Blogs from Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Oceania - page 3

Have you ever wondered how to crack an coconut open? Well, here is a guide on how to do it. First you need the nut itself. On these islands they are lying around all over the place. We just stopped an picked one up along the road. Then you'll need a sharp stick. We found a steel bar used in concrete structures lying on the parking lot. That will do it! Stick the bar in the ground and use it to remove the fluffy cover of the nut. With a steel bar like this it takes some hitting and bending to remove it. When you uncovered the nut you'll need a good rock with a bit of an edge to smash it open. Something from the garden will do just fine. The coconut has three "eyes" ... read more

Did I say next stop the Cook Islands? . . we almost didn't make it, as little did I know I was travelling with a terrorist . . when Geen got stopped and was randomly searched, her hand luggage tested positive for explosives!!! I had already passed through customs so was completely unaware of the mayhem unravelling behind me, thinking Bloomy was just making eyes at the Security guards as usual (ha!), but no, after being subjected to a sniffer dog and frisking, she was finally allowed through, looking completely unruffled. That's my girl! Having left NZ on Thursday 16th July, we arrived in Rarotonga on Wednesday the 15th July. No, this is not a typing error. After a 4 hour flight, we passed through the international dateline and gained 22 hours. I still can't get ... read more

We arrived at 6:30 am and as we walked off the plane the heat and humidity felt like we had a hot wet blanket thrown over us. Quite a contrast from the temperature on the aircraft. Why is it that they try to freeze you to death on any flight, you would think it costs extra to heat the cabin to a reasonable temperature. Anyway, that aside, Rarotonga is a stunningly beautiful tropical island surrounded by white sandy beaches with several lagoons to swim and snorkel in. The pace of life is majestically slow and everyone seems very friendly, Yesterday we took the local bus ride into the capital Avarua. The bus route follows the only road on the island; one bus goes clockwise and the other anti-clockwise. The route round the island is only 32 ... read more

What is rare here, well the beautiful orange flower only grown here in Raratonga. Fast Speed Internet is also a rarity. I was not able to send my blog out while on the island. To upload 20 pictures it would take 6 hours. The connection will only last about 15 minutes before severing. The cost per hour for internet is 10 NZD. A no brainer-I will have to wait to get to Auckland. Rarotonga is in the southern group of the Cook Islands and hold half of the population just under 20,000 people. It is the largest island at 67 sq. kilometers and the coastal road being 32 kilometers. One of the highest peaks is the “Te Rua Manga”aka the Needle is 653 meters. The island is encircled by a reef with a lagoon that ... read more

Well, the time is finally here.... time for me to start saying my goodbyes to paradise and start thinking about heading off to my next adventure. The last few weeks here on Rarotonga have been absolutely amazing. I completed my Divemaster and have been having the time of my life. The people I have met and the memories we have made are absolutely priceless and as I look forward to coming home to see all of those that I have thanked so much for their support, I am a bit apprehensive because my life has changed so much since I left. When I got here I was still a New Yorker at heart, clinging to my Blackberry for dear life and desperately wondering what the hell I had gotten myself into. Now, I abhor the idea ... read more