Raiatea and Bora Bora are two islands of the Society group. They lie a 20 minute flight or 2 1/2 hour ferry ride apart. Raiatea is known as the ancient heart of Polynesian society. Bora Bora is known for its dramatic landscapes, multicolored lagoon, and iconic over-water bungalow accommodations.
 

From the air, a view of Raiatea reveals its three main mountain masses, the deeply indented coastline, and the numerous small offshore islands.
 

Uturoa is the main town, featuring a small cruise port, a market, cute shops and churches, and street art on walls and piers. it has the only secondary school outside of Tahiti.
 

Our accommodation was a beach bungalow across from the barrier coral reef with access to a boathouse where kayaks and snorkelling gear were available.

Motus are small low-lying coral-sand islands. Accessible to the public, they are popular destinations for kayaking or catamaran expeditions. 
 

Taputapuatea is a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its complex of Polynesian marae, structures with political ceremonial and funerary functions, where the world of the living intersected with the ancestors and gods. 
 

The octopus symbol illustrates how Raiatea was the center of Polynesian culture over 1000 years of ma'ohi civilization, extending from New Zealand (Aotearoa) to Hawai'i and Easter Island (Rapa Nui).

In the shallow waters surrounding the island are several pearl farms which cultivate the Tahitian black lip oyster pearls.

Promenade des Gabbros is a fascinating walk on the crest of a volcano to view magmatic oddities.
 

The Faaroa Botanical Garden displays many species of flowers and tropical plants.
 

It is a delight to watch the island children commute daily in their open-air school buses.

The fledgling tourist market offers products designed by local artisans.
 

The flight into Bora Bora offers a spectacular view over the lagoon, its motus and the strings of overwater bungalows.

A ferry taking passengers from the airport's island to the main town of Vaitape provides a great view of the two peaks of Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu.
 

Transportation around the island is provided by colorful shuttle buses, taxis or rental cars and scooters.

There are few reminders of Bora Bora's significant military history as a base for the American convoys in the South Pacific during World War II.

Bora Bora has one road which circles the 8-square mile main island offering pretty vistas of its shoreline.

In the village of Anau is a cute church, an elementary school, and a large banyan tree said to be the inspiration for the Avatar movie.

Along the northeastern coastline are ancient petroglyphs, rock engravings which depict ancestral stories.
 

Local cuisine is excellent with a variety of French, Italian and Polynesian inspired dishes.

Bora Bora's lagoon is thriving due to extraordinary efforts to preserve coral reefs. A rich variety of tropical fish can be seen.

Popular snorkelling excursions in Bora Bora include shark and ray tours and stops at "coral gardens." We saw many fish in the waters off the beach of our resort.