Bye Bye Bora Bora, it was fun but…

The photos of Bora Bora being pulled to the ground have been met with an outpouring of online tears as yet another Ibiza icon comes to a crashing end. It was a similar story when Space closed for the last time and its no coincidence that these 2 venues were inextricably linked throughout the 90’s and noughties ‘glory days’.

As is now usual at these times the ‘Ibiza has lost its soul’ posts have appeared on social media with many reminiscing about the ‘good old days’ when Ibiza had spirit but they also fail to mention that during these times the single carriage road between Ibiza Town and San Antonio was the most dangerous in Spain and most hotel air conditioning was opening a single glazed window.

The rose tinted glasses are hard to remove at times like these and of course it’s sad when any iconic institution closes down. It’s never easy to say goodbye but it does feel like the right time to move on.

Bora Bora was a mythical daytime venue that defied logic and created memories that can never be forgotten but it was of a certain time, a very different time. Ibiza has moved on in ways we could never have imagined and whether you like it’s direction or not, it’s a runaway train that can’t be stopped.

Bora Bora’s location on the seafront in Playa den Bossa is now prime real estate screaming out for a makeover especially when you look around at the resort and see where the market is going with luxury hotels mixing in with world class venues. Whatever happens at the new venue it won’t be as much fun as Bora Bora and it definitely won’t be as messy but for sure it will be more discerning and a lot more expensive. Welcome to the new Ibiza.

These decisions aren’t taken lightly but as the fun police have been coming down hard in recent years there are better ways to make money and the big investment coming into the island shows that there’s no shortage of those wanting a piece of the action.

So by all means shed a few tears for a past love that was part of a romantic story of a bygone age now confined to the history books like Ku’s open air parties, Garlands daytime parties at Kanya and even the Festival Club but also be excited that Ibiza is once again leading the way in reinventing itself for the next generation of demanding thrill seekers who require specifics to stimulate their instagram feed. You might not like it but you can’t stop progress.

The new Ibiza goes from strength to strength, the direction of the aforementioned runaway train doesn’t sit well for many which is understandable but if you were one of the lucky ones who was able to sample those magic mornings in Space then straight to the lunacy of Bora Bora be content that you were able to experience something that the next generation will never be able to as they frantically search for those likes and affirmations on their filtered social media posts.

Those old, grainy 35mm developed photos of lost days at Bora Bora can never be undervalued or taken away so don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy that it happened and that you were one of the lucky ones able to tell the tale. Bye bye Bora Bora, it was fun but Ibiza has moved on.