And, now…the final chapter in our wonderous Bora Bora story!

If you missed part three, head on over to Bora Bora – part three of four!

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Important side note: the people of the French Polynesian islands are some of the most kind, genuine and grounded individuals that I’ve ever met. Their calm and giving manner is refreshing and soothing. They kinda rule hard style and you need to meet some of them. I insist.

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Today, we’re gonna learn some Polynesian crafts…like many ways to to tie the pareos (Tahitian sarongs) they gave us, stuff with coconuts (karate chop!), how to make flower crowns and basket weaving. I’ma ask ’em if we can learn the basket weaving underwater…so, I can feel like I’m back in college with an undeclared major and my dad is giving me a hard time.

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Time to learn how to tie a pareo (sarong)!

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Now, we learn how to weave a purse. Mine started out well…

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Still looking good…

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Crap. What in the hell happened?? Abort operation! Abort! Abort!

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Oh, thank goodness. Our awesome instructor, Alicia, came over and saved me from imminent disaster. Here’s my sporty new purse! (that I totally didn’t make)

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Anyone want to try peeling a coconut? Meee! Meee!

(Let’s just say that I did NOT excel at this task)

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Drinkin’ out of a coconut…all Gilligan’s Island style and stuff.

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Now, we observe the makin’ of the coconut milk with sheer brute strength…swoon!

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These lovely ladies were so patient…now, they’re teaching us how to make flower crowns!

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Off to a slightly pitiful start…

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I just shoved it in my hair and hoped for the best.

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At this point…let’s flash back to my mention in part two about the spa having a Polynesian dude tattoo artist on staff. Guess who decided to get a tattoo, y’all??

My memory of the experience:

Listening to an island cover of Air Supply’s ‘Making Love Out of Nothing at All’ while laying on a table getting tattooed by a hot Polynesian dude at a spa with a koi fish lagoon outside the window is beyond nuts. Once again, my life is ridiculous.

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Tuhei, my super cute tattoo artist, did an awesome job on my new tiare flower. The fact that he was probably no older than 22 and didn’t speak much English just made him even more adorable.

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Now, for our evening plans…

Being picked up by a private boat for a ‘surprise’ farewell reception and dinner off-property…I can’t wait to see what this business is all about.

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Holy crap on a stick. This was our fricken’ ride.

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Heading off to the surprise location on a killer catamaran…

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Our wonderful hostess on the catamaran…she made us cookies and breads and fruity tropical beverages. And fruit. With flowers. I wanted to take her home with me.

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Then, she taught us cool stuff about the island. It was awesome!

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Rainbow. Because this place isn’t quite delightful enough already.

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Our chariot…picking us up from the catamaran for our evening adventure!

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THIS is our dinner location. A private bloody island. Dang!

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Our ride…he was hilarious and knew how to blow a mean conch shell.

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This is a horrible picture, but the gentlemen and ladies were all waiting on the dock for our arrival!

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Ahhh…sunset through the trees on the island.

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Our chef was so flippin’ funny!

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I totally took a picture with the Big Kahuna of Bora Bora.

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Time for some traditional Polynesian dancing. There was much grunting and stomping.

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Tahitian lady dancers…so pretty!

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Now, for the ‘remove your pareo and swing it around’ song. Butts! 🙂

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Coconut bra time!

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My dinner was ridonkulous.

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Fire dancing time!! Eeeeeee!!

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Wheeee! Fire!!

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More fire and spinning and wheee!!

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This one was a crazy formation of legs wrapped around other legs…it scared the crap out of me!

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Another terrible picture, but they were so amazing!

Oh, and that black mark on Patrick’s stomach? THAT’S WHERE A TORCH OF FIRE FELL ON HIS BELLY. No big whoop.

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My evening summary went a little something like this:

Brace yourself. Transported via private catamaran to a private motu (island), treated to a feast, boogied with Tahitian dancers in coconut bras (them, not us) and witnessed the coolest fire dancing show ever. Flaming batons thrown by hunky Polynesian dudes – check. Our host was Patrick, from two days ago. I paid no mind to his traditional banana hammock thong & tattooed butt cheeks situation, because that’s totally inappropriate and I would never do something like that.

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Only one slight ‘issue’ with my trip…

Apparently, Bora Bora bugs dig mostly just me. This is just a portion of the real estate they’ve taken over. The others in my group have maybe 20% of what I’ve got…just lucky, I guess! STILL TOTALLY WORTH IT.

Oh, and bring lots of mosquito repellent!!

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We’re supposed to depart Bora Bora today, but I think I’ll opt out. The resort won’t mind if I just live in my hut. Although, the new guests might get annoyed when that weird lady keeps yelling, “Hey, you two! Quit all that humpin’! I’m trying to sleep!”

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My last sight before leaving these amazing islands…Patrick, himself, in a French Polynesia tourism ad. He’s such a rock star, it’s just silly.

Goodbye Patrick and Bora Bora!!

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So, here’s what I gathered from this once-in-a-lifetime trip: visiting Bora Bora is something everyone absolutely MUST do before they die. It’s an unparalleled experience that cannot be missed. Going there won’t be cheap, but holy guacamole…it’ll be an expedition filled with wonderful people, stunning scenery and outstanding exploration that you will cherish forever!!

And, one more thing: if you do plan on visiting the crazy phenomenal Bora Bora, you definitely won’t go wrong with Air Tahiti Nui, Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa, Patrick with Maohi Nui and Christophe with Reef Discovery Bora Bora. They were all stellar!

I do hope you enjoyed our journey to Bora Bora, and if you have any questions, please do comment or message me! I’m happy to blab even more about my mind-blowing trip, if I can be of any help to you.

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Thank you so much for joining me and I look forward to our next adventure together!

M.
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