Hello to everyone!

We are just coming to the end of our time in Rarotonga, it is 23.35 on Friday night and out flight is at 4am - i should say our new flight as we are complete wallys and managed to get the dates wrong for our flight and should have flown yesterday! However the lovely people at Air New Zealand have sorted it all out for us and we leave when we had planned to leave for Auckland!

Our time in Rarotonga has been amazing. At first we thought it may be a bit too quiet for us as the one road round the island does not inspire much confidence for exploring - but you just have to find different things to explore!

One of the most rewarding things we have done has been the cross island walk where you (somewhat surprisingly) walk across the island from the north to the south! There is a huge 'needle' at the top, which is a great boulder with a face carrved in to represent their God, legend has it that the people pushed it up there to have pride of place - rather them than me! But the views were spectacular the whole time, and the walk was really invigorating too, a definate highlight.

We have ridden bicycles for the first time in years as an eco-friendly (and less scary) way around the island. we never made it the full way round, but even the distance we did travel afforded us an insight into the way in which the island operates, and i found it a more refreshing and rewarding way to travel! we have also been to the local Church for Sunday service - something i never expected to do! Andrew claims it was for the free food they give you after, which is sandwiches, fruits and pancakes with drinks, but i went for a look into the culture. They are Christian, following the Good Day Gospel and they truly believe. The service was performed mainly in Maori, with little parts in english, but it was the singing that i found so breathtaking. They all sing so confidently and proudly, they know it perfectly and have harmonies and rounds. It really is spectacular to see such a confidence in their faith. Their graveyards are so beautiful too, and so well maintained out by the sea!

Snorkelling has to be our ultimate highlight here in the Cook Islands. For people who have never snorkelled before the idea was a bit daunting, but it was so easy, everyone was really helpful and the results were simply amazing. There are hundreds upon hundreds of fish, each one more colourful than the last, and with more character. I could have follwed the fish forever, i was slowly hypnotised by the quiet beauty of the sea, as was Andrew, and we cannot wait to do it again. If we would recommend one activity it would be snorkelling - although kayaking was fun too, just a little more hard work!

So we have found that our 12 days on Rarotonga have been filled with activity, for those who choose not to sit by the beach - which we have done occasionally! We half expected it to be a let down, but the natural beauty that the island has to offer prevailed! As we leave the tranquil lagoon of Muri beach and the beautiful starry skies we will remember Rarotonga as the perfect beginning to ease us into our travels!

Speak to you soon, in either Auckland or our next stop, Fiji.

Love to All, love Emma and Andrew x