Bug Time

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Once back from Akaiami we spent a few days on Aitutaki exploring the island by the help of a rented scooter. Before you can drive in Cook Islands you need to get a special Cook Island driving licience. The police figure that if you can drive from the rental garage to the police station and get there in one piece then you are a safe driver. Managed to get to the police station safely however finding a policeman to get the licience was slightly more difficult. We asked someone in the local market when the police were coming back and were told there were no policemen today and to come back tomorrow. So off we went driving around with no licience, life is very laid back in Aitutaki!

Whilst on our scooter travels we came across all our favorite fruit growing naturally in fields and alongside the road. No refused to believe bananas grew upwards until he saw for himself however still considers it illogical. That leads me onto Pineapples, how can such a huge fruit cultivate on such a small stem? No had wanted to grow mango's at home but soon reconsidered when he saw the size of the tree, again pondering the question how such a massive fruit can dangle from such a fragile vine? Will never look at the exotic fruit section in Tesco in the same way again - provided that they are still two for one, how rude!

After a long day driving and exploring all you want to do is get home and relax. Returning to our elevated wooden garden house all hell broke lose when I began cooking that evening. All sorts of creepy crawlies and "massive brown things" that had been hiding in the garden fought their way in. No never sat down all evening! Between No and the six Gecko's in the house I think it took about two hours to get the insect population down to size. It then took a further hour to sort out the mozzi nets, brushing the bugs off the net every few minutes - lovely.

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Photos

Aitutaki Lagoon
Vantage Point Looking Out Across Aitutaki Lagoon

Banana Plantation
Green Nana's

Mango's
Huge Wild Mango Tree

Sunset
Yet Another Lovely Sunset

Bed Time
No's Mozzi Net Handy Work