Bora Bora, 8-13-2017--Bicycling around Bora Bora

By David

The evening after the climb, we learned that Teava had a couple bicycles for rent at $15 per person for 4 hours, and that cycling all around the island was only a 20 mile ride. 

The next morning we were off at around 7:30am. Being a Sunday morning, traffic was minimal most of the way. We headed counter-clockwise up the less settled east side of the island, encountering only one hill of any note on the entire ride. Walking the bikes up, the hill took less than 10 minutes. 

Although ever on the lookout for a place to buy a cup of coffee and a pastry, there was no such place anywhere on the island that morning.   

We're off to circumnavigate Bora Bora by bike!

Heading up the east side of the island are great views of Mt. Otemanu

Circling around the island we get a view of the south side of Mt. Otemanu

There were dogs everywhere along the road, but in contrast to our general experience while bike touring elsewhere, none of them paid any attention to us.

Pearl in yet another idyllic setting

Behind this wall of green is a home. Throughout the islands, we've noticed that almost all the homes have fruit trees in the yards. Virtually everyone has at least a coconut palm or two and some combination of breadfruit, mangos, papayas and bananas.

Looking east toward Mts. Otemanu, Pahia and Ohue

A curious sight along the way were tombs in front of some homes.

Hoisting boats out of the water is something we haven't seen elsewhere in French Polynesia.  Presumably it's to keep marine growth from the boat bottoms.   

One of the few public beaches we found.  

And now for a reality check in the next few photos.
There was a surprising amount of trash along the road around the island. 

Some hotels appear to be doing well, but others have been abandoned.  The recession of 2008 hit the tourism industry hard in French Polynesia. 

Another hotel front left to the elements

The Sofitel, a luxury hotel across the street from our $35 per person per night tent B&B.  The receptionist quoted us a price of $850 per night for these over-the-water bungalows.  We were told by a disgruntled ex-guest that the internet only worked at the reception area!!??  

Our fellow guests from France, Gilles and Helene, arranged a little send off party for all of us.  

From the ferry we bid a farewell to Bora Bora...

...as we contentedly leave it behind.