Day Four - Bora Bora

Saturday, July 23rd

We feel at home already.  Today we spent more time with our faces in a snorkel mask and tried some kayaking.  Our neighbors let us in a valuable little secret - you can feed the fish!  Which may explain why they immediately bombard you upon entering the water.  Our neighbors were even kind enough to sacrifice a bit of their bread for us to try.  We crumpled it up and were immediately encircled with fish.  Amanda discovered that if you hold the bread, they'll eat right out of your hands!  We've never experienced anything like it.  Note: Steal bread at every meal - must bring large purse!  We tried to capture the experience on one of the underwater cameras given to us by Mama Nealtay - thank you!  Fingers crossed that the photos come out clear!  Rick discovered an octopus and although we waited and watched for much time, he did not move from his rock.  We did see him change color and blink, though!  Our large nocturnal blue fish was back and this time he brought his buddies!  Tried tossing bread stolen from our pricey dinner but they were not interested.  Experiment to be continued... 

Myth Confirmed:  Stars do still exist - lots of them!
Myth Busted:  Practice makes perfect.  Despite many attempts and professional guidance, Amanda still cannot pronounce maururu without making Rick laugh.

Day Three - Bora Bora

Friday, July 22nd

Moments of note included a $75 breakfast buffet that we, fortunately, did not have to pay for.  Once again, thank you Half Board Meal Plan!  We ventured onto the main island to a town called Viatape.  Reminded us much of Costa Rica except for one thing - the prices.  Souvenirs will have to wait because $30 t-shirts are just not going to happen.  The pearls, on the other hand, deserve our attention.  Upon our return to the Hilton, we enjoyed snorkeling like none we'd ever done before - fish everywhere - in all sizes and colors, and right from the deck of our villa - AMAZING.  They come right up to you without any fear at all.  Decided to eat at the more casual of our two restaurant choices, Tamure, and it was a good move.  Still ridiculously expensive but more our style and flavor.  Note: Coconut sorbet in Bora Bora is worth the calories!  Our curiosity was sparked by a large blue colored fish that circled beneath our villa for hours tonight - wondering where he was while we were snorkeling.

Myth Busted:  Local villages are cheaper than the resorts.

Day Two - Bora Bora

Thursday, July 21st - Recovery

After three flights, eleven hours of air time, and twenty-one hours of travel our journey to French Polynesia comes to an end!  Unfortunately, the effects of the motion sickness medicine have not - damn you, Dramamine!  We're escorted from the airport, which is located on a small island all its own, to the Hilton Bora Bora Nui, by boat.  The service is remarkable.  We haven't had to carry our bags since Papeete airport.  Everyone is so freindly and welcoming.  Our overwater villa, 319, is more beautiful than imagined and equipped with everything from a private deck and ladder to the crystal blue waters of the lagoon to a hot tub bath, rainfall shower and glass floors.  We dine at Iritai and become immediately grateful that we're on the Half Board Meal Plan.  Average cost of meal for two without alcohol = $150.  We learned a few handy words in Tahitian which all seem to use despite French being the national language.  Amanda cannot pronounce maururu - brings much joy to Rick everytime she tries.  As we fell asleep to the lapping water beneath us, we reaffirmed a decision made while living at Bijou, we must find a way to live on the water.

Maururu: Tahitian for Thank You
Ia Orana: Tahitian for Hello
Nana: Tahitian for Goodbye

Myth Busted:  Pictures of Bora Bora are not digitally enhanced - the colors are every bit as vivid as in the photos.

Myth Confirmed:  Bora Bora is ungodly expensive.

Hilton Bora Bora Nui

Day Two - Tahiti

Thursday, July 21st - Arrival

Happy 50th Birthday, Mom Neatay!!!  We love you!!!

First two flights were smooth and safe - not that we were awake for any of it - thank you, Dramamine!  Flying into Tahiti was spectacular.  The water is so clear you can see the coral from the plane.  Can't wait to swim with those fishies.  Bags arrived on time - hallelujah!

Day One - Departure

Wednesday, July 20th - Day of Travel

Happy 27th Birthday, Heidi, and Happy 25th Birthday, Scorben!!!!  We love you both!!!!


And we're off!  Anticipation can be such a wonderful feeling when so much traveling awaits.  Moments of note for the commencement of our long voyage to Bora Bora included a feeling of being a foreigner before even departing LAX.  English was not high on the list of languages spoken in the International Terminal.  And we were equally surprised to see that their busiest hours are in the middle of the night.


Myth Busted:  All 11:40PM flights are peaceful and quiet.
Myth Confirmed:  LAX is a monstrously large airport.