25th July 2015

We have sailed away for ‘a year and a day’, distinct lack of owls and pussy cats though! 

This will be our last island in French Polynesia, although the island of Maupiti lies further west, the conditions have to be right to enter the reef and there is a possibility of being detained by the weather there, so we will probably sail on by. We have thoroughly enjoyed the many sights and experiences over the last 3 months and thinking we were saving the best to last, Bora Bora is a little disappointing. The best of Bora Bora is to be found in the lagoons, motu, and in the sea. The main town of Vaitape, has the essential services but it is dusty, dirty and unattractive and focussed on relieving the tourists of their money! We hired a car and toured the whole island with stops in an hour, the views across the lagoon were great, the rest was surprisingly down at heel. Some resorts were closed and in disrepair, the better facilities seem to be on the motu, like the one we visited on Tautau in Tahaa. That was lovely.

The sail Bora Bora reef was awesome as the pictures show.

Lateral marker in the Teavanui reef pass, current against us 3-4 knots, speed through the water about half a knot with considerable sideways slewing if you weren’t very careful.

View from our mooring at the Maikai Yacht Club.

We did visit the famous bar, Bloody Mary’s where the roll call of the rich and famous who have visited the bar, is painted on boards outside the bar. 

And so on for many lists. wonder whether we’ll make it onto the boards!

From the wall of signed dollars, Bloody Mary’s Bar

More of our island tour to follow.

All our best,

Lynne and Alan