Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Bora Bora: There’s nothing to see ‘that way’. . .or is there?

The inspiration for this post came from a fellow cruise passenger who, as he approached us during our stop at the island of Bora Bora, called out,

“I walked a ways that way and there’s nothing to see.

He didn’t know that we’d just returned from ‘that way’. In fact, we’d been walking ‘that way’ for a couple of hours. . .because we had found so much ‘to see’.

We’d headed ‘that way’ from the local bank, a lattice-trimmed wood-frame building – much more inviting than those concrete boxes that house banks at home. The Scout used the cash machine and then showed me the wondrous currency that looked more like art than money.

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In the open field next to the bank, we encountered the two munchkins who were featured in an earlier post, The Boys of Bora Bora. (click the link if you missed their tale).

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A bit further ‘that way’ we watched a dog either guarding the boat or having canine South Pacific daydreams, perhaps?

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Heading ‘that way’ we passed some of the most amazing fences: woven lattice-work and black lava rock were so much more interesting than the wooden panels we use in the Pacific Northwest.

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DSCF1200 When we saw the sign for the  Bora Bora VHF 69 Yacht Club, we decided to go explore it and found ourselves  in a setting that was so South- Pacific-perfect that it could have been a movie-set.

It was one of our highlights heading ‘that way’. . .









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Every so often we stopped just to admire our ship, the Celebrity Solstice, anchored out in the harbor – again, a scene so stunning it could have been a scene from a movie.

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We treated ourselves to a morning cappuccino at a restaurant we happened upon ‘that way,’ and were treated to an impromptu floor show when the fishermen arrived with the daily catch.

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And then past an enterprising resident’s produce stand; the colors so vibrant I had to take a photo.

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DSCF0396We walked until the sun had burned us to a crisp and forced us to finally head back.

(Note: even with hats, sunglasses and sun screen the South Pacific sun is relentless). 

This is how this sunbaked twosome looked at the end of that day. . .sometimes sunburns are the price we pay when we set off ‘that way’ to see what there really is to see.

That’s it for this week’s TravelnWrite’s Tale from the South Pacific. Now check out Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox and the photo essays on Travel World Online for more armchair travels.  We have more to tell you about our dozen days at sea as well our enchanted evening and a tender tale. . .
Come back soon – and bring some friends with you.

30 comments:

  1. You guys are true kindred spirits. :-) I always find my favorite sights when I go "that way". :-) Those boys are beeyootiful. :-)

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    1. I've believed for some time that we are kindred spirits, that's for sure! And those boys were a highlight memory of that stop! Thanks for stopping by

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  2. It a;ways pays not to listen to other people, doesn't it...I'm glad you went 'that way'. I might have stopped at the Yacht Club and made myself at home!

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    1. All it takes is someone saying, 'nothing to see' and I am ready to prove them wrong, every time! Thanks for stopping by Jenny.

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  3. Wow,,"that way" is certainly stunning and too bad for your fellow cruiser. Those currency are like art and if I had them I may be tempted not to spend them. Those South Pacific scenes are just beautiful and there's no question I'd be walking every which way if I was in Bora Bora.

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    1. We were stunned at the beauty of even the most common of things. I'd go back and probably suffer sun stroke because of all there is to see whatever way I walked.

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  4. It's a good think you didn't run into that fellow cruiser first who may have dissuaded you from going "that way." He was wrong! There was a lot of great stuff to see. One thing that I like about cruises is that there's something for everyone. I bet that even though that guy didn't find anything "that way" he eventually found something that caught his interest.

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    1. Actually he did. He also stopped at the restaurant we were at and he seemed to enjoy his glass of French wine and gazing out at the water!

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  5. What a lovely way to spend the day. Glad you went that way. :)

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    1. Oh Jan, that was just the morning! In coming weeks, I'll show you what we saw in the afternoon! Thanks much for your visit!

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  6. You certainly saw a lot "that way," Jackie!
    Sometimes, it's not just the simple things. It's the way we perceive them individually and as a whole. Looks like you had fun that way too!

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    1. I do love seeing 'the every day' of a place; we went into the grocery store we visited with folks along the way. . .that's what makes travel special for us. Thanks for your visit Marcia!

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  7. I went kayaking down in Tahiti and endured the worst burn of my life DESPITE wearing zinc oxide. Although the place looks gorgeous I just can't do that kind of heat again. Those tans you are sporting are probably distant memories now.

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    1. Oh Leigh, that makes me feel better. I was thinking how stupid could we be as seasoned travelers to get that burned. (I'd pulled my hair up into the baseball cap because it was so hot and the neck so sweaty. . .in retrospect that was REAL stupid) my white unexposed-most-of-the-time neck could have doubled for Rudolph's nose -- for many days after our stop!

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  8. Jackie,

    I LOVED this post!! My gosh, the vibrant colours, ingenious creativity in the construction of the fences, beautiful wooden decks right on those crystalline waters, and all of this 'that way'! No time to be ''bored' in Bora Bora!!!

    Happy weekend to you and Joel!

    Poppy

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Poppy and I am glad you also saw the vibrancy! It was fantastic!

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  9. Love Bora Bora. The Yacht Club is new since we were there - guess we need to go back and check it out!

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  10. Oh you two! We've had a taste now of those wonderful South Pacific islands that you go sailing to and through and can understand your love of that part of the world. Although we will miss you at Ko Olina come Jan. and Feb.!

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  11. Hi Jackie...what a great day you too had! It's amazing what adventures you can encounter going "that way" :) I love the produce stand. Nothing makes something stand more than beautiful bright colors! Doggy looks very happy too!

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    1. Thanks for taking that walk 'with' us, Nancie. I know you'd have found any number of things to snap photos of as well. Happy week ahead and start your countdown to travel!

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  12. A lovely series that makes me want to return to French Polyenesia. I've been to the island of Tahiti, and got as far as Moorea from there, and that was beautiful. Never been to Bora Bora, though. All the best...

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    1. Thanks for the visit Andrew! Since you've been there you can understand just how beautiful 'any way' would be on those marvelous islands! Happy week ahead. . .

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  13. Someone telling me 'nothing to see would have piqued my interest too, and how lucky you did go that way! Yes, a couple of those scenes look so perfect they could be made in Hollywood.

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    1. That was what I kept saying about the South Pacific islands, "It looks just like in the movies!" So perfect, it didn't look real. . .

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  14. amazing isn't it what people consider as "nothing to see" whereas others will have seen lots! Thanks for the tour. Have a wonderful week and countdown to Christmas. I am only just been able to link up to last weeks Travel Photo Thursday!

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    1. Glad to have you back among Travel Photo Thursday. It is hard to keep continuity when we travel; I am lucky to get something posted . . .a definite conflict this travel n writing!

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  15. It's fascinating that people would go to the same place and would have completely different insight. It was a great that you were able to see every little beauty "that way." I believe there's always a beauty everywhere if you really look. And thanks for sharing what you saw "that way." I really enjoyed them. You guys look terrific!

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    1. You are too kind about the way we look. We were toasted that day, almost crispy to the touch!

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