Bora Bora no bore

This morning we arrived at Bora Bora. It really is beautiful. I am spending a morning on ship while Jim goes for a dive. I am pleased he is getting to do all of these dives. I wish I had persisted and gotten certified. It would be nice to share the experience. In the afternoon we both went ashore and did a little shopping for gifts and then had a beer. There is a lot of traffic here but then there is basically only one road. The weather is a lot more humid and a little uncomfortable. [ JIM: It is probably less humid in the austral winter months. I did two dives in the morning. The first was in an area that had sharks, mostly smaller ones though there were a couple lemon sharks (#10 on the most dangerous list!). It was pretty exciting from start to finish -- I saw a shark below me as soon as I hit the water. They got as close as 5 yards from us, but we weren't trying to swim toward them and they were not really interested in us. (Fortunately.) ]

I've been taking pictures of the wild dogs that are everywhere. They are very sad to look at and appear kind of mangy. The females obviously have had a zillion litters. We have seen them running off with a land crab, a mango and a bit of bagette. I always have a feeling that dogs, no matter what their situation, have a particular and strong affinity for humans. I realize they are hoping for a bit of food but if you look at them at all they will come over to you. I have yet to see anyone give them anything to eat.

Next day:

We took a tour in a four wheel drive vehicle into the hills. It was hairy (downright thrilling!) in spots (i.e. just like real off-road driving) but the views from higher up were beautiful, and we got to see guns put in place by the US during WW-II to protect the Bora Bora harbor and plan runway strip. Our guide, a local Polynesian woman, was fun with a great sense of humor.

Tonight is the second and last formal night. I have mixed feeling about formal nights. It is a nice tradition but adds complications to packing. It was one thing in days gone by when you shipped a steamer trunk on ahead directly to the ship. But having to fly several legs on airplanes with the bloody luggage with all the extra stuff needed, well........ We also, as second time passengers on Princess, have the Captain's cocktail party tonight. We will go only because several people we have become friendly with will be there. It will be nice to spend more time with them. [Jim: And became yet another marketing opportunity. They recognized the passengers on board with the most "Princess" days, and the winning couple had over 600 days ... Not between them, but 600 days each! Wow, even spread out over 25 years, that's almost a month at sea per year. There is a woman who seems to live on the ship (and has a picture hung in the lobby identifying her as the "Godmother" of the ship), and she has taken herself out of the running, as she has over 11 years worth of days. Beggars the imagination! ]


We are now sailing to Moorea. The seas are a little heavier than any time in the past but it isn't uncomfortable.

[JIM: Hard to believe we've finished the penultimate day. Dick and I both wish we could turn around and do the trip in reverse. Getting late now, but we have minutes to burn still, so will try to write about Bora Bora and our experiences tomorrow ]