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?
E: Mom, is that person a boy or a girl?
E: Look! That boy is wearing pants with his girl swimsuit!
We celebrated the big wins with some fun at the arcade. Won't my girls be ticked off when they discover that these video games require money to work properly? Please don't tell them.
