Rarotonga - The Cook Islands

Wow. What more can we say? This is just the most beautiful Island either of us have ever been to. It is green and lush (due to the sudden heavy tropical rain showers we later found out...!) the lagoon where we are staying is just beautiful with a couple of small islands just off the shore - but close enough we can walk to them. the sea is so warm - recorded at 30 degrees some days - yes the sea! thats almost as warm as my hot tub...! All the locals here are so warm and friendly. Except maybe the lady at Vara’s. But everyone else has been sooo nice. we even bumped into the island’s Finance Minister at the island Brewery who introduced us to his wife - not at all what you would expect a local government minister to look like either - in his brightly coloured shirt and shorts. Bryan took off for a trek into the jungle one day which he really enjoyed. Had some ‘me’ time. We did a trek across the island with a lovely couple we met here who are from Sweden. Hi Kiki Hi Per if you have found us here and are reading this! We took some great photos between us and the thing that stood out for us is that you cannot tell from them just how incredibly steep and difficult the climb was up through the tree roots. Bryan has made a good video of the trek though. Bryan has taught me how to snorkel. It is something I have always wanted to have a go at - I have tried once or twice before but never had anyone to explain to me how to do it. So now I love it, especially when the water is so warm and so calm it is amazing to see all the fish in the rocks and the corals. beautiful.... The flowers here are beautiful as you would expect. The local women all wear flowers in their hair every day it isn’t for the benefit of tourists There are a few dogs which wander up and down the beach. on our first day here we went along the beach and were followed silently by this big dog. every time we stopped to take a photo or do an ooo or an aaah he stopped and sat down and waited quietly for us. then plodded alongside us again when we carried on. these dogs seem to live on the beach, going in the water to cool off and to chase fish. There are lots of chickens here too. they bring their chicks and come up to your door looking for food and Bryan has made friends with them all. he is keeping back food to give to them so we’ll never get rid of them now! We have had lots of lovely fresh fruit whilst we have been here. passion fruit grow on the trees here so fresh ones every morning for breakfast - yummy! pawpaw, mango, watermelon everywhere too We have been to a couple of the Island Nights, which is a show of Island dancing, drumming (on paties), singing and customs. they were both really nice - first time, as Staircase, was a budget option, costing NZ $5 but still really good. second time at Te Vara Nui, NZ $69, was the five star event a bit flashier which included a meal, watch the video to see all the fun. - the native dancers got us up dancing too so we’re glad we went. we have also been to the Saturday Market - a big thing here - more of a family day out as they have singing and bands playing too. lots of great fruit again - have you ever tried a soursop? lots of the islands black pearls for sale and the brightly coloured Pados (or sarongs) Oh and you will love how the women here carry their babies to market - check out the photos because you won’t believe me if I told you! week 1 photos Click to see week 2 photos Vara’s Room rating: 7/10 - cockroaches! Location: 10/10 - 10 seconds from the beach! Staff: 4/10 - just miserable Value for Money:6/10 Other comments: warm, clean and comfortable bed Stay again? if needed to, the island has a lot to offer for bigger budgets overall island experience: 9