Rarotonga

From our vantage point of 36,000ft the isolated island of Rarotonga appeared as a tiny speck on the expansive waters of the South Pacific ocean & far too small a landmass to ever consider landing on. However as the pilot signalled for all to take a seat & pulled a sharp banked turn the unmistakable halo of Rarotonga´s protective lagoon fell into sight of the starboard port hole. Thereby signalling that our arrival would be imminent, so best we hold on!


















Above: A very welcoming site!

Coming in from the west we passed unbelievably low over the ocean until confronted by the airports perimeter road, a few dozen stunned chickens and the jet black asphalt of the runway. All hell broke loose as the wheels touched down, luggage clattered around in the lockers overhead & the planes mighty jet engines roared into reverse to slow things down to a more sedate pace. Click, clink, clonk & the premature release of our fellow passengers seat restraints was just to be heard over the overtly friendly steward announcement welcoming us to "Raro"

Quite unlike most airports we´ve passed through on our travels, the staff at ´Raro´ appear genuinely happy to see tourists arrive & if it weren´t for their unforgetable Polynesian physique we´re sure they would have gayly skipped on over & embraced us in a bone crushing, albeit extremely friendly hug! Relieved we simply recieved a warm smile & fragrant flower garland to the accompanying music of a one mand band amongts the luggage reclaim belts.

Left: If only all airports welcomed you like this! Right:Welcome garlands.

An unuasual welcome for sure, but far far more enjoyable that anything the likes of Luton, Heathrow or Gatwick could even imagine to offer!

Our short bus journey to the beach front bungalow took all but a few minutes & then we were left to our own devices. For better or worse ´Raro´ isn´t somewhere to visit if you aren´t good at entertaining yourself, as the pace of life is an infectiously slow one. Nothing in ´Raro´happens fast & what entertainment there is would best be described as basic! (TV channel wise you have a choice of the 7th Day Avangelist broadcast or static! Radio wise you would be lucky to get a decent reception of either of the 2 channels available, although both constantly play 80´s or local music only!) The emphasis here is on enjoying the wonderful views, the ocean, the sunshine and the solitude of the place.

Left: Our little hide away. Right: Just one of the loverly beachside attractions.

Our own bungalow was a mere 15ft from the coconut palm line beach of the West andlooked directly out across the lagoon to the encompassing reef wall & huge South Pacific breakers that endlessly pounded against it. This picturesque place was all but devoid of inhabitance apart from the occasional passer-by & two ultra friendly dogs that took to us. (ed. ´took to us´is a little understated - as we ended up with one of them snorkelling out far into the ocean with us - only to want frequent pitstops on our backs!!)

Left: View from the deck. Right: The first sunset of many we enjoyed.

Above: The friendly dogs.

Daily activities included a lie in, breakfast of fresh coconut milk on cornflakes overlooking the lagoon, a midday dip in the warm sea & swim amongst the corals. Afternoon tea & cake on the deck again, before firing up the BBQ for some of the delicious Marlin or Tuna steaks as the sun set in a miriad of pinks and oranges. (ed. we soon realised we desperately needed to learn a new card game aside from rummy!!!!)

Left: Breakfast has never been so easy. Right: Miranda playing on the beach.

´Raro´ has much more to offer around its 34km perimeter which we explored on several occasions by foot & moped, (including the saturday farmers local market) but why find a little piece of paradise to only leave it for the hussle & bussle of a local shop or bar.

Above: Sunset in paradise with love ones just doesn´t get any better than this!