I think from Taha'a you can get over to Raiatea by water taxi. You can rent a car there and "tool around". It is alot less touristy than BB, for sure, but it has struck me as quite friendly too. There are lots of yachters around these two islands, which usually means laid-back types.

I visited the BB Pearl in June, did I tell you that? It seemed very nice, but then so are lots of places. I can understand how the OWB is a dream for you, would you get one of these at Taha'a?

I guess there's nothing at the Hotel Bora Bora? I know Cyndi loved her stay there in May--anything available at all in BB?