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Bora Bora - the magical island |
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Written by jane69
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Saturday, 20 August 2005 |
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Page 1 of 2  | | Aerial view of Bora Bora |
Bora Bora represents the tropical-paradise myth for the most people from the entire world. Made famous by books, movies, and Bora Bora's stunning beauty and fabled blue lagoon, the island is now besieged by tourism and overcrowding. The majority of tourists comes to Bora Bora to spend their honeymoon, scuba dive in crystal clean blue lagoons, and bath with tropical fish, or enjoy the sojourn in luxurious over-water bungalows with glass-bottom floors, and see the dark-skinned beauties dancing with the garland of the orchids on their chest. Here you can also spend the sunny days on spectacular sandy-white beaches, hike in lush green valleys, feed the stingrays, visit the archaeological sites or old army bunkers from World War II. Don’t forget to try the unique mix of French and Polynesian tasty cuisine. No matter what kind of vacation you are planning, Bora Bora must bee simply seen. Let’s go explore the legendary island of Bora Bora.
 | | Satelite view of Bora Bora |
 | | Bora Bora island |
This volcanic island of French Polynesia emerged from the ocean 4 millions years ago in the South Pacific160 miles northwest of Tahiti and about 2,600 miles south of Hawaii in the Leeward Society Islands. The main island of Bora Bora is located in the center of a multicolored lagoon, surrounded by motu (islets) inside protective coral reefs. The motu are Tevairoa, Motu Ome, Motu Mute, and Motu Piti Aau. There is only one pass from the ocean through the reef into the lagoon. It is the Teavanui Pass on the west side of the island.
 Two towering peaks of sheer black rock, Mt Pahia and Mt Otemanu, dominate the center of the island and make an impressive backdrop to an assortment of blue dazzling waters. Seen from the air, Bora Bora has been compared to that of a tiny emerald in a setting of turquoise, encircled by a sheltering necklace of sparkling pearls.  | | Aerial view of lagoon of Bora Bora |
The view of the main island from the airport is truly breathtaking, and as you travel across the spectacular lagoon you will soon understand why it is the main area of attraction for most visitors. In the local Tahitian language there is no "B," so Bora Bora’s actual name is then Pora Pora. According to the legend, Pora Pora means “first born” because it was the first island to emerge from the waters after the creation of Raiatea. Bora Bora’s Polynesian name of Vava’u suggests that the original inhabitants of this magical island arrived from Tonga. The first signs of human life on the island of Bora Bora are dated 900 BC. In the ancient times, Bora Bora was original called “Mai Te Pora” which means “created by the Gods”. Bora Bora was first “discovered” by the navigator Roogeveen in 1722 and then by the seafarer Cook in 1796.
 Nunue district is Bora Bora’s west coast district where the island’s princes lived in ancient times. Their marae (temple) Vaiotaha is located on the north shore of Pofai (Povaie) Bay.
 | | Polynesian boy with tattoo |
Nunue district and government center Vaitape is the place with the most hotels on Bora Bora. The west coast of the island is broken by two deep bays—Faanui and Poofai, which is opposite Motu Toopua, all that is the rest of the ancient edge of a volcanic crater. On the north side of Poofai Bay is a large white mansion built as the residence of the governor of American Samoa in the Dino de Laurentis film, “Hurricane”, starring Mia Farrow. The main village of Vaitape is located at the foot of a steep cliff of Mt Pahia and opposite Teavanui Pass. There are few beaches on the west coast except Poofai Bay in the south and Matira Point. Matira beach has white sand and warm, shallow water, and for its beauty is considered to be one of the best beaches on the world.
 Faanui is the name of the second district and also the name of the bay and the village on the northwest coast of Bora Bora. Farerua (or Marotetini), Bora Bora’s biggest marae, and the Taianapa marae are located here.
Anau district you find on Bora Bora’s east coast, between Fitiu Point and Paoaoa Point. This is where the remains of three marae are found (Aehautai, Manunu and Nonohaura). The east coast of Bora Bora is mostly rocky with steep slopes and without beaches.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 21 May 2006 )
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Two towering peaks of sheer black rock, Mt Pahia and Mt Otemanu, dominate the center of the island and make an impressive backdrop to an assortment of blue dazzling waters. Seen from the air, Bora Bora has been compared to that of a tiny emerald in a setting of turquoise, encircled by a sheltering necklace of sparkling pearls. ;)
Faanui is the name of the second district and also the name of the bay and the village on the northwest coast of Bora Bora. Farerua (or Marotetini), Bora Bora’s biggest marae, and the Taianapa marae are located here.;)
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