Day Three - Bus Trip to Avarua - Thursday 12 February 2009

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We went for breakfast again at about 7.45 but as it was raining decided not to go for a snorkel but take advantage of different activities for the day.

Firstly we all went back to our room and for a couple of games of May I, which Steve won - both of them - again!

Around 11 o'clock we all got ready for a trip to Avarua as we thought it would be a good time to go shopping as there wasn't much we could do in the way of "sun" activities. We caught the "clockwise" bus outside the resort and enjoyed the sights as we travelled into Avarua. After a bit of window shopping we went for lunch at the Salsa Café in the main street. Our lunch was delicious and we were joined by a very handsome rooster as we ate! Actually there were plenty of chickens around the town, not exactly what you see in the main street of our capital city! We ducked the showers as we walked around the town for souvenirs and gifts and evenually Steve decided to head back early while Mel and Jeni still looked around and enjoyed an icecream. After about two hours we headed back to the resort via the "anticlockwise" bus. We were very blessed as we didn't realise that the buses stopped between around 4.00 and 5.30 and we just made it onto the last one!

While we had shopped Steve took advantage of the quietness and enjoyed a sleep! We then got ready for dinner, which was delicious as usual. When we first arrived Mosese (one of the Fijian waiters) asked us if we would like to dine in the Blue Lagoon Restaurant (the fine dining choice) but we decided to make it for the next night as it would be our 10th Anniversary so Mosese said he would book a special table for us.

After dinner we all went back to our room for two games of May I - which again Steve won !!! He really was on a winning streak for the entire holiday. Afterwards he walked Mel back to her room and then we had a good night sleep.

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Photos

Yellow Threadfins
A couple of Yellow Threadfins from the breakfast deck - these are the fish that follow you all around when you're snorkelling!

Friendly Little Fellows
Taken from the breakfast deck - Yellow Threadfins mingled among the Blue Trevally, waiting for their breakfast bread!

Colourful Locals on the Bus
While on the bus to Avarua two Cook Island ladies got on with beautiful flower decorations in their hair - a very common sight in Cook Islands.

Steve and Mel at Salsa Cafe
Enjoying lunch in the courtyard of the Salsa Cafe in Avarua - the capital of the Cook Islands.

A Friendly Visitor
This rooster came and joined us for lunch!

The View from our Table
Canopies of poinsettia trees sheltered our lunch table - it was just beautiful, so leafy and cool.

Our Rooster Friend
He kept coming around all the time - was very friendly and extremely healthy looking!

Mountain Backdrop
Avarua is surrounded by mountains and were so rugged and beautiful.

Avarua Courthouse
The Courthouse is overshadowed by more beautiful, rugged mountains.

"Cook's Corner" and a Cloud-Shrouded Background
Cloud shrouded mountains are the backdrop to "Cook's Corner" - the main bus stop in Avarua.

More Rugged Mountains
A typical house with the rugged mountains that constitute the centre of Rarotonga.

And Even More
Palm trees and rugged mountains are the charactistic landmarks of the centre of Rarotonga.

Farm with A Magnificent Backdrop
A farm with the spectacular mountains behind.

Even More Mountains
Rarotonga is made up of rugged mountains forming the centre of the island. Steve actually climbed across these last time we were here!

A Modern Church on Rarotonga
Rarotonga has many churches, and this was one of the newer ones spotted from the bus on our way back to the resort.

Steve & Jeni - Ready for Dinner
Relaxed and enjoying our surroundings in Captain Andy's Beach Bar and Grill at the resort.

Beautiful Colours at Dusk
Pink glow in the sky across the lagoon at dusk.

Amazing Colours of the Sky
Across the chess board, with pink and purple shades reflected in the lagoon.

Blue Lagoon Fine Dining Restaurant
Mosese booked a table for us in this restaurant for the following evening to celebrate our 10th Anniversary.

Rarotonga Beach Resort & Spa Reception
The reception area at night - very pretty with the "ginger flower" lamps lit up.

Room 606 at the Resort
A lighted paua shell at the entrance to our room.