The tender brought us over to the wharf and our tour, a ride in a 4 x 4 Jeep was what we had planned.
The Jeep held 6 people (bench style) and I made sure that we sat up front right behind the driver. This way we could hear what he had to say and still be able to hold on to the backs of the front seats when the ride got rough. (I am so smart)
The driver was great and talked a lot about the island. Whereas Papeete has about 200,000 people, Bora Bora has about 9,000. Land mass is about equal so you know that the island is unspoiled. The water around Bora Bora was exquisite, much like Moorea. Blue lagoons and crystal clear water.
ONE OF THE HOTELS THAT DOT THE LANDSCAPE
There is no hospital on the island, they have to fly to Papeete and there are only 7 doctors on the island.
Typical island lifestyle, no one rushes. There is one public school and middle school, no high school. The natives go to Papeete for high school and travel further still if they want college.
There are a number of hotels on the island. Price ranges at The 4 Seasons Hotel for one of the huts over the water is from $1000 per night to $10,000 per night. Our guide told us that tourism has declined and now the $1000. price is down to $500. (a bargain.) Our guide went to the hotel for breakfast and had coffee, toast and jam and his bill was $125. Prices are insane all over the island but regardless, the scenery is beautiful.
We got into the Jeep and heading along the coast highway. The plan was to go into the interior a ways and climb up to the top of one of the mountains. According to our driver, land owned by natives is never ever sold, it is passed on through the family. There are no cemeteries on the island so the dead are usually buried on this land and most of the time in the front yard. Families grow their own fruits and vegetables or trade them with one another and fish, being the main staple here are plentiful.
GRAVE RIGHT IN THE FRONT YARD
Well the driver is cruising down the highway and makes a sharp right and then all hell broke loose. We climbed the mountain with on a dirt track NOT a road just a narrow path with 2 deep ruts in the track. Anyone with kidney or back problems would not be able to take this ride. We clung to the back of the driver's seat while he climbed through the forest over rocks, boulders and mud. The incline was at least 40 degrees up and down on some parts of the climb. It was exciting. It took about 20 minutes to climb the hill.
At the top of the mountain there were 2 cannons from the 2nd World War. After the Japanese destroyed Pearl Harbor, US troops came to Bora Bora thinking the Japanese would invade. The Americans opened a small opening in the reef that surrounds the island big enough for their ships, though from the top of the mountain it looks quite narrow. The Americans brought electricity, water purification, roads, and milk for the babies all of which the natives were very happy to have.
The guns are still there. There is also the remains of a storage bunker where they kept ammunition. Since the Japanese never invaded, the soldiers had a great time on the island and apparently left behind many babies. Most of the soldiers never returned but told stories of the beauty of the island and that's how it became a famous vacation island.
We went down the mountain and travelled along the coast highway, another sharp right (they don't drive slowly) and up the side of another mountain. There is a sign at the foot of the incline that says to only go with a guide. You can get lost up here. As a matter of fact a tourist a couple of years ago went hiking and they found him 3 days later with a broken leg. They called out the army, the police to help in the search. The view from that vantage point was spectacular.
We stopped at an artists home on the way down where they paint the Pacheo (sarong) (the fabric that everyone wears.) They are all beautifully hand painted. Our driver and 2 other drivers go out and sat on the verandah singing us songs and offering fruit.
DELICIOUS FRUIT GROWN RIGHT HERE
We went back down the hill to visit a pearl farm. It was great to see how the pearls are cultivated.
Len took fantastic pictures but I only put up the one below. The owner showed us how he opened the pearl and Len's fabulous photo of a pearl inside is visible. I put my hand under the mussel and he dropped the pearl into my hand.
YOU CAN SEE THE PEARL INSIDE
It was outstanding to learn how they produce the pearls. We returned to the Jeep and made out way into town. Walked around some of the shops then back on board the tender to the ship.
Arrived back at almost 4pm in time for tea and goodies.
Went back to our cabin, rested a while and then dressed for dinner. It was a GREAT DAY.
CONTINUED.................
Yesterday, we spent the day at sea heading to Rarotonga, one of the Cook islands. We arrived today,
Wednesday the 19th at 8am but the Captain decided that the sea was too rough to take the tenders out.
(Can't have people smashed against the wharf can we!) so we bypassed the island and are heading to New Zealand. I am sorry we missed the island. We had a tour schedule with a Maori Medicine Man and it was cancelled. Yesterday at sea we had a Maori man give a fantastic lecture on Maori culture and traditions. He was covered in tattoos. He was dressed in a native costume. Scary looking. He talked about the cannibalism that went on in the past. Extremely interesting. He lectures again today.
Since today was a wash (I guess the people on the island are none to happy either) there are no plans
but to sit for the next 4 days until New Zealand. I will finish the lion I am working on and take it easy.
We are sitting up on Deck 9, the sun is shining (we sit in the shade) watching people exercise and swim
in the pool.
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