Bill had a great time in Cook Islands. It was a place where there was not much to do other than just hang out on the beach. The main island is called Rarotonga and is about 20 miles around. The common mode of transportation is moped (which could be rented for $7 per day). The island was full of great beaches and great people. The locals were more than friendly, they seemed to truely enjoy sharing their island with tourists. A couple of quick examples of their kindess:
1) Bill went to a small food shop where you order up at the counter. When Bill asked if he should pay when he ordered or pay later, the owner answered in all seriousness, "Pay now...Pay after you eat...Pay next week...it does not matter to me". That is how laid back they are.
2) Several of the people staying at the local hostel decided to go to church at the local church. Upon arival, everyone was more than hospitable. Most of the mass was not in english, but the singing was beautiful. When the mass was over, the pastor asked everyone to join the reception after mass. As it turns out the reception was a full on pot-luck that was put on by the ladies of the perish. The food was specifically for the tourists. They asked each of us stand up and tell where we are from and an interesting fact about our country. After each person did thier little stand up, the locals would ask questions about that country. It was really neat to see how interested they were in others and the countries that they came from.
The scarriest thing that happend to Bill in the Cook Islands (besides getting his hair cut by someone who had never cut hair before (see photos)), occurred on the 3rd day. He was minding his own bidness (I like to spell it that way) and writing post cards at a picnic table when he heard a loud THUD. Turns out that a coconut had fallen out of a 60 foot tree and landed 4 feet from where he was sitting. It was only after telling the story to a couple of locals that Bill found out what the most common cause of death by nature in the south pacific was.........FALLING COCONUTS.
It was difficult to leave the cook islands for many reasons, but New Zealand was waiting.
Some would say that 5 days in New Zealand is not enough time. They would be correct. Fortunatly, Bill knew this and was merely trying to visit a spot that he had missed on a trip in October of 1999. The north end of the North Island is called the "Bay of Islands", and is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. After visiting, Bill is prepared to confirm this claim. A highlight of this area was the bus tour that included driving down the 90 mile beach, a hike, dolphin watching, Sand Boarding on dunes, and sight seeing. It was good fun (British Phrase). After visiting the Bay of Islands, it was back to Aukland.
When Bill and Rob were in Dahab Egypt back in October, they met a couple from New Zealand (Troy and Monique). They exchanged email addresses and promised to look eachother up if they were in town. Well Troy and Monique were from Aukland. They were kind enough to invite Bill over for a little Kiwi BBQ (Kiwi is a nickname for people from New Zealand not just a fuit). The BBQ was at Troy's parents place and it was amazing! It was much fancier than the BYOM (bring your own meat) type BBQ's that Bill was used to. The food and the company were equally fantastic. It was truely a unique opportunity to see something off the beaten track. Troy and Monique have committed to trying to make it to the states for a week of snowboarding so that Bill can repay the hospitality.
Now it is off to the land up OZ (that is Australia to you and me) for 32 days. Look for us all to be more tan, better surfers, better scuba divers and saying G'Day.
-Bill
Wana know a little more about the Cook Islands????
Just click here info from Lonely Planet Cook Islands
