Breakfast LV - same same TC 5 slices pawpaw, tiny banana, 5 pieces watermelon, coconut slices Filtered coffee Lunch: no shops open for pies - I seriously did go searching - so forced to go to Samade on the Beach (O'otu) BBQ tuna, chicken. Curried Pawpaw salsa, crunchy salad with green, orange and red capsicum, crispy potato bake. One of our best - and cheapest meals, with a gorgeous view of the lagoon (and the St Kentigern's rugby team cavorting in the water). Tiger beer Dinner: BBQ at Tamanu [View Full Entry]

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Breakfast - same As we had promised the three Canadian sisters, we went to meet them at their resort (Aitutaki Lagoon Resort). Doris hadn't been feeling very well, but we were able to take Rachel and Janine on the back of our bikes for a bit of a tour around the island. They said they had felt like prisoners at their accommodation, with everything costing an exhorbitant amount of money. They also said that the owner had employed Fijian staff at $2 per hour because the locals refused to work there. We had a great time with the sisters - Janine [View Full Entry]

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Breakfast - same as yesterday Lunch provided by "The King "(Teking) as part of our day on the fabulous Aitutaki Lagoon. Salads, fruit, coconut, jellied banana, BBQd tuna, chicken, banana, egg plant, onion - magnifique. The King is a Highlanders fan, so would serve only Tui beer. Dinner at te Vaka: TC - Maitai LV - G and T TC - seafood bouillabaisse with crayfish, crab, fish, squid, scallops and garlic toastLV crayfish with garden salad and island fries - which although promised, wouldn't share nicely! (I had to steal when LV was distracted) Villa Maria Chardonnay 2007 Later in [View Full Entry]

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Last Raina Breakfast (thank goodness) we just ate the oranges and pawpaw plus our own chubby bananas. Now to Aitutaki. Lunch at Tauono’s: Starfruit juice Vegetables (capsicum, spinach, chives, chillis) picked immediately before cooking and Spinach omelette. What a fantastic meal. Every mouthful was delicious Dinner: te Vaka - the restaurant attached to our accommodation LV - Maitai TC - Tamanu Sunset Pacific Bouillabaisse - prawns, crab, squid, fish, poached in a reef fish broth finished with roast tomato and garlic butter with crème fraiche and garlic bread Alan Sco [View Full Entry]

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Breakfast - same but with fat little market bananas Morning tea - LV had three espressi while finishing her 'Lovely Bones' book at Saltwater Cafe. TC - Flat White Lunch same as yesterday, but extra yummy basil from ladies on roadside TC went snorkelling today. Dinner at Vaima: TC - Ika Mata - traditional to Cook Islands. Fresh fish cooked and marinated in lemon juice and coconut cream with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and shallots LV - prawn twisters. Sweet chilli soy seafood sauce Mains - Catch of the Day. Fresh swordfish fillet grilled and served with an island-European b [View Full Entry]

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By now we were in need of decent coffee - LV found just the place. We were to revisit it many times subsequently. We also found a fabulous garden - nobody home, but we paid a donation and had a good wander. The basil was a wee bonus. Breakfast: wholemeal toast, banana, orange, pawpaw, cup of tea Morning tea - LV espresso, TC Flat White at Saltwater Cafe Lunch - same as yesterday with soft boiled egg and illicit basil! Dinner courtesy of Portofino Italian Takeaways: TC - Pasta alla Vongole LV - Pasta Marsala Soggy Chips Veuve Clicquot with its [View Full Entry]

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Easter Sunday, so not a lot happening around the island today. Needless to say we relaxed, read, swum, snorkelled and tootled around the island - and of course made sure we lined up somewhere to have dinner! Breakfast: Toast and banana (LV - marmalade), orange, pawpaw, cup of tea Morning tea: crackers, antipasti Lunch - ditto yesterday [View Full Entry]

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This was a day to explore the island on our bikes, swim, snorkel and get a few lunch supplies from the supermarket in Avarua. I think there may have been a bit of relaxing with a book as well. Breakfast: muesli, banana, pawpaw Morning Tea: SPCA sausage on white bread with onion, tomato sauce and mustard Lunch: Cheese rolls, White Castello, chutney, toms, (TC - paté) Dinner at Windjammer - part of the Crown Hotel. This was outstanding, and again walking distance from our accommodation. [View Full Entry]

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It felt a long time coming, but we were finally on the plane. Dinner on NZ848 - beef stroganoff pie with potato salad! Surprising, but best pie EVER! [View Full Entry]

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What a great way to start our holiday [View Full Entry]

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