There are just a few places on the planet that deserve the nickname "Heaven on Earth", Bora Bora is one of them.
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All the way down in South Pacific there is French Polynesia, a destination everybody should visit in their lifetime and, if there is a chance, live there for some time. French Polynesia is an interesting destination: you may expect a long trip to a group of islands far away from everything, but it has all you need, from untouched nature to excellent hospitals. Everything there is about nature and life that is miles away from the mess of modern life, yet you can easily have access to all amenities if you want to.
To get to French Polynesia you'll have to take a long flight or, if you are inclined to a slower trip, a boat ride that will take days. And when you get there you will be met by 121 islands that are the overseas territory of France, which means you can expect everything you'd expect from France, in an administrative sense of course. It is divided into five groups of islands: the Society Islands, the Tuamotu, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, and the Austral Islands. Papeete on Tahiti is the capital of French Polynesia and if you take a 50 minutes flight from Tahiti you'll arrive to Bora Bora.
Bora Bora, the Pearl of the Pacific, got its name from the Tahitian word pÅpora, first born, a name coming from ora pora mai te pora, created by the gods. Sandy beaches and crystal clear lagoons are the first things you will upon your arrival and that's what you will see around every island in French Polynesia. The first destination you have to visit is Matira beach, the best beach of them all, where you can enjoy all the water activities you can think of, from kayaking to simply enjoying the sun and the view you won't find anywhere else.
There are many hotels on Bora Bora and it seems that every one of them is a small paradise, on the main island or some surrounding islands called motu, so you can't go wrong no matter which one you choose. And when you are there a taurumi is something you must try. This is a traditional Tahitian massage like no other that will prepare you for a visit to a restaurant or just take away the burden of everyday life you lived before coming here. A word of caution: It can be addictive. Thankfully, that's a good addiction.
Since French Polynesia was important during the Second World War, 3,500 military personnel arrived on the island which had 1,200 people. They made roads and an airport, and the remains of the American presence can be seen there. Bora Bora is just 10 km long and 4 km, and its highest peaks are Mount Otemanu of 27 metres and Mount Pahia of 658 metres from where you can see all the surrounding coral reefs and the ocean in the view that can't be forgotten. The island was inhabited by Polynesian people around the 3rd or 4th century and The first European sighting was in 1722. In the late 19th century it became French.
You can learn all about its history walking through the Valley of Kings to the Ancestors’ Peak. Like many other island nations Bora Bora was a kingdom and their last queen was Teriimaevarua III. Some traditions remain from the old times and the marital union is an interesting one. For example, in French Polynesia it doesn't matter if are you married in a traditional or any other way, or not married at all, if you raise your family together the community will consider them as a family and treat it that way. And people of Bora Bora are considered to be the friendliest and the most open minded on the planet.
Cuisine is one of the reasons you visit any country and Bora Bora has something to offer. If we set aside French cuisine and tropical fruit you will find there, we must mention some meals. Poisson Cru is a nation dish of raw fish that’s been marinated in coconut milk and lime juice. It is served cold with a salad which is making it pretty refreshing. Another famous meal is Tahitian fruit pudding. It's the pudding covered in banana leaves and baked in the fire pit. Drinks are relatively expensive but you have to taste wine and Tahitian rum.
A great thing about Bora Bora is that you can enjoy a range of activities. You can go on your own, take an official guide, watch whales, go on a trip with cars, enjoy swimming or just walk around discovering lagoons and you can't tell which one is more beautiful. From a coral reef to a distant Pacific horizon, once you get there and just set your eyes on the sea, you will understand why it's so hard to go back. And make sure that you get one tiare apetahi, a splendid flower that only grows on the Mount Temehani in Raiatea, a sign of love. ■
