This is it you guys… here are way too many pictures of our amazing vacay in the SOUTH PACIFIC. Sounds so much more impressive than the Cook Islands. (Where is that? Oh, in the Carribean? That’s in Mexico right?)
A map and some facts: Rarotonga is a small island in the South Pacific, close to other islands you may have heard about like Fiji and Tahiti. The entire island is only 32 kilometers in circumference (20 miles) with one main road that circles the island. You can drive around the entire island in about an hour–people drive pretty slow there. The population is around 19,000 and is described like a small town where everyone knows everyone else. You can’t buy and sell land in Rarotonga, it’s handed down from generation to generation (except more complicated than that). What this means for a vacationers like ourselves is that there are no big chain hotels, big skyscrapers, etc. It’s all very small and quaint. Also, it’s their winter there…so it was still nice but high’s only in the upper 70’s and lows in the upper 60’s…sometimes we were a little chilly, thus the sweaters!
Enough talking…
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Yes our own private pool! However, the cooler temperatures meant we only went in twice. Bummer.
Exploring our first day….
My favorite house in Raro…
The first day I burned my calf on a hot scooter muffler. Ouch! It was a pretty big burn, here they’re applying some local plants to help with the pain. It felt good-ish.
Oh man…I can’t believe it’s already been 2 weeks since we’ve been home! These pictures take me back…and make me wanna go back. Part 2 on Tuesday.
This looks amazing!!!! What an incredible opportunity and fun adventure. I love seeing the pictures of your beautiful trip!!
Thank you! We had so much fun!
Oh my goodness, Miggy!!! They need to hire you to make a brochure for the Visitors Bureau!! : D All your photos are stunning! Also, I really appreciate the geography lesson so that we know where Rarotonga is. Oh, and anyplace I need a sweater when back here in Texas it is OVER 100, well, that's my kind of place! Eeek, sorry you burned your leg. Is it OK now?
What kind of fruit is B holding? How did you find out about this island? I love those tiny little crabs!! Did you like the food and was there anything really unusual about it? Were there a lot of tourists?
I know I have a lot of questions, and this is YOUR blog, after all, so just answer what you would like to!
I'll definitely make a brochure as long as I get a couple more trips in to really get all the pictures, info I need. And yes, while people in New Zealand were taking a break from their winter and getting warmed up, we kept telling everyone we came to Raro to cool off.
I can't remember the name of the fruit B is holding–but it's a mix between a banana and a pineapple. It was interesting–especially the texture. The food was good and while we had some local stuff (which is basically like most polynesian stuff–roast pig, taro leaves in coconut, taro, etc) the other restaurants were pretty westernized and good. The food was very good everywhere we went. And yes, plenty of tourists, esp. from New Zealand.
Keep asking, I'll keep coming… I'll tell a little more about how we found this island tomorrow.
Thanks!
Holy cow! How did you find this place?! Mamma mia.
So beautiful! I am pretty jealous! What fun trip for you guys to have. And I agree with above, those photos are amazing woman, you should be doing something more with them. 😉 I love reading your blog, I cannot deny it!