Rarotongan Rest

"Rest" isn't something you often get with a lively baby so we weren't at all sure how our few days in the Cook Islands would go. I should add that I am pretty much incapable of lying on a beach or by the pool at the best of times, a fact that has become a bit of a long standing joke in our family. Ian has been joking for weeks that he was actually hoping for some time by the pool reading a book now that we have Thomas and therefore I have someone else willing to play games with me and keep me entertained. 

The Cook Island of Rarotonga is the fourth South Pacific Island we have visited (Fiji, Samoa and Tonga being the other three) and has its own charm. It sits on a coral reef that surrounds the lush green peak that rises out of the turquoise surround. Very volcanic and impressive.  The whole island can be circumnavigated in less than an hour by an island bus that works both clockwise and anti-clockwise hourly. Thomas absolutely loved riding the bus! With much relaxed road laws and extremely slow traffic, he enjoyed feeling the breeze from the windows and watching the world go by. 

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Thomas has absolutely loved swimming In the pool, paddling in the sea and playing around on a towel next to us in the shade with his toys. He even made friends with some local chickens! 

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He is somewhat puzzled by sand. The inquisitive look on his face trying to figure out this weird stuff is priceless. 

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One of the "things to do" in Rarotonga is the Tu Vara Nui cultural village tour and dinner. I don't normally go for that sort of thing but so many people told us that it was fantastic that we decided to give it a go. It starts with a really quite informative tour of the village with lots of information about the history of the Cook Islands, local customs and skills. It then involves a really very nice buffet dinner with an over-water tribal dance show. Now, don't get me wrong, for that sort of thing it was very good and what they do, they do well. However, it was incredibly touristy and not at all our thing! 

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It's been great to recharge for a few days and take stock of what we have learnt so far. We feel ready now for New Zealand and camping!