Bora-Bora = Paradise!
Trip Start
Nov 06, 2010
1
8
14
Trip End
Nov 17, 2010
Where I stayed
Bora Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia
Friday, November 12, 2010
The Aeroport de Bora-Bora is on its own “motu” (Motu Mure). According to Frommers.com, U.S. marines built the airstrip during World War II when Bora Bora was a major refueling stop on the America-to-Australia supply line. So, there’s boat parking instead of a taxi stand. We felt like VIPs when it turns out that our shuttleboat only had us as passengers!
It was a beautiful 20 minute ride to IC Bora-Bora. We passed by the different luxury hotels like the Sofitel and St. Regis (which is where the filmed the movie “Couples Retreat”) . It turns out that all the hotels in Bora-Bora only have overwater bungalows. No high rise structures, skyscrapers. There are two Intercontinental hotels in Bora-Bora: Le Moana, which is an older hotel on Bora-Bora (by Point Matira) and IC Bora-Bora & Thalasso Spa, which is on Motu Piti Aau.
When we arrived, our personal concierge was waiting for us with fresh juice (pineapple-orange blended with mint – so refreshing!) and a cool facetowel. Being Ambassador Club members sure has its rewards; check-in was smooth and hassle-free. Since our villa wasn’t ready yet, I decided to wait by the pool while Brian headed to the gym. Listening to the pool boys playing the guitar and bongos, feeling the warm breeze on your skin and dipping into the infinity pool to cool off was so relaxing.
After a while (probably half an hour?) our villa was finally ready. Our personal concierge picked me up at the pool (and I walked over to the gym to get Brian) and boarded a golf cart for a tour of the resort. It was even door-to-door service to our Mt. Otemanu Diamond Overwater Villa. A few minutes later, we get a knock on the door – the bellboy delivered our bags and another staffer brought us a plate of fresh fruits and a bottle of champagne! (I've been told that only InterContinental Ambassador Club members get fruits & champagne on arrival - so VIP!) I think our villa was one of the best ones on the property – it wasn’t all the way at the end and had an unobstructed view of Mt. Otemanu. It was even better than the glossy photos from various magazines and on the Internet. Photos and videos doesn't quite do it justice. I love that from the bed we could gaze out into the lagoon and see the sparkling, brilliant blue waters and the lush green Mt. Otemanu. Paradise!
After unpacking our bags in the walk-in closet and relaxing on the balcony, we decided to swim over to the beach and check out their Happy Hour at Le Sands bar. We snagged one of the beach couches, relaxed and watched the sunset while sipping cocktails. Brian was obsessed over getting a piña colada; I tried some sort of blue cocktail which was quite strong and not as fruity as I would’ve liked (but it matched the colour of my bikini!) Cocktails were $25 - $30 each but with happy hour, we each get the second round free. It was a great way to just relax and soak in the beautiful sights. We really did save the best for last!
That night, we had a 3 course dinner at Le Sands restaurant at the hotel. The food was divine! I had salad niçoise, a half lobster and Tahitian vanilla crème brulee. Brian’s dinner was also quite good: chicken cesar salad, grilled baraccuda and fig bread pudding with ice cream. Afterwards, we just hung out at the lounge area and people-watched. It was a good way to end our first day in paradise!
When we got back to our villa, housekeeping had done a turndown service (complete with fresh hibiscus flowers on our pillows) and left our honeymoon gifts on the coffee table: a T-shirt for Brian, a white pareo for me, a blue-and-cream tote back (embroidered with the hotel's name & logo) and a few other cute things. Love getting surprise swag!
