Bora Bora Liquid Festival: Be One With The Waters
Bora Bora Liquid Festival : An Aquatic Games and Culture Appreciation – Close your eyes and say the word: Bora Bora. Ah, yes, even the word itself brings us to a place of quality peace and blue waters that will calm the strong waves of our hearts. Just even saying it is as smooth and serene as the sand and soothing sails it brings. This island in French Polynesia, just 160 miles northwest of Tahiti, serenades us to travel to the Pacific Ocean. The people who have stayed in this island and who their beliefs rooted in its culture and traditions are familiar with the motto called “Aita pea pea” which means “Do not worry.” Their stress-free and laidback philosophy is as calm and still as the waves. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, then, to celebrate this view in and with the waters of Bora Bora itself?
Bora Bora Liquid Festival
The Bora Bora Liquid Festival has been formed to celebrate, compete, and cool down literally in and with the waters. As compared to their annual Bora Bora Heiva Festival of singing, dancing, and games, this is one of those festivals that are solely focused on a specific thing, here being a water-themed event. Just this year, they ended 2011 with their Liquid Festival that took place at the Matira Beach from December 12 to 18. In fact, most of the people who joined this year’s Bora Bora Liquid Festival were very glad that it took place right before the holidays. With this schedule, it did not have to interfere with the families’ Christmas time. Actually, this isn’t the first time they have experienced an aquatic-themed celebration as the Bora Bora Liquid Festival (previously known as the Bora Bora IronMana) used to be done in 2000 and mainly focused on paddling competitions. All thanks to the efforts and works of Stephan Lambert, an aquatic sports athelete, the event has expanded and broadened over the years that not only are the aquatic games celebrated but also Tahitian culture as well. For this year, those seven days brought them long and competitive swimming, outrigger races, sprinting, and other energy-driven games. For those who wished to bond with the sand rather than the waters, alternatives such as music, DJ spinning, barbecue gatherings, parties, children activities, shark and ray feeding opportunities, water sports demonstrations by local and world-class athletes, buffets, free and/or discounted tours, and the very custom-based dancing were all there to entertain and bring just as much delight. This year’s Bora Bora Liquid Festival ended with a farewell party. This last celebration was done for all the awarding, recognitions, and a wonderful opportunity to mix and mingle with all the residents.