July 30, 2010

Bora Bora~Society Islands, French Polynesia —  Bora Bora, located about 160 miles northwest of Tahiti and approximately 2,600 miles south of Hawaii, was discovered in 1722, and is indisputably one of  the most beautiful island on the planet.  Its ancient name of Vava’u suggests that the original inhabitants of this seven-million-year-old island arrived from Tonga. And interestingly, in the local Tahitian language there is no “B,” so its actual name is then Pora Pora, meaning “first born.”

One of the most dramatically beautiful place on earth!

We arrived on Bora Bora’s fabled blue lagoon this morning amidst a rain storm, and even then, it is just as famed novelist James A. Michener, expressed, “…so stunning, that there are really no adequate words to describe it.”

Volcanic in origin, Bora Bora’s rugged main island, and a few smaller islands, are completely surrounded by coral reefs. Of course, when you are as dramatically beautiful as Bora Bora is, you can expect to be  besieged daily by visitors from around the world, seeking to find their unforgettable place in the sun.   As I’ve discovered time and time again, once the tourist have all dispersed to their chosen resort, and I into my favorite over-the-water bungalow at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa with its unobstructed view of Otemanu Mountain, which stands regally above the lagoon like a majestic cathedral in the sky–it doesn’t feel at all crowded!  Everyone just seems to disappear.  Even, as I’m writing at this moment, all I can hear is the echo of the wind competing with the sounds of my keyboard.

I feel so perpetually lucky to have the opportunity to return to this glorious island again, and be greeted so warmly by the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort staff, whom by now are beginning to feel just like my family. Even the menu at today’s beach lunch felt so deliciously familiar.  I immediately knew exactly what to order.  Now, that’s when you know you’ve arrived when several waiters greet you with a “Welcome Back Mrs. Henderson!”

Tomorrow’s going to be equally rough–I think I’ll begin with a signature spa treatment at its famous Deep Ocean Thalasso Spa.  Yes, that’s definitely the best way for this ESCAPESEEKER to begin my Bora Bora day!  What would you do if you were in my shoes?  Actually, you do know that everything I can do, you too can duplicate don’t you?  Feel free to take a look and begin your journey to “Heaven’s Heaven”. http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/borabora-thalasso

Here’s to Endless Summer’s Blissful ESCAPES…

With love,

Mel aka ESCAPESEEKER