Summary:
"Kia Orana" - Moari for 'Welcome' but we felt it should be for 'bugger off', as this was the impression some of the locals gave you when you asked for help!
The Islands were a major disappointment. Mainly due to the weather. We were expecting endless days of sunshine and lazing on the picture postcard beaches. However the sun shone for 2-3 days out of 10. The rest being windy, cloudy and rainy. On those days it did shine it was gorgeous, but when the sun doesn't shine, there is not a whole lot to do!
As we said, most surprisingly, we also found the people unfriendly and unhelpful, probably the worst we have ever met. We needed to get a bit of help with the bike repairs and so went to shops which hired out bikes, therefore had spares, tools and mechanics, but they refused to help. The trend continued throughout, with peoples attitude bordering on rude at our accommodation, the laundrette and various restraunts to name just a few places.
However, on the plus side, we met quite a few other travellers and holidaymakers (Brits and kiwi's mainly)and it was great to swap stories. Lots of which whet our appetite for New Zealand. If they are as half as welcoming as they have been here, then NZ will be great (we got three invites to stay with people). As you will see beloe there are loads of highlights from the Cook Islands, so it wasn't all that bad.....
Highlights
Snorkelling - CB, Having only learnt to swim last year, to be able to snorkel was a bit of an ambition, one which I achieved. The coral and fish were fantastic and worth the effort, as I was still a little nervious. I took some pictures of the fish but most days it rained so they are a bit dull, I will put some in the photo gallery.
Beaches and Lagoon - CB, The few days we manged to get on to the beach, they were white sand and turquoise blue sea - typical picture postcard
Canoeing - Managed not to capsize this time (vast improvement since Canada!)
Wedding - (CB), attended beach wedding through circumstance of us sunbathing on the beach when wedding party arrived. (DA - " It was all very tacky"!!!)
Dancing Competition - CB, Won local dancing competition, the training in Egypt helped!!! Received champagne and an invite to my competitors house in New Zealnd, it was all worth the embarressment. (DA - I enjoyed sharing the champagne!!)
Netball - CB, saw the national squad train, made me realise that I was missing playing
Church - The best church singing we have ever heard. You could sing along to 'How great thou art' in Moari as the words were helpfully projected, via acetate, onto the church wall!!!!
Lou Carpenter!!!!! - CB, What do you mean "who's that?' answers by email please. (DA - I'd have preferred to see Kylie)
Wine - Decent wine at last (New Zealand imports)
Lowlights:-
Damage to bikes - this was really the airline (6am, with no sleep, is not the best time to to fixing bikes!!)
Weather - The poor weather, meant not much sunbathing or island trecking
People - As above...
Lack of fresh produce - The island is dependant on NZ for produce and a boat hadn't docked for 3 weeks!! Bread and sardine tine lined the shop shelves!!!