bora bora

January 18,2026

After five sea days, we have finally arrived at Bora Bora in French Polynesia. This is a tender port so to go ashore, we need to transit via the Viking lifeboats which can hold up to a hundred people. My scheduled excursion is late afternoon so plenty of time to observe the approach to the island and take in the gorgeous views, like Mount Otemanu.

After a quick survey of the commercial district and a stop at the local bank ATM, I was ready to board the boat which would take us on a tour of the Bora Bora lagoon. Our guide suggested we call him Bobby since his given name would have left us all tongue-tied. He first took us to the barrier reef surrounding the island. Next, we joined some other tour boats that congregated in hopes of viewing some rays and sharks. Without any warning, Bobby went overboard and grabbed a stingray which he christened Juliet. A number of sharks circled him in the shallows. The amateur photographers were ecstatic, myself included. By happenstance, the ship professional photographer and his wife were on our boat too.

Next stop was one of those iconic island resorts with the raised bungalows. This one is owned by Conrad Hilton. Would love to come back for a stay, but not alone. Anyone interested?

All too soon, we were headed back to the marina, but not before Bobby whipped out his ukulele and serenaded the ladies onboard.

Next stop: Tahiti