Travel Blog Posts
April 19th 2009
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 ... read more
April 18th 2009
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 informed us she was 83! We took them to the Marine Research Centre and were able to see baby Giant Clams and young, brilliantly coloured coral. Lunch at Koru Cafe. Owned by Kiwi / Maori/ ... read more
April 17th 2009
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 the evening, Emma - host extraordinaire had procured Vince some Jungle Juice! Yeast, golden syrup and sugar,... read more
April 15th 2009
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 Scott Chardonnay ... read more
April 14th 2009
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 blend of pawpaw, coriander, lime, sweet chilli salsa, served with potato croutons and stir fried vegetables LV - hot chocolate cake Kim Crawford Pinot Gris Our taxi was driven by Liza. She was born in NZ to ... read more
April 13th 2009
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 own ice bucket! Walk next door to Manuia for Scotch and life story of Mi'i and her marriage / boyfriend problems... read more
April 12th 2009
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 ... read more
April 11th 2009
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.... read more
April 10th 2009
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! ... read more
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