Ana's visit to Bora Bora! A relaxing day on the Lagoon!

Being an independent photographer here in Bora normally keeps me busy.  When not in the field, I spend a good deal of time at home working on photos & video!

A few weeks back, I welcomed my good friend Ana from Peru; May was a busy month but I did when possible expose her to the Magical Beauty of Bora Bora.  Ana having a great personality she also rapidly became friend with many people here which allowed her to get a true feel of the life here!

This post is to describe in photos a wonderful day we spent touring the lagoon, thanks to my good friend FanFan to have taken us on the tour this day!

The conditions were perfect, sunny and crystal clear waters!  We boarded his large touring catamaran and our first stop was at the Coral Garden, a very popular and beautiful spot abounding with tropical fish to enjoy some snorkeling.

Next we headed close to the Reef for a close encounter with the Sting Rays and Black tips sharks swarming around!  Both stops were just magical, something that can't be expressed in words or photos!  - You have to live it!

The tour being done, we headed to his Motu (small Island) where we enjoyed a traditional lunch, "poisson cru" and BBQ Mahi Mahi; needless to say that the peacefulness of the place and the food was something that will stay in your one's memory for ever!

A very relaxing lunch with a short nap and then more snorkeling near the Motu!  We walk a few hundred yards and then starting swimming away from the beach to find the downward current that would allow us to drift back where we came from.  The objective was for us to find the Eagles Rays that are commonly in the area! And what a beautiful surprise, when we saw them!  I think this day will stay in Ana's memory for ever!  We could not have asked for better!

Eagles Rays near the reef!

I am pretty sure that Ana will be back to Bora Bora!

Click read more to see a few more photos!

Opening night of the Heiva 2015 in Bora Bora - #borabora

Last night was the opening night of the Bora Bora Heiva 2015!  Short post just to share a few photos, despite a few rain showers, the Otea performed by Faanui was spectacular!  Many young dancers are in the troupe and they should be an inspiration for the new generations to come!

May French Polynesia never lose its culture!

Opening day of the Heiva 2015 in Bora Bora!

To me this is the most exciting time of the year in Bora Bora!  The Heiva is the most fantastic event to be seen through out French Polynesia!

Tonight is the opening night in Bora Bora and I will be there!  I will be posting photos on this blog through out the event!

If you are visiting during this period, you should come out of your resort and attend this fantastic authentic show; tonight will start with the presentation of the Himene with Tipoto and the Otea with Faanui.

Last year was especially special to me as my daughter was welcomed to dance with Nunue!

Here are a few photos from last year.

A taste of the Lagoon - A private tour with Pierrot (Keishi Tours)

A few weeks back, I received a call from Pierrot of Keishi Tours (keishi-tour.com) to ask me if I was available to join clients on a private tour to film them.

Having filmed groups many times, I was of course not going to say no to a private tour on the Lagoon to film!

The friendly String Rays

We met in the morning, got everything ready and headed for the Hilton (Bora Nui) to pick up our clients.  We docked at the resort and met Cathy and her husband Matty (their western names).  Both were from China and were so eager to discover and spend the day on the lagoon!  They were such a nice and easy going couple that I knew this was going to be a vacation day for me!

We first stopped at a popular area for a close encounter with the friendly Sting Rays while Black Tips sharks were circling around.  Seeing their excitement made my day!

Our next stop was the Garden of Coral where they enjoyed snorkeling amongst the many species of tropical fish in the area!

The conditions could not have been better that day and being on this tour in private allowed us to be pretty much alone the entire time!

Pierrot then took us to his private Motu and proceeded to light the BBQ and set up the table for our guests!

Lunch is served!  Tahitian style "poisson cru", salad, local lobsters, chicken, shrimp kebabs, steaks & potatoes and fresh fruits to finish and all this with a nicely chilled bottle of Champagne; I think Cathy and Matty did not eat for the 2 days!

During this time I proposed to Cathy & Matty to take a few photos.  I did not have my land cameras but getting the Nex5 out of the underwater housing did the trick.

The lunch was simply amazing and there could not have been a more romantic setting in the world!

Take a peek at trailer of the video here!

Welcome to the Islands of Tahiti - Ia ora na, Maeva e Manava

Ia Orana from Bora Bora and congratulation to Linda & Jason!

 Back in February I had the privilege to be hired for one of the most wonderful photo-shoot a photographer could be part of!

Linda and Jason came to Bora Bora, we met at "Le Meridien" and I quickly saw the love in their eyes and the joy they carried - More than that, Linda was expecting and while it is rare here to be photographing excepting mothers; it was such a wonderful and fun experience!



They both were very natural, candid in posing and above all, soon to be proud parents!  Jeremy actually got to feel the positive energy of Bora Bora and a feel for the Lagoon before being born!

It is with great Joy that I received an email from them informing me of the birth of their Son Jeremy and so happy
to see a few photos!

Congratulation to both of you and the next time you are in Bora Bora, we will need to make room on the photos for the little guy!