electricspells

peregrination :: island holiday on Cook Islands – November 2017

Monday, 13 November

Background

My first visit convinced me that I would re-visit the Cook Islands regularly. I was advised that November was the best time to visit.

This trip was my first trial of visiting over the period of my birthday.

In the morning that I arrived, the 2017 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton relay passed through Rarotonga.

The baton relay parade heaves into view
The baton relay parade heaves into view
The lead vehicle filled with dignitaries
The lead vehicle filled with dignitaries
The baton is handed through the crowd
The baton is handed through the crowd
Honoured to carry the baton
Honoured to carry the baton

Tuesday, 14 November

This was the first year that I stayed in Room 8. Not a ‘beach front’ room but (most of) a beach front view.

The view from Room 8's verandah
The view from Room 8’s verandah
The view walking from Room 8 to the pool
The view walking from Room 8 to the pool
The view from the beach in front of Room 8
The view from the beach in front of Room 8
The view on the beach at Manuia Beach Resort
The view on the beach at Manuia Beach Resort

Tuesday is the ‘Mystery’ Bus Tour day.

Black Rock
Black Rock
A tanker off the coast of Rarotonga
A tanker off the coast of Rarotonga
The beach north of Black Rock
The beach north of Black Rock
Plaque celebrating Polynesian history/folklore
Plaque celebrating Polynesian history/folklore
The Muri Lagoon
The Muri Lagoon – looking North-ish
Manually created panorama
The Muri Lagoon
The Muri Lagoon – looking South-ish
Manually created panorama
Coconut processing at RIO Coconut
Coconut processing at RIO Coconut

After the Mystery bus tour, the Commonwealth Games Torch relay passed the front of the resort.

Torch bearer and escorts
Torch bearer and escorts
The caravan behind the torch bearer
The caravan behind the torch bearer

As usual, at Manuia Beach, it’s all about the sunset.

Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach

Wednesday, 15 November

Hermit crabs in the garden outside my room

Hermit crabs in the garden
Hermit crabs in the garden
Hermit crabs in the garden

Walked along the West beach heading South.

View of the West beach from the end of the jetty
View of the West beach from the end of the jetty
Manually created panorama

Thursday, 16 November

A family burial plot spotted on a walk
A family burial plot spotted on a walk
Another sunset at Manuia Beach
Another sunset at Manuia Beach

Friday, 17 November

Cycled around the island on an e-bike. Visited a gorgeous display garden in Southwest corner of the island.

Cafe in the garden
The cafe in the garden – my lunch venue
More of the rest area
More of the rest area in the garden
Tropical blooms
Tropical blooms

Two different sunset sequences this time.

Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach

Saturday, 18 November

Visited the Saturday markets in Avarua this morning.

The markets from across the street
The markets from across the street (waiting for the bus)
Locals parking their bikes in the street at the markets
Locals parking their bikes in the street at the markets

My last day at the resort and my birthday.

The view from my room
The view from my room/porch
The view as it opens into the resort space
The view as it opens into the resort space
The pool and restaurant
The pool and restaurant
The view for my birthday dinner
The view for my birthday dinner

And more sunset sequences on the last day of this lap of the sun.

Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach
Sunset from Manuia Beach