The Cook Islands – Rarotonga

Wow, I like the Cook Islands. It's been nearly two weeks since we landed and I'm finally getting round to writing something. Hard to say exactly what we've been doing, other than being relatively busy and pottering. We've rented a lovely wee cottage/bungalow/house/whatever in the east of the island, off the main road with the normal people and away from the tourist crowd. We've a lovely big garden at the front with views of the mountains and just a short walk (as everywhere is) from the beaches and sea. Not that we're beaching much, as we've softened and 24 degrees is FREEZING compared to 37 degrees in Hanoi. Went diving today and was astonished to see they offered me a 2mm short wetsuit for diving in 24 degrees water... used to dive with a 6mm full suit in Nha Trang at 30 degrees, got away with wearing two but not after almost freezing to death on the way back! I digress... diving was fab visibility, best i've ever seen... 50 metres?? Not so many fish or good coral mind – looks like the reefs have taken some serious bashing one way or another. Saw three white tipped reef sharks and the whales that have been hanging around all week (think they are humpbacks giving birth, there's either a lot of them or the same group hanging around). Still, amazing how once you're out of the reef how the shelf just disappears down out of view... to 4,000 metres!

Anyhow, diving aside, we've been out on a few good hikes, and will do some more! The centre of the island is very mountainous (it was once a volcano) and pretty untouched – no concrete walkways, logging or theme parks. The interior of the island is really stunning too. Did the cross island walk with a British couple we met in Rau's guesthouse (where we stayed for a few days before we found our wee place)... Becky and Dan, cracked me up! Wonder what we'll be like after 10 years! Hopefully will catch up with them next year in the UK (i'll cook this time!, haha!) Fab parrot fish though! Climbed up Raemaru – the half looking mountain (the top half was carried away by Aitutakians!).

Been to one of these island nights and danced with the locals, fun times! Read in the LP that a UN report said that 77.6% of all Cook Islanders were clinically overweight... imagine that on an upstairs dancefloor, man they can move their asses!!!

We've joined the library (I forgot how wonderful these places are! Books for free!!! OK - $NZ15 joining fee), and we're both reading like crazy. Enjoying good food too. Buying all our veggies from the Mamas down he road who have a little stall, can buy wonderfully fresh veggies all island grown (though can't say i'm particularly fond of the taro and taroa...)

Watched Cook islands vs South Africa the world youth netball championships, and the Cooks beat the SA's well and good... not that I really understood what was going on at first, though good to watch! (England lost against Australia).

Had a few beach days too – out in Muri Lagoon. Waded across to some small islands, and then out to one of the many shipwrecks on the reef. Did some kayaking too... life is good!

Tomorrow (Saturday) is market day, so we're having an early night and morning, and will probably spend the next week doing some more mountain walks and just enjoying island life... saw adverts in the CI News for Police Officers and University Lecturers. Now being a CI cop sounds good... saw a couple of them squeeze into a wee suzuki the other day, could be the next big TV thing... Raro Cop! Off to Aitutkai week after next, I fancy a round of golf on the island. Loving the place, can't understand why people were saying “Cook Islands for a month! You must be crazy!” OK, perhaps I Can... think you really need at least three months just to unwind... after VN, I'm done with rushing and mayhem! (for the time being, of course!) Oh yes... a gold statue of of his eminence HCM did make it to Raro... but his head fell off, and now he's on Atua's mantelpiece, ah well!!