As the boat pulled up to the Four Seasons the staff were standing outside waiting for us. It was all very surreal that they were doing this for just us. I was so stunned that when the manager said, "Welcome to The Four Seasons, Mrs. Pierce. How are you today?" I didn't say anything but thank you. They gave us a fruit drink, cool towels and we boarded a golf cart to check into our bungalow. Our check-in was done in our room with a tour of the room. It is by far the most magnificent place I have ever stayed. The bungalow is huge with separate bedroom and living room divided by a large bath with a soaking tub with windows that can be opened to have the breeze flow through and give you an unobstructed view of the lagoon while you are in the tub! There was a fruit tray and bottle of wine waiting for us. Yummy!
After we got settled in, we got dressed for the Polynesian show that evening. Think very elegant luau. Dancers, fire dancers, great French Polynesian food.
Things shut down early here at night. It is 99% couples and honeymooners. By 10pm, everyone is in their bungalow. But truly, I think everyone is exhausted and sleep is welcomed.
The next morning we went to breakfast, and the breakfast buffets are wonderful. The first thing that struck us, is everyone knew our name. Even people we had not met. Still trying to figure this out. Maybe they have a hidden camera when you check in? Lol.
Next stop, the water sport center to meet our boat for a snorkel, sting ray, shark tour with lunch on a private motu (small island).
We got our fins, towels and boarded one of the coolest boats I have ever been on. It was a blue and white outrigger canoe (not small). There were four couples and our guide Ramone. We set off. It was a beautiful day and Ramone played the ukulele and sang Polynesian songs. Heaven!
Our first stop was the sting rays. So we donned our snorkel gear and jumped in with them. Boy were we surprised that a few black tipped sharks wanted to swim with us also. I had a hard time because I could barely touch and it was somewhat rough. I eventually got back in the boat and took pictures of Ramone playing with the sting rays and kissing them...French style. Gross!
Anyway, no one was harmed. Next stop, the coral gardens. By this point my ears have been sort of bothering me from water and wind so I decided to stay in the boat. Good thing I did. It was quite rough and I stepped up as first mate to throw out life preservers! We fed the fish bread and got some great pictures. Next stop, the shark feeding…
If you have seen Couple' Retreat with Vince Vaughn you know the scene. In the water with the sharks while the guide feeds them. Out of the 8 of us there were two brave souls, the two young guys. We had swam with them a couple of times by now but not with food lurking around us. They fight for the food! Then Ramone started hanging onto the sharks! Literally in a bear hug swimming with a huge lemon shark!!! We enjoyed the show in the crystal clear water safely from the boat!
Next stop, lunch! We had a bar-b-que on the beach. Grilled beef and fish, poison cru (raw fish salad), pineapple rice and coconut bread for dessert. Wine, beer and soft drinks. The island was very different from the one in Moorea. It was pristine! With a very nice little bathroom. So we grabbed a glass of wine and went exploring the island. Found some really cool coral that will probably serve as souvenirs as the shops are very tacky and mostly full of junk! After this 6 hour tour, we were ready to relax!
We decided to head to the Sunset Bar for the sunset, wine and sushi. Best decision yet! We had the most spectacular sunset I have ever seen!!
The sky looked like it was on fire! Not to mention that it was up against one of the prettiest backdrops I have ever seen!!!
The sky looked like it was on fire! Not to mention that it was up against one of the prettiest backdrops I have ever seen!!!
The next day, went to breakfast. Then set out for a jet ski tour of the island. We had so much fun. We were each on our own jet ski. Neither of us realized we were going to be going so fast! It was thrilling. At one point David got up to 50kph and I got up to 47!! Thank God the lagoon was pretty calm. As I'm writing this, we just saw another group going out today and the wind is super strong! They will be pounded for sure!
So anyway, the way that Bora Bora is laid out...island in the middle surrounded by a lagoon surrounded by a coral barrier reef (our resort along with a couple others are on the coral barrier reef, hence the beautiful view of the main island)with only one passage out to the ocean providing the super clear water, with lots of fish. Well, we rode around the whole island stopping for three short breaks. All in all, it took us two hours. My legs and my fingers were killing me, but not as bad as this morning!
So after jet skis, we went to the beach, pool, ate a spiny lobster roll for lunch (goodbye, $40...for one!) and came in to rest for our trip to the main island for dinner.
We got on the shuttle boat with about 20 others and took the 25 min boat ride to town. We were picked up by a shuttle from the restaurant. Let me stop here and say that if you read any of my post, I am a TripAdvisor junkie. I research EVERYTHING!!! So against my better judgement we went on this little jaunt to dine at Villa Mahana. It is a restaurant run by a French chef and his Tahitian wife out of their French chateau style home. Their five year old daughter is Mahana. Cute! Anyway according to TripAdvisor, it is well worth the $85 shuttle and $$$meal. There are only 7 tables with one seating a night. We chose the five course tasting menu...shrimp and caviar salad, foie gras, lobster risotto, beef with gnocchi and chocolate lava cake. I must say it was worth the trip! Delicious meal in a very unique setting. I didn't even know our server was the chef's wife until I asked her if she was from the island! These people could really teach a thing or two to the rest of the world. They are so happy and genuine. I was taking pictures of the kitchen and Chef Damien came right out and said "I give you tour of my kitchen!" First of all, it's about 6ft x 8ft.
How he creates all that scrumptious food in that little area is beyond me. We took pictures, thanked him for his culinary delights and made our way back to the hotel on the shuttle boat(a huge two story catamaran). Any one that knows me, knows that I stay up LATE! Well it was 10pm when we got back to our room and we went straight to bed!!
How he creates all that scrumptious food in that little area is beyond me. We took pictures, thanked him for his culinary delights and made our way back to the hotel on the shuttle boat(a huge two story catamaran). Any one that knows me, knows that I stay up LATE! Well it was 10pm when we got back to our room and we went straight to bed!!
This morning I was sore. VERY sore. That jet ski did me in! A couple of Advil and a walk after breakfast did me a world of good. It's cloudy here now and it drizzles between a sunshine spotting. It is very windy today. The whole bungalow is moving a little. This is the first day that we do not have one thing planned. Will probably go get another lobster roll (we can't stop!) and go to the pool/beach later. This is for my Mom...
Some might ask why I would be writing this on vacation. Here is my answer…I am sitting on the porch of my overwater bungalow overlooking the most beautiful scenery I have EVER seen.
Some might ask why I would be writing this on vacation. Here is my answer…I am sitting on the porch of my overwater bungalow overlooking the most beautiful scenery I have EVER seen.
The people… They don't just love life, they embrace it, with a ukelele in hand! They sing and dance and don't have a care in the world if anyone is looking or not!
Words may not be able to describe the feel of the wind, or the taste of salt in the air, the sound of the wind going through the palms on the thatched roof or the water lapping against the deck below. Pictures cannot do justice to the colour of the water, the clarity of the water or the panoramic view of everything wonderful and beautiful around us. But as I have said, I'm documenting this trip as I do most so that when I want to go somewhere and I can't go at that moment, I can read this and remember the FEELING I had when I wrote it. At the end of the day for me, it's not what you see or do while traveling but how it makes you feel. Right now, I feel like I need to be pinched!!
