Travel Tuesday: Bora Bora

Today’s Travel Tuesday post is another one about somewhere I want to go. I have not had the luxury of visiting Bora Bora yet, but you can bet your ass I will get there one day. No matter the cost (there’s still a black market for organs right?). Have you ever seen a more magical, beautiful or romantic looking place? Sigh. I could look at photos of this island all day. Has anyone been? Is it as gorgeous as the photos look?

Bora Bora is a French Polynesian island in the Pacific Ocean. It is located about 230 kilometers northwest of Papeete and is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu.

Pora Pora – the ancient name, meaning “first born,” came from legends describing this as the first island to rise when Taaroa, the supreme god, fished it out of the waters after the mythical creation of Havai’i, now known as Raiatea. Although the first letter “B” does not exist in the Tahitian language, when Captain Cook first heard the name he mistook the softened sound of the Tahitian “P” for “B” and called the island Bola Bola.

Perfect white-sand beaches give way to emerald waters where colored fish animate the coral gardens as they greet the giant manta rays. This could be easily be described as the center of the romantic universe, where luxury resorts and spas dot the island with overwater bungalows, thatched roof villas and fabled ambience.

Bora Bora offers:

• Enchantment from the neon-lit turquoise lagoon waters with unending days of exploration through snorkeling and diving. Many species of sharks and rays inhabit the surrounding body of water.
• Excitement above the lagoon by outrigger canoe, Boston Whaler, wave runner, jet ski, and dramatic sunset cruises aboard a catamaran sailboat.
• Exploration of the panoramic overlooks found by hike or 4×4 accompanied by entertaining local guides.
• Discovery of the world-renowned shopping for local and international original art, Tahitian pearls, perfumes and oils, and precious wood handcrafts.