|
| |
As beautiful as the French Polynesian islands are, if there is one island
that is the jewel in the crown, it must be Bora Bora. I don't know if it
is the name, the mystique, or the people, but Bora Bora's charm is undeniable.
Legend tells us that Bora Bora is the source of all the Polynesians to be found
in the South Pacific.
 I took a flight from Papeete airport to Bora Bora (just over one hour travel
time) using a 44
passenger Fairchild F27A turbo-prop aircraft. This was an expensive little one day
excursion, but I couldn't see travelling so far to French Polynesia without
seeing Bora Bora for myself. Bora Bora airport was built by U.S. troops during
WWII. Until the new International airport was built on Tahiti in 1963,
Bora Bora was the only airport in French Polynesia capable of handling
International flights. Passengers were shuttled by flying boats from Bora
Bora to Tahiti
until 1963!
Huahine |
Raiatea in background with the Tahaa reef in the foreground |
Approaching the Bora Bora airport, with the reef line clearly visible |
Bora Bora airport is built on the
outer coral reef, and is therefore only a metre or two above sea level. |
Bora Bora main island as seen from
the airport |
Inner lagoon and mountain |
Mist-covered mountain peak |
Le Truck - local transportation,
which was used to drive us around the island |
Idyllic beaches and views every
way you look |
The characteristic craggy profile
of the high Polynesian islands |
Blue Lagoon, empty beaches - what
more could I ask for? |
This post box at Hotel Oa Oa is for something more
important than mail - French bread, delivered daily! |
| |
|
