BORA BORA

BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

29 JANUARY 2014

Bora Bora (means first born) was prepared by the US during WW II to be a south sea air strip, oil depot, sea plane base, and military supply. There were 5,000 Marines stationed here. War never came to the island and it was closed on June 2, 1946. The airstrip has been made into a commercial airport. From 1942 until 1960 it was the only airport in French Polynesia. There are four gun encampments half way up the mountain and 20-30 metal bunkers left around the island.  The guide told us the people still use them if a cyclone is coming to the area and they feel their home is not safe.

The first European to visit was CPT James Cook in 1777.  It is a small island with one road (20 miles) around it and has a population of 9,000. There is only one pass to get through the coral into the island. That’s why it was selected by the US Army during the war.

One of the nicest Hotels is the St Regis.  Nicole Kidman spent her honeymoon there at the cost of $10,000 a night.  Part of the “Mutiny on the Bounty” was filmed on Bora Bora.  Marlon Brando married a girl from Bora Bora during the filming.  She is still alive and lives in California.  She still has relatives on the island.

 Bora Bora has the little huts in the water for $2,000 a night.  Anyone for a vacation?

                                                     Grass Resort for $2,000 a night

                                         Bloody Marys - Famous Pub

                                                     Beautiful water