise over water. There was a bedroom, living room with a glass coffee table (so we could watch the fish) and a large two story wooden deck. The water was perfect and we swam often.
There was a rainbow each morning. We did not really understand why since we woke up at different times each day. It made us smile and excited us for each new day.
The walkways and grounds were stunning at all hours of the day. It was hot midday but the water was always perfect. The pool was the same temperature as the water and we swam in it only once during our stay so we could be in the shade. There was a small forest called the “secret garden of love.” The idea was to seal your love with a lock, like the bridge in Paris.
The hotel was equally as stunning at night. We took our time walking back from dinners so we could enjoy the warm evenings and stary skies.
With our newfound love of jet skiing, we did a jet ski tour of Bora Bora. Our guide had a great sense of humor and knowledge of the area. Sunshine thought this tour was more fun—probably because the water was calmer and she could relax and look around. Kaley and Ian enjoyed the previous tours because the jet skis were significantly more powerful. We made several stops to swim and one to learn about coconuts. We opened a coconut with sticks only (no machete), drank the water, ate the fresh coconut, and grated some for coconut milk. This was the first time Sunshine really enjoyed coconut, normally she just tolerates it.
We stand up paddle boarded on the calm waters. Kaley learned at camp years ago but this was a first for Sunshine. When the wind picked up, Kaley continued to paddle board in the lagoon and Sunshine returned to shore.
There was a hotel activity each day. Becuase it was off-season, there were not many participants. We were the only people to make a crown out of palm leaves and there were only five (we were three) guests to feed the sting rays.
There was live music at the Sunset Bar. We drank fresh mango margaritas and listened to music from a “bird’s nest.”
The hotel put on a dinner and show. Knowing what to expect, it was exciting to see the similarities and differences from other shows. At the end of the show we took a photo with some of the dancers.
We arrived to the Tahiti airport with three hours before our flight to New Zealand. The international terminal was not open for awhile, so we had fun exploring. French Polynesia was dreamlike and we hope to return and explore more of the islands.
