Gorgeous, isn't she!
I suppose this is my very first 'real' holiday without my family. <
Thinks, then repeats more exitedly> I feel so grown up!!!
!!!!!!!Rarotonga is the main island of Cook Islands, and is part of New Zealand, yet not quite. ('Real' Kiwis don't agree that it is). It is past the date line, so it make keeping track of not just the time, but day friggin confusing. Yes, it's a small place, very village-y and laid back. It runs on Island Time, which is probably worse than Malaysian Time, but no one really cares cause there's no need to rush anyways. People are simple, houses are simple, and we can go clubbing in thongs (Slippers! What are you thinking!) and shorts and t-shirt. Oh yeah, there is only ONE road that goes around the island. The main and most practical form of transportation is on a scooter / motorbike. You have to get a licence from the police station and apparently the only way to fail is by crashing into something. Speed limit = 40 km/hr. Speed limit in town = 20 km/hr.
Got the tickets for ONLY FOUR HUNDRED BUCKS!! Return too! That is soooo cheap considering the normal price is $600 ONE WAY. This is all thanks to Ilona and one fateful day when i was locked out and she came to rescue me and put a roof over my head! Made the decision to go in, say, 4 hours. Hmmm.. No regrets at all!! Only that I am officially broke for the next year or two.
It rained. A lot. In a way, that was good, cause you were forced to relax. I read 3 novels in a week, that shows how much time I spent indoors! Not that there is a great amount to do. You're just supposed to be absolutely lazy and stupid and lie on the beach all day soaking in the not-as-dangerous-as-Australian-sun rays.
I think we really did leave our brains behind. I was feeling very slow, and the theme of the holiday could be 'Miscommunication'. Although we were a very colourful and international bunch of girls (Malaysian, German, Finnish, Swedish), we never have a problem here in Adelaide. I think we need to give our ears a good clean-out.
Crazy things we did :
- Charm the local guys and get them to buy us drinks. ($5 a night? Not bad...)
- Hitch hike to the waterfall. Thrice.
- Shower in cold water. (What! You have to be brave, ok...)
- Somehow squash 23 people in a normal-sized van.
- Skinny dipping.
Being 4 *ahem* extremely attractive young ladies of varous shapes, sizes and colours, I think we attracted a lot of attention. There were mostly British backpackers at the place we were staying, so I almost felt I was in like a mini-Britain. Hmm.. I do recall speaking Irish very well (or so I thought) one interesting and rather un-sober night.
Off we go!
Dinner at an Italian restaurant. It was bucketing down outside, so excuse the 'wet look'.
The mysterious looking mountain...
The beach from a cafe.
Titikaveka Cook Island Christian Church. The singing was unbelievable.
We fit 21 people in the van... Pete, the guy in the blue shirt demanded a lot of attention from us.
It was kinda squashed, so .. we took the boot! Sylvia, Sofia and Quin.
Buying pearls..
Ilona was sorta amused with this sign, yet not really because it is sorta funny, yet not really.
Ika mata, a.k.a. raw fish. Was actually really delicious. On the other hand, I eat anything.
Off to err.. experience Rarotonga by Night again. This time we got 23 ppl in the van. And I am looking decidedly happy despite being extremely squashed in the corner.
At 'Nana Court. It's supposed to be Banana Court, but the 'BA' got taken by the cyclone(s)
Housemate!!
Group photo. Grrr.. shortest AGAIN! Irish roomie on my left. Wonder if he was impressed with my Irish 'accent'. Probably not. Hehe..
I don't remember this pic.
Nor this one.
Nor this. Oh dear.
After the party.. least my eyes are open.
Sofia and Sylvia went diving, and Ilona and I, the unqualified divers, held hands and snorkelled. We tried to feel important too. As you can see, it is pouring again.
While they were outside in the rain fixing their tanks and all, Ilona was posing. =D
I reckon the boat ride was funner than the snorkelling.
Pupuke, our diving/boat guy.
After photo! Do I look slightly green from the boat ride? I seem to be the only one on the step.
Wetsuit + snorkelling = ugly tan line.
Island Night show. Love, war or fishing, all the girls do is shake their asses.
Me giving this bootie-shaking business a go. Apparently I have rhythm! (Could there be a future for me in Hula Dancing??)
SUN!!!
Notice how our hair and bikini colours are the opposite?
There was a spotted sting ray in the water!
An abandoned Sheraton project, now supposedly haunted. *rolls eyes*
View from the waterfall. Guys a bonus.
One of the locals swimming told us that there were eels in the water. His wife said that the only eel in the water was in his pants.
Other crazy roomie. He goes to Oxford! (everyone go 'oooohhh...')
An South Australian lake I christian Amoeba.
Bye bye Rarotonga. I'll miss you!
Ilona, Sofia and Sylvia, you are fantastic travel partners!!! So sad it looks like this is our first, last and only trip together. Had an absolutely fantabulous time with you babes!!!
Kia manuia!!
