Travelers in the world’s most romantic locations often choose to memorialize their relationship with a lock left on a local landmark, and now travelers to Bora Bora will have the ability to do the same in a specialized garden at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, the resort announced Thursday.
Those amorous travelers licking their wounds after learning that padlocks placed by lovers on the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris were removed by city officials out of fear that the tons of metal would compromise the integrity of the bridge’s structure can head out to the farthest reaches of Gallic influence to island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia to place a lock in the hotel’s “Secret Garden of Love”. The hotel suggests that guests bring their own personalized love lock, but also has them available for sale for more spontaneous moments.
Guests can select between trees bearing symbols which have significance in Polynesian culture. Signage near each tree describes the significance of each symbol:
- The turtle is one of the most important and popular elements in Polynesian culture. It symbolizes many meanings including long life, wellness, fertility, union, family, and harmony.
- The sun in Polynesian culture often stands for riches, brilliance, grandness, and leadership. Similar to other cultures, the sun’s periodic rising is regarded as eternity and connected to rebirth.
- Seashells often symbolize shields, protection and intimacy in Polynesian culture. The designs have many variations and styles. Bivalve shells symbolize couples and marriage.
- Lizards are an important part of Polynesian beliefs and are regarded as forms of demigods who can speak to gods, watch the hidden world, and are believed to be ancestors of the Polynesian people.
After they place their lock, guests can deposit the key in the garden’s tiki for safekeeping.
The InterContinental Resort Bora Bora & Thalasso Spa is located on Motu Piti Aau on Bora Bora. The resort features 80 overwater villas with a split-level terrace and sundeck. Guests planning to marry while in Bora Bora can do so at the resort’s glass-floored overwater wedding chapel.
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