you call that a holiday? But that was before Bora Bora, where I got a whole new appreciation for sun, sand and salt water. The jewel in the crown of French Polynesia, it's a place where superlatives can't do justice to the pure magic of the experience.
Trying to explain to envious friends the exact blue of the lagoon's crystal clear waters will send your head into a spin. It's Bora Bora blue and nothing else can really describe it. And just how do you adequately paint a picture of the limitless skies dotted with pillow soft clouds?
The sandy buttermilk beaches. Or the lush rainforests and brusque volcanic formations that erupt from Bora Bora's tranquil islands. Show them your photographs or send them a postcard.
It's the best chance they have of understanding why you're in the thrall of this French-inspired piece of paradise in the Pacific. It's a short 40 minute flight from the Tahitian capital Papeete to Bora Bora but by the time you're there you feel as though you're in another world. Your senses are saturated as soon as you step off the plane on Motu Mute, a tiny islet, home to Bora Bora's increasingly popular airport.
From the plane you make your way through the tropical open air terminal to a jetty, where you get your first taste of the crystalline waters of this paradise location. A jet boat whisks you and your luggage away, sea spray in your hair as the vessel whips through the salty lagoon. Widely regarded as a honeymoon destination Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban chose it for their secluded getaway newlyweds and the rich and famous shouldn't be the only ones who get to experience the many charms of Bora Bora.
While the drawcard over-water villas at the luxury resorts take care of their guests' every whim at a considerable but worth-the-experience price there are more operators from hotels to pension-style guesthouses which cater to family budgets on Bora Bora's main island. And with beaches, bars, restaurants, beauty spas and water sports to amuse holiday-makers, it's a great escape for a group of girlfriends who want some pampering or a bunch of buddies looking for something a bit more sophisticated for their boys weekend away. The luxurious Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa, one of only two resorts on the islet of Motu Toopua, was the scene of my rethink on beach holidays.
The resort is part of the Sheraton chain and has the advantage of being further away from the main island than many of its competitors, adding to its air of isolation and tranquillity. If a week is a long time in politics, in Bora Bora's relaxed surrounds it can feel like a lifetime. I was surprised at just how stress-free I was after less than 48 hours on the island.
Unsurprisingly, the demands of having to choose between taking a dip off your private jetty, sipping a cocktail by the pool or having a massage at the cliff top spa aren't too onerous. And if drinking by the pool seems too much like hard work, you don't have to be on dry land. You can always have your beverage while lolling in the cool waters of the resort's infinity pool.
While there are plenty of attractions around the resort, there's a compelling case to stay in and enjoy your luxurious over-water bungalow. And after resting your weary bones, it's only a matter of dashing out on to your balcony and down a few stairs to your private jetty, where you can dive into nature's plunge pool and wake yourself up. For those wanting to venture farther afield, boats can be organised to take you into deeper waters for fishing expeditions, a spot of snorkelling or scuba diving.
Adventurers may want to try their hand at jet-skiing or swimming with the sharks, while romantics can use the resort's private islet, Motu Tapu, for a secluded picnic. If the hedonism of resort life ever gets too much, there is always a shuttle boat service to the village of Vaitape, the major commercial hub on Bora Bora's main island. Air Tahiti Nui flies from Sydney to Papeete three times a week.
Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa has Lagoon View rooms starting at $A467 ($NZ521) per person, per night, twin share. Flights from Papeete to Bora Bora are available through French Polynesia's domestic airline Air Tahiti. The writer was a guest of Creative Holidays and Air Tahiti Nui and stayed at the Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa.
you call that a holiday?
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