Bora Bora!

Nothing BORING in Bora Bora! 

We arrived at this famed island after a gorgeous sail from Taha'a. The departure from which was spectacular, as we shot through the pass in the coral reef: with massive waves breaking on either side of us. 

Thursday we'd had a wonderful morning (it started early with 7AM departure from our anchorage - which meant arising at 6 to get the coffee etc rolling - to get to Alain and Christina's by 8) Alain packed so much into the 5 hour 'Vanilla Tour' which in fact covered the entire island; the history, heritage, plant origins and medicinal purposes ... all delivered in a gentle velvety French accent. It was magnifique!

The rest of the afternoon we lounged, napped, shopped (at Sophie Boutique) kayaked,  cocktailed - all from our 47' catamaran HUDSON ..  It was another super day.

This morning we had a more leisurely pace, but still were off by 8AM for our departure to Bora Bora. The sail was beautiful, uneventful (in a good way) and after eyeballing Mai Kay Marina (which was packed) we came to Bora Bora Yacht Cllub where we tied up for water (alas the ice was gone) then picked up a moring, and mostly lounged, swam, laughed a good deal, before dinner at BBYC.

So much is going on and at such a nonstop pace of wonder after wonder after wonder, we have little time to digest or rest, no less search for internet and suffer these lazy connections ... sorry!

SATURDAY

Another fun day following a fairly crazy night; as the cat swung wildly on her mooring as rain squalls pummeled through. 

After breakfast we did a foray into town: souvenir shopping, lunch, and for me more grocery shopping. This is a fascinating hobby: grocery shopping in foreign lands. It is always a mystery to see what they do and don't eat in other cultures, and other peculiarities: like the lack of eggs in French Polynesia. Presumably a bout of salmonella led the islanders to slaughter all their hens, so we cannot get any oeufs. 'Makes certain types of baking - and my planned Mother's Day quiche & brunch - a bit impossible. We'll make do. 

We got a r/t lift from Bora Bora YC (charming new management) downtown, then returned to the cat, stowed all thenew provisions (and massive quantities of beer & wine) then headed sw to an anchorage off a motu where the surroundings and snorkeling were amazing. Where the channel ended the cobalt water was streaked with neon greens and electric blues ... we did a little swimming in the shadow of Bora Bora's famed silhouette, then headed to Bloody Mary's for a big Saturday night ... closed! Impossible! We had nine crazy women ready to dance on the tabletops but for some unannounced reason it was not open.

Instead we had bbq'd tuna (we got from some fishermen late yesterday: marinated with wine and herbs, and dressed with a wasabi mayonaisse) plus fried rice with freshly stir fried veggies. Despite our disappointment at bloody Mary's being closed, we had a fantastic evening: everyone howling around around the dinner table, and the revelry continued on the foredeck. Once strangers until this trip - we now all laughed and joked easily; many new friendships have been forged and everyone seems to be having a great time ;)

Just 10PM but we hope to leave for Maupiti tomorrow: weather permitting. First though I plan a little Mother's Day celebration - complete with pink streamers and tiny umbrella's for our drinks :-)