And it will be the final part, promise!
Here is a selection of pics from days 4-7 of our Rarotonga trip.
Even in paradise, it rains sometimes!
Some local coinage, $5 and $2 coins - they have the same value as NZ currency (which is also used on the islands) but is not legal tender in New Zealand... so you have to make sure you spend it all before leaving!
Some general views of the island
Cocktail time at the Little Polynesian resort bar - that's my Espresso Martini with the infinity pool as a background!
After visiting several Cocktail bars with our friends Russell and Jenae, we grabbed three homemade pizzas from the piazza place in front of our Air BnB (not to be confused with the restaurant next door!)
Nice sunset
The breakfast of champions - last night's left over cold pizza!
The local family next door, in addition to the obligatory hens and dogs, apparently also had pigs, as we saw these happy little chaps a couple of times during our stay!
It's very common to see multiple graves in the front of people's house here - they like to keep their ancestors close by them, although there are also more regular style cemeteries, as seen in earlier images of some of the churches. Thats the back wall of our Air BnB to the right!
Cocoktail VIP Cocktail Bar
A liter of cocktail for $24 at Happy Hour, The Hula Bar at the Islander Hotel, Avarua - and a local waitress!
While we sat sipping, my wife noticed whales in the sea just a few hundred meters offshore.
This is the best of several attempts to video the action!
Our penultimate day, Monday 9 Oct, was definitely the best, weatherwise!
First thing in the morning, I went swimming with the turtles on an organised tour with Russell and Jenae - my wife did not accompany us as she isn't much of a swimmer.... the following are lifted from Papa Turtles Facebook page!
These are from the day we did the dive, so could be the very turtles I saw.... maybe!
If you look closely, you may see my dear wife Ruth, braving the ocean!
This is what we were seeing through the snorkel goggles as soon as we dipped our heads under the waves - you only had to be in knee to waist deep water, ten paces off the beach (images pinched again from the Rarotongan FB Page!)
I saw lots of the bright blue starfish, along with all the fish shown here - plus many more.
The ones above were also very common.
As were these lovely little black and white coral dwellers!
A few "Action Man" images and videos I forced Ruth to do - actually, she did the videos unbidden!
It's after 1pm, so it must be time for more cocktails!
Our final morning - some bananas growing at the entrance to our Air BnB.
Downtown Avarua again....
Just time for one last jug of Sangria .....
..... before we hit the International Airport ....
... and the four-hour flight home.
Toy soldiers next time, I promise!
May the memories take a very long time to fade mate. Gorgeous place.
ReplyDeleteThanks JBM - and I am sure they will - a return trip seems to be likely, too!
DeleteLovely pictures of a splendid looking and sounding holiday Keith.
ReplyDeleteProbably a bit better than a wargames show in Nottingham 😂
All the best. Aly
Cheers Aly - despite my envy at you UK based gamer's ability to visit so many great shows, I think this time I agree, I would take my option over yours!
DeleteIt all looks superb Kieth- very pleased for you and Ruth having such a wonderful Island Holiday. Best Wishes. KEV.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kev, we certainly did have a great break.
DeleteBeautiful photos and a lovely vacation. Yum. Leftover, cold pizza...
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon.Pizza is one of those foods that is almost better cold, the next day!
DeleteLooks like a fantastic trip and beautiful photos
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed, Scotty...thanks!
DeleteMore great scenes and food. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you Dean...we did!
DeleteThese are amazing
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark.
DeleteMarvelous
ReplyDeleteCheers Greg.
DeleteLovely pictures. I quite like the idea of the graves in front of the house and might think about putting mine there as it would remind the kids to turn their airconditioners off when leaving the house.
ReplyDeleteLawrence, your comment made me spit soda out on my keyboard laughing...
DeleteLol, nice one Lawrence...I suspect we may have laws in Australia and New Zealand to prevent you burying your nearest and dearest In the front garden!!
DeleteAnd I empathize with you Jon...I hope none of the fizzy liquid came down your nose...I hate that!
ReplyDeleteWonderful place Keith. I am very jealous 😁
ReplyDeleteLots of Aussies over there Ben.....!
DeleteOk,
ReplyDeleteMy question is...you guys came back?
Great holiday, makes watching the leaves come down a dire portent of snowstorms to come.
Reluctantly Joe, very reluctantly! At least on this side of the equator, its spring, rather than autumn ("fall")!
DeleteOh dear, that all looks rather wonderful to say the least! Maybe we can do cultural exchanges, with you chaps coming over to visit wargames shows and we go to these islands;)!
ReplyDeleteHaha Steve .... I am not sure the various ladies in our lives would be in favour - well, not from our end, anyway!
DeleteOh. What a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteI have outside a grey and rainy Autumn in Poland...
I feel cold just thinking about it Michal!
DeleteLovely looking trip Keith….my eyes are drawn to the food photos !
ReplyDeleteLol....and there was me thinking you were an outdoor scenery chap, Matt!
DeleteMore great looking photos, looks like heaps of fun!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
It sure was Iain, but a distant memory now unfortunately...we have been back almost a week already 😞
DeleteIt's a hard life! Glad you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteAnd the only thing better than leftover pizza is left over curry!
Yeah....but not cold, Chris?? That's the advantage of pizza...it's good next day, even if you can't reheat it!
DeleteCold pizza is not only one of the best breakfasts ever, but also, (When coupled with a bloody-mary) a nifty way of addressing one's hangover.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty destination to visit. Still, 4 hours away from NZ? Is crazy to try to imagine the sheer distances involved travelling between all of these Polynesian islands.
Cheers Dai....yes, it is a decent distance. We went to a cultural evening while there and the MC mentioned that flying from the main island (where we were) to the farthest island in the Cook Islands group, is a 4 hour plane trip away....albeit that will be a small turboprop plane, not an A320!
Delete