roadquill1

Greetings again to our dear family and friends,

Our time on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands was, as they sometimes say about South Sea Island life – “idyllic”! (Towards the end, my travelling companion and deprived quilter began to have antsy thoughts like “I’m bored”. Can you imagine?) However, rather than break down our time on a day by day schedule, I will present the highlights of our stay.

Days 58 (March 30) to Day 67 (April 7)

As stated in the previous blog entry, we were moved into a beautiful cabin at Muri Shores Bungalow for 5 days. For the most part, the weather was warm and beautiful, but occasionally strong winds would bring rain showers that lasted only minutes at a time. Our hosts, Eugene Tatuava (Annabelle’s brother) and his wife Krystina (Kauvai-Tatuava – Miss Cook Islands in 2005) kindly let us stay until Friday, March 31 when we were moved back to the original booking cabins at Bella Beach Bungalows. During our time at Muri Shores, we swam, read, hiked the beaches, kayaked across the lagoon to an inner island, and watched many kite surfers fly by our beachfront view.

On Friday, March 31, we moved back to Bella Beach Bungalows where we were situated in Cabin #1 – the cabin where we initially landed and then had to leave. (The Cabin #2 that we had initially booked and had confirmed was fully occupied until our last day at Rarotonga.) All the cabins at Bella Beach are beautiful, but we especially liked our placement. Although it didn’t have a roofed porch, this was preferable for the most part as it allowed us to sit on the deck under the palm trees and open sky. (Well, not really under the palm trees – that would be potentially dangerous with the chance of falling coconuts, or fronds!)

Over the next week, we walked many kilometres up and down the Island road behind us, mostly for exercise, but we also hiked to the nearby village to take in a couple of games of Rugby League play on the Saturday. On another day, we walked the 8 km round trip back to Muri Beach area, and on another day we trekked a 6 km round trip to see some the Whigmore Falls – which were closed, and are now private and fee-based sight-seeing.

On most days we lazed and read, swam, walked the beaches, played with the beach dogs, and on occasion took the kayaks out or snorkelled. Tough life – and apparently, according to my travel-weary partner – not engaging enough – especially the last two days before we had to leave. On those two days, we had steady rains and were confined, for the most part to sitting in our cabin with the doors open to the drizzle and showers – and possible breezes. Sandy finally confessed her boredom, and we suggested to Annabelle Tatuava-Enjoy, our host, that if (and when?) we return, Sandy should be given some community work to keep her busy!

On the sunny and hot day that we were scheduled to leave, we packed our bags, vacated our little cabin and moved over to our originally booked Cabin #2 where Annabelle had kindly let us spend the day while our cabin was being prepared for the incoming guests. We were told that we didn’t have to check out until we left to catch our flight (9:30 pm check-in), but in order to perhaps finish some shopping in town before stores closed, we caught a clockwise bus to take us to the airport at 3:20 pm on a very hot, and humid afternoon. Alas, stores closed just as we completed our walk from the airport into town, and we were left sweating profusely on park benches where we continued to read our current books. We ate a light supper at the Islander Hotel across from the airport, and then joined the waiting crowds at the airport for our flight to be announced and boarded at 9:30 pm.

Air New Zealand served us a “dinner” at 1:00 am (Cook Island time) and then a breakfast about 6 hours later before landing at LAX an hour early. (Oh joy! This gave us an additional hour to add to our 5 hour layover in Las Angeles!) Air NZ is wonderful, by the way!

At LAX we put in time, had Starbucks coffee, changed into warmer clothing, read and dozed until our 5:20 pm flight to Vancouver. This flight was by Air Canada on behalf of Air New Zealand, and was distinctly less classy than the Air New Zealand flights. My video screen worked, but no sound, and plugs for electronics were non-functional. Food was served – a la carte – at about $8 per meal (appetizer stuff), the pizza that I wanted was not available by the time the attendant came for my order, and after the landing announcement that “seat backs must be upright and trays put away) was given, I still had all of the meal trash sitting in front of me. This wasn’t removed until our altitude was dropping to YVR.

By 8:40 pm, we were landed, and by 9:15 or so we had cleared customs, gathered our baggage, and been met by our daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Doug Lindsay. Now begins the return to normal life!

Thursday, April 13

We are making the adjustments to home life. A cold has captivated my breathing system since we arrived, but it is annoying rather than debilitating! Sandy has returned to her BUSY-ness, and has many things on the go already. One thing we discovered when we returned was that my Driver’s Licence had expired on my birthday. That caused a panic and quick renewal. (I hope that it doesn’t affect the accidental damage claim on the rental car that happened in Napier, NZ.) Also, I have made an insurance claim for my lost iPad.

The news about Cyclone Cook hitting New Zealand this morning is a bit disturbing, but apparently, Auckland has been given a reprieve from the major thrust of the storm. Unfortunately, Hawkes Bay, the Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty bear the brunt of the storm. This – after many weeks of heavier than usual rainfall. We hope that all of our places of visitations are able to recover from the damages soon.

Thank-you to everyone for following our journeys. We have had quite an adventure, and are most grateful to the many folks who added to the pleasures of our trip:

• Nicki Vance (Sydney and Canberra, AU)
• Gabe Gabjatsy and Ursula Wall (Eden, AU)
• Cindy Henderson (Brisbane, AU)
• Gus and June Whitmore (Currumbin, AU)
• Lynn and Philip Chatfield (Auckland, NZ)
• Montana Mjaaland (Auckland, NZ)
• Nic Hildebrand (Auckland, NZ)
• Chris Long, Jill and Arabella Tillick (Palmerston, NZ)
• Annabelle Tatuava-Enjoy (Rarotonga, Cook Islands)
• Eugene and Krystina Tatuava (Rarotong, Cook Islands)

We would also like to thank the many of you who provided feedback to our blog entries through your comments and best wishes!

Love to all, and may you have a great time – until I next impinge on your time and goodwill!

Sandy (the Quilter) and Tony (the Quill)