June 11, Bora Bora
We spent two full days in Bora Bora last time we were here. One day we rode around the island on bikes, visited the public beach where we swam in our reg grundies and visited the famous Bloody Mary's. The next we spent a magical day out in the lagoon with the aptly named Lagoon Service Bora Bora. I didn't even look at other alternatives for this visit and booked a half day tour with for EUR248
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Tender port of course so bAlt went up and grabbed tender tickets right on 06:30. The collection point was the Spinnaker Lounge on deck 12 (we were on 11) and maybe a one minute walk away. They didn't police the group number you had, just that you had two tickets when you went down to get the tender.
Watched the sail into the lagoon from our balcony. It was a little grey but we'd already know that it would be. The ship then pivotted so we were facing directly towards the peak. Quite amazing.
Had our usual breakfast of fruit, yoghurt and a spoonful of granola and then got ourselves ready.
Even though the tour was 9:00-1:30, pick up was not until 9.45 at the pier. I'd contacted Lagoon Service a couple of times about this but had no response. Finally the night before a couple of emails confirming all was good and that pick-up time was correct. First pick-up, at one of the resorts was 9.
We were ashore by not long after 9
and found one of the Lagoon Service reps who pointed us to some seats next to the pier to wait for our boat.
I have failed to mention there a huge number of Chinese on the ship. I'd guess maybe 300. Personal space is not something they acknowledge so we found ourselves crowded at the buffet, going into the show room, going through lift lobbies (we only used the steps), boarding and disembarking tenders, just anywhere and everywhere. But they were always having a great time and nearly always polite. We've been to China. We know how they operate enmasse.
Tendering was their downfall. They hated being separated and constantly pushed past you to stay together.
We were getting off the tender to go back on to the ship somewhere and a man tried to push past me. I turned around, put my hand up, and said "Just wait your turn". He apologised profusely, and waited.
Some USaians I spoke to didn't see them as we did and I heard them complaining about the Chinese quite a bit.
Back to Bora Bora.
A large ferry was at the pier and a couple of groups of Chinese streamed onboard, pushing through everyone else waiting patiently on the dock.
Eventually someone said our boat was arriving. We joined the back of a group and they started boarding a pretty basic looking skiff. Maybe 14 people. The lady I'd spoken to earlier saw us and said no, not that boat and pointed to another approaching, that boat. Basic to bloody swish.
I wish I'd taken a picture of the inside of the boat. Super comfy bench chairs with cupholders and full shade. There were two other couples already on board and six joined from the ship.
We had a great skipper and a great group of people. A young Irish couple sat beside us and we hit it off immediately. The skipper explained that the currents were much stronger than expected so we'd only have two stops instead of three. That's what we did.
First stop was sharks and rays. Very different to our first time when the rays swam up to and kind of on to you. This time they all just swam around you. The waterproof bag for my phone was difficult to operate and I'm lucky I got any pictures. Water wasn't super warm ut it wasn't cold either.
our skipper keeping an eye on us
one of the many boats around us
sharks and rays
the second stop was deeper and was snorkelling over bommies. Lots of coral, fish and one very large moray eel. No photos
bAlt deep in coversation with our new Irish friends
cold drinks and food was provided - fruit, banana bread
We did a full circumnavigation of the island and lagoon. Two of the couples were staying at the Westin (I think) so we dropped them off first then continued right around back to the boat harbour. The couple from the Conrad stayed onboard to be dropped off after us. We all had an enjoyable morning.
Both us and our Irish cruise mates decided it was time for beer, and maybe lunch. They headed one way, we the other, but it was us who had a table and seats waiting when they found the only place serving beer
