Raiatea, apparently formerly known as Havaiki, is thought to be where the NZ Maoris departed Polynesia in their canoes bound for lands unknown. As an island it is fairly unremarkable compared with Moorea but what it did have was a reasonable supermarket and some repair facilities for yachts. Bora Bora on the other hand was stunning, anchoring in miles of light blue water inside the reef while also having some good restaurants and bars ashore. Maybe the difference was the weather – it was pretty miserable while in Raiatea but generally good while in Bora Bora….
Highlights included the anchorage on the west side of BoraBora, swimming with rays and black tip sharks for free (tourist boats charged USD100/person), Bloody Mary’s Restaurant….
Lowlights included having to motor all the way to Raiatea as there was no wind (so much for trade winds!), too much wind in Raiatea and the neigbouring island of Tahaa to enjoy some of the more precarious anchorages near the coral reefs…
The "Gummy Bear" sharks enjoyed the scraps of bread..
And did a dance around the boat..
The river at the head of Faaroa Bay where the NZ maoris departed from..
Very peaceful and surprisingly few bugs biting!
A view of Bora Bora
At the anchorage for sundowners....
Daylight view of BoraBora and yes the water was that good!
It was almost like swimming in fresh air the water was that clear
Couldn't get enough..
We went paddling with the rays - don't think they were stingers...
A friendly character outside the Bloody Mary's restaurant
The restaurant itself wth a board listing all the famous people to have visited - our names should be up there byu now I should think :) !
The view from Bloody Marys' anchorage
And more messing with rays
They tried to hide in the sand when the tourist boats weren't around to feed them
Whereas their mates the black tips just kept circling
And other fish got in on the act
But the rays and the sharks were the main attraction
And friendly too....at least untiul they figure you haven't got any food!
And the sharks came alot closer at feeding time..
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