Puddle jumping in the Cook Islands | Long shadows and Raro photos

It's the season of long shadows. The sun rose at 8:48 this morning and set this afternoon at 4:16. Tomorrow is the shortest day of the year. It's sunny today, for the first time in many days, and that clear blue sky can only mean that it is chilly outside. Taking advantage of the sunny hours, I ventured into the valley near my home, to find kids sledding down the hill in Capilano Park, skiers swishing their way down the hills, and up, runners with frost on their 'staches, and the occasional dog walker.  We're a hardy bunch. I took a few photos.

Finally, here are some photos from Rarotonga. You can read about these adventures in previous posts.

We went to church, to hear the singing.

 Challenged a relentless uphill grunt over roots and under branches on the cross-island trek

Tuhe offered up snacks during a rest stop with new friends, on the way down

We were content to watch the final ascent and descent on the Needle.

The climb didn't deter the chickens at all.

Ahhh....that's Margaret, swinging on the hammock at the resort.

We visited the Botanical Gardens but the cafe, apparently one of the best on the island, was closed.

We enjoyed our own nice light lunches at home, with great NZ wines.

And checked out the best of the best: The Mooring House Fish Cafe

That's Tuhe serving up fantastic grub at the night market at Muri Lagoon

And us, with Tuhe at the night market, after he talked us into the morning SUPYoga.

Almost there, now straighten those legs!

Missed the sunset, but this is where we spent cocktail hour almost every night.

Puddle Jumping in the Cook Islands | Spring again in Edmonton and Mangaia photos

 

Since that last post much of the snow has melted and we are basking in winter warm. The other day on my way in to Commonwealth Stadium for yoga I was chatting with a couple of guys in short sleeved t-shirts, vests, and shorts.Typically warm winter weather is accompanied by cloudy skies, which I hate, and a melt-freeze-melt cycle that results in icy sidewalks and slippery streets (which I hate even more). I skidded my way home from the corner store last night, and tonight the forecast is for freezing rain. Welcome to an Edmonton winter in the age of climate change.

So Mangaia was actually better than my only post would suggest. It's one of the bigger islands, but the population is about 400. Up high you can grow things, so they can eat, but there isn't much of an economy. There's lots of churches though! At least one in every village. That's a lot of churches for less than 500 people.

You can check out our birding experience here: Carol takes to bird watching. Unfortunately there are no photos in which I can actually see the tanga'eo, but he was there, and our birding friends were suitably impressed that we had seen this rarest of rare endemic birds. I stole that photo above because I think you should see what turned me into a birder and what nearly caused Margaret a concussion when the coconut palm fell breathtakingly close to her in the clearing while we waited for him to appear!


Mangaia has an airport with outdoor departures lounge, and long term parking. They clear the goats off the dirt runway just in time!

There's a gas station, and interpretive signs for tourists about the lake (it's out there somewhere) and the fish hatchery (no fish from what we could see).

Goats, goats and more goats. I will spare you the post I wrote about this. Margaret rescued this one from certain demise, by untangling the lead from around a tree.

We ate fresh tuna (as in "caught this morning") at Babe's Place and drank tea and played crib on our patio while burning up mossi coils. (Mossi is the affective term for mosquitoes around here--who knew you needed an affectionate term for the little buggers ... I mean bugs.) The fishermen go out early (as you can see we missed them) and provide a mainstay in the diet of the local people.

There's lots of access to beaches along a lovely coastline rimmed with fossilized coral.

And coconuts--for the pigs, and the goats, and to drink. After nearly being knocked down by one, Margaret applied ingenuity and brute strength  to crack open a couple when we ran out of water.

Rarotonga is next--the big island of all the south archipelago. Stayed tuned!

Puddle jumping in the Cook Islands | November snowfall and Atiu photos

I'm home of course, and yesterday we had our first major snowfall of the season The only good thing about that is that I'm not paying $200 in snow removal services for nothing. Phuong has his crew working in my back yard now. Here they are, bundled up against the weather. It's not cold, but it's been snowing since yesterday afternoon.

I suppose now that the walks are done, I should get dressed and go out. Maybe not. It's a good day for hanging around the house in polar fleece. And reminding myself that two weeks ago I was in Atiu, a lovely little island in the Cooks.

Atiu was great. The weather is warm, and the people even warmer. Jackie and Roger at Atiu Villas hosted us royally, starting with a 'tour' of the main features along the (one) central road that runs the length of the island, including the one 'traffic circle'. We started at the port where a cargo ship was unloading.

Margaret and Jackie getting acquainted at the loading dock

The port with cargo ship (squint, you'll see it) off shore

An evening at the community hall with Roger and the school kids. You can read about this concert at Leaving Atiu
Still no ability to upload the video. Too bad. Maybe I'll figure it out.

Roger our host, and Margaret wait for the show to start

Everyone comes to encourage the dancers and donate to the school

All the kids, from both schools, dance. The nervous novices..

and the aspiring professional!

 

When the whole audience got up to dance including two little kids, I just had to make a video, that so far you are not going to see.
Click on the link to read about our trip to the Anatakitaki Bird Caves and our visit to the bush beer school known as the Tumanu.

James our guide in the cave

Tossing back the bush beer at the Tumanu

A welcoming crowd at the Tumanu

And a day of walking on the island and an excursion to the bush in search of birds.

Tropical plants and flowers are ubiquitous, especially hibiscus

Attentive students, Margaret, Carol and Caroline

History lesson on the back of the truck

Birdman George serves up dinner at the beach, on homemade plates

An old-style selfie, at the beach, in the wind on Atiu

Saying goodbye to the kids at the airport; off to Rarotonga

Puddle jumping in the Cook Islands | Home

First sunset on Aitutaki at the beach in front of our hotel

I am home, perched in my usual spot at the counter by the south window. My mouth is watering from the smell of thickly sliced bacon sizzling on the stove. There are ripe tomatoes on the counter, fresh lettuce in the fridge, and GF bread in the toaster. I've been starving for this BLT for several days now, and finally I'm about to bite into it. Will there be mayo? Definitely mayo...

 I will post photos over the next several days so if you've been reading along and patiently (or otherwise) waiting for photos, here they come. You can click on a photo to enlarge it.

A very private island in the lagoon with just a few small beachfront villas

Remnants of the old landing strip

Island Night at our resort

Lagoon Cruise with Bishop's

Atolls, islands and motus in Aitutaki Lagoon

Team colours

Coconuts are destroying the land, robbing it of its nutrients, but they also provide food for the pigs, and a cool drink on a hot day

Gardenias, growing wild, are made in to the welcoming EIs and bouquets

More Hobie cat sailing and snorkeling on the Lagoon with Captain Ted

A walk up and over with views to both sides of the lagoon

Night time entertainment, island style

Thanks to all who have followed me on this lazy crazy journey. It was definitely restful and so beautifully warm, all the time, everywhere. How nice, never to be cold. And now for home, and the threat of snow, as winter settles in.