Travel Tips

Renting a motor scooter is fun, but a bit dicey for those of us who are used to driving on the right. I found it wasn't that difficult, until I hit the roundabout in Avarua, and that confounded me every time.

Fortunately, the scooterists outnumber the car drivers by far, so just rmember to keep to the side of the road when going slow, so others can easily pass you.

One of the things I dearly love about the tropics is the way wild colors are embraced and flaunted, and nothing seems garish under that bright sun, it all fits!

While we're happily vacationing away, snapping pics of everything colorful, somebody's gotta keep the motors running...

...somebody's gotta do the laundry...

...life & death go on, whether we are there or not.

The Cook Islands Christian Church in Avarua, a lovely whitewashed coral block structure, was built in 1855. Wandering around the cemetary, I found the grave of Sir Albert Henry, the late Prime Minister, demonstrating the whimsical affection islanders have for their colorful old PM.

This wonderful little church was around the far side of the island from Avarua, in a little settlement called Matavera. I fell in love with the iron cutwork over the entrance.
Built in 1853 from limestone and coral, the gravestones are cast from concrete.

And of course, what South Pacific island is complete without a Tall Ship or two, anchored in a secret cove? (see General Tips for more information about the Silent Lady schooner)

By the way, Aitutaki is the last island the crew of the Bounty landed on before deciding to mutiny. I suppose it was fate that I didn't get there this trip, or I might've mutinied too.