Still alive - but VERY relaxed

Hello all,

Apologies for the long break from posting. We have actually been somewhere where there is no real internet access. We have spent the last two weeks going to progressively smaller and smaller islands.

From Rarotonga we went to Aitutaki, an island with a massive lagoon and myriad motus (tiny islands). Its the location for the american survivor series as well as the channel four Shipwrecked series and I can fully understand why the crews would choose it. Perfect turquoise seas, white, white beaches, and coconut palms everywhere. We swam, dived and snorkelled and made lots of friends including two student doctors who begged us not to get sick (due to the medical options not their skills). We also listened to heavenly singing in church and ate some fabulous food.

After five days we flew to Atiu. It has a population of about 400 and is smaller and structured on a coral atoll, with a thick wall of fossilised coral on its interior. Here we had a lovely time with the German couple who ran our accomodation (as well as a coffee factory and making stunning quilted designs), swam in a subterranean cave lit by candles, were shown the local endangered birds and had a minor accident on our moped. After five days here we flew back to rarotonga to then fly to Mitirao.

This is an even tinier island with only about 100 people. Our hosts Jane and Eli were fantastic and we had a great time wandering about with them and their children, swimming in crystal clear springs, walking on deserted beaches, and eating vast amounts of wonderful food.

Now we are back in rarotonga for one night before hitting Los Angeles for two nights and then home. Sorry, my tan is wonderful and everything has been amazing. I am a big puddle of relaxation and need to run home quickly cos Duncan is cooking my tea so sorry about the quick post but you might want to kill me if I went on any more.

Lovely, lovely Cook Islands

Here I am on the beach.... all so very relaxing.

I got here on the 29th, the day before I took off and Duncan arrived on the 1st. We have snorkelled, meandered and scootered about. Eaten some fine food, and drank quite a lot of gin. we are off to Aitutuaki today and visitng another two smaller islands.

Too relaxed to type... off to be outside again.

PS - it has been fairly rainy and overcast so you can take some comfort that the weather ain't perfect. I still love the fact that the only place youc an locate lime for the G&T is from trees rather than shops.