I'm in need of a word. I wanted to give this entry a one word title to sum up the buzz in my head. Equal parts excitement, sadness, adventure, curiosity, nerves and happiness. What on earth do you call that?
Nersadventuriosity?
Hapadnessiture?
I flew out of beautiful Rarotonga this morning, an end destination of Hanoi in Vietnam. In order to get there, I have a fantastic 18 hours to while away in the Auckland Airport. A good friend suggested that I see if any of the fancy lounges would let me pay to stay for the day.
Brilliant f$*@ing plan!
I am currently draped over two chairs, ensconsed in my own happy little corner of the Emperor Lounge. $99 NZD has afforded me all that I can eat, drink and google for 14 hours. Shit yes.
My little coffee table island is littered with a tea cup, empty plates, a glass now missing it's gin and tonic contents and a half finished Monteiths Ale. Thirsty? Just raid the fridge. Hungry? Just hit up the delectable buffet line next door. Dusty from your travels? No worries my friend, there's a private shower with your name on it.
I was anxious to get here, even just to sit in an airport in Auckland, I just wanted to touch ground in NZ for a bit. The wheels hit the ground and my heart thudded into my throat. This country has some sort of weird magnetic hold on me. My bones just want to be here.
To my great surprise and joy I was granted a 3 month visitor's visa on arrival. I had to fight myself to keep from just buying a ticket to Dunedin. I want to be on the peninsula. I want to have a freaking Velvet Burger. I want to go for a run at Ross Creek. I want my coffee dates back damn it!
As phenomenal as the team in Rarotonga was, I've been sorely missing my Dunedin crew lately. More so because internet was hard to come by in Raro - which has its pros and cons - but a short video call with a majority of the A Team massively boosted my reserves. My heart has settled back into my rib cage and has resigned itself to wait it out with my head. I do have to avoid the windows in the airport though.
As exhausted as I am, this has been the perfect stopover. My head is settled, my heart is content and my belly is full! In a few more hours it'll be time to take a nice deep breath, fill my lungs with some crisp NZ air and leap into my solo travel adventure.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Kia Orana!
Righto my darlings! For those of you who have been asking - here it is! My Top Ten Things to Do in Rarotonga - accompanied with descriptions/funny stories.
In no particular order:
Coco Putt
Amazing buffet style food + great local music + putt putt golf = Coco Putt. I know I said no particular order, but this was one of my favourite things to do on the island :) The food is unreal, and all local. Bring your eating pants.
When and Where?
The buffet is only run on Sundays, make sure to book ahead. $34.00 (NZD) will get you all you can eat food and dessert plus a round of putt putt. Drinks are pay as you go.
The band is a rotation of local people, they'll happily take requests and love to have people come up to sing/play with them. Don't be shy!
For more info, check out their website here.
Go to a church service
I know, I know. An odd one for me to mention as I'm not really religious, however, I do worship music. This is something that is well worth the time, only takes a few hours of your Sunday and will leave you blown away if you appreciate musically talented people.
When and Where?
Every Sunday at 10:00am. The CICC (Cook Islands Christian Church) in Arorangi - although I've heard/read good things about the CICCs in Titikaveka and Matavera.
Tips:
Show up a wee bit early, dress nicely, but you don't have to be super fancy. We were invited to stick around for the after service lunch, so it's a nice time to chat with locals and get a bit of culture too :)
Walk the Cross Island Trail
One fine night, a group of us decided it would be GRAND idea to walk up to the top of the Cross Island Track to catch the sunrise. If this interests you, bring a flashlight and start at the Avarua end. Try and get a lift to the start of the trail as well. We had a healthy walk/climb to the top and enjoyed a lovely gentle sunrise. Parts were hidden behind other hills, but it was still pretty beautiful.
Coming down the way we climbed up, I found it easier to climb down backwards in several spots as it's pretty steep. Completely navigable if you have a decent level of fitness. Plenty of tree roots to use as hand holds/ladder rungs. Word to the wise, watch out for paper wasps...
When and Where?
The trail cuts across the entire island. One end is just outside of Avarua (the main township) while the other is over next to a general store called Wigmore's on the other side of the island. If you are walking from one side to the other, bring plenty of water, a camera and expect to spend 3-5 hours out and about, mainly to allot for time to take photos/rest. Wear your mosquito repellent!
Tips:
If you are walking from one side to the other, bring plenty of water, a camera and expect to spend 3-5 hours out and about, mainly to allot for time to take photos/rest. Wear your mosquito repellent!
If you want to try for a dawn hike, give yourself 45 minutes to an hour to climb up the Avarua side to get to the top. Climb down however you like.
21.3 Vaiana's
A simple and fantastic beach side bar just outside of Avarua. The drinks are well poured and cost effective. The food is pub style (ie. mainly all fried) but freaking AMAZING.
As this place is literally down the road from the clinic I was working at, we were here several times a week for post work drinks. They have live music throughout the week on different days, just keep an eye on the sign on the road for what's going on that night.
When and Where?
Any day except Sunday. It is just down the road from the airport on the main road going away from Avarua.
Tips
You can buy a drink card for $40.00 (NZD) that will get you 10 drinks. Definitely worth it outside of happy hour :) Food wise, I highly recommend the cheeseburger or chicken fingers. They also have a massive platter that is great for a large-ish group of people to nibble on as well.
Monday Night Jams
One drunken evening, another volunteer and I where completely convinced that we could "gently jog" from Vaiana's to the house sit that I was staying at. 6k (almost 4 miles) away from Vaiana's. At 9:00 at night. In the dark.
I know what you're thinking. Dumb move.
Nonetheless.
We headed off and started our slow jog.
Made it about 100 meters and said, "Nah." We immediately committed to hitch hiking. And who picks us up straight away, but the amazing chef from Coco Putt! We were stoked to have a ride with someone we knew.
He invited us to a jam session of sorts that he was heading to, promising us a lift home afterwards.
Best decision we could've made.
The bar that he drove us two sits just behind the post office in Avarua, its tucked away around a corner. A small bar is set up underneath what might be someone's house. Sounds dodge, but its amazing! Heaps of local musicians come out to play songs with each other. $4.00 (NZD) beers. You won't regret it.
When and Where?
If you are driving through town, at the second round about, take a right towards the Post Office. Just down the street on the right past the Post Office will be an empty lot with a teeny little building sitting in the back right corner. That teeny building is the bathroom for the bar, there will be a gate in a wooden fence next to the bathroom that leads into a grassy yard. Show up at 9:00-9:30pm on a Monday night. Enjoy!
Tips
Bring cash for the bar and feel free to get up and sing/play!
Pub Crawl
Friday or Saturday nights are great days to have a night out on the town. Most people are out and about, the people watching is usually top notch. 1. Start out with some dinner and drinks at Whatever Bar (across from the cinema in Avarua). 2. Walking, take a right onto the main road, over the bridge and through the round about. On your left tucked away next to the cafe on the corner will be Boogies Bar. Enjoy some stellar live music and a game of pool. 3. Next, head left down to the next road, take a left and listen for the for music to find your way to Hidies Bar for some warm up dancing. Drinks are fast here, and so is the music! Finally, top the night off with an excursion to Rehab Nightclub (next to Whatever Bar). If you're feeling brave, or are full of liquid courage, hop up on the main stage to dance the night away!
Bike around the Island
32k (20 miles) around sounds like a lot, but if you're up for it an the weather is cooperating its a great way to see the island. I would highly recommend biking along the back road as well as the main road. To get onto the back road, simply turn down any road that is labelled as a Tsunami Evacuation Route. The main road completely circles the island, but the back road does not. Check a google map out for more detail there.
Tips
Bring along plenty of water and a camera :)
Snorkel at Fruits of Rarotonga
Self explanatory really. Rent/buy some snorkeling gear and make your way to the shop called Fruits of Rarotonga (smoothies and such) near Muri Beach. Head to the beach across from the shop and turn either left or right. You want to aim for the dark areas of the water as that is where the coral is growing, hence where all of the cool sea life lives.
The really blue water is just sand. Not so exciting. Head to the dark side!
Catch a sunset at Black Rock and a sunrise at Muri Beach
Check the local paper, or google for appropriate times.
Black Rock is in Nikao, or about a kilometer past the sea wall at the end of the airport runway heading away from town.
Muri Beach is it's own area, just find a spot on the beach and you're set. There is a nice point you can walk to just past the fishing club. Heading out of Muri Beach and towards town, pass the fishing club and CICC, go over a small bridge and take the next immediate right. Follow this road to the end. Beware of pot holes! Head towards the ocean and you'll see a little pathway that takes you out to the point. Wear good shoes as its pretty rocky.
Karaoke
Self explanatory. I have recently discovered that I get loads of enjoyment out of this.
When and Where?
Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Roadhouse Bar. They have a folder of available songs, but you can request just about anything. They have way more to choose from than what's actually in the folder.
In no particular order:
Coco Putt
Amazing buffet style food + great local music + putt putt golf = Coco Putt. I know I said no particular order, but this was one of my favourite things to do on the island :) The food is unreal, and all local. Bring your eating pants.
When and Where?
The buffet is only run on Sundays, make sure to book ahead. $34.00 (NZD) will get you all you can eat food and dessert plus a round of putt putt. Drinks are pay as you go.
The band is a rotation of local people, they'll happily take requests and love to have people come up to sing/play with them. Don't be shy!
For more info, check out their website here.
Go to a church service
I know, I know. An odd one for me to mention as I'm not really religious, however, I do worship music. This is something that is well worth the time, only takes a few hours of your Sunday and will leave you blown away if you appreciate musically talented people.
When and Where?
Every Sunday at 10:00am. The CICC (Cook Islands Christian Church) in Arorangi - although I've heard/read good things about the CICCs in Titikaveka and Matavera.
Tips:
Show up a wee bit early, dress nicely, but you don't have to be super fancy. We were invited to stick around for the after service lunch, so it's a nice time to chat with locals and get a bit of culture too :)
Walk the Cross Island Trail
One fine night, a group of us decided it would be GRAND idea to walk up to the top of the Cross Island Track to catch the sunrise. If this interests you, bring a flashlight and start at the Avarua end. Try and get a lift to the start of the trail as well. We had a healthy walk/climb to the top and enjoyed a lovely gentle sunrise. Parts were hidden behind other hills, but it was still pretty beautiful.
Coming down the way we climbed up, I found it easier to climb down backwards in several spots as it's pretty steep. Completely navigable if you have a decent level of fitness. Plenty of tree roots to use as hand holds/ladder rungs. Word to the wise, watch out for paper wasps...
When and Where?
The trail cuts across the entire island. One end is just outside of Avarua (the main township) while the other is over next to a general store called Wigmore's on the other side of the island. If you are walking from one side to the other, bring plenty of water, a camera and expect to spend 3-5 hours out and about, mainly to allot for time to take photos/rest. Wear your mosquito repellent!
Tips:
If you are walking from one side to the other, bring plenty of water, a camera and expect to spend 3-5 hours out and about, mainly to allot for time to take photos/rest. Wear your mosquito repellent!
If you want to try for a dawn hike, give yourself 45 minutes to an hour to climb up the Avarua side to get to the top. Climb down however you like.
21.3 Vaiana's
A simple and fantastic beach side bar just outside of Avarua. The drinks are well poured and cost effective. The food is pub style (ie. mainly all fried) but freaking AMAZING.
As this place is literally down the road from the clinic I was working at, we were here several times a week for post work drinks. They have live music throughout the week on different days, just keep an eye on the sign on the road for what's going on that night.
When and Where?
Any day except Sunday. It is just down the road from the airport on the main road going away from Avarua.
Tips
You can buy a drink card for $40.00 (NZD) that will get you 10 drinks. Definitely worth it outside of happy hour :) Food wise, I highly recommend the cheeseburger or chicken fingers. They also have a massive platter that is great for a large-ish group of people to nibble on as well.
Monday Night Jams
One drunken evening, another volunteer and I where completely convinced that we could "gently jog" from Vaiana's to the house sit that I was staying at. 6k (almost 4 miles) away from Vaiana's. At 9:00 at night. In the dark.
I know what you're thinking. Dumb move.
Nonetheless.
We headed off and started our slow jog.
Made it about 100 meters and said, "Nah." We immediately committed to hitch hiking. And who picks us up straight away, but the amazing chef from Coco Putt! We were stoked to have a ride with someone we knew.
He invited us to a jam session of sorts that he was heading to, promising us a lift home afterwards.
Best decision we could've made.
The bar that he drove us two sits just behind the post office in Avarua, its tucked away around a corner. A small bar is set up underneath what might be someone's house. Sounds dodge, but its amazing! Heaps of local musicians come out to play songs with each other. $4.00 (NZD) beers. You won't regret it.
When and Where?
If you are driving through town, at the second round about, take a right towards the Post Office. Just down the street on the right past the Post Office will be an empty lot with a teeny little building sitting in the back right corner. That teeny building is the bathroom for the bar, there will be a gate in a wooden fence next to the bathroom that leads into a grassy yard. Show up at 9:00-9:30pm on a Monday night. Enjoy!
Tips
Bring cash for the bar and feel free to get up and sing/play!
Pub Crawl
Friday or Saturday nights are great days to have a night out on the town. Most people are out and about, the people watching is usually top notch. 1. Start out with some dinner and drinks at Whatever Bar (across from the cinema in Avarua). 2. Walking, take a right onto the main road, over the bridge and through the round about. On your left tucked away next to the cafe on the corner will be Boogies Bar. Enjoy some stellar live music and a game of pool. 3. Next, head left down to the next road, take a left and listen for the for music to find your way to Hidies Bar for some warm up dancing. Drinks are fast here, and so is the music! Finally, top the night off with an excursion to Rehab Nightclub (next to Whatever Bar). If you're feeling brave, or are full of liquid courage, hop up on the main stage to dance the night away!
Bike around the Island
32k (20 miles) around sounds like a lot, but if you're up for it an the weather is cooperating its a great way to see the island. I would highly recommend biking along the back road as well as the main road. To get onto the back road, simply turn down any road that is labelled as a Tsunami Evacuation Route. The main road completely circles the island, but the back road does not. Check a google map out for more detail there.
Tips
Bring along plenty of water and a camera :)
Snorkel at Fruits of Rarotonga
Self explanatory really. Rent/buy some snorkeling gear and make your way to the shop called Fruits of Rarotonga (smoothies and such) near Muri Beach. Head to the beach across from the shop and turn either left or right. You want to aim for the dark areas of the water as that is where the coral is growing, hence where all of the cool sea life lives.
The really blue water is just sand. Not so exciting. Head to the dark side!
Catch a sunset at Black Rock and a sunrise at Muri Beach
Check the local paper, or google for appropriate times.
Black Rock is in Nikao, or about a kilometer past the sea wall at the end of the airport runway heading away from town.
Muri Beach is it's own area, just find a spot on the beach and you're set. There is a nice point you can walk to just past the fishing club. Heading out of Muri Beach and towards town, pass the fishing club and CICC, go over a small bridge and take the next immediate right. Follow this road to the end. Beware of pot holes! Head towards the ocean and you'll see a little pathway that takes you out to the point. Wear good shoes as its pretty rocky.
Karaoke
Self explanatory. I have recently discovered that I get loads of enjoyment out of this.
When and Where?
Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Roadhouse Bar. They have a folder of available songs, but you can request just about anything. They have way more to choose from than what's actually in the folder.
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