Day 17 of LA to London 2023.

“I wish I could tell you about the South Pacific. The way it actually was. The endless ocean. The infinite specks of coral we called islands. Coconut palms nodding gracefully toward the ocean. Reefs upon which waves broke into spray, and inner lagoons, lovely beyond description. I wish I could tell you about the sweating jungle, the full moon rising behind the volcanoes, and the waiting. The waiting. The timeless, repetitive waiting.”

― James A. Michener, Tales of the South Pacific

I have never read the book or watched it on Broadway. Nor have I ever watched any movie version of Tales of the South Pacific. But the above excerpt from the book nails the description of the South Pacific Islands (no surprise). At least it does for the ones I've seen.

Three days ago we were in Bora Bora, part of the Society Islands archipelago in French Polynesia in the South Pacific. It is considered by some to be the most beautiful island in the world!

I recall being completely enchanted by its beauty on my first visit in 2019. It is small (only 12 sq. miles) but breathtaking, surrounded by a lagoon and barrier reef (like almost all of the islands). In the center is the remnant of an extinct 2-peaked volcano, rising to more than 2000 feet at its highest point. The volcanic mountain drops abruptly and dramatically to the lagoon shore below.

It rained the day we were there, and the normally tranquil and turquoise (or emerald) lagoon waters were choppy, but still spectacular.

When we visited in 2019 it was clear and the views were post-card perfect. Since I had never posted pics from that visit, I have included a few here.