travel south pacific french polynesia bora bora around the island
Renting dune buggies called "boxters" was a good way to get around Bora Bora without a guide or other tourists.
We drove around the island on the main road. Expeditions off the main road were short-lived.
We never did visit the up-scale resorts out on the coral reefs where the polynesian dream has been manufactured.
safari did access a couple of fairly dramatic view points that you might not have found or had access to on your own...
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S PAGE ON BORA BORA
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S PAGE ON FRENCH POLYNESIA
TRAVEL: 2007
This location has earned an four star (very good) rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
****
unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Cruise ship anchoring offshore for tendering to the island, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007
Coming into port near Vaitape, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007
Bay with mountain beyond, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007
Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007
Contrary to tourist expectations, most of the island's shoreline is not covered with white sand beach with beautiful polynesian maidens.
Much of the shore is broken coral with small areas that would qualify as sand (below left) and nary a polynesian in sight.
Beach view, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007
Boats on storage racks, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007
Note how boats are stored raised out of the water. The locals explained that this was not just to protect the boats from barnacles etc.,
but to negate the use of "toxic" protective paints that might damage the ecology of the island.
It was not uncommon to see mixtures of narrow broken coral and "stockpiled" building materials that look untouched for years.
A local church in what appears to be the typical missionary architecture, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007
A petroglyph with the royal turtle symbol, Bora Bora, 2007.
We were told that this symbol may not be used in tatoos etc., unless you are royalty.
Local fire crew, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007
The opposite of a stereotypical smiling Polynesian and little grass hut, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007
The only grass thatched roofs and poled lagoon homes we saw were at the tourist resorts or one's described as expensive condo homes of the rich and famous.
Native architecture was usually wood or concrete block framed homes often with tin or composition roofing.
"Wild" bananas, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007
Banded sea krait, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007
Wading in the water, I looked down and saw these snakes were my swimming mates.
LINK TO WEB PAGE ON BANDED SEA KRAITS
Dog day afternoon, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 2007.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised august 2022