Change of Heart
Trip Start
Jul 24, 2007
1
19
50
Trip End
Nov 11, 2007
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Rarotonga,
Cook Islands
Thursday, September 20, 2007
I don't have to do anything if I don't want to and if I want to I can. Its weird because I haven't done anything really - been round the island on a bus a couple of times but nothing much and the huge negatives that I found about the island initially when I first arrived have faded into nothings and I'm really quite content. I can't say that I'd want to stay forever or for any longer than I am but my great overwhelming need to leave has one and I'm glad that I stayed in this backpackers which is quiet and remote and didn't move like I initially thought I should.
Time here seems to have passed pretty quickly, immersed in books and the occasional good conversation and on reflection I haven't really thought much about anything - not in great over analyzed depth and thats probably a good thing.
Comments
yo
Glad you feeling better bout the island,but maybe thats because you know you've not got long left! Sometimes it's nice to totally switch off Boyce so you should make the most of it while you can lol. We all missing you, i keep making d'arcie say Boyce so she doesn't forget ha ha!
xxx
hi boyce
it's so nice to be able to read what you've been doing again. i've been checking this every night to see if you'd put any new stuff on it!. you may not feel like it, but sometimes it can do you the world of good to chill out and not do anything. me and lee would have loved it! (we're just lazy!!). you need to remember that you will probably never go to these places again, so try and be positive and make the most of it. missing you lots xxx
Glad you discovered the real gift of Rarotonga
Sorry I didn't see your earlier messages about Rarotonga. My wife put it best in the early 1990s - their slogan should be 'Absolutely nothing to do'. This is a plus, not a minus. There are not stacks of people eyeing you as a meal ticket, they have their venues (one of which is near where I think you were staying). I do prefer the Outer Islands, because I do find Rarotonga a bit busy and metropolitan these days. But Rarotonga, and the rest of the Cook Islands for that matter, are unique in not really accommodating life for tourists beyond accommodation.
There is, of course quite a lot to do. Its just not organised for you, other than an island night at most resorts and the Cultural Village (which I hope you visited - I'm an anthropologist and it certainly has my seal of approval). Cook Islanders (young women included) drink far too much, and are happy to drink with you in the many local watering holes. They are more than willing to laugh with you as you try to learn to dance properly, and help you do so. They play music all over the island, and per capita must be one of the most talented musical populations on earth. But the fun is not packaged.
Anyway, hope the rest of your trip goes well, and you get another chance to see Raro, Atiu, Mauke and the rest.