Saturday 24th March (again)

Kia Orana. After a 4 hour flight from Auckland we arrived into Rarotonga at 04.00 (local time), as we came through customs we were greeted with a garland of flowers. We had arranged an early morning check in at our resort so we were tucked up into bed by 5.30, waking up a few hours later. The weather was quite overcast with heavy showers from time to time and a very strong breeze.

Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands and has coral reef around 95% of the coastline, our resort is on the South West of the island located directly on a white sandy beach overlooking a clear blue lagoon. This stretch of lagoon is the main Marine Reserve Area on the Island, all fish and marine life are totally protected here which makes it a paradise for snorkelling. On a low tide it is possible to walk right out to the reef as long as you are wearing reef shoes as there are lots of sea urchins and sharp coral about. We were in the warm waters later on where fish swim all around you, not Linda's ideal swim, but Ron was having a great time with his snorkel. Cocktails were at sunset (half price at this time) so we had to go and try them out, then an early dinner and early to bed. We had chosen a deluxe beachside suite for our room and it lived up to our expectations with our own private patio area, the beach just steps away and each day when it is cleaned fresh flowers are left on the bed and in the bathroom, nice touch.

Sunday 25th March

After a good nights sleep we were ready to take on the decisions of the day, about where to swim, relax, sunbathe or what to eat today. Sunday on Rarotonga is a Church day and a bus was provided for guests who would like to visit the local church, supposed to be a really good experience to hear the locals sing. As the bus had left at 9.00 we missed it but we were not denied the singing as we were lucky enough to have the St. Mary's Choir sing as we were eating our lunch. Not your usual singing this is Pacific style along with Polynesian dancing and music. We also went along to the diving centre opposite the resort to book some dives for Ron and Linda booked her "Top to Toe" Pamper session at the hotel spa.

Monday 26th March

Early start today as Ron had to be at the diving centre at 8.00, when we arrived Ron was the only diver who had booked for the day so he had the undivided attention of the Divemaster. He was a young Islander and his parents owned a Black Pearl Oyster Farm on one of the outer islands, therefore he had learnt to dive "freestyle" to pick oysters at depths of up to 30m. Whilst Ron was diving off the N.W. coast he encountered lion fish, moray eels and shoals of other tropical fish.

Linda meanwhile had gone along to the Spa for her pamper session which involved a 1hr hydrating facial and a 50 minute pedicure with foot and leg massage, it was sheer relaxation. The rest of the day was spent idling on the beach, although snorkelling was still difficult as the wind was still quite blustery.

Tuesday 27th March

The local public transport system in Rarotonga is 2 busses that circumnavigate in opposite directions around the island (a total of 32km) stopping wherever you hail the driver, although there are designated stops as well. We went to the main town (Avarua) at a cost of NZ$6 each return, the main purpose of our trip was to get some money out the hole in the wall, but unfortunately Linda picked up the wrong card and Ron didn't have his on him at all. The best day to visit the town is Saturday when the local market is on and you have a huge choice of local crafts and fresh fruit & veg to buy. We visited the Perfume Factory where we thought we could buy some perfume fragranced with the local flowers, but Linda did not like the "strong" smell.

After a couple of hours we headed back to the hotel taking the bus that went in the opposite direction so we could see the other half of the island. Today is called "Coconut" day by the resorts activities centre, as all their free activities for the day would revolve around coconuts. Each day we were given a programme of events that we could attend if we wanted to, most days involved kayaking or snorkelling tours on the lagoon, but to date none had gone ahead owing to the strong winds. Linda chose to go the "Coconut Show" where she learnt about the many uses of the coconut and watched one of the Islanders shimmy up the really tall tree to hand pick the coconuts. It only took them seconds to take the husk off and then with a small hit with a stick across the middle, it had halved into two, amazing when you think how long you take to open a coconut that you had won at the fair.

Today was also the Managers Sunset Cocktail party where rum cocktails were very free flowing and we had the chance to mingle with some of the staff. We had also booked for the Island BBQ and Fire Dance Show, on the barbecue was fish, lamb chops, pork loin and sausages along with salads, potatoes and other things that we weren't sure about but tried anyway. After the meal, the local family dancers and drum players entertained us with "hula" and tribal dancing. The fire dance show was held out on the beach (you can't hold it in a straw covered restaurant), here we watched the dancers "playing with fire".

Wednesday 28th March

Disappointing today, where as on previous days we just had an odd light shower, today it is really heavy, we decided to catch the bus into town again (with the correct cards in our pocket) in order to get some money! We got our money and then had a quick look around the shops whilst we waited for the return bus, boarded the bus and then 2 minutes down the road realised we had left our camera in a shop. So, off the bus and walked back into town (only 5 mins) luckily our camera was just where we left it and once again waited for the next bus, never mind it passed some time. Whilst we had been in town there wasn't really any rain but by the time we got back to our resort it was raining tropical style, in sheets, the locals just call it "liquid sunshine".

Today's activities were Polynesian based, Linda went along to the "Ei" Flower Garland making, hoping that her attempt would be worn later at the show tonight. The "Legends of Polynesian Island Night" started with the uncovering of the traditional feast from the "Umu" - an earth oven fire pit, where the food had been cooking all afternoon. After the meal the entertainment started with the Island Dance show which was a mixture of drums and hula & warrior dancers, they move that fast it is quite breathtaking and the drumming is really hypnotic. A really good night.

Thursday 29th March

Ron went off diving again at 8 am., this time he saw his first green turtle and was diving with a group of British people. Meanwhile Linda was catching up on the laundry and after a brief swim in the pool joined the activities group who were going on a walk into the local village. The guide identified all different kinds of fauna and flora and explained some of the Cook Island traditions, we also were given different fruits to try that she had picked off the trees and bushes as we walked round (bananas, guava and star fruit), they were really delicious. It was really sunny today so the rest of the day was spent in a leisurely fashion on the beach.

Friday 30th March

Thought we would try our hand at tennis today before it became too hot, we lasted just short of an hour but by then we were both dripping, the next stop had to be the pool to cool down. Linda has finally mastered the art of snorkelling with Ron's help so we hit the lagoon and saw some really colourful fish. Ron was even up to his old tricks of beating everybody at table tennis and the activity staff now call him "champ". Another manager's cocktail party and then our evening meal, it has been really hot today and we feel a little stiff around the joints so time to go to bed.

Saturday 31st March

We had to check out of the room today at 10 a.m. even though our flight is not until 23.15, it's going to be a long day sunbathing and swimming. Next stop Tahiti.