Saturday, March 19, 2022
Beautiful sail-away from Raiatea. You could see the island of Bora Bora from the ship so the Captain was taking it very slowly so we could all enjoy the scenery.
Once we were out of the bay, you could feel the ship motion pick up. Islands are protected from the harshest wave action by the reef ring unless there is an earthquake in Japan, etc. Then tsunamis can wreak havoc. Luckily, it was very calm this evening.
After the sunset, we went to hear the Dance Band play in the Ocean Bar until it was time for our dinner at the Pinnacle Grill, one of the ship’s upcharge restaurants. I had the jumbo shrimp cocktail and Chuck had the crabcakes as appetizers. We each had the halibut for our main course and key lime pie for dessert. We were so stuffed; we waddled back to the room to do some stargazing and then fell into a food coma. No show or casino for us.
We were already anchored at Bora Bora when I got up at 6:30. We were anchored next to a Paul Gauguin cruise ship. It is a luxury cruise line that specializes in sailing the islands of French Polynesia. It is a much smaller cruise ship than ours.
After coffee and a Lido breakfast, we took a tender to the island. Just wanted to take some pictures, possibly get a Christmas ornament, and try the WIFI at a store called Alberts that was recommended by Kainoa, our Hawaiian ambassador. It is his cousin’s store. 😁
My pictures have stopped uploading to the Cloud as we have gotten farther and farther away from Hawaii. The WIFI on the ship has been weak and, of course, there are a lot of people using it. I thought the WIFI at Albert’s might be stronger.
It was so very hot and humid; we were sweating before the tender ride was even over. Took our rain jackets in case of the expected downpour.
We looked at items in the local Market. Pretty shell jewelry and cloth pieces. No ornaments.
Walked to Alberts for the WIFI. Went inside to get the password. I heard my name being whispered. I thought “where is that coming from?” Chuck was outside so he didn’t hear it. I finally pinpointed the location of the whispering – it was coming from the pearl ring selection in the jewelry case. The sales lady was happy to take out the tray so I could find which one was whispering to me.
The Tahitians say that you don’t pick your pearl, your pearl will speak to you. My pearl must have said “take out your credit card” because I found myself handing it over to the nice sales lady as she boxed up my pearl ring.
I came outside to show Chuck my purchase. He asked me if I had gotten the WIFI password. Oops – Nope. Had to go back in to get it. The strong WIFI did unjam the picture queue so they started uploading much faster. Never did find an ornament.
Kept getting even more hot and humid and started to sprinkle so I took a couple of pictures and then we took a tender back to the ship. Spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool.
Travel Trivia
Vaitape, Bora Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia
There is no ‘B’ in the entire Tahitian Language. The island was named Pora Pora, which means “first born” by the original Polynesian settlers that inhabited the islands. However, the first European settlers to visit the island misheard and believed the natives had said Bora Bora and that is the name it goes by today.
French and Polynesian are the two main languages spoken.
Bora Bora is home to the remnants of a once active volcano, which is in the very center of the island. The volcano rises to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu.
It is known as The Romantic Island and is a favorite place for honeymooners.
The average cost of an overwater bungalow is about $1000 or more/night.
Bora Bora has no dangerous creatures such as snakes or spiders.
Movies filmed at Bora Bora – Couples Retreat (2009), Sky Pirates (1986), Hurricane (1978), Bora Bora (1968) and Mutiny on the Bounty (1962).
*Trivia provided by Wikipedia and Holland America documents
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