We arrived in Tahiti slightly late, and only had around 1 hour before our 7am flight to Bora Bora. There was a long line to get through customs and another line to check into the Bora Bora flight, and we did not think we would make our flight but everybody we asked reassured us that we would. Around 15 minutes before the flight, an Air Tahiti employee came through the line asking anyone on the 7am flight to follow her. She checked us in and led us straight to the flight as it was being boarded. We did not sit on the side of the plane that offers full views of bora bora but we still got to see some beautiful islands (including Moorea) and part of bora bora upon landing. Really incredible views but nothing compares to being on the ground…

Our "plane"

One picture of the "airport"
I should have more airport pics on the way back. We were in a rush on the way to BOB so we didn't get many.



I want to stay here!

Just some incredible scenerey


Pictures don't do this justice
The Bora Bora airport is by far the most “fake” we’ve ever seen. It is situated on a small motu with spectacular views of the mountain and different colored waters. We were staying in the Intercontinental Le Moana, which is on the main island, which allowed us to skip the hotel transfer (which would have been around $100 per person) in favor of the free shuttle offered by the airline. The shuffle boat dropped us off in Viatape, the main town on the island, where we found a row of taxis waiting for passengers. The friendly driver (a native from Bora Bora) drove us to the hotel for around $20 and told us all about the island along the way. She even said we came at a good time as they were having some sort of dance competition and that she would be dancing Saturday night at 9. Part of me wishes we went just to see what the heck goes on at a native bora bora party. Everyone at the hotel that wasn’t working that night was going to the party. Oh well, I guess we just have to go back…

Me zonked after the red-eye and waiting forever in customs. But overall upbeat because Bora Bora!

View from the boat


Unfortunately, the weather didn't stay that perfect the whole day

But from Mon-Thur, the weather was this every single day.
The Intercontinental Le Moana had better service than expected. Everybody at the front desk was very nice, welcoming, and helpful. Upon arrival, we were given flower necklaces, cold towels, and free (virgin) cocktails. We were then lead to our first bungalow of our stay – the beach bungalow. We chose to be in the beach bungalow for the first 3 nights for two reasons: 1. So we can have more freedom to carry things on Shabbat (not going into specifics here, discuss with your local rabbi). 2. We had already done the OWB in Maldives just a few months ago and never got to experience a beach bungalow.
Being on the beach turned out to be just as beautiful as being over the water. We had 3 sets of lounge chairs all to ourselves – 2 chairs on our wooden deck, two on the beach close to our bungalow, and two under a straw umbrella closer to the water. We also had beautiful views of the ocean from our window and of the mountain from our deck.
Our first day – Friday – we spent unpacking, giving the chef the food and instructions, making reservations for activities during our trip, and relaxing. It was a bit of an overcast day so no tan just yet.
We had Friday night dinner brought to our deck and spent the rest of the night walking on the beach. Saturday was spent relaxing as well. We also took a walk around the island on Saturday, which was pretty exciting since we got a closer look at how the locals live and which beaches they frequent (there are A LOT of stray dogs). There are different views from every part of the island, and they are all very different from the quintessential Bora Bora image.
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Nice little touch

Our view of Mount Otemanu

I'm not posing. I said I was zonked, I meant it