Raro day 5: exploring!

by hayley on 26 November 2011

We had two full days yet before it was time to tootle back to reality. Lacking any real agenda we decided to make use of the half day of hire remaining on our bikes. So after the usual breakfast and checking-the-fish-off-the-deck routine, we prepped for some sightseeing accompanied by mild physical exertion. It shouldn’t be too much hard work with that battery assist, right?

Fishies waiting for some breakfast of their own

Off we went, zooming in the direction of town. At warp speed 5 the k’s ticked by quickly and I realised it wasn’t going to be a big deal to cycle through to Avarua. Mike’s bike had an indicator of battery life remaining and we felt pretty confident that there was enough juice.

Of course there was the occasional obligatory stop for photos.

A well cared for and colourfully adorned cemetery. Graves are mainly above ground here.

A less well cared for cemetery - apart from the white grave to the left which had a path cut through to it

Port of Avatiu, the main port of the Cook Islands

Our bikes along the top of the island - remains of a 1916 shipwreck (actually the ship's engine block) are visible in the far background

I was keen to complete the loop around the island but Mike didn’t think there was enough time. Luckily Mike won that conversation as not long after we had turned to begin the return leg, my battery ran out. I was dismayed to put it mildly but there was nothing else for it but to put in some good old fashioned leg work. It was a long hot slog especially given it was a heavier sort of bike anyway. I was happy when a few kms later Mike’s battery also expired, and I was even happier when we finally made it back to the rental shop.

After lunch we turned out attention to the water, starting with kayaks. Concerns that I would either paddle in perpetual circles, or somehow jump the reef and get swept out to sea, were unfounded. Skimming across the water with clear views of coral and fish was a really enjoyable experience.

A great way to view the lagoon through the amazing clear water

My, er, natural kayaking pose

It was time to move on to the next activity so we ditched the kayaks and Mike went to get some snorkelling kit. In a fit of reckless abandon I grabbed a set as well. Not being much of a water fan I hadn’t snorkelled before so I was a touch apprehensive. But I figured the resort area was fairly safe, given it is a lagoon and they sweep it for stonefish, so I stopped being a wuss and gave it a go. It was great!

Mike had bought an inexpensive underwater camera so taking photos gave it another dimension of fun.

The view underwater, or at least it was when one's mask wasn't fogged up

A whale in the lagoon, who knew?!

Late afternoon when it was time to start thinking about refreshments it began to rain. Not heavy but enough to throw a dampener on the wedding taking place at the beach gazebo just along from us. Instead of our usual place on beach loungers we settled for enjoying our bubbles and salt and vinegar chips from the covered patio just outside our room.

Yet another wedding

To our surprise, after the rain stopped some of the cloud cleared and we were rewarded with a pleasant wee sunset. Cue Hayley dashing back and forth along the beach with camera…

So we got an ok sort of sunset finally

Dinner was in Captain Andy’s Grill at the resort where we listened to the same drum and dance performers from the wedding two nights before (we didn’t pay to watch them again) and observed a teeny local scurrying near our table.