Arrived yesterday and couldn't find the hotel so saw quite a lot of the area as we drove around. Got a little upgrade at the hotel so breakfast included. Time short here so decided to take a bus tour, against our better judgement really, but it was OK. Some of the area is really run down and we have seen many beggars and generally down and outs and also experienced the more affluent side of life here. Enjoyed the tour as it gave us an overview that we wouldn't ha...

A little different today. Quite overcast and vey humid but still very warm. Even I went snorkelling today and what a revelation that was. Plenty of parrot fish, multi coloured yellow, blue, brown and white. A bright blue starfish about a foot across (although obviously by the time we get home it will have been at least two feet or bigger), so many other fish I can't even begin to tell you about them and all in about 3 feet of water! Coral everywhere and all in th...

Not much to report today. Went for a kayak around the lagoon this morning after breakfast. Then just lay on loungers on the beach for much of the day. I had a nap and awoke to find Yvonne snorkelling in the lagoon. Plenty of fresh marine life apparently but I just went back to sleep. However, a change from our usual routine. Had to come inside at about 4 (rain stopped play!) Managed to find something to do though, we had some beers in our fridge but no opener, sh...

Kia Orana, as they say in the Cook Islands or should it be Aloha? Sorry about the delay, we have no Internet connection unless we pay an astronomical fee and absolutely no phone signal so we feel about like we have been shipwrecked on a desert island. You may not read this until we have left but we are out and about tomorrow so may reach civilisation. Good news about the test match (if we overheard some kiwis correctly). You won't want to hear about how hot and s...

Out of space on this pad thing so I've given you a picture of something that amused Yakov in Queenstown. Perhaps Richard would like to share this with the licensing authority. Spent yesterday evening and today with Gail & John, friends we met when we were last in Auckland. Stayed with them last night and toured around with them today. Quite a relaxed day as John and I went to a club, drank cold beer and watched the cricket whilst the girls shopped again. Good...