BORA BORA

 BORA BORA

FRENCH POLYNESIA

French Polynesia is a beautiful and special place with Bora Bora being one of the most popular destinations.  Our cruise included two full days on the Island and it was truly an amazing and fun two days.  The first day we spent the day in the water swimming with Sharks and Stingrays.  Yes Sharks.

Never thought I would jump in Shark infested waters with my family but I did.  Seeing sharks swimming this close over and under water was kind of scary to me.  My Wife and Daughter got a little more comfortable and aggressive and started chasing the sharks while I got back in the boat and took pictures of them from above.  I stayed long enough to get the experience and even touch a Stingray on the head.  The water here was beautiful and warm and in some areas you could even stand up.  Our second snorkeling location was in deeper water with much rougher seas.  Great to see the reef fish and beds of coral.  After spending a good part of the day in the water, we went ashore and enjoyed lunch at one of the only restaurants in the area.   The Aloe Cafe served up some delicious  fresh fish.  I had a Fish Sandwich and it was one of the best ever.  The Sashimi was also good here but the Poke had an odd flavor due to what they marinated it in.  Our second day on Bora Bora was spent on the Paul Gauguin's private Motu.  This is a jewell of a secluded beach where the water is shallow and warm.  Swimming a little bit further from shore there are beautiful reefs for snorkeling.  I opted to spend my time in shallow waters enjoying a cold beer and taking in the sun.  Probably too much sun as I got a bit sunburn.  My fault for not putting on sunscreen before spending several hours in the water.  This was an incredible and relaxing day.
View additional posts on French Polynesia;
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BORA BORA

BORA BORA AND MOTU

ARRIVAL IN BORA BORA

BORA BORA MAP

THE ICONIC VISION OF BORA BORA

LANDING AT THE DOCK IN BORA BORA

LEFT THE PAUL GAUGUIN TENDER AND BOARDED SMALL BOATS

JUST A FEW MINUTES FROM THE DOCK WE ANCHORED TO SWIM WITH SHARKS AND STINGRAYS 

AND YES THERE WERE SHARKS AND LOTS OF THEM

TWO SHARKS NEXT TO OUR BOAT BEFORE I JUMPED IN

SHALLOW WATER AND SHARKS

SHARKS AND STINGRAYS

SHARKS IN GROUPS OF UP TO FIVE AND SIX AT A TIME

THE GUIDES FEED THE SHARKS

THROWING IN RAW FISH HELPED ATTRACT MORE SHARKS

SHARKS EVERYWHERE

OK I'M DONE....SEE YOU BACK ON THE BOAT

STINGRAYS ARE GRACEFUL AND PLAYFUL

AFTER THE SHARKS AND STINGRAYS WE WENT TO DEEPER WATER TO SNORKEL

SNORKELING IN THE DEEPER WATER

LIFE ON BORA BORA IS PRETTY SIMPLE

DON'T EXPECT TO SEE STARBUCKS OR MC DONALDS HERE.  ITS VERY SIMPLE LIVING

LUNCH AT ALOE CAFE

ALOE CAFE MENU

OUTDOOR DINING AT ALOE CAFE WAS MOSTLY TOURISTS ON THIS DAY 

ONLY ONE WAY TO START YOUR LUNCH ON BORA BORA

FISH SANDWICH WITH FRIES

FRESH MAHI MAHI 

THIS WAS A GREAT FISH SANDWICH

AHI SASHIMI AND POKE

FRESH SASHIMI WAS DELICIOUS

THE POKE DID NOT TASTE GOOD

FRESH MAHI MAHI

CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

BOARDED A TENDER FOR OUR TRIP TO MOTU

THE PRIVATE MOTU FOR GUESTS OF PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISE

AS YOU APPROACH THE ISLAND THE WATER COLORS CHANGE

BUNGALOWS OVER THE WATER IN THE DISTANCE

THE BEACH IS SECLUDED AND EMPTY

LOOKING BACK AT BORA BORA FROM THE TENDER

WATER LANDING ON MOTU

WE WALKED RIGHT ONTO THIS LOVELY BEACH

AMAZING!

THE VIEW OF BORA BORA FROM MOTU WAS INCREDIBLE

YOU CANNOT HELP BUT WANT TO GET IN THE WATER HERE

THIS BEACH IS OURS FOR THE DAY

AND YES - THE CREW OF THE PAUL GAUGUIN SET UP A BAR

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

A LITTLE LOCAL CHRISTMAS DECORATION

THE BAR IS NOW OPEN

POSTCARD PERFECT DAY

AN ISLAND OASIS IN FRENCH POLYNESIA

THIS ONES FOR YOU!

SPENT MY DAY WORKING OUT IN THE WATER

OUR TENDER ARRIVES TO TAKE US BACK ABOARD THE PAUL GAUGUIN

NO DOCKS OR RAMPS HERE.   JUST WALK FROM WATER TO BOAT

LEAVING MOTU WITH ALL SMILES...WHAT A GREAT DAY!