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Published: February 5th 2008
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Kia Orana!
So here we are, our first proper entry in the blog. We arrived in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, after a mammoth 24 hr journey! We transited in L.A. It definitely gets our title as being the worst airport in the world (so far!) Loads of American inefficient efficiency culminating in John's surfboard not arriving with our bags at the end. Collette was rather affronted when the official who looked at her passport sneered " That's you?' cheeky as. As opposed to L.A, Rarotonga is the best airport. One flight a day and a resident Ukulele player to welcome new arrivals. Apparently, he's played every flight in and out of the island for the past 20 years!
Rarotonga is the biggest of several island, making up the Cook Islands. It is a tropical paradise with coral reefs and sparkling blue lagoons. Gorgeous. The island has one road around it which takes an hour to complete with colourful little bungalows, white churches and palms,fruit and taro groves either side. One thing that stood out was that each family has their own small family cemetery in their front garden. It is Summer there now which means the weather is very hot
and very humid. It was very stormy when we arrived for 4 days and lots of shops and bars on the north side of the island had boarded up because there was the possiblilty of a cylclone. In the end the cyclone hit further out, but it was very stormy!
There is one bus that operates around the island but a scooter is definitley the transport of choice. We rented one for a while which was cool. Everyone who wishes to drive around on one has to take a 'motorcyle proficiency test' at the police station. We use the term test lightly! John had to drive around the block and try not to fall off and he passed with flying colours! He is now the proud owner of a Cook Islands license :-)
For the first 4 days, we stayed on the south east of the island in a place called Muri Beach. This area has a large lagoon containing 3 small islands. Great for snorkelling, we saw Trigger fish- very inquisitive little buggers which like to bite your feet if you stay in the same place too long. None of the fish are particularly shy and are
often swimming around your legs before you even get snorkelling. John spotted a fish's head peeking out of the coral which later turned out to be a Moray Eel. He said he was about to touch it's head to make it move but then thought better of it. A that point he didn't realise it could have his finger off. We also saw parrot fish which we later ate with chips at the fishing club/ chippy. Parrot fish and beer- uumm!
After that, we moved to the north of the island near the main town called Avarua. This was also close to the airport which meant good Jet Blasting possibilities! Jet Blasting is a local tradition which involves standing at one end of the run way, as a larger plane takes off and trying not to get blown away.
The other great thing that we did here was the 'Cross Island Trek'. It took about 5 hours to walk across the entire island, most of the way through rainforest and up and down knife edge volcanic ridges. It was the first walk we have been on that we havent got lost! because there is only 1 path! It
was pretty exciting at times with lots of scrambling and holding onto tree roots for security! It ended at a beauty waterfall.
On the Sunday we got all religious and went to church. Christianity is taken pretty seriously, after being introduced by missionaries in the 18th C. Everyone dons their Sunday best with hats and suits. It was stepping back in time. Although the service was in the local tongue, the singing was out of this world and brought a tear to the eye (Collette's)Everyone was singing at the top of their voice. We were just about the only tourists there.
So the sun went down on our time in Rarotonga, we needed to be at the airport at 3 am and decided to walk as our digs were not too far. After being attacked by packs of semi- ferrel dogs we were luckily picked up by the local boys in blue and recieved a police escort to our flight. The only highlight of this early morning flight was an amazing sunrise and a wild chicken in the departure lounge. This was so surprising though as the place is overrun with wild chickens! Which begin to crow at
around 2 am every bloody morning!
Arrived in Christchurch, after skipping a day crossing the date line (lucky we're not on a tight schedule!) It is a town which was founded by the church of England as such it looks like a smaller version of Oxford (complete with punters on the River Avon). Quite disconcerting when you've just travelled to the other side of the world. It's a lovely place though and the city council is very active with free events over the summer, tonight there is a big concert and fireworks in the park to celebrate Waitangi Day ( national day) so we are going down with a picnic and vino.
By far the best event in the last couple of days has been our new addition to the family, a 1985 long wheel base Toyota Hiace camper van called Big Blue Beast. We picked it up on our 2nd day in town after a customary Harrison negotiation- a bargain at 2000 dollars as long as it keeps going!
Tommorrow we set off exploring the rest of the South Island starting with Bank's Peninsular. Sweet!
Hope everyone is well xxx
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Hev
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travel envy
Super super envious. Sounds brilliant fun. Off up north this weekend for Tongie's pa's 60th at the Borstal Social club (more fun venue than the stuffy dinner with Cherie Booth QC last night...) - will say hi to your ma and Aidie if they're around. Keep it real dudes xxx