Thursday 15th February 2018
Our first stop here in the South Pacific, the Tahitian islands, also known as the Society Islands. Bora Bora is well known as the pearl of the South Seas. Discovered by the Dutch in 1722, visited by Captain James Cook in 1777 and now part of the overseas French territory of Polynesia. After the attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, the US set up bases on the island to help prevent further Japanese moves. The island has been used as the inspiration and locations for novels and films such as South Pacific, Hurricane and Mutiny on the Bounty. A verdant interior peppered with ancient temples, stunning views from hilly vantage points and fascinating marine life.
Early morning sail-in through the coral reef surrounding the island of Bora Bora. Weather rather cloudy, but temperatures already high.
View from the ship of Bora Bora
Vaitape village our tender port today, organised tours go first and independents wait for tickets for the tender.
We decided to forego our planned excursion to the beach today, the strength of the sun, when it’s out, quite extreme and the humidity well north of pleasant and the day looks likely to remain cloudy. So, got on with some jobs until the crowds cleared and the tenders were quieter. Then we went ashore for a look around the town, checked out the souvenir and craft shops, settled on a shave ice instead, we had missed out on a shave ice in Honolulu so glad to get one here.
Really not much here so back to ship for the afternoon, still cloudy.
Still rather cloudy at sailaway time, even so colours of the sea really quite good, most interesting seeing the classic south sea island with a high central mountain, a shallow lagoon surrounding and white breakers at the edge of the reef.
Tonight off to the theatre for the second show by “Hollywood and the Kings”, one of the trio unwell so a reduced show, though very good anyway, the Cunard Singers and Dancers filled in for the other half, also very good.
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