Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Rarotonga - South Pacific Island 12
Ok, so we're no longer in Rarotonga, but instead in transit in Auckland airport business class lounge! Once again we've blagged a beauty!
We've been trying to rack our brains and think of something to write about Rarotonga but have decided that, either due to our new lazy lifestyles, or perhaps an overdose of Merlot this morning (!), that it really is proving difficult.
You do have to surely feel sorry for us given that we were up this morning at some ghastley hour (yep, prior to our usual 11am rise) and currently en-route to French Polynesia! Also, contributing to our lack of brain power today is the fact that we haven't actually used any neurons in the last 8 weeks! That is, unless you count the ones that got us out of bed and to the beach everyday!
Rarotonga itself is larger than Aitutaki and in many respects just as stunning! It's way more commercialised and if dancing the night away with a bunch of over-sized Maori's is your thing, then Rarotonga is definitely for you! In fact that may not do the place justice as it really is a perfect tropical island with many of the usual things you'd expect in any town! Having said that, 15pounds for a load of washing is a bit steep (hence the fact we're never wearing much in any of the photos!).
During our 2 weeks here we spent most of our time on the beach and snorkelling with the huge array of fish in the lagoon! Our last snorkelling visit took us out to see some amazing fish with huge Mooray eels and even a couple of Octopi! In the evenings we spent many a night in the local night-clubs and during our first week here we took a night out to see one of the amazing island nights with Cook Islands dancers and drummers strutting their stuff!
Other than that there's not too much to add except that despite the fact that it has rained a lot, we're actually getting a rather nice tan! Did I ask how the weather was in England! haha!!!
We've been trying to rack our brains and think of something to write about Rarotonga but have decided that, either due to our new lazy lifestyles, or perhaps an overdose of Merlot this morning (!), that it really is proving difficult.
You do have to surely feel sorry for us given that we were up this morning at some ghastley hour (yep, prior to our usual 11am rise) and currently en-route to French Polynesia! Also, contributing to our lack of brain power today is the fact that we haven't actually used any neurons in the last 8 weeks! That is, unless you count the ones that got us out of bed and to the beach everyday!
Rarotonga itself is larger than Aitutaki and in many respects just as stunning! It's way more commercialised and if dancing the night away with a bunch of over-sized Maori's is your thing, then Rarotonga is definitely for you! In fact that may not do the place justice as it really is a perfect tropical island with many of the usual things you'd expect in any town! Having said that, 15pounds for a load of washing is a bit steep (hence the fact we're never wearing much in any of the photos!).
During our 2 weeks here we spent most of our time on the beach and snorkelling with the huge array of fish in the lagoon! Our last snorkelling visit took us out to see some amazing fish with huge Mooray eels and even a couple of Octopi! In the evenings we spent many a night in the local night-clubs and during our first week here we took a night out to see one of the amazing island nights with Cook Islands dancers and drummers strutting their stuff!
Other than that there's not too much to add except that despite the fact that it has rained a lot, we're actually getting a rather nice tan! Did I ask how the weather was in England! haha!!!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Aitutaki - South Pacific Island 11
After spending some time in Rarotonga (blog coming soon...) we hopped on a plane heading for the island of Aitutaki. Still in the Cook Islands, this island was the promise of pure white sand beaches and deep turquoise sea in what is meant to be the most beautiful lagoon in the world.
Upon arrival we soon realised that Aitutaki was many many years behind Rarotonga. Being a small island we didn't expect too much, but due to the recent decline in tourism many of the already few restaurants and bars had shut down, leaving not much to do in the evenings except relax and sample the local beers in our hostel!
After a few days relaxing on the beaches we took a day out of our hectic schedule (!) to go on a lagoon cruise to the locally famous "One-foot Island" where you can get your passport stamped with a huge great foot at what is possibly the worlds smallest post-office!
Other than that we didn't do a lot except laze around on beaches so here's some happy snaps that we took...
Some snaps of mainland Aitutaki
Some snaps from our lagoon cruise and of One-foot Island
Upon arrival we soon realised that Aitutaki was many many years behind Rarotonga. Being a small island we didn't expect too much, but due to the recent decline in tourism many of the already few restaurants and bars had shut down, leaving not much to do in the evenings except relax and sample the local beers in our hostel!
After a few days relaxing on the beaches we took a day out of our hectic schedule (!) to go on a lagoon cruise to the locally famous "One-foot Island" where you can get your passport stamped with a huge great foot at what is possibly the worlds smallest post-office!
Other than that we didn't do a lot except laze around on beaches so here's some happy snaps that we took...
Some snaps of mainland Aitutaki
Some snaps from our lagoon cruise and of One-foot Island