Bora Bora

Bora Bora is a volcano that collapsed into the sea. The resulting atoll is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Stationed there in WW2, James Mitchner was inspired to write his book, Tales of the South Pacific. Rogers & Hammerstein used his book as the basis for their musical, South Pacific. They called it Bali Hai. We toured the island’s ring road on the back of a flatbed truck converted into a plywood bus. In the afternoon we went snorkeling among black tipped sharks (vegetarians), stingrays that come up to be petted, and exquisite iridescent tropical fish. Then we moved to another location to snorkel in a living coral garden. The ocean shows the most amazing colors here, ranging from swimming-pool-turquoise, through royal blue, to deep navy blue. These Polynesians live on the water—in small boats, large boats, canoes—anything that will float. Our shipmates just had to stop by Bloody Mary's Bar, also made famous by the Broadway musical, to get a ten-dollar drink which they could have drunk on the ship for free. While we jog every day after work, these folks will paddle a canoe, kayak, or team-rowed outrigger instead of running. Glenda says that their love of living on the water reminds her of her father. For him Bora Bora would be heaven. Frankly, for us too, this Polynesian island comes close to being a genuine paradise.Read more