Rarotonga, Cook Islands - my last two weeks....

Today is Friday, April 17 but when I arrive in the Cook Islands it's Thursday, April 16. I crossed the International Date Line. So I get two Aprii 16 and 17.

April 17
The Air New Zealand check in was an absolute zoo. Their system was down and some of the machines ran out of paper for their luggage tags. Finally checked in and headed to the departure gate only to notice it's not on my boarding pass or noted on the TV screens. I wandered around Duty Free. I had Fijian dollars left so I decided to spend it. Got Patrick a bottle of Baileys, some souvenirs for the kids, and a big chocolate bar for me!. I had $1 left, not bad eh?

April 16
30 minutes before take off, they finally posted the Gate number. Boarded the plane for my 3.5 hour flight. The trip was un-eventful. I've been flying Air New Zealand for all my travels so it means I've seen most of the movies....

We had a tailwind so we landed about 25 minutes early. Went through Customs and boarded the bus to go to the hotel (Muri Beach Club). Got a flower lei and a bottle of water before boarded the bus.

Arrived and checked into the hotel.... the room is average as is the view.

I walked to the Telecom store to get a SIM card for my mobile hotspot. It didn't work on my mobile hotspot so I had to buy their Telcomm Hotspot. They have about 140 hotspots all over the island. Happy with my purchase, I walk back to the hotel only to find that the Telcomm Hotspot does not work at the resort. Ugh! So I had to purchase 500 mb of data at the resort.

Rarotonga's bus service travels regularly both clockwise and anti-clockwise during the week. There are no set bus stops, you can flag buses down where it's safe to. Bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles are readily available for rent and helmets are not required. In order to rent a scooter or motorcycle, you just have to show the rental company and they will issue you a temporary driver's license for $2. If you license doesn't cover scooter driving, you must take a short driving test at the Police station.

Got changed and went to the beach.... beautiful! Muri Lagoon. Paddle boarding, kayaking and swimming are very safe. Lots to explore with 3 motu's (islets) to go around.

Headed out to the Sails Restaurant for dinner. Their fish is so fresh and delish! The Sails is also located on Muri Lagoon. While eating dinner on the outside deck, I saw a group head out for a night time paddle board trip on the Lagoon. The boards had coloured lights at the bottom of the boards, it lit up the lagoon as they paddles.

As I headed to my room for the night, I stopped at the front desk and booked a scooter for tomorrow.

April 17
Went and signed for my scooter. I got a temporary Cook Island license for the day. Got an overview and then had to drive around the parking lot to prove to the attendant that I was capable to ride it.

There are two main roads and it takes one hour to go around the whole island (without stopping)..... the main road runs along the waterfront. It's paved but full of pot holes and very narrow. The second road in the inland road (the first road), it's not as busy and there are a few sites to visit.

Headed off to Avarua Town (the capital of Rarotonga) on the main road. Stopped at the Telcomm store to sort out my wifi. Turns out they don't have mobile wifi so it the hotspot for this trip. Only problem is I don't know where the 140 hotspots are located..... there isn't a list. I did learn that this wifi is also good in Aitutaki. Browsed around the stores in town. Then headed out towards the airport and around the far side of the island. Stopped and snorkelled at lots of beaches.

I had plans to go see Papua (Wigmore's) Waterfall. I had a real tough time finding the turn off. Once I did, I changed my mind. The whole road up the hill was gravel and I just didn't think it was safe.

Back by 3 pm. Spent a few hours on the beach. Watched people paddling on the SUP boards and kayaks. I'm going to kayak to the motus tomorrow. I chatted with a couple from NZ. He rented a motorbike this morning. His wife told me that he fell and had the bike land on him. He's cut and bruised.

Since I had transportation, I asked the lady at the front desk what her favourite restaurant was. I headed to her fav restaurant "The Waterline Restaurant & Grill" on the scooter. Hair blowing in the wind..... Got here just in time for a beautiful sunset. Had the pan seared yellow fin tuna, it was delish!

Sat poolside listening to a beautiful singer.... she sounds exactly like Nora Jones.