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Post by roverpup on Nov 5, 2023 2:43:49 GMT
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Post by roverpup on Nov 6, 2023 2:38:24 GMT
We're only staying 3 days but even in that short time I can fully understand why BC and Sophie decided to spend their honeymoon in Bora Bora. It is magical. Almost mesmerizingly so.
They do housekeeping twice a day - fresh towels, cold drinks, fresh cut flowers.
The food is devine! Everything has a French cuisine twist. So beautifully spiced (they use a lot of my favourite herb - thyme!).
And privacy! Our villa is nowhere close to any of the others.
The only Hazzard seems to be the threat of getting sunburned! Even though it's never been over 80°F the heat is intense.
I haven't seen a fly or mosquito. We did see a number of geckos and one large sand crab and TONS of birds!
It was threatening rain earlier (there was even some rumbling of thunder) but it seems to have passed us by (for now). Hope it holds off for the fire dancers tonight!
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Post by roverpup on Nov 6, 2023 16:11:06 GMT
Our villa is massive!
We have a perfect view of the mountain.
We've made reservations for tomorrow night to see a culture show with traditional Polynesian fire dancers. Also tomorrow snorkeling is on our agenda. Tonight we're just going to one of the 6 restaurants at the resort and chill out in our villa.
Earlier today we went swimming in the lagoon. The water was almost bathwater warm.
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So today we got up and had a lovely buffet breakfast. I had chocolate pancakes and a coconut and cucumber salad. They also served coconut bread and almond croissants.
After breakfast we got our snorkeling gear and went back to our villa and snorkeled in the lagoon around our hut. The water is about 4 feet deep and there isn't a lot to see. But I practiced using my fins so that was a learning experience. There is a lagoonium near the place where we ate breakfast, so in a little while we will go snorkeling there.
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We ordered a "canoe breakfast" for Monday morning! They bring your breakfast to you in an outrigger canoe and while they're setting up your food they take you for a ride in the outrigger canoe!
The weather was rainy overnight but now it is partially sunny with some clouds. When we were swimming this morning it was very sunny. The weather is very changeable.
I still can't get over how quiet it is here!
We might try out the kayaking in a little while.
The fire dance dinner is tonight!!
This afternoon we went to the lagoon and snorkeled. It was a bundle of fun! We saw so many different kinds of fish and they were swimming all around us!
Soon we'll go for a small lunch at the beach restaurant.
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We had a delicious lunch and then went to the concierge to confirm our canoe breakfast choices. Then we walked back to our villa to shower.
Never got around to kayaking so we'll do that tomorrow. We heard some thunder and it clouded over when we were getting ready for dinner but nothing more than a slight drizzle came down.
We'll bring umbrellas along with us tonight for the dinner/show, just in case it's raining later. ************** Never did rain and the dinner and fire show was gobsmackingly GREAT!!
The whole dance show lasted about a half an hour. There were four performers who danced with batons that flamed on one or both ends at various times.
The dinner was so huge we could only eat about half of it and we passed on the dessert too.
When we got back to our room I discovered a slight discrepancy in our departure times (on two different documents) so I emailed our travel agent for clarification and I already have the answer!
In about 2 hours our canoe breakfast is coming. I'll get pictures of that!! The morning look beautiful and bright.
Talk to you later...
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Post by roverpup on Nov 6, 2023 16:26:21 GMT
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Post by roverpup on Nov 6, 2023 21:10:49 GMT
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Post by roverpup on Nov 7, 2023 8:09:07 GMT
November 6th
Tomorrow we leave Bora Bora and have a loooooong day of travel to get home.
But today we relaxed and spent the morning snorkeling after our canoe breakfast. While our breakfast was being set up the food the fellow who operated the outrigger canoe took us for a short ride around the lagoon. The breakfast was perfection!
Then we went to our favourite snorkeling spot and stayed for over an hour! We saw so many fish!
Next we went for a walk to the ocean side of the island. Very different! Wind swept and vast.
We were getting a little sluggish by then so we made our way back to the Sands restaurant and had a light lunch.
Dan wanted to nap so we ended up back at our bungalow. We he was refreshed we went to the kayaks and took a two person one out for a spin in the lagoon. It was a bit of a challenge because the wind had started to pick up. But we managed.
Then it was back to the villa to get showered for supper. I had made reservations for the Reef restaurant for 8 pm.
Unknown to us it was a very special night with a huge cultural dance troop performing at the restaurant! It was sooooo great because by chance our table was right in front - the best seat in house! The show was spectacular! I have so much video of the dancers! Amazing!
Now we're just ready for bed and I've organized everything packing-wise, so we're good for the morning.
Our plane for Papeete leaves at 3:05 pm. And then we have a VERY long wait until we board our flight to San Francisco (almost 11:00 pm). But in then, in the end we'll be home!
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Post by roverpup on Nov 7, 2023 8:12:33 GMT
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Post by roverpup on Nov 9, 2023 16:18:45 GMT
Today we left Bora Bora at 1:45 on the boat and headed to the airport. It went smoothly - we got our boarding passes and waited in the small Bora Bora Airport for our flight back to Papeete.
It was a bit late but we weren't worried because we had to wait around until 10:40 pm-ish until our flight from Papeete left for San Francisco.
Our check-in at United didn't even open until 7 o'clock so it was a looooong wait in a very hot Airport. Finally we were able to check-in and we also were allowed to go to the business class lounge, where we got drinks and food (and AC!).
We boarded the plane on time and it was wonderful. Polaris class is United's business class. Lie-down beds, fine wines, wonderful service! Both Dan and I were able to get quite a bit of sleep.
The steward informed us that our Air Canada flight was delayed and explained how we had to get our luggage, clear border control and then go back through security to get on our Toronto bound flight in SF.
The line through border control was a NIGHTMARE!! It took over an hour. Then we had a hugely complicated trip through the airport to get our bags, check-in for our flight and go through security! We made it to our gate with only 10 minutes to spare. But when we checked in we finally found out exactly how delayed our flight to Toronto was - about 45 minutes! So we had lots of time but not enough to go to the lounge!
Anyway we are now on the flight to Toronto. In fact we are preparing for landing.
I've lost all concept of what the time is. I couldn't believe it when the announcement came over the PA that we would be landing in 30 minutes!
Now all we have to do is make our way through customs and then catch the UP Express to the Royal York hotel.
We went right to bed after checking in at the Royal York.
This morning we had a shower and a great breakfast and soon we'll be storing our luggage and I think we'll go to the ROM for the day. Our train back to Sarnia doesn't leave until 5:40 pm. Dan is VERY exuberant and pleased with the whole experience! I'm smiling inside and out!
What a wonderful adventure!
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Post by mllemass on Nov 9, 2023 20:51:41 GMT
You’re returning home just in time for decent weather! It’s been so dark and cold and rainy and yucky that the sunshine today seems foreign. We had a huge rainstorm last night (no basement flooding, thank goodness!), but the news said that more northern areas got snow instead.
Your trip sounded wonderful!
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Post by roverpup on Nov 9, 2023 22:55:38 GMT
My Google weather feed said it snowed in Sarnia last night but I think it melted during the day.
We spent the day at the ROM today until just before our train pulled out (right on time!). It was a relaxing day looking at all the exhibits.
Our train is expected to be in Sarnia about 10:20 pm. We're traveling business class so we'll get a supper on the train.
My sister Heather texted me with a welcoming message and I envited her ND Marc to come tomorrow to our house for dinner and an overnight sleep. I'll order groceries to be delivered on the morning and then we'll have a fully stocked house when they arrive in the afternoon.
Dan and I had over 8 hours sleep last night and already have adjusted back to local time (the beauty of being able to sleep on the plane). So I'm raring to entertain!
I've never had such a easy transition when we have traveled! No jet lag at all!
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