THE PEARL OF THE PACIFIC
Welcome to this continuation of our routing, with as a starting point the legendary pearl of the Pacific, otherwise known as the island with the lagoon with 50 shades of blue.
Drone report!
(I bought a drone just before this trip)
Look at that!
Many hotels are getting into coral conservation and "farming" like ours, the Maitai.
Our hotel is a good value for money for those who want comfort without spending 1500/2000 euros per night on hotels located on motus (sofitel, intercontinental etc). It is quite well located on the beach at the immense blue lagoon of Matira and close to many shops and restaurants and caravans.
It is a degree below the Taa'a (our previous hotel) but let's be realistic: it is very good.
The famous lagoon of Bora Bora
View of Mount Otemanu which peaks at 727m (at least for now, since the island is slowly sinking, you still have time to go there!)
The Heiva, the annual Polynesian culture/dance festival is taking place this year in Bora Bora, unfortunately we missed it by a few days.
Flight routing
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No miles or status points accumulated with this flight, Air Tahiti is not part of one of the 3 known alliances.
The journey will be made in a latest generation ATR72-600 with 68 seats, a little more generous than the usual 72 seats on this type of aircraft.
You will notice that the last three left rows have a more generous pitch.
AT BORA BORA AIRPORT
The journey to the airport makes any journey to another airport in mainland France is terribly sad compares to this one!
With always this superb view..
And yes here is the airport!
That's it, it's still sexier than a blue "CDG" highway sign, right? XD
This time the sign is attached to two palm trees!
Good to know: the limit is 23kg but you are allowed 5kg more if you have a diving card
The boarding hall
Boarding begins with the call of priorities which are well respected - 2 pax go in front of everyone but I do not see the point since the seats are not differentiated and the service on board is identical.
We pass by the tiki and the pretty ornamental garden again.
It's still classy a garden like that!
I also want my geraniums on the tarmac at LYS!
ONBOARD THE ATR72
Aircraft : ATR72-600
Tail Number: F-ORVR
Engines: 2x PWV WP127
Age:7 years old
Lay out: Y68
Named: Taputa
Remarks: the last ATR72-600 received by Air Tahiti
This very particular stair
The reception is cold, icy and almost painful, with a cabin crew member who will prove to us throughout the flight that she has mastered the art of RBF.
Let's rather look at this landscape during the instructions then.
The wind changed direction between the time I was queuing and when we were in the taxi phase, even though I had watched FR24.
I find myself on the wrong side for the takeoff, the view of the ocean, but at least I can still see a little of the lagoon during the taxi.
I hope to come back there again
The service begins shortly after with always this lady who looks like a real Karen but who fortunately does not speak..
The famous Rotui fruit juice that follows us on the plane and in the hotels.
We are approaching the first atolls.
and Rangiroa, the largest atoll in Polynesia and the second largest in the world. The inner lagoon is immense, it is almost an inland sea with incredible distances: 82km by 30km. You can imagine the size of the volcano that must have been there!
The inflight magazine report
You can clearly see the extent of Polynesia.
The "regional" fleet of Air Tahiti, called Air Achipels
An interesting article where we learn that most of the plants were brought from Asia by the Polynesians and had either medicinal or other uses, such as red hibiscus which were used to signal a prohibition.
And my favorite fleet page
I admit that it is a little disturbing to be on a strip of land made exclusively of coral debris 100m wide, and to see the water to the left and to the right…
AT RANGIROA AIRPORT
The landing is gentle, no need to turn around since the terminal is at the end of the runway.
The call of the sea i guess make everyone standing up!
One last look at our lawnmower!
We wait in front of the counter of our hotel which takes care of us
15 minutes later we are welcomed with a drink (yes Rotui juice!) and our keys to our villa.
See you at the next episode!
I went 😂 when you called the ATR a "lawn mower". Anyways, nice FR! Tahiti looks like a nice place!
Thank you Ryan for the comment!
Well they sound like lawn mower ahah
Absolutely breathtaking! 😍
Bora Bora really is THE perfect tropical island. I really like how well-connected the islands of Polynesia are with nonstop flights between them. It's nice not to have to go through PPT to connect. All of these island airports are all super cute too.
Thanks for sharing!
Hey thanks for the comment mate!
Bora bora is just a paradise - I know cliché to say that but true!
Funny enough this is the only island full of 5 stars and american tourists, all of the others are as equilly beautiful but hotels standards are more "local" let's say.
I mean I just love the sign "bora bora airport" between two palm trees and the fact that you could only access the airport by plane or boat!