So our first night in Rarotonga was quite noisy - first thunder and lightening, and torrential tropical rain, then the cockerels started - at 2.15 in the morning! There are hens and cockerels everywhere here and Minah birds which are also very noisy, and lots of cats and dogs too, all very friendly. A local man told us that the dogs like to adopt a tourist for the week and then follow them everywhere! We hired a very basic convertible car (ie wires hanging out of the dashboard and a door that can only be opened from the outside) and had a drive round the island. It was great in the heat with the wind blowing in our hair. We did the circuit anti-clockwise, and so all the "clockwise" buses passed us going the other way - I could easily adjust to a way of life where everything is so uncomplicated. We stopped for a swim and snorkelling session near "The black rock", yes it really is a black rock and, as you'll see in the photos, it was a stunning locatiion. The whole island is gorgeous, very lush, green and mountainous in the centre, with pristine white sand beaches round the edges. There are colourful and fragrant flowers everywhere.
Our second night was more restful - although the cockerels still started up in the middle of the night. We had been out for a delicious meal and walked home under the most amazing starry sky, intermittently lit up by huge flashes of sheet lightening, but no thunder or rain. We're finding snorkelling quite addictive, as is sitting on the beach to watch the sunset. Next update will be from Aitutaki in a couple of days.......