Bora Bora

[Beo3]

Enjoy Seth, relax, workout, do yoga, or sleep the time away.

Just decompress a bit.

[lencap]

My wife and I celebrated our 20th anniversary at Hotel Bora Bora over 30 years ago. Wonderful trip, and you are correct - there were mostly couples on our visit, but it's the exact opposite of a Club Med. We flew from NY to LA, stayed overnight to help with the time zone shift, and departed the next day directly to Tahiti. It's a very long flight, and given the travel time to get there and settle in, we realized afterward that a week would have been too rushed - we were VERY GLAD that we added to cruise to the itinerary. If you have the time I suggest exploring the possibility of taking a one week cruise on the Windstar "Dreams of Tahiti" itinerary starting/ending in Tahiti before staying in Bora Bora. The link is here: https://www.windstarcruises.com/crui.../?pkgid=283792

We did that when we arrived in Tahiti, found it a great intro to the entire island chain, and also allowed our biological clocks to settle into a new time zone as we wound down and relaxed, truly relaxed. The cruise is wonderful and the ability to actually sail instead of moving with powered engines is well worth it. There were day trips along the route to private beaches which include a private sail on a smaller ship for the day, and a wonderful fish dinner using fish caught that day by the crew.

At night you see the Southern Hemisphere in all its glory, and the only sounds are of the gentle waves (typically very calm) and a gentle sway of the boat riding the seas. Different constellations, very dark sky great for shooting stars. Great cruise, unlike any other. The ships are small with less than 150 passengers - each room has an outside porthole/view. The crew is exceptional - stay out late and they will show you how the automated sails work to harness the wind most effectively, and share their knowledge. Highly recommended.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Hotel Bora Bora was just like the picture showed. And by taking the cruise in week one we were both more relaxed and into the Southern Pacific "vibe". The hotel is great, and snorkeling in the lagoon is beyond beautiful. You can see down sharks 50 or more feet below the waterline - they're even visible from the plane as you come in to land. They are relatively tame, accustomed to being tourist attractions. A glass bottom boat ride is not to be missed.

Take a high SPF sunscreen, use it all the time, and you'll be fine. The food is "good", but not to the level of high end European cuisine. It's the location and availability that's the issue, not the skill of the chef. Local fish is generally fine. The hotel had a very nice custom - after dinner the unused dinner rolls were left on the dock area. Snorkeling gear was always available. It was magical snorkeling just after sunset, feeding the many manta rays with pieces of bread. They just about ate out of your hand. Underwater views are panoramic - the water is incredibly clear and you can see quite a distance. The colors of the fish were vibrant and the size of the schools were stunning. Watching the fish move in unison, with me in the middle of them, was worth the trip just for the experience. Far different from the Caribbean.

The island has a casual vibe, and we never felt unsafe or worried about anything - especially so at the higher end resorts. Undoubtedly some "watch people" will be there, but it's not something that many people will notice or care about. I know you mentioned that you have trouble "relaxing", and so did I when I visited, but taking an extra week for a once in a lifetime experience may change your mind. Unlike a European vacation once you get to Bora Bora you don't have anywhere else to go, or anything else to do. People lounge and relax. That's why we opted for the Windstar cruise - it set the tone for the trip. It took me over a week to unwind, and doing it on the cruise helped me appreciate Bora Bora fully. Without the extra week I truly feel we would have missed the ability to look back 30 years later as it still be the best trip we ever took.

There wasn't a lot of nightlife when we were there, but likely there's more now given the popularity of the island and the high tourism interest. There was a lot of social opportunities on the cruise. Small dining area, lots of friendly people, good conversation and relaxed atmosphere.

Comment -- at the time we visited the islands worked on "local customs", meaning that topless sunbathing was optional but fully acceptable. It didn't bother us, but if you're not used to it I thought it was worth noting.

Overall, if you've been to Maui or the Hawaiian Islands, Bora Bora will be similar. It's just more exotic, more laid back and more "self directed" compared to other locales, and far smaller/more intimate/quiet.

[emersm]

Have a great time Seth, looking forward to the pictures!

[JasoninDenver]

Be sure and try the Poisson Cru if you havent already.

[piratfisk]

Ya know the cheesy phrase "home is where the heart is?" Try & just be. Stare off into the distance, try a breathing exercise, cry, punch the sand. Your house & your things will be there when you get back. Isolate & insulate your brain from the material.

Easier said than done. Still trying. Will likely never "reach enlightenment," but there is no finish line on this path, just where you stop to take a breath along the way.

[superdog]

Been gone for a bit. crazy busy with work and in the process of buying a new company. quick update on the trip...

Epic trip. everything I could have hoped for.

Taha'a is actually way cooler and more remote.

I would never ever do it again. too much travel for a guy like me. but certainly a bucket list trip. and even knowing that I know, I would go again, for the first time. but I would not subject myself to that type of travel again.

the Caribbean is much closer, less expensive and just easier. not as epic. but pros and cons to everything.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by superdog

Been gone for a bit. crazy busy with work and in the process of buying a new company. quick update on the trip...

Epic trip. everything I could have hoped for.
Taha'a is actually way cooler and more remote.


I would never ever do it again. too much travel for a guy like me. but certainly a bucket list trip. and even knowing that I know, I would go again, for the first time. but I would not subject myself to that type of travel again.

the Caribbean is much closer, less expensive and just easier. not as epic. but pros and cons to everything.

About time. Beginning to worry about you rotting away on a Tahitian prison.

Glad to had a good trip. I felt the same way about Taha’a. We will be going back for sure.

[Beo3]

Great to see you back Seth.

Next week we are heading to the Maldives. An epic bucket list trip, but boy oh boy am I not looking forward to the travel.........

[Watchdoyouwant?]

Originally Posted by superdog

Been gone for a bit. crazy busy with work and in the process of buying a new company. quick update on the trip...

Epic trip. everything I could have hoped for.

Taha'a is actually way cooler and more remote.

I would never ever do it again. too much travel for a guy like me. but certainly a bucket list trip. and even knowing that I know, I would go again, for the first time. but I would not subject myself to that type of travel again.

the Caribbean is much closer, less expensive and just easier. not as epic. but pros and cons to everything.

Glad you had a blast. I agree about Taha'a.

Never say never about another long trip--look into the Maldives.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by Watchdoyouwant?

Glad you had a blast. I agree about Taha'a.

Never say never about another long trip--look into the Maldives.

The Maldives is a nicer journey. NYC to Dubai, then direct to Maldives. A stopover in Dubai is worth the effort.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Beo3

Great to see you back Seth.

Next week we are heading to the Maldives. An epic bucket list trip, but boy oh boy am I not looking forward to the travel.........

Originally Posted by Watchdoyouwant?

Glad you had a blast. I agree about Taha'a.

Never say never about another long trip--look into the Maldives.

Originally Posted by Maleg

The Maldives is a nicer journey. NYC to Dubai, then direct to Maldives. A stopover in Dubai is worth the effort.

I continue to hear that Maldives is a better place to go.

FWIW, there was a lot of coral bleaching in Bora Bora. Was tough to see.

I have heard the diving/snorkeling is better in Maldives and yes apparently it is a nicer trip as a whole.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

About time. Beginning to worry about you rotting away on a Tahitian prison.

Glad to had a good trip. I felt the same way about Taha’a. We will be going back for sure.

ha. almost. But that is a story for off-line.

[Watchdoyouwant?]

Originally Posted by Beo3

Great to see you back Seth.

Next week we are heading to the Maldives. An epic bucket list trip, but boy oh boy am I not looking forward to the travel.........

You will have an amazing trip.

The Maldives is one of my favorite places in the world, and the best snorkeling anywhere I've ever seen. Easily tops Hawaii, French Polynesia or the Red Sea.

I've done it both ways--generally going west through Seoul on Singapore and east through Dubai on Emirates.

If you plan right and book decent seats, the travel is honestly not that terrible.

[brandrea]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it and made it home safely.

All the best in your new business opportunity

[BillA]

My wife and I went a few years ago, went on a Windstar cruise, great experience and lots of fun on this sailboat! However, Seth, you hit the nail on the head, for people on the east coast, the trip is not worth it, the travel time is nuts. On the return we stopped in LA to see my son, the flight from Tahiti to LA was approx 10 hrs! For this kind of flying time, go to the Caribbean. I felt I was in the Caribbean when I was in Tahiti anyway.

It was fun buying a pearl necklace pendant in Bora Bora, my wife wears the black pearl all the time.

[S1mplee]

St Regis had a nice swimming area to swim and watch sea life. They basically had a live in house coral reef. Drink all of the nicer French wines there. Moorea was a nice stop as well!

If you go to the main island in Bora bora eat at the #1 rated cafe diner in the middle. It probably had the best food on the island, even better than St Regis.

You’re already there now, but if I went again I would bring a SS watch, PM swells me up real good.

Have fun!