Aitutaki, Cook Islands, Lovely Native people and the most beautiful lagoon in the world! pt 3

Aitutaki (Ah tu tah kee)

Another of the Cook Islands known for 'the most beautiful lagoon in the world'. These pictures don't do any justice to the beauty of the island and the people. I tried to take a walk into town, but a local woman pulled over her motorcycle and offered a ride. I hopped on and we chatted about my impression of the island and people. She was pleased to hear my commentary and pointed me in the direction of the post office where I bought stamps and mailed post cards. 

While in town, I stopped in the grocery store and a few shops. Locals were very friendly and genuinely interested in me and my thoughts about their island. Each of them thanked me for visiting and invited me to return and stay longer than 4 days:). I noticed many kinds of churches (Seven Day Adventist, Jehovah Witness, Baptist, and others. All evidence of the many missionaries who'd come to reprogram the native people, who still maintain their Maori based languages, and many aspects of their native cultures. Unlike Rarotonga, encounters with natives are the rule verses the exception. That was most refreshing, as I was able to learn more about their families, schools, jobs, challenges, travels, pride in the beauty and serenity of their island. It was also nice to hear that they were annoyed by the crowing roosters. Some who'd lived abroad (mostly New Zealand), wanted to leave the island but dutifully came home to take care of ailing, aging parents or help their families. 

The lagoon was amazing and photos don't do it justice, but until you visit....

(Pics: Airport, accomodations (Vaikoa's), beaches, w/Ida, Sheila (New Zealand via Brazil), locals Arita and Mii), 5* dining, The Lagoon, wildlife,  my new Australian friends, lagoon life). 

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Land of the chronically crowing roosters! Ugh! pt 2

Kia orana! Cock-a-doodle-do!!!  At 2 am? Really? Cock-a-doodle-do!!! In multiples, closer, louder, and more frequently? Really? I shoved earplugs in quickly, grateful for the ability to mute the sound...or it was going to be a long 2 wks! Cause chickens and roosters are Everywhere!

Life seems really laid back, traffic is lite, and locals were most often from New Zealand or Australia. Native Polynesian locals were most often, the 'workers'. Taking the local bus all the way around the island is nearly an hour, but well worth it, as the beaches are amazing, towns are small, and landscape, scenic.

Didn't do much for the first few days, mostly hung out with Branko and Ida who had me laughing so much, my cheeks, ribs, and abdominal muscles ached. Branko doesn't speak English, he speaks Branko, ie: 'I go to the gym and push some iron' (aka lift weights). 

Me: Do you recall what you did last night, or were you too drunk?' 

Branko: 'I never drunk, I was socially tired from the refreshments!'

(pics:Cassandra and Terry from Monterey! Dance class, island views, Branko and Ida, wild life ( geckos and chickens in the airport)

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)

Philippines, The underwater caves of Palawan, pt 5, final post

Palawan is beautiful, but the underwater caves were Phenomenal!!! Worth the price of the ticket! My camera shots could not reflect the beauty of the natural art inside the caves. We saw formations that resembled various vegetables, musical instruments, faces, and animals. There were thousands of bats, prompting the guide to advise, if you look up, don't say 'Wow' or something (bat poop) may land in your mouth! Our guide's warmth, humor and narration were as perfect as the still water, and the cooler temperature.

The excitement and wonder were palpable and I remained on the high even after I flew back to Manila! The following day, I joyfully performed (bellydance) for Jingle and family in appreciation of their gracious hospitality. 'Kain na' (let's eat) one last time and the next day, I returned to Manila's airport. As soon as I settled in my window seat, a little girl loudly sung, 'Oo Na na, what's my name? Oo na na, what's my name?' (a Rihana song) over and over again. She sat 6 rows behind me, yet with ear plugs & headphones on, I heard, 'Oo na na, what's my name' ...

I wanted to ask her name so I could answer her. Ugh! It would be a 12 hr flight, and she'd been singing the same lyrics for an hour already. I gave up trying to sleep, then watched a movie. Soon, it was meal time. Thankfully, lil 'Rihana' opted to eat and quit singing to do so. Then, I didn't hear her again.  'i-tis' (after meal fatigue) shut her down! Yes!!!

Trip least favorites: 

The heat was brutal! 

Lil airplane Rihana's mother who never advised child to use her 'inside voice'.

Trip highlights: 

The hospitality of the people, the closeness of family, the manner of celebrating Xmas, and the natural beauty of the South Pacific. 

Salamat (thank you) for all of it!

Pics: Palawan - underground caves tour.