Tianas Beach Bungalows Rarotonga

... on food. He also said they weren't busy accommodation-wise. That wouldn't surprise me as advertised rates were about $250 compared to the $100 to $150 less you could pay at Inano half a kilometre away. None of their bungalows even look directly onto the lagoon.

Got allocated the same seats in row one so would have trouble with getting good pics. Hostie didn't sit in the single though so I asked if I could move. Not ...

... to the police station and get a driver’s licence. Jo Jo was already next door cleaning the other cottage that we'd be moving in to. Obviously took us longer to get ready than we thought it would because there was a knock on the door and it was Jo Jo telling us the cottage was ready. Al said his goodbyes to the pole house and we moved over into the cottage.

Hallelujah! It was huge. Ok, so the view wasn’t quite the same as from the pole ...

Sunny in the morning so I went out for one last snorkel adventuer before taking off to New Zealand. Found anoctopus again, getting prettty good at this. Enjoyed the tropical fish then came in when it got cloudy. Just hung around the hostel most the day trying to avoid one of the grossest people I have ever met. Ugly as hell ...

... and went for lunch in town. The final stop along the way was to the point, which is a break point in the reef and allegedly the place where the Maoris left the Cook Islands to row to New Zealand in 1350s. It is now a natural channel which boats use to go out for deep sea fishing and proficient surfers catch some waves. We got back and then had a quick shower, and Tim, Finn and I were back on the bikes to watch the sunset. It was an awesome day and I collapsed into bed ...

... songs in the airport, safe to say at 4am we felt welcomed in humid Rarotonga. Varas staff collected us & whisked us off to our beachfront studio 20 mins away where we befriended Pedro, the resident gecko. First impressions ..... scooters wizzing by, a gravestone in most front gardens, ubiquitous palm trees ... yep, it was like Cork alright! Our first morning drew us to the Punanga Nui markets in the main town/capital of Avarua. As the island is ...

... lifestyle, music, dance and beliefs', after which we spent time socializing with some of our new found friends on this cruise. Although during this segment of the cruise we have had numerous days at sea, the time does pass very quickly and so before long it was time for dinner, once again. Then off to the show, presented by the Latin American singer and comedian by the name of Patricio Rodrigues

... do everything but practicing their swim strokes. After several handfuls of sand are thrown and one or two sea cucumbers is flung at random wet heads, Mr. Sick calls for order and the kids attempt to show me and Stephanie their swimming strokes. This is incredibly funny. "Auntie Rebecca, watch me float!" "Auntie, watch me kick!" "Auntie, will you swing me around in a circle?!" "Auntie, let me jump on your back!" And so it goes. Readers, this is not work...not for one ...

... by bad boat drivers who subject me to vicious tidal wave action. We'd been diving all morning, and the water was temperamental and surging around on both dives. On the first dive, I was following the group through some lava tubes (which were way outstanding by the way), and suddenly this surge came pushing through the tube and pounded me against the tunnel wall. The second dive was less dramatic, but it was obvious what was going on at the surface ...

... Aitutaki tous le monde se connait (1200 habitants). Les habitants sont tres gentils. Un soir nous etions alles mnager au restaurant JK's (le meilleur resto local), pour s'y rendre nous avons du marcher pendant 45 minutes pour monter la montagne. L'effort en valait vraiment la peine. La nourriture etait extraordinaire, les prix tres resonnables et les gens trop sympatique. Apres le repas, nous devons retourne a l'auberge a pied mais il faisait tres tres tres noir et nous etions en haut de ...

... some of the first to get the 'tender' to the shore at Dravuni Island. This is a tiny island with only 150 inhabitants living a very laid back, simple life. Along with many others we climbed the highest peak, walked across the island, along the beach, swam, snorkled and generally enjoyed the sunshine and warmth. Dravuni Island from the top of the highest point We were interested in the school - 10 pupils in the kindergarten, 10 pupils aged 6 - 9. Good old-fashioned education like we ...