Scott and I just got back from our kid-free vacation to Rarotonga, a tiny island that's part of the Cook Islands. We didn't know much about Rarotonga before we went (just that we got a steal of a deal), so in case you're heading there soon, here's a quick run down.
They give you a lei when you get off the plane. I thought they only did that on made for TV movies and so I was very excited.
The Cook Islands has GIANT fruits. That starfruit I'm eating is the size of a brick. Also, it was free since it fell off a tree and onto the road. (Just kidding. Some missionaries we met gave it to us. They probably got it off the road.)
The Cook Islands is a self-governing nation with free association with New Zealand. (Thanks to Wikipedia for that explanation.) This means all the stuff in the grocery store is Kiwi made. Look at the delicious haul we bought for dinner one night! The smoothie with spirulina was especially good. We had to look at up when we got home to find out what we drank. (Thanks again Wikipedia!)
Hardly anyone drives cars. Most people have scooters, so I was right at home. Since I have a motorcycle license I didn't have to take a road test. Scott's license hadn't arrived by the time we left so he had to take a test given by a really grouchy cop. I was worried he wouldn't pass him.
But when your country's main police station is missing letters in its sign I guess they aren't too picky about missing a turn.
I look a little scary in my photo. I told them my birthday was wrong hoping that they'd retake my photo and give me a different license. They just changed my birthday and gave me the same photo. (Foiled again!) I think Scott looks a little seasick. 
You can actually see shipwrecks there! This ship landed in January, we were told. I guess they're cleaning it up on Island Time. (I love Island Time, and Island Hair, by the way.)
Even the cemeteries have a great view.
If you remodeled your kitchen recently and have credit card points you might be lucky enough to stay a night in this bungalow hotel. We were only lucky enough to stay there one night. Next time we'll remodel the whole house! This was the view from our deck.
And this was the view from the beach. No tourists!
And this was the view of the sand. Coconuts just fall of the trees when they feel like it and no one gets hurt because no one is on the beach!
And finally, the view from our rental car on the way back from the airport. We were going to have an 9 HOUR layover in LA so we pretended we were on the Amazing Race. We got on standby to San Francisco and when we realized we wouldn't make it onto another standby flight for a few more hours we rented a car and drove home. We got home 6 hours earlier than we would have otherwise. Phil, we're creative. We're adventurous. Can we be on the show now?
14 comments:
What an amazing trip! You guys have seen many parts of the world. Lucky!!! I would love a remodeled kitchen and a fabulous trip, too.
FUN FUN FUN!!! It looks like you had so much fun! I gotta admit...there is a twang of jealousy running through my veins!
Wow--I love your Cook Island travelog! I want to go someday. I will wear my hard hat because I know I would probably get hit on the head by one of the falling coconuts.
Your motorcycle licenses are cute. I look like I'm wearing a Russian hat in my driver's license picture. People who are really looking at the picture don't think it's me!
Sounds like lots of alpine picnics and Sunday dinner on a buns. What delight.
What a fun trip. It sounds like it was very relaxing trip and with no kids...you might have even been able to sleep through the night...you deserved it!
So fun -- makes me even more excited for 042109! Good thing we're avoiding hurricane season. Glad you're back though. Ikea?
What a fun trip! I love all your pics and comments. You make me laugh. Maybe one day D and I can go on a trip with you!!
So did you sleep through the night? The beach is beautiful...I'm a teensy bit jealous! So glad you had fun!
How fun! And kid-free, even better. Loved your pictures and comments, too. We all need to go on a Blood family trip soon. That would be fun.
SO FUN! I am very excited for you guys that you took the time to go! So cool.
Wow, that looks amazing! I'm glad you guys got to go and have some fun. So cool to see pics of a place I have never heard of before, thanks!!
First: you guys would so so great on that show!!! Second: I am so jealous. You have inspired us to focus on taking a nice vacation with just the two of us. We haven't remodeled our kitchen recently though, so we might end up in the Super 8 in Pueblo, CO.
Wow! Great pictures! I was very curious about what one does in Rarotonga and what it looks like when one is there. AND you would be SO awesome on the Amazing Race. (My favorite show, by the way.) What with all of your experience in Endiburgh youth hostels, plus some other foreign countries, you would rock. And the viewing audience would love you.
Whoops. Misspelled Edinburgh.
Post a Comment