Blue lagoon

Elaine - another volunteer on this trip - decided to come along to Aitutaki with me and I'm glad she did. The prop plane zoomed off with us to Aitutaki in about 45 minutes and as the pilot made his descent, paradise rose from the sea. Imagine it: the endless, cobalt blue ocean and suddenly, an "island" of brilliant turquoise water, a hook-shaped island ringed with white beach and 15 small islands called motos, covered in palms. A quick tour around the island with a stop in town -choose the green store, a kind of mercantile where a woman was bbq-ing bright blue-green chunks of parrot fish for the $7NZ lunch special, or the brown store that sells pareaus. The yellow store was closed. Not much else there. Soon we were at the boat and sliding out into the lagoon. I've never seen water that colour - jewel-like and so clear. We stopped to wander around a small moto - nobody there except the ubiquitos Cook Islands chicken, which seems to be everywhere. Then a nice long snorkle where we saw hundreds of colourful fish and giant clams. No sign of a blue starfish yet, though. But I chased a flounder for a bit, and that was fun,. Back on board, the captain had fired up the grill and we feasted on broadbill, salads, coconut, paw paw, mango and banana pudding. Nicely full, we sailed to One Foot Island where the post office and bar are the opposite ends of the same counter - and don't you dare order a beer at the post office! More lazing, swimming, snorkling and wandering. We could walk out for what seemed like forever and the water never came above our knees in some spots, the bottom pure white sand. The only danger were sea cucumbers, a turd-like looking creature that lies on the bottom and is cringe-makingly disgusting if you step on it! Yes, I found a cat to pet and cuddle - she belongs to the postmaster. We had some rain and it was interesting to watch it move across the lagoon, but it didn't linger. We are back at the Kii Kii Motel by 6 and dined on broadbill (lucky for me I love it!) and had some wine and celebrated Judy's birthday, one of the volunteers. Then Elaine loaded her Aitutaki pics onto her Macbook and we all enjoyed the slide show.
I've cycled into town - more rain today :( - to post this at the 24-hour internet. The rest of the island closes today for the Sabbath. Off to church now and my plan after we have lunch in the church hall - an outdoor pavillion across the road - is to cycle the island today, stopping to snorkle and explore as the mood strikes.
I trust your Sunday is equally lovely and relaxing.
Hope all are well.
Linda

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