Bora Bora - Bicycling around and Climbing to the Top

Bicycling Around - Friday, August 13, 2010

Both  our friends on Trim and Freezing Rain took a bicycle ride with electric bikes around the island and suggested that we would enjoy the ride too, especially if we started in the morning and cycled clockwise around the island, we would arrive at Bloody Mary’s around lunch time.  Sounded good to us.

We ferried our folding bikes to shore, assembled them, and got on our way by 9:30.  We saw Gene and Gloria on Pincoya leave on their bikes about an hour before us.  Since we hadn’t checked with them, we didn’t know which direction they had headed.  We met them half way around the island peddaling in the opposite direction.  Gloria shared with us some hot mapes....chestnuts she had purchased from a local resident.

Bora Bora is a beautiful island.  The lagoons are rather shallow which creates the varied spectrum of aquas and blues that we associate with the waters of a tropical paradise.  Because of the shallow lagoons, a deep draft boat like ours has a limit to where we can travel without going aground.  We made a decision to stay moored in deep water and visit the rest of the island either by boat, foot, or bike.

Wash basin in the lady's room

The Famous Bloody Mary

Indeed, we did end up at Bloody Mary’s at lunch time.  Of course, I had to try the famous Bloody Mary. Russ had beer.  Both were good and relaxing, but we sure didn’t feel like bicycling the rest of the way back afterwards.  Bloody Mary’s has a sand floor.  Sandals are optional.

We returned to the boat in the early afternoon with enough time for swim and a little rest before joining the group on the Bora Bora Yacht Club dock for a bar-b-que potluck and an evening of dominoes.

Saturday, August 14, 2010 – See Separate Blog – Maupiti Express

Climbing to the Top - Sunday, August 15, 2010

Today was the day that Russ, Lori, Ken, Gene, and Gloria planned to climb to the top of the peaks on Bora Bora.  This is a difficult climb and slippery. Hand-over-hand climbing up ropes to the peak is a part of the experience. I was happy to forgo the experience and spend a relaxing day on the boat backing up the computers and reading a book.

The views are supposed to be spectacular from the top, and climbers need to pick a day when the mountain is not shrouded in clouds.  Nothing would be more disappointing than working so hard for the view and then not having it.  The crew left about 9:00 a.m. and they didn’t return until dusk.  Since I didn’t go, I can’t describe the climb.  I can only tell you that when the crew returned they were bruised, battered, and muddy from head to toe.  They looked exhausted, and indeed they were. I’ m sorry I didn’t get a picture of all of them upon their return.  Russ stripped and showered outside and finally gave up on washing his shirt and socks and threw them in the garbage.

Indiana Jones (aka California Russ) Climbing up the vines through the jungle.

Spectacular 360 Degree Views

All is Well on Worrall Wind