Arrival in Rarotonga The Cook Islands 13th September 2008.

Sylvia’s Comments

Our Air New Zealand flight from Auckland left on time and took us out over the city and crossed the Coromandel Peninsula then over the Pacific. It was nice to look down on parts of the country that we had driven around and be able to pick out some of the landmarks. Our flight to Rarotonga would be just under 4 hours, but as we will cross the International Date Line we are flying backwards. We left NZ at 4.30pm on the 14 September and arrive at Rarotonga at 10.22pm on the 13 September. A case of getting to our destination before we have left from the other end, complicated.

From the plane we got a beautiful Pacific sunset then we hit a jet stream and got a few bumps. We were watching the television monitor which gave us details of ground speed, time to destination which did not accord with the version our pilot was giving us. The monitor indicated we had 20 minutes to arrival as the pilot said cabin crew prepare to land. Shortly after I looked out the window just as we landed, usually you are able to see the approach lights long before you reach the runway, here it was nothing and then down.

Departing the aircraft was on of the quickest I have experienced and we were met with a nice draft of warm air. Entering the terminal local music was playing to greet us and it made you want to just dance, however not being able to swing my hips about like the local ladies do I gave it a miss. Getting through immigration was very fast and then a long wait for the bags, ours were last off. Passing through customs with, a heavily laden trolley, the lady asked if we were coming to live here. My reply was “not yet but if it is really nice I may give it a try”.

Outside waiting for us was the owner of our rental bungalow and she transported us to our accommodation pointing out the banks, supermarkets and other places of interest as we drove through the town. Our accommodation is not far out of the town, about a mile and a half, and just a short walk from the main road. After living in a motor home for two years we were overwhelmed by the amount of space we have here, two bedrooms, and a large lounge/dining room/kitchen, bathroom and laundry. After ensuring we were settled and knew where everything was our host left us and we settled down for the night.

Next morning our idyllic retreat gave us a rude awakening. At daybreak there was a cacophony of sound from the several cockerels patrolling the grounds around the bungalow. They not only patrolled the grounds but stood right under the windows and let out the most awful noise. It seems there is no sleep past 6 am on the Cook Islands, or any other part of the day as the noise seemed to go on forever. Well as we are self catering perhaps we will be having chicken for our meals.

17 Sep 2008