Bom-Bora 2

It was windy  up at the pointy bit,  we were all oblivious that as were witnessing the beautiful  sail into Bora, the island was being issued with a code Red Alert.  We were mesmerized by these breaking waves on the reef, little did we know that Bora was experiencing it’s biggest swells in 5 years....

My good friends at the pursers desk had fixed it so that I could get my party of 12 off on the first tender.  Today we had booked with another Patrick to do the Lagoon Tour which included swimming with stingrays, reef sharks and enjoying a BBQ lunch of Lobster and chicken all washed down with French Champagne.....  This was going to be a highlight for quite a few of us....

We had gotten to the wharf early so we had a little time to kill before we were being picked up.  As we wandered around news was starting to filter around that this code red meant that all Commercial water activities were cancelled....   Princess made this announcement after we had left the ship so now we sitting there not knowing if anyone was going to turn up..... 

Our tour representative turned up with the sad news and explained that the conditions were going to be too dangerous to be out on the water .  We were given the option to change our tour to the 4 wheel drive around the Island, but as most of us had already done this the day before we decided against another one.

We hopped on the local shuttle  to Matira  beach and just like the monorail in Sydney each trip cost you $5 US no matter how long you stay on the bus. 

By this time we were hearing talk of several  resorts closing down and not accepting any visitors and when we got to the beach you could see why..... the locals were having a great time in their canoes and surfboards ..... we sat and watched them paddle out towards the reef and when you saw them turn and paddle you knew a big wave was coming..... Other locals were desperately trying to keep the swimmers out of the water as there was a strong rip and the boards and canoes were coming in so fast they were worried that someone would be knocked unconscious and drown.... Some of us just wet our feet but others who will remain nameless decided to take on the elements.....  

It was a spectacular sight seeing the waves crash like a Mexican wave, as it ran around the reef .  In such a short time you watched the waves crash further  up the shore....  It was estimated that the resort there would be under a couple of feet of water by high tide that afternoon.  People would be caught unaware whilst they stood on the edge and suddenly a freak wave would come up and knock them over.  We had heard of one bus load of passengers oblivious to what has happening  jumping straight off the bus, running to water’s edge snapping photo’s ... as you do.... those in the know standing back on the grass were gobsmacked as they watched them being hit by a couple of big waves.... they were all drenched and a couple had damaged to their cameras......

We decided to hop back on the shuttle and for another $5 we caught a ride back up to Bloody  Mary’s.....Bora’s most famous bar..... We stopped for a drink but stayed for lunch ..... and yes I did go and check out the men’s toilets.....  ( those who have been there will know)

Here we left the group and walked back down to the Pearl Farm which had some great photo opportunities... actually you can go anywhere in Bora and there is a great photo opportunity ... the island and it’s surrounds are so pretty.... We walked back up to Bloody Mary’s to catch the shuttle back into town, but decided to walk out on jetty first.... the water looked so inviting and was quite calm..... now whether on purpose or accidently Garry’s hat blew into the water.... so of course he had to jump in to retrieve it.... So nice was the water that it took a while for him to find the steps back up onto the Jetty....

Once back in town we just wandered around the shops and the markets, then it was back to the ship....

Don’t  you love Chinese whispers .... on our tender a man told us that passenger from the ship had drowned.... of course we just took it with a grain of salt...  After a couple of versions this is how we think it evolved...

A lady said to another passenger  “ with a swell like this, it is a miracle that no one has drowned”

Next person “ someone has drowned and the police were there”

Next Person “ someone from the ship has drowned and the police have closed the beach”

Well we sailed out of Bora on time so I think with did with all passengers accounted for!!

Anyway it was a good day and you could not help but take hundreds of photo’s as it is just so pretty....

Apparently there was consideration by the powers that be,  that today could have been a sea day.... to the relief of the staff.... and lucky for us  passengers  we managed to visit this port...