Before heading ashore with Flat Hal and Flat Stanley today we tried to think of why Bora Bora is an island so many people have heard of, and know the name of, even if they don’t know it is in the Society Islands, or French Polynesia.
We started our learning with the help of Gemini AI:
Bora Bora’s rise to fame in the United States can be pinpointed to World War II.
While the island was known to explorers and traders before, it was the US military’s presence during the war that truly put Bora Bora on the American map. In 1942, the US established a military supply base on the island, complete with an airstrip, seaplane base, and fortifications. This operation, known as “Operation Bobcat”, brought nearly 7,000 soldiers and a significant amount of equipment to the island.
Although Bora Bora didn’t see any combat, the soldiers stationed there experienced the island’s beauty and tranquility. Many were reluctant to leave after the war ended, contributing to the growing image of Bora Bora as a paradise.
The infrastructure built during the war, particularly the airport, also played a crucial role in Bora Bora’s postwar development. It facilitated tourism, which eventually became the island’s main economic activity.
Therefore, while Bora Bora was discovered much earlier, it was during World War II that it truly captured the American imagination and began its journey to becoming the renowned tourist destination it is today.
What we saw today sure fit with that island paradise description. The scenery was amazing, and I have been told for years there is nothing like Sunset in Bora Bora.
