Rarotong continued....

April 18
Went out for an early morning walk down the street, then had breakfast. I met a couple from Indiana (didn't even get their name) last night. They offered me a ride to the Punanga Nui Market. The market runs every Saturday 8 am to 2 pm is huge for fresh fruit and vegetables, arts and crafts, clothing and music, food and drinks and cultural performances.

Got to the market, wandered around at all the stalls. Had lunch while watching some really cute kids dancing. Walked to the bus stop and got the clockwise bus.

Got changed and headed to the beach. Kayaked over and explored the whole motu. Sat on the beach and watched the staff get ready for a wedding. Some of us sat and watched the wedding on the beach. It started to spit rain while the couple was saying their vows. It started pouring at the exact time they were pronounced husband and wife.

April 19
Woke up to clouds, wind, and spitting rain. Had breakfast and walked to church. Like Fiji, everything on the Cook Islands stop on Sundays (most things). The ladies are dressed in bright colour dresses with beautiful straw hats, while the men are dressed up in suits. Families don't sit together, the men with the men, the women with the women, and the kids in a large group. The pews at the sides of the church (by the altar) are reserved for people in power (Chief of the village, their wives, and Ministers of the Government agencies).

I was sitting in the back of the church (quietly) until a lady came up and said "Kia Orana" (Welcome) and introduced herself as Aunty. She asked me to join her and the other ladies. All the way up, she kept introducing me to all the Aunties. There were lots of visitors (I wasn't alone). The service was mainly in their native tongue but the minister (Pa Pa) welcomed us in English. Half way through the service, he asked all the visitors to stand and sing (How Great Thou Art). They put the words (English) up on the wall, after the second verse the rest of the congregation joined in (native tongue). After church, the visitors were all invited for cake and juice. They thanked us for coming. Service was beautiful, the singing was awesome (harmonized).

Across the street from the Ngatangi'la CICC (the church), a circle of seven stones with a historical plaque commemorates seven canoes that completed the journey (The Great Migration) to New Zealand.

Back at the resort, I entertained renting another scooter for the day. The weather wasn't cooperating...and nothing was open. The roads were crazy with scooters, motorcycles, and cars. So I decided to stay at the resort. There are scooters everywhere, people carry everything as they ride... boxes, tires, groceries. The most scariest of all is seeing a 3 year old holding on to someone on a scooter.

Finally I got dressed and headed off to the night market. It had about 12 stalls selling food (Cook Island fare). I ordered chicken kebab, rice and a great big piece of chocolate cake! YUM!

April 19
It has rained all morning... not just rain... heavy, heavy rain.
Up early, had breakfast and was out on the road to catch the 8:14 am clockwise bus. Got to my 9:00 am appointment only to find out that I was half hour late..... They were ready to cancel my appointment as they were very busy.

To finish and document my adventure, I am getting another tattoo today at The Polynesian Tattoo Studio. I was so disappointed when I learnt I was half hour late for my appointment. I was told to take a seat to see if the 9:00 am appointment shows up. Clive's brother came over to discuss what I wanted. He drew something on my arm. Clive was ready for me... we discussed what I wanted. He redrew the pattern and started tattooing.

Here it is before it was filled in:

This is finished - it tells my story.... the loss of Gerald; love and support from my wonderful family; the courage and strength I have gained and new beginnings.

Took the clockwise bus back to the resort. Grabbed a hot tea and then headed out in the pouring rain to the Mooring Cafe about 45 minutes away. I ordered a grilled mahi mahi on a turkish bread and walked back to the resort to have lunch. It was delicious. Since it was still raining, I did some reading in my room.

The island has dogs running around everywhere... they belong to people but are allowed to run free. This little cute puppy followed me all the way from the Mooring Cafe back to my resort.

Around 3:00 pm the rain stopped, so I took a long walk along the beach (45 minutes). Met and had a drink and dinner with some people I've met.

April 21
The rains have come to Cook Islands.... it's been raining here for the last 3 days with lightening and thunder this morning. The skies seems to be clearing as I write this.