Kia Oranna everyone - I'm back from The Cook Islands and already missing the place. Once more I've crossed the International Date Line and now I'm ahead of you in time again and completely lost out on Saturday 13th May (but guess nothing important happened). The Cook Islands were wicked - apart from the cost of food (we could only just about afford baked beans at $5 a small tin), the rainy days (3 days constantly) and being on tsunami warning for about 3 hours (which we only found out about when the warning was lifted). It really felt like a holiday there and after constantly travelling for the past 7 months I felt like I needed time for rest and relaxation and boy did I get it. The hostel was just so chilled out but I think that's more due to the other guests and I met some really good people from all over the world. Most of the people staying are at the end of their rtw trips so they see this as a holiday before going home and I think that explains the relaxed mood but also the hostel was pretty small and so we just had to get on but honestly it was not hard. Erica was there for my first few days and that was great fun but special mentions include Sion, Gemma, Richard, Penny, Corinna, Stephi, Shirley, Paul & Rebecca (hostel owners), Lance and of course his best mate Pinky - you were all such great fun guys (esp Pinky). I pretty much stayed on the main islands Rarotonga my whole time there. Did not get up to that much really just chilled on the beach or by the pool, a bit of snorkelling, hired a scooter but dogs, potholes and a few bushes got in the way so I gave it back after a day (and a few bruises). Then a few of us hired a little convertible car together as between us al, the cost was not that much and we drove around the island (takes all of 30 minutes). Oh and Erica and I also hired a fun car (check out the pictures to see what I mean) and we just laughed so much as it was pretty stupid to see - but great fun for the day except when it broke down late at night when we were out and so we had to walk home. Had a couple of nights out at the RSA Club disco (think wedding disco) and also went to a couple of Island Nights for some traditional Hula Hula dancing. But by far the day was when we visited Aitutaki which really is a paradise island (just check out the photos) and it was a pity we only had one day there (but it's a day that will stick in my mind forever - the lagoon is stunning). Well that's enough of my rambling on for now. As I said I'm back in Auckland for a few days and then I leave here on Thursday to fly back to Perth and believe me, I can't bloody wait. Lindsay & Purd hope you've got those drinking boots polished as I hope to see you both at the weekend.