I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some awesome people on my journey. This led me to an invitation to spend a relaxing week in Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook Islands. Not just that, but I enjoyed sharing a house instead of a hostel room for several nights- a real treat!

 

I arrived after a night in Brisbane airport. It was easier to sleep in an airport than find accommodation for an early flight out. This was another first for me and my traveler lifestyle.

 

Rarotonga is a relatively small island, you can drive around it in less than an hour! Tourism is key on this island, and the locals are very welcoming.

 

 

I spent most of my time chilling out and enjoying my book on the beach. When I wasn’t doing that, I was…

 

Snorkeling

With island life comes one of my favorite activities, snorkeling. We took a glass bottom boat out to a conservation area set up to protect fish and grow coral. I was able to see many types of fish; I wish the pictures I took did it justice.

 

 

 

Te Vara Nui Village Show

As a special treat I was able to go to the Te Vara Nui Village dinner and show. The stage is on a platform and dancers also perform on a raft circling the main stage. The whole evening from the food to the dancers was great. The show told the story of a chief coming to Rarotonga and marrying off his daughter to Rarotonga’s chief to ensure his people would be welcome on the island. The show included fire dancers!

 

 

Cross Island Hike

I’m not sure if I now like hiking or I keep getting dragged along. I don’t think I ever decided I wanted to hike, but once again I found myself walking and climbing (and stumbling) through the forest. This hike actually had me walk across a country! At one point we lost our way on the path and I ended up falling and eventually walking through a stream which led to a waterfall.

 

 

 

Headpiece and Baskets

Since writing about reading on the beach wouldn’t be that exciting, I decided to join an arts and crafts class on the beach. We made flower headpieces using string, fresh flowers, and pieces of coconut tree. The baskets were made by weaving palms together. It was great fun! I initially heard of the Cook Islands on the TV show Survivor, so I felt that learning how to weave palms was excellent preparation for that pipe dream.

 

 

The Cook Islands have provided a very relaxing week and I feel recharged and ready to continue traveling the Australian coast. Next up, the conclusion to my Australian travels.