Day 24 - Los Angeles to Papeete to Bora Bora

From LA airport we flew Air Tahiti 8 hours to Papeete, departing at 11.30 pm.  Then Papeete to Bora Bora also Air Tahiti (40 mins) arriving about 7.30 am.  Next a relatively small boat to the Meridian Hotel which is a tropical paradise with turquoise water, white sand, frangipani trees and tropical vegetation.  (What a great birthday present!!!)

The island has a number of hotels, and one town called Vaitape near the centre.

The primary language is French, so all signs and brochures are printed in French with translations into other languages.

The accommodation and facilities here are both extremely good.  There are:

6 x beach bungalows

4 x beach villas (1 or 2 rooms) with private pools

3 x lagoon bungalows

60 x overwater bungalows with glass floor panels

22 x premium bungalows with glass floor panels and larger terraces

1 x overwater bungalow for weddings

Needless to say, there are few children here, and some apparent honeymooners.

There is a multitude of activities available, some of which require payment above accommodation rates.  The list includes beach volleyball, canoeing, turtle sanctuary, coral eco centre, sailing, fishing, windsurfing, scuba diving, waterskiing, shark encounters, hobby cats, parasailing, jeep and quad safaris, 4 x 4 excursions, helicopter flights, rental cars, ferries to other islands, massages and spas.  And of course swimming and snorkelling. 

Tahiti is renowned for high quality black pearls in a variety of beautiful colours.

The floor show in the Tom Bradley terminal at LAX to entertain waiting passengers.  Very impressive.

Turbo prop plane to Bora Bora from Papeete

Early morning glimpse of Bora Bora before landing.

Bora Bora Airport.

Bungalow on the edge of the lagoon.

Overwater bungalows with mount Otemanu as the centrepiece of this heavenly island.

Dining room in background.

View from the pool bar looking across the lagoon.

The front entrance to the resort.

So many picturesque views within this resort.

Each bungalow has a hammock.

The snorkelling is great right here at the resort.