When you're down by the sea ~ and an eel bites your knee ~ that's a moray!
The eastern part of the island is dominated by the spectacular basaltic mountain named "Otemanu," meaning the sea of birds, while the isles of Toopua and Toopua-iti are the remnants of the western rim. The ancient Polynesians called this island "PORAPORA" or first born, believing that it was the first island to rise after Havai'i or Raitatea.
Captain James Cook was the first westerner to sight Bora Bora in 1769. The London Missionary Society arrived in 1820 and most of the islanders converted to Protestantism. The missionaries staunchly supported local rule and enacted codes to keep Bora Bora out of the treaties signed between Pomare V and the French who did not annex the island until 1888.
During World War II, 5,000 American troops were dispatched to the island to establish a supply base for materials enrounte to the Solomon Islands. During that time, they built a wharf at Farepiti and the airstrip on Moto Mute. Although this airstrip was closed after the war, it was reactivated in 1951 and used as the international airfield of French Polynesia until the jet strip was completed on Tahiti in 1961.
The Bora Bora Motu is a strip of white sand, isolated, yet with an open bar, shaded palm trees and beautiful clear turquoise waters. Famous for its spectacular sunsets, the sun never fails to kiss the horizon before it disappears in a blaze of glory.
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