MilliOnAir Magazine Dec 2018 - Jan 2019 | Page 160

Bora Bora
50minutes North-West of Tahiti, lies the ‘Jewel of the Seas’, Bora Bora. From the moment we began descending,
the love-affaire with the island started. The views of the translucent lagoon caressing the barrier-reef were
merely the welcoming party for the main star, the iconic Mount Otemanu. The remnants of the extinct volcano
which rises in two peaks from the centre of the island are as bewitching as the colour-saturated dream Bora Bora
haemorrhaged. Emeralds, jades and sapphires at dusk to the bleeding apricots and pinks of dawn. We made our
way from the tiny airport via boat transfer to our hotel. Slicing through the lagoon as if it were silk, mesmerised
by the unravelling shades of glistening turquoise and teal, Jean and I were like a pair of giddy teenagers as we
were overcome with pure ecstasy. Nestled away on Motu Piti Aau, lied the Intercontinental Resort and Thalasso Spa,
which was to be our home for the next 3 nights. Water-villas perched on stilts stretched out into the distance as
if reaching out to Mount Otemanu. Each suite with a floor to ceiling window at the end of a king-size bed, as if
a huge piece of art were hung ensuring you woke to the sight of the sun piercing through the lagoon. The glass
opening set into the floor allowed you to fully capture the remarkable city of brightly coloured marine life right
below. This idyllic retreat was as though someone was vicariously photoshopping every angle right before our
eyes. How is it possible that somewhere so incredibly flawless actually exists?
Taking a moment to simply stand still, we were certain our eyes must have been deceiving us. The mesmerising
beauty of which Bora Bora radiated so effortlessly was exactly what dreams of paradise consisted of.
This ultra luxurious slice of heaven wasn’t perhaps, the luxurious which you would expect from the Maldives or
the French Riviera, this was the luxury of total isolation, freedom and connecting to the spirit of living things in
a totally natural and unspoilt speck in the South Seas, this paradise was truly spellbinding. It also offered so much
more than sipping fresh coconuts and basking under the tropical sun. Diving with sharks, feeding stingrays,
snorkelling, exploring the lagoon and reef via kayak or Va’a (outrigger canoe) are merely a few of the more
adventurous pursuits which are on offer. We spent our mornings, after overindulging in the breakfast buffet on
the local delicacy, ‘Poisson Cru’, fresh raw fish in citrus juice and coconut milk, paddle boarding and snorkelling
with the the rainbow coloured marine life. We decided I would experience my first Scuba dive here in Bora Bora,
Jean being somewhat of a professional merman, having grown up in Tahiti was adamant I experience the world
below the waves. This underwater city was overrun with giant napoleon wrasses, hawksbill turtles, eagle rays,
angelfish, banner fish, parrotfish and pink soft anemones. The marine life was as friendly as the locals on land.
Intrigued by our presence they joined us as the current gently washed us along the powdery sand of the lagoon
floor. We could feel ‘Mana’ was just as alive down here as it was up above. As I glanced up I could see the sun
rays shooting through the glass-like water, it was then I felt a surge of emotion. This wasn’t a fairy-tale this was
real.
We drifted through each day on Bora Bora time. Consumed with happiness and love, could life get any more
romantic?
Tikehau
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go completely off the grid and enter a world of pure serenity
that is totally unspoilt? Tikehau is exactly that. Conveniently placed as one of the small atolls closets to Tahiti
and accessible by daily flights. The preserved charm of simplicity is what makes this extraordinary island so
unique. Tikehau, meaning ‘peaceful landing’ consists of one resort, ‘Pearl Beach Resort’ and is one of only two
inhabited islets in the fifty-five kilometre circumference of dots in this part of the Tuamotu group.
With a reputation of being the most bountiful fish destination in the French Polynesia, it came at no surprise this
was the last stop of our seventeen day trip. This coconut palm lined motu was not only a new experience for me,
but one for Jean too. At first glance, it looks very similar to the other islands we had visited previously, over-
water bungalows, sandy shores and ridiculously blue lagoons. However, approaching just a few metres off the
reservation, the seclusion became apparent. Wandering along the rose-golden sands, which have been dyed from
the coral we soon had our very own paradise. Not a sole to be seen just pristine waters nuzzling the edge of the
scattered motu’s. All of which are accessible either by kayak or some via walking at low tide. Sunsets here are also
a work of art. The sky totally drenched in shades of fiery oranges, reds and pinks. We watched from our kayak as
the sun slowly set into the distance, leaving a backlit feature beyond the clouds of dazzling indigos and violets.
As the sky reflected onto the waters edge the colours began to dance with the twinkling of stars which were
soon to blanket the night sky. We slowly made our way back to shore with a trail of black-tip sharks frolicking