BORA BORA,   10TH JUNE, 2010

We ended up having a very good sail down to Bora Bora from Tahaa.  Dropped anchor off the Bora Bora Yacht Club, some of the club was destroyed during a hurricane in January but most of it still standing had drinks on the veranda over the water with some other BWR friends.  Next day headed across the bay to pick up a buoy off 'Bloody Marys' and institution not to be missed.  Sand floors, under a typically Polynesian house, big wooden stools around large solid wood tables lots of Polynesian wood carvings and a great atmosphere.  We booked a table and many other BWR friends turned up as well.  The following day we rented bikes to explore the island which was huge fun but because it was Sunday many cafes were closed.    The other thing we noticed was the number of deserted derelict hotels caused mainly by the recession (too many hotels here) and finished off by the hurricane.  The hotels which are still functional are lovely, many on stilts coming out from Motus over the water.   On Tuesday we set sail gingerly around the island inside the reef, slowly, as there are many coral heads, most of the passage was quite well marked by buoys but one area looked so shallow but was marked and had a running tide, we got through alright although a couple of yachts did hit coral.  Now we are at anchor in the most amazing lagoon, just like one huge infinity swimming pool, blue and crystal clear.  Sting Rays slowly fly past under water, we took the dingy over to a coral reef and snorkelled around feeding the fish with bread, they almost know that you are there and come swimming around you in large shoals looking for food.  The coral was quite good in parts and there were many amazing reef fish.  Yesterday the mountain, Mount Otemanu, was clear and blue sky perfect, I wish I had taken 'photos then because this morning it is pouring and grey even though it is still hot.  We are supposed to have a 'High' over us so hopefully it will clear up again before we leave for the Cook Islands over the weekend.  The Society Islands are French so every morning we have delicious French bread along with the fresh fruit and yogurt we prepare every morning.  

We have just heard on the radio net that one of our yachts has engine trouble,?broken crank shaft!, he was two days out on his way to the Cook Islands, he is now making his way back to Raiatea 15 miles away, which has a more major port but we have just heard that they are on indefinite strike there!  If nobody else is around to help we may sail back up there to help 'Bionic' in by giving her a tow, but at the moment there are a couple of other yachts up there.  Could sit at anchor here for a long time!

 

 Gill, Jonathan and Donald with Solex bikes