Everybody has a place he’s always dreamed of visiting. For Paul, that was Bora Bora. Despite saying we would go one day, I never actually thought we would get there. It’s so expensive, and so out-of-the-way, and so difficult to do on frequent flyer miles. Even when we were on the plane to Bora Bora itself, we still almost didn’t get there. Forgetting it wasn’t a direct flight, got off at the wrong stop and had to turn around and run back to the airplane in a rush. 
It had never been a major dream of mine to go to Bora Bora. I always pictured an over-priced touristy place, but I’m so so happy that we went. It exceeded any expectations I could’ve dreamt of.
It had never been a major dream of mine to go to Bora Bora. I always pictured an over-priced touristy place, but I’m so so happy that we went. It exceeded any expectations I could’ve dreamt of.
Bora Bora is a remote island in the South Pacific ocean, two hours by plane from Tahiti. It is comprised of a mountainous island, with a coral strip called a motu on one side. A coral reef encircles the island, creating a blue lagoon within.
We flew there from Moorea on a propeller plane, after sitting in the one room, tiny, open Moorea airport.
Bora Bora airport is basically a bit of Tarmac on a thin strip of coral in the middle of the ocean. As it is situated on an atoll off of the main part of the island, it’s not possible to drive out of there. Boats are the only means of transportation from the airport. We took a free shuttle boat to the main town, then a taxi bus to our hotel.
The most striking aspect, and the reason everyone comes here, is the vibrant, otherworldly turquoise color of the water. We’ve seen some impressively tinted water before, but this takes the cake. 
The radioactive aqua lagoon is a heavily photoshopped Nat Geo picture come to life. The hue is so overwhelming to the senses, that it is hard to fathom that it’s authentic.
The radioactive aqua lagoon is a heavily photoshopped Nat Geo picture come to life. The hue is so overwhelming to the senses, that it is hard to fathom that it’s authentic.The water was a chameleon, changing color with the fluctuating depth of the reef, as the boat sailed across the lagoon. When the boat was in deeper waters, the shallower water over the adjacent reef was sharply delineated, like a toxic spill on the sapphire ocean.
We were flooded with the myriad of shades of blue and the sheer intensity of their vibrancy. Everywhere we looked was an Instagram worthy shot with #nofilterneeded.
Under the surface of the water live lots of tropical fish, sharks and rays. We had decided ahead of time not to dive here, but we did do a snorkeling trip. 
We swam with sharks- the black tip reef type. The trip then took us way out from land to an area of lagoon full of sting rays. Despite being really far from shore, we could stand waist deep in water. Dozens of stingrays glided past us, rubbing our legs with their slimy fins, or swam up to us hoping to be fed. 
At first we were hesitant (Steve Irwin has made many people wary of these gentle creatures), but quickly realized that as long as we avoided their long tails, we were safe. It was a pretty awesome way to spend a morning.
We swam with sharks- the black tip reef type. The trip then took us way out from land to an area of lagoon full of sting rays. Despite being really far from shore, we could stand waist deep in water. Dozens of stingrays glided past us, rubbing our legs with their slimy fins, or swam up to us hoping to be fed. 
At first we were hesitant (Steve Irwin has made many people wary of these gentle creatures), but quickly realized that as long as we avoided their long tails, we were safe. It was a pretty awesome way to spend a morning.
Using some well planned free night certificates and hotel points, we had been able to secure a beach bungalow at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana. We had a private hut on the beach overlooking crystal clear, wintergreen water. We stayed here for one night before being upgraded to an end of pontoon over the water bungalow.
These houses on stilts retail for $1000/night and we got ours for free, which we kept pinching ourselves about. And since it was the last one on the pontoon, we had an unobstructed view of the iridescent teal water around us. 
Jumping into the ocean first thing in the morning was so refreshing, and sitting on the deck sipping cocktails at night with the waves lapping was so soothing. The coffee table in the sitting area was made of glass, permitting us to see the coral and fish below. 
From the deck we watched as the lagoon passed through the entire spectrum of blue, shifting hues with the position of the sun.
Jumping into the ocean first thing in the morning was so refreshing, and sitting on the deck sipping cocktails at night with the waves lapping was so soothing. The coffee table in the sitting area was made of glass, permitting us to see the coral and fish below. 
From the deck we watched as the lagoon passed through the entire spectrum of blue, shifting hues with the position of the sun.Adjacent to our resort was the most serene public beach we’ve ever visited. Palm trees lined the endless white sand, while small cerulean waves bathed the shore.
It’s rare for us to travel somewhere, and stay put in a resort, but that is what we mostly did. Aside from one of the most scenic runs I’ve ever taken, our snorkeling excursion, and dinner out one night – to a famous restaurant called Bloody Mary’s- we pretty much stayed put. But that doesn’t mean we sat around relaxing. The resort offered free paddle boards and canoes, which we took advantage of daily. 
Paddling out past the bungalows, we were startled to see sting rays flapping along the sand, just a few feet below us.
Paddling out past the bungalows, we were startled to see sting rays flapping along the sand, just a few feet below us.This was a very different type of vacation for us. Usually, we arrive at a destination, and like to explore the place, seeing as much of it as we can. But in Moorea and Bora Bora, the resorts were the destinations, and we just wanted to explore the ocean.
Beer of choice: Hinano dark