alainaflute
Greg
Jody
E.G.D.Picture Perfect: Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Posted by E.G.D. on March 24, 2015
We had another fabulous port of call, this time at Rarotonga, the youngest of the Cook Islands. Rarotonga is the picture perfect setting you would imagine finding on a postcard of the South Pacific. Only better! Rarotonga’s natural beauty is stunning. The island’s rugged, eroded volcanic peaks are covered in dense, green vegetation. And sparkling blue lagoons are surrounded by pearly white sand and tall, swaying palm trees. Picture perfect!
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- Stunning (Photo © Jody Diehl)
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- It’s a sign! (I don’t know who took this picture, but those are Jody and Greg in it!)
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- Lovely! (Photo © Jody Diehl)
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- Sun and sand (Photo © Jody Diehl)
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- Greg snapping a shot (Photo © Jody Diehl)
The hot and steamy day (even for the locals) started with a trip to Muri Lagoon, the go-to spot for snorkeling on the island. There we found colorful fish, coral, and black sea cucumbers galore. The water was crystal clear and cool. The currents were pretty tricky, pulling us this way and that. We just decided to head up the white sandy beach and then let the current take us back to the nearby beachside resort. It worked pretty well, but there was a whole lot of kicking involved!
We shuttled back into town in the afternoon, hoping the shops and cafes might be open. They weren’t. Rarotonga is a Christian community and Sunday is a day for church, and rest, and family. We walked through the tiny midtown area and turned up a street and into a neighborhood where we found a monument on a triangle of road. It was the stone from which the first Christian sermon was given on the island. It read: “On this stone Papeiha first preached the Christian message in Rarotonga in 1823.” Cool find for just walking up a side street! There were many churches tucked away all along the main road. The sign in front of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral showed that the 9:00 AM Sunday mass is said in Maori.
Island life is relaxed, patient, and accepting. Each person we met on Rarotonga was joyful and very friendly. It was a full day of fun and exploration.
Next stop: Tahiti.
We hope all is well with all of you.
Have a wonderful yesterday!- Jody & Greg
Wingclipped said
I’m very jealous! What a great trip!
E.G.D. said
They really do look like they’re having great fun!
Jody said
Oh yes! We had such a wonderful time. Every port was our new favorite! 7 glorious weeks of hopping from one spectacular port to another!
anotherday2paradise said
Lovely photos, Jody. Our plane made a brief stop at Rorotonga airport a few years ago. Unfortunately we couldn’t leave to go exploring as there wasn’t enough time, but I noticed that the new passengers who joined our flight, all looked as though they’d had a really great holiday. You will absolutely love Tahiti. 🙂
Jody said
Many thanks! We only just returned yesterday. Now it’s back to work for us. We had such a fabulous time. Every port was absolutely magical in its own way.
roamingpursuits said
Good photos.
E.G.D. said
Mom never fails to rock the photography ^_^