Thursday 11 October 2007

Rarotonga Cook Islands



A 9.75 hr flight to Rarotonga saw us arrive at the airport in Avarua at around 6.15am to be welcomed by dusky maidens who hung beautiful smelling Frangipani flower garlands around our necks and "George" playing a guitar and singing Hawaian type music. We're normally greeted by surly-looking policemen with sub-machine guns, so this was a nice change!!




A 20 min drive to the Pacific resort hotel..wow what an island this is!! The weather was a little dull, but nevertheless temperatures were in the 80's all day long so not complaining really!!


The welcome meal in the evening was wonderful. treated to more music from George and then an hour of dancing girls and boys in traditional costumes, culminating in a final dance where yours truly was chosen to dance with a beautiful Raro girl.........is this paradise or what??

Next day, the weather was good and we took a kayak out to a little island. The water in the lagoon was crystal clear and azure blue(will include short video of this later as it takes a lifetime to upload!!).

The following day was absolutely beautiful and saw us hiring cycles and biking all the way around the island.It's only 32k so not far really(but far enough to give us both numb bums!).


Kayaks again the next day and some snorkelling too(Pam's first time.. so lots of fun and laughter and water up noses!!).


We really will be sad to leave Rarotonga as we have been treated extremely well by the hotel staff, who are very friendly and happy people.