Posts Tagged ‘tourism’
The History Of Bora Bora
Written by MichaelZ on May 7, 2012 – 3:03 am -The island of Bora Bora may be small, but it can lay claim to a rich and proud history that has added to its unique appeal.
The island Bora Bora in the South Pacific was formed as a result of a series of volcanic eruptions centuries ago. Originally it was known in the name Vava’u after some migrants from Polynesia moved to this island during the fourth century AD, for settling down. The many great warriors among these early Polynesian inhabitants built numerous maraes, with stones and corals during the tenth century. The remnants of these maraes seen throughout the island are the memoirs of the existence of those Polynesian settlers.
Bora Bora was discovered in 1722 by Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen. After the arrival of British explorer Captain James Cook in 1770, a European settlement was established. Protestant missionaries were among the settlers, which enabled them to, converted several Polynesians to Christianity. Bora Bora became a predominantly Christian island, with Protestantism, as it’s most common branch.
Forty years after France’s annexation of Tahiti, Vava’u became a French protectorate in 1888. The name was changed to “Bora Bora”, as it is still known today. This name was Anglicized variation of the word “pora pora”, which means, “first born”. The island was named such as legend has it that the island was formed after the neighboring Polynesian island of Raiatea was formed.
Perhaps the most important event in Bora Bora’s history was the Second World War, for its aftermath was the island’s rapid development into the tourist destination many people know today. Shortly after the Japanese attacks on American military facilities in Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, and the Philippines in December 1941, the United States Armed Forces sought to reinforce their beleaguered combat units in these territories by establishing a supply base halfway between Continental America and the actual fighting.
The supply effort known as Operation Bobcat saw the construction of runways and taxiways for medium-sized aircraft, oil storage tanks, supply depots, and a defensive battery of long-range naval guns, all within 18 months. At one point, the base housed no less than 6,000 American military personnel - roughly equal to the island’s native population at the time. The supply base on Bora Bora officially closed in the months following the formal Japanese surrender that brought an end to the war, but many American soldiers who were once part of Operation Bobcat opted to remain on the island.
During the post-war years fame about the beautiful island, which was once used as an American supply base, spread like wild fire throughout the rest of the world. The Bora Bora Island’s only airport, which was constructed by the Americans, is so famous up to date. It attracted numerous numbers of overseas travelers. This made the local tourism industry to grow more rapidly and is able to accommodate the visitors coming all the year round and it became the main economic resource of the island.
The island of Bora Bora did not improve much in fields other than tourism for more than 10 years after the Second World War. The island did not have even a proper public transport system since its people were happy riding bicycles and small 4-wheeled vehicles. Instead of diverting their attention in other fields, the people made their land a heaven for tourists who visited Bora Bora from all over the world.
Cecelia Owens loves travel and she does freelance writing for the top South African travel comparison website, BestFlights.co.za offering Flights to Bora Bora.
Tags: bora bora, island, tourism, tourist destinationPosted in Air Travel | Comments Off
Tahiti Nightlife
Written by MichaelZ on February 28, 2012 – 3:32 am -There is nothing more magical or serene then watching the sun sink low behind the coral reefs and lagoons that Tahiti is famous for. But as the sunset changes the sky from blue to pink with every shade of orange and red finally ending in an explosion of purple and black, the nightlife on the island is just beginning.
Start of the night with a magical journey by visiting restaurants serving French, Chinese, Vietnamese and Polynesian cuisine. Order yourself Poisson Cru, which is better known as “ia ota” when searching for traditional Polynesian food. This is a national dish consisting of red tuna, marinated in coconut milk and limejuice.
In keeping with the traditions of Polynesia, dinner must be accompanied by a show. In Tahiti traditional grass skirts accentuate the hip swiveling, while the music consists of drumbeats on instruments made from sharkskins; this is the ‘ote’a. Fire is featured in another example, where the loincloth-clad dancers are energetic in their twirling of live fire.
If you prefer to eat on the go as you stroll along the streets there are many sidewalk cafes and mobile cafes known as roulettes that offer everything from crepes to pizza.
Judging by the drinking establishments and clubs who line the waterfront it’s clear that Tahitians enjoy having a good time. Many of the clubs and bars feature extended hours. Tahitians are able to party, “bar hop” or “pub crawl” as late as possible during the week, and through the night during the weekend.
The upper expensive scale houses many private clubs or discotheques into which tourists are permitted. These private clubs offer everything including poolrooms and dance floors with live music and one even offers under the same roof, a cyber cafe, bar and disco hall.
As beer is a national drink in Tahiti, you will be able to enjoy a bottle of Hinano beer while Tahitians are playing on their guitars.
But on the more risqué side Tahiti also offers a wide variety of late night strip clubs and shows. One famous club features male transvestites, better known as “rae rae” performing as female impersonators.
But if you are even more daring and adventurous why not try getting a legendary tattoo from where it all began. The word tattoo actually comes from the Tahitian word “tatau” which means, “to strike”. There are many tattoo artists that still use the original black Tahitian ink for ancient tribal designs and the design is tapped into your skin using the traditional boar’s tusk comb.
As a freelance writer for BestFlights.co.za, Cecelia Owens writes travel related articles for this top South African travel comparison website as well as the “The Tahiti Guitar Festival” article.
Tags: entertainment, Flights, nightlife, tourismPosted in Air Travel | Comments Off
The Phenomenal Bay Of Fundy
Written by MichaelZ on February 18, 2012 – 5:16 pm -Visit Atlantic Canada’s Bay of Fundy and explore one of the planet’s most striking and bold shores!
Home to the highest tides in the world, the Bay of Fundy is a 270 km (170 mile) long ocean bay that stretches between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on Canada’s east coast. Each day 100 billion tons of seawater flows out and in of the Bay of Fundy during each and every tide cycle. That’s more than the flow of all the world’s freshwater rivers combined!
Visitors can see 2 striking low and high tides every 24 hours. The time between a high tide and a low tide is, on average , six hours and 13 minutes. As such, you can reasonably expect to see one high and one low tide during daylight hours. Tide times move ahead approximately sixty minutes everyday and tide times alter somewhat for different locations around the Bay. Check with the community you are preparing to visit for correct high and low tide time schedules.
Bay of Fundy cuisine is one not to be skipped! Lobster, mussels, smoked salmon, scallops, and other fresh fish are perfect dishes to have with Fundy’s award winning wines. As well as traditional harvest of wild blueberries and maple products, Fundy bistros, inns and farm markets feature a great variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. If you dare, sample Fundy’s popular eatable seaweed snack: Dulse!
Attractions demonstrating Fundy’s dynamic ecology and geology are spread through-out the region. Such crown jewels of the Fundy seascape include national and provincial parks, coastal hiking trails, natural history museums, lighthouses and tide harbours. The region’s culture and history are celebrated at Fundy interpretation centres, historic sites, museums, horticultural display gardens, and workmen’ studios.
Experience genuine Fundy hospitality with accommodations celebrating the Bay’s rich architectural heritage. Choose from a broad selection of full-service hotels, characteristic country inns, historic B&Bs, and beautifully crafted coastal cottages.
Team up with visitors of the Bay of Fundy as they celebrate, preserve, and share the earth’s most dramatic and diversified tidal environment. It’s a visitor experience unlike any other on the planet!
For more Bay of Fundy facts and info about the Bay of Fundy tides, visit bayoffundy.com
Tags: Bay of Fundy, Cuisine, Ecology, tourismPosted in Air Travel | Comments Off