Finally, Bora Bora

Ia Orana (the Polynesian version of Aloha),

Okay, the snide remarks can stop. I've finally posted pictures from our trip to Bora Bora, and it's only been about a month since we got back. I'm going to keep this post short so I don't delay the process any more than I already have...to make up for it, I've put most of "the story" in the photo captions themselves. If you follow this link and put the album in slideshow mode, you can click through at your own pace (or just sit and watch the pictures advance automatically). Here's the link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jaimeryan/BoraBora

As D said in a previous post, we were quite lucky to get to return to Bora Bora....it was a stop on our honeymoon cruise through French Polynesia five years ago. This is one of those times that all the travel I do for work seems worth it, since AA miles and Hilton points covered most of the cost.

Aside from being the inspiration for the song Bali Hai from the musical South Pacific, Bora Bora has also gotten a few pop culture references recently.  The movie Couples Retreat was filmed there, and The Bachelorette filmed their last two shows of the season there....this Monday is the finale, filmed on location.

Though it's gotten a bit touristy and over-built with resorts in the last couple of decades, it's still quite pristine and never feels crowded or polluted.  There are no waves, due to the reef surrounding the island, and the weather and water temperature are close to perfect all year round.  We actually managed to catch a day of inclement weather, which mostly involved heavy winds and tiny wind-blown waves (about 6 inches high).  What drew us back were the beautiful shades of blue in the water, the amazing sea life, and the laid-back, friendly attitude of the residents.

Follow the link above to take a look at all of the pictures I've posted....about 10% of the pictures I actually took.  Here's a quick preview of the kind of shots you'll see.....

Here's a shot of the beautiful blues I mentioned, and the complete lack of waves...many of the beaches are shallow for quite a distance, allowing you to walk and/or snorkel to your heart's content.

We went on a couple of excursions while we were there, including one that allowed us to swim with sharks and stingrays.  That was one of my favorite memories from our honeymoon, and this time was even better.

We also did a 4x4 tour around the main island, which provided beautiful views of all the resorts and natural beauties.

We were able to stay in an overwater bungalow and snorkel off our balcony almost every day.  Though this picture happens to be from our stingray interaction, it gives you an idea of how bountiful the sea life can be.  It felt like stepping into a huge tropical aquarium every time we got in the water.

We hope you enjoy our pictures, and now we will be free to return to our regularly scheduled program...All Kate, All the Time.  With her first birthday approaching rapidly, her personality (and capabilities) change a little every day, and it's an amazing journey to be experiencing along with her.

Maururu (Polynesian for Thank you)