Resort, Bora Bora
David and Noodle's Excellent Adventure had the perfect ending. The day
after our mountain hike we sailed around Bora to the Four Seasons, which
is out on one of Bora's fringing reef motus. David enjoyed the short
tacking up the backside of the island in twelve knots of breeze. We
stopped along the way at an interesting looking reef for a snorkel and a
beer, then powered the rest of the way to the resort arriving at 2PM.
We first powered around all the over water bungalows to see if we could
find Josephine waving from one of the balconies. No luck, so we anchored
off of the eastern end of the resort planning to dinghy in to get David
settled. As soon as the hook was down and secure a resort security jet
ski arrived to tell us that we couldn't anchor there. Nearly all of the
Four Season guests fly in and use the resort shuttle for transportation.
The delivery of a resort guest by private yacht is an unusual event that
they are not used to. I told "Jean" that I had a resort guest aboard, and
after a lengthy cell phone call with his boss he told us to anchor off the
western end of the facility and dinghy in to the front desk. So we
relocated, launched the dinghy, and headed in.
Josephine had checked in the day before, but we still had to get David
registered so they could be sure we were legitimate. They gave us some
fresh squeezed juice, and gave David a key and directions to his room. We
found the room, figured out how the key worked, and relaxed until
Josephine joined us following her afternoon beach session.
We had sailed by these motu bungalow resorts before. From the water they
really don't have that much appeal, but the Four Seasons is spectacular
once one gets ashore. Beautiful landscaping and facilities, an open and
uncrowded feel even though they were at 70% of capacity, and relaxing
vibe.
For three days David and Josephine adopted me as their adult son and I got
to enjoy the resort facilities with them. We had three fantastic dinners
ashore, spent an afternoon lounging on the beach with Moku pe'a anchored
offshore as our view, but the three hot showers I enjoyed in their room
will remain etched in my memory for a long time. The shower in Neiafu at
Lori's hotel with its weak spray and lukewarm water and the occasional hot
rinse on Moku pe'a when the water was heated from a long spell of
powering don't really count. These were the first "real" hot showers I
have had since leaving Hawaii in April with unlimited hot water, a
spacious stall, and rain type shower head. Heaven.
I slept on the boat every night, but otherwise we only left the resort to
go for a day sail on Saturday. In 2011 we discovered a half mile long
winding path over the sandy shallows that allowed us to get to a
spectacular anchorage and snorkel spot on the southern end of the motus.
At times there was only a foot or so of clearance under our five foot deep
keel, but the destination was worth the journey and we had a great snorkel
and picnic. Difficult access meant we were the only yacht there, but
there were a number of tour boats on the beach for a Club Med type party
with games, music, and people frolicking in the water. David and I
enjoyed the scenery.
The alarm was set this morning so I could blow my conch shell as David and
Josephine's airport shuttle boat passed. Total success. I usually muff
the blowing of the conch shell making it sound like a cow in the slaughter
house, but this morning it came out fine and I didn't embarrass the Mighty
Moku pe'a. Their plane just flew overhead on its way to Papeete. It is a
crystal clear morning, about 4 knots of breeze out of the east. They
should have a fantastic view of the leeward islands as they fly to Tahiti
for their connection back to Hong Kong.
Moku pe'a and I are now alone for the first time. Kendra flies into
Raiatea in a week, and we need to be there to meet her, but otherwise
nothing is planed except to get some chores done. I was going to sail
down to Vaitape today, but it is so lovely here I think we'll stay put for
another night. I have always been interested to see how I like single
handed sailing, and this is my opportunity to try it out.
No comments:
Post a Comment