Bora Bora Arrival Day

We actually had a fairly decent sized aircraft for the 40 minute flight to Bora Bora.  Props yes, but much better than the last prop American Eagle we flew on in the past.  The airport in Moorea was 10 minutes from Moorea Pearl and had one run way in/out – and two men who loaded luggage in and out of planes.

Upon arrival our Bora Bora Pearl guy was there with leis for us and after we picked up our luggage…they are sort of put on a big tray and one can get it after the poor guy takes it off the cart and puts in there.   Short boat tide and we are have officially arrived at the Pearl Beach Resort.

The feel of this island is different; the entire motu (islet) is dedicated to the Pearl Resort.  We are in a garden suite.  Just look at the photos!!  One feels like Ramar of the Jungle!!  There are different bird calls and flora, and apparently many different creatures.  Upon entering our “front door” the first thing we saw was a little brown gecko scurry away; the hostess saw the holes in the sand and told us we have a crab here with us too.   When you see the number 64, the photos after that our own place!  We have private fenced in area with a deck, lounge chairs, spa, a covered table with fan above it and lights for the evening.  The room is magnificent – and the shower really is outside.  Incredible!!!

We went for a walk around some of the property; it is much larger and has mini golf, tennis courts, billiard tables and who knows what else besides water activities.  Speaking of water, it is cloudy today, so initial photos will reflect that, and during our walk it started to rain a little.  Only a short baby shower – so not really annoying, and therefore nothing to really complain about.  By the time we were unpacked, we could settle in our lounge chairs on the deck – after we got in the spa a little while!

There is a bar that has happy hour early like usual, then again from 9 to 10 PM.  The bar also shows movies…Mutiny on the Bounty and 2 others!!

Jim has his bottle of gin from the duty free shop in LAX – what was left of my bottle of white wine from Moorea was left behind.  All stores on main island are closed today (Sunday)  and going to the mainland requires our hotel boat shuttle to take us over there to “the base”, then a bus from there to the nearest town of Vaitape.  We cannot do it tomorrow morning, because of the bus schedule – we need to be here at 1:15 PM to take the boat to “the base” and then be met for our open truck tour of the island of Bora Bora.  So we are stuck with the very expensive Boutique (general store) and the mini bar for now and tomorrow. 

When we walked along the beach earlier, we saw many holes – in fact I was just walking and my foot fell into a hole – crabs, big guys of all sorts.  We found many of the living in the rocks; they smiled to have their photos taken.   Being a good grandmother, I tried to collect some tiny baby shells to bring home.  Most are very unusual and perfectly shaped.  Upon putting the second one in my pocket I felt  a tiny bite on my finger!  Hermit crabs in most of the shells.  OK, I put him back on the beach for anyone wondering.

We got a free 30 minute massage scheduled at the spa for both of us on Wednesday – something not to be missed.  Sadly, the real spa is being refurbished, so they have set up massage center in 2 huts on the beach!!  The fitness center is closed due to refurbishment so no one has to feel guilty being unfit!!!  We also had a gift of various coconut oils and healing oils left in our room from the spa, receiving all this because our travel agent belongs to some sort of VIP group.   Nice!

Our housekeeper just came to do turn down service, put little towels on the floor by the bed (heaven forbid you step onto a cold hardwood floor) – and she put our little slippers on the towels.   I could be happy being a princess and having servants.

It is getting dark…magically lights are coming on.  After dinner I will take photos of our little home in the jungle (whoops, garden) with its flood lit ambience.  It is so quiet here, and seems to be mostly adults.  In Moorea we were surprised at the amount of people with infants, toddlers, and children of all ages.   People snorkeled; jet skied and kayaked in front of our bungalow.  Total privacy here, one needs not even dress to get in the spa or sit on the deck!

We had dinner in the main restaurant.  Wow.  I was starving so decided to have an appetizer of 4 different ways they serve raw tuna.  It was magnificent.  For the main course we each had a fricassee of Mahi Mahi and Pacific shrimp.  I am loving the raw tuna – a way of life here.   No dessert as I was stuffed.  Just espresso to end a great meal!

No internet today, I will pay for it when I know we are going to be here and not go on any outings to the mainland.