Rarotonga

We are still in Rarotonga and have been joined by Anne and Harvey. They arrived in the middle of the night—the flights here seem to be of the lowest priority and arrive at the oddest times-- it was a challenge getting Anne and Harvey off the dock and onto the boat in the dingy with the rocky rolly seas we have been having. Highest priority of course was not to loose the booze and chocolate they had bought us.
We woke them up in the morning and we went to the market. The fruit and vegs are lovely and fresh and crisp—definitely this island produces more than French Polynesia did. We also sampled the huge $4 ice creams and are also enjoying the fish and chips and milkshakes—hmm food fixation again!! Oh I did not mention the Devonshire teas with scones and cream which were also a must have.
The anchorage is interesting with sailboats coming and going, all of them requiring help to bring in their ropes attached to their sterns. Ken has become quite the expert at going in the dingy and bringing them to shore. Getting on and off our boat is always a challenge too with many ropes tying the big boat to be negotiated under and over as you pull yourself to the dock in the dingy. We have managed to get everything on the boat without losing anything but we do not always look elegant as we maneuver ourselves to and from the dingy to the dock. It continues to be very rolly but we are becoming experts.
Harvey was a diesel mechanic in his past life so we have given him various challenges in our engine room which so far he has successfully helped Ken with—always an advantage in ensuring your guests have some hidden talents!!
We did take a bus tour around the island and did spend one day hiking over the island. This is more of a challenge than it should be as they do not mark the trail at all so we clambered over roots and trees in the mud before we made it to the other side.
Unfortunately the weather has been showery so we have not been swimming or spending time at the beach. The locals assure us they need the rain but we would have preferred they waited a week.
Provisioning here is easy so we have restocked up and will head to Aitutaki tonight. It should be a two night passage and we are hoping to get in before a major weather system moves in. It arrives on Saturday and hopefully we will be in the lagoon in Aitutaki which we have been told is a Pacific paradise. Anne and Harvey will fly out of there in 10days to go back to NZ. We are enjoying having them on board.
Marcie and Don are going to rejoin us in Aitutaki and will go as far as Tonga with us.