Let's start with the overwater bungalow because that's what puts Bora Bora over the exotic edge.
The whole idea of accommodation straddling the ocean was born in French Polynesia - the scattering of 118 South Pacific islands of which Bora Bora is the marquee name. When I first saw a photo of an overwater bungalow, I vowed one day to sleep in one.
What better place for the dream to come true than at the Four Season Resort in Bora Bora, which opened last fall and is already considered one of the finest hotels in the world.
It's home to 100 overwater bungalows, all with a view across the lagoon to Mount Otemanu.
"Of course, when we were building this resort overwater bungalows had to be featured prominently," said Four Season manager Sebastien Carre. "It's what people expect and anticipate when they visit this island."
There's the primate aspect of thatched roofs and a little house on stilts, but inside it's a luxury hotel suite complete with private veranda and ladder into the ocean for swimming.
Because it's so distinctive, other tourist hotspots around the world have adopted the overwater bungalow - namely Fiji, Bermuda, Belize, Mauritius and the Maldives.
Bora Bora has many other things going for it: There's the year-round ideal tropical climate; water the most incredible hues of blue, green and crystal; and excursions ranging from circumnavigating the island on jet skis to swimming with sharks.
When my family and I were there we took Raanui Tour's Lagoon Excursion, which included feeding five-foot-long reef sharks that apparently prefer eating fish over humans.
Our outing with Matiru Jet Tours was led by speed demon and showman Rapha Leechipsao, who says he's shown Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie around the island.
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