Monday, October 12, 2009

Day 23 Bora Bora, Society Islands





















































Today was one of the best days that I have spent at a port on my world travels. I took an independent tour (description follows) - Snorkel and Motu Luncheon with Patrick: Circle island lagoon tour around Bora Bora, with one snorkeling stop on a coral garden, another stop for visiting the sting rays in shallow water, and finally the observation of black tip reef sharks outside the lagoon. Also includes Polynesian lunch, one bottle of champagne or wine, drinks for the entire day (water, soft drinks, juices, beer). The snorkeling was just amazing…. There was so much beautiful coral and abundant fish at our first stop. The highlight was the really mean looking moray eel. Out next stop was with the sting rays and the final one and my favorite…. Sharks. There were a huge number of black tip reef sharks and some lemon sharks… It was so cool. Next we went to a Motu with a beautiful beach where Patrick (our guide) and his staff prepared lunch and what a lunch it was. They had a pig cooking in the Polynesian way (in the ground) while they grilled lobster, Mahi Mahi, Chicken and Lamb. There was an abundance of fruits and other dishes including Breadfruit. It was probably the most amazing lunch that I can remember. After lunch we swam in the turquoise waters and eventually headed back to the dock. After returning back to the ship I was pretty much blown away from the preparations they had made on the aft deck for our Barbeque in the evening… It looked fabulous! I ended up having a lovely evening with Wil & Ron and was very happy to learn that they had successfully survived the sharks in the past two days. We are staying overnight in Bora Bora tonight and I will just figure out my day tomorrow as it unfolds…. I may just beach it…

7 comments:

Mary said...

r underwater pics are so beautiful. They aren't distorted at all. Thanks for sharing.

whitey said...

Great shots Jeff.
I assume it was the flash that made you appear the lightest of the 3?
Nice to hook up with friends on a cruise of this length.

Enjoy...

Sister Lisa said...

Would you please buy me one of those huts for Christmas?

Unknown said...

Jeff,
I think you've gone home. You so look like you belong there. Wonderful pics...thanks for taking me along on this journey.

Your friend
The I Woman

HappyCruiser said...

Great pix! Someone asked before, but I haven't seen an answer--what kind of camera are you using for underwater photos? Your regular camera with an underwater housing?

I hope to do this cruise next time HAL puts it on--you're making me wish I were on this one!

Linda

Jeff Farschman said...

Olympus 1050 SW underwater camera primarily... sometimes a Nikon S3 w/ case

Anonymous said...

the pic of the island, I htink the 9th one is great! Good eye as always!
Makes me want to go back to Tahiti!
kristy