Nubian Nomad visits Rarotonga, Cook Islands, pt 1 (where is that? See post)

Kia orana! (official greeting)  

Gotta admit, I never heard of Rarotonga, let alone had plans to visit the island, but thanks to an airfare special and speaking with a friend who'd been, I bought a ticket. It was a 10 hr smooth flight with great service and movies, to the South Pacific Cook Islands, near New Zealand. (It's worth googling, if you want to know about the history, etc.)

We disembarked under warm, humid, cloudy, misty skies, surrounded by lush green mountains and pristine blue waters.  Got into the shuttle for Rarotonga Backpackers, and met my new neighbors, a father/daughter traveling duo, that I would spend the next week and a half with. He: Branko (from Vancouver BC, by way of Sweden, by way of Slovakia); She: Ida (pronounced E -da) from Vancounver BC, by way of Sweden. They had an elevated beachfront apt w/full kitchen and excellent view, while I had a cute cottage behind them. We bonded quickly then headed downtown on a local bus, where we met driver/comedian/singer/tour guide, Mr. Hopeless. 

(pics: Branko and Ida, Me and Branko, view from their apt, view from my cottage, sunset, Nubian Nomad on Vacay, rugby game, posters on The Castaway restaurant sidewall)