Sunday 30 December 2012
PS
Nope, couldn't do it, at 11:50pm I'm just back from my swim. I could get used to this living on the beach life-style!
Bike riding and sewing
Yesterday Mum and Dad left early for a couple days away, and I got to go for a bike ride without getting wet. The bike I'm riding was borrowed from Ruth who is married to Roger, and he and his daughter Jackie (also visiting from Auckland) and I went for a good ride all the way around the island. It's 32kms all up, but we did take a back route or two so it was likely a bit longer than that. It was really nice to have company and a (sort of) local guide as I doubt I would have been brave enough to leave the ring road on my own. There is a wee bit of a different feel when you leave the main road, less touristy, more local. Lots of dogs and chickens roaming, Lee tells me there has been a concerted effort over the last few years to cut down the numbers of stray dogs.
I took my leave of the others when we got to town and meandered through the main area, stopped at a couple of shops but just looked. There are certainly plenty of places to eat and drink, car and scooter hire places (and a couple with electric assist bikes) and souvineer type places. But also more normal hardware, supermarkets and general stores. It was a nice fine day and I was very happy to get home for a swim and a quiet afternoon/evening.
Today, would you believe, I used a sewing machine! I know, I can barely believe it either, I'm sure it would be 20 years since I last touched one.
Lee and I went to the Saturday market which was fun, although the drizzle was pretty steady. Lee is a regular, so was able to introduce me to a few locals. I decided I was after cushion covers, but couldn't really find what I was after. So, when we got home Lee suggested we could buy some fabric and make some covers. So we did (photo attached for evidence!). Who would have guessed it?! I'm quite pleased, though the lines aren't as straight as they might be. I just hope I got the colour right to go in the room.
This evening Roger, Ruth and Jackie came for dinner, and we have had a nice evening. At 11pm this is looking like my first no swim day of the holiday, as by the time the weather cleared in the afternoon I was otherwise occupied.
I have to share about ceiling fans. They are a really great invention, and I have been most happy to sleep with mine on every night. However, (and it took me two goes to get this), it really doesn't pay to put clothes on or off over ones head while standing under said fan. They hurt quite a lot when they hit your finger, especially the second time in essentially the same spot. I have now got the message, and make sure I am well clear before getting changed.
And I've now finished three books and counting :-)
I took my leave of the others when we got to town and meandered through the main area, stopped at a couple of shops but just looked. There are certainly plenty of places to eat and drink, car and scooter hire places (and a couple with electric assist bikes) and souvineer type places. But also more normal hardware, supermarkets and general stores. It was a nice fine day and I was very happy to get home for a swim and a quiet afternoon/evening.
Today, would you believe, I used a sewing machine! I know, I can barely believe it either, I'm sure it would be 20 years since I last touched one.
Lee and I went to the Saturday market which was fun, although the drizzle was pretty steady. Lee is a regular, so was able to introduce me to a few locals. I decided I was after cushion covers, but couldn't really find what I was after. So, when we got home Lee suggested we could buy some fabric and make some covers. So we did (photo attached for evidence!). Who would have guessed it?! I'm quite pleased, though the lines aren't as straight as they might be. I just hope I got the colour right to go in the room.
This evening Roger, Ruth and Jackie came for dinner, and we have had a nice evening. At 11pm this is looking like my first no swim day of the holiday, as by the time the weather cleared in the afternoon I was otherwise occupied.
I have to share about ceiling fans. They are a really great invention, and I have been most happy to sleep with mine on every night. However, (and it took me two goes to get this), it really doesn't pay to put clothes on or off over ones head while standing under said fan. They hurt quite a lot when they hit your finger, especially the second time in essentially the same spot. I have now got the message, and make sure I am well clear before getting changed.
And I've now finished three books and counting :-)
Friday 28 December 2012
I got wet!
So, today was the day I picked to take off on the bike for a few hours, and today was the day it decided to rain. A lot. So I got wet. A lot!
To back up slightly, yesterday (boxing day) was a down day. I swam and read pretty much all day. Unfortunately I was a bit neglectful on the sun-block and so was a bit tender by the end of the day. On the plus side it's been a while since a read a whole entire proper sized novel in less than 24 hours, so that was nice. A bit tired today though given it was about 1am when I finished it.
After all the sun yesterday I decided an afternoon on the bike was a good idea, and so headed off before midday. It was nice to be on the hike and not in any kind of hurry. The speed limit on the entire island is 50kms and traffic is very courteous. I think it is that 'island time' again. The rain started just as a sprinkle and I found a convenient bus shelter. It stopped, I started up again, it started and took me a wee while longer to find shelter. All up I probably stopped five times for the rain, getting a bit wetter each time. My original plan to circumnavigate the island (all 32kms of it) was a bust and I turned around after maybe 11kms. On the way back I stopped at a dive place and booked a refresher and a proper dive, and they gave me a cup of tea while I waited out yet more rain. It completely chucked down for a while before easing off, and though it hadn't stopped completely I needed to get home as we had booked a cultural show and dinner evening and we were being picked up at 4. I made it home with time to shower and various people telling me 'I told you so' when they saw my very wet self. Still it wasn't cold at all, and I finished up in my togs and skirt as the T-shirt was less than effective at that point. I'm not sure if this counts as a no swim day, perhaps technically...
The cultural show was fun, there was a village tour first where they showed us fishing gear and costumes and medicine and how they were made. The photo is George our guide just as we are about to enter the village. Then dinner and the show which featured fire-dancing and drums and lots and lots of very comely lasses wiggling their hips. Very picturesque, and we all managed to avoid joining in at the end. Dad in particular was practicing his 'I don't think so' face!
That's it, home now, Mum and Dad are off to Aitutaki for a couple of nights in the morning (early) so I won't see them until Sunday.
I have been surprised at the wind here, it's pretty constant, and while it hasn't been too much of an issue, I certainly noticed it on the bike today. Coming home I did seem to have more of a tail wind which was nice. Still, definitely wouldn't want to be camping!
That's me, hope the humidity has dialed back a bit, I hear it's still been pretty unpleasant.
All the best
Sarah
To back up slightly, yesterday (boxing day) was a down day. I swam and read pretty much all day. Unfortunately I was a bit neglectful on the sun-block and so was a bit tender by the end of the day. On the plus side it's been a while since a read a whole entire proper sized novel in less than 24 hours, so that was nice. A bit tired today though given it was about 1am when I finished it.
After all the sun yesterday I decided an afternoon on the bike was a good idea, and so headed off before midday. It was nice to be on the hike and not in any kind of hurry. The speed limit on the entire island is 50kms and traffic is very courteous. I think it is that 'island time' again. The rain started just as a sprinkle and I found a convenient bus shelter. It stopped, I started up again, it started and took me a wee while longer to find shelter. All up I probably stopped five times for the rain, getting a bit wetter each time. My original plan to circumnavigate the island (all 32kms of it) was a bust and I turned around after maybe 11kms. On the way back I stopped at a dive place and booked a refresher and a proper dive, and they gave me a cup of tea while I waited out yet more rain. It completely chucked down for a while before easing off, and though it hadn't stopped completely I needed to get home as we had booked a cultural show and dinner evening and we were being picked up at 4. I made it home with time to shower and various people telling me 'I told you so' when they saw my very wet self. Still it wasn't cold at all, and I finished up in my togs and skirt as the T-shirt was less than effective at that point. I'm not sure if this counts as a no swim day, perhaps technically...
The cultural show was fun, there was a village tour first where they showed us fishing gear and costumes and medicine and how they were made. The photo is George our guide just as we are about to enter the village. Then dinner and the show which featured fire-dancing and drums and lots and lots of very comely lasses wiggling their hips. Very picturesque, and we all managed to avoid joining in at the end. Dad in particular was practicing his 'I don't think so' face!
That's it, home now, Mum and Dad are off to Aitutaki for a couple of nights in the morning (early) so I won't see them until Sunday.
I have been surprised at the wind here, it's pretty constant, and while it hasn't been too much of an issue, I certainly noticed it on the bike today. Coming home I did seem to have more of a tail wind which was nice. Still, definitely wouldn't want to be camping!
That's me, hope the humidity has dialed back a bit, I hear it's still been pretty unpleasant.
All the best
Sarah
Wednesday 26 December 2012
Merry Christmas from Rarotonga
I know this is my USA trip blog, but I thought I might make it a more general travel blog and post from Rarotonga. I am here with my parents visiting my Aunt and Uncle Lee and Darryl for 10 days. We arrived just on midnight Christmas Eve (last night) and by the time we were off the plane and queuing at customs it was Christmas Day. Again. Lee and Darryl greeted us with real flower eis (which I recognise as leis) and we headed 10 mins to their home. They are here for 2 years while Darryl works for the government on some mining infrastructure and regulations.
Enough preamble. What a beautiful, laid back place. They talk about 'island time' and it really is. The weather has been warm but not heaps. It's been quite windy today but I've still managed 4 swims. Before brunch, after brunch, in the afternoon at the High Commissioner's residence don't you know (basically an open invite to Kiwis and hangers on to their pool area) and then this evening I took myself off for a night time swim.
Lee and Darryl live right on the beach (the photo is from their deck) and you can swim anywhere here. There are some rocky areas so it's nice to go where there is a bit of space, but the rocks are where the fish are and with a mask and snorkel there is a whole other world right there just waiting for you to see it. I plan to do some serious snorkeling while I'm here, it's so interesting and peaceful. Just have to watch the sun as the shoulders have seen a little too much today.
Lee has also kindly sourced a bike for me while I'm here, and it comes with the offer of company for some off the main road touring as well. Roger and Ruth are friends of Lee and Darryl's and Roger is pretty keen so I hope that will be good too.
There are lots of insects here, but none appear to be biting me yet so I'm pleased about that. They also get lots of lizards (called moko) that hang out on the ceiling of the deck where we've been eating. It's fun to watch them scuttle about.
It's most pleasant sitting here on the deck listening to the waves. The stars are pretty vivid though the clouds are whispy and wafting across the sky and the nearly full moon.
Merry Christmas from Rarotonga and I'll post again when I have something interesting to say. Heather and Kerry would you mind putting out the word to a few people that I'm posting again, and Heather if you could please copy me in so I can forward the link to others. Again I appear to be able to receive emails on the phone, but not easily send them. However I can webmail on Lee's laptop so not too much drama to do it that way
Love
Sarah
Enough preamble. What a beautiful, laid back place. They talk about 'island time' and it really is. The weather has been warm but not heaps. It's been quite windy today but I've still managed 4 swims. Before brunch, after brunch, in the afternoon at the High Commissioner's residence don't you know (basically an open invite to Kiwis and hangers on to their pool area) and then this evening I took myself off for a night time swim.
Lee and Darryl live right on the beach (the photo is from their deck) and you can swim anywhere here. There are some rocky areas so it's nice to go where there is a bit of space, but the rocks are where the fish are and with a mask and snorkel there is a whole other world right there just waiting for you to see it. I plan to do some serious snorkeling while I'm here, it's so interesting and peaceful. Just have to watch the sun as the shoulders have seen a little too much today.
Lee has also kindly sourced a bike for me while I'm here, and it comes with the offer of company for some off the main road touring as well. Roger and Ruth are friends of Lee and Darryl's and Roger is pretty keen so I hope that will be good too.
There are lots of insects here, but none appear to be biting me yet so I'm pleased about that. They also get lots of lizards (called moko) that hang out on the ceiling of the deck where we've been eating. It's fun to watch them scuttle about.
It's most pleasant sitting here on the deck listening to the waves. The stars are pretty vivid though the clouds are whispy and wafting across the sky and the nearly full moon.
Merry Christmas from Rarotonga and I'll post again when I have something interesting to say. Heather and Kerry would you mind putting out the word to a few people that I'm posting again, and Heather if you could please copy me in so I can forward the link to others. Again I appear to be able to receive emails on the phone, but not easily send them. However I can webmail on Lee's laptop so not too much drama to do it that way
Love
Sarah
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