Rarotonga 2022

[Ianab]

Got a little bit more energetic today

One of the local walking tracks, heads up to the Raemaru hill. I told Lil it would be fun, she didn't  believe me, but agreed to come anyway. 



 

To be fair, they have improved the signage since I was here last. The new one is much more ominous, and has the Police / Rescue phone number in large friendly print. 



 

Part way up looking back down to the main road. You can see the reef and one of the outflow channels. The waves push water in over the out reef into the lagoon, and it flows out again through several gaps in the reef. BAD place to swim as the current is outgoing, no matter what the tide is doing. 



 

Started getting a bit steeper here, time for a drink break.



 

Lil pretending to have fun.


 

We didn't do the last 50 ft, it had started raining enough to make the (vertical) climb slippery. They don't have a rescue chopper, so if you break a leg up here the locals will have to carry you down, while telling you how dumb you were for ignoring their new sign. 



 

But Lil DID make it to the rock wall.



 

Then there was the walk back down. It's hard to get "steep" in a picture, but lets just say the tree roots were out friends here. 



 

And then Lil's Raro Nemesis appears. We are almost a mile distance (and 1,000ft high) up a jungle track, and here's a freaking rooster. Can only assume he lives up there.



 

Looking up to the centre of the Island, it's steep.


 

Navigating some of the obstacles.





And we did find some trees. I think it's an Acacia of some sort. Lil's just hugging it because it means we are nearly back to the car. 



 


After that, it was beer o'clock



 

[Magicman]

I admire Lil's courage and determination!! 

[Ianab]

And just like that we are on our way home. Currently bouncing through some clear air turbulence at +/- 38,000 ft.  Nothing too serious, just enough to make typing on a phone a mission. 

We left Avarua at 26°C, weather forecast says about 1C when we get home 

[Walnut Beast]

Sounded and looked like you had a great trip

[Ianab]

Got home at about 1 am local time. Wasn't as cold predicted, but we had some heavy rain leaving Auckland. but that cleared as we got further South, Was about 5C when were got home, and 4C this morning, with some actual snow flurries first thing in the morning. 

After 2 weeks of shorts and t-shirt (even at night) it's a bit of a shock to the system. 

[thecfarm]

Can work that way here too. 
Can be in the 70's one day and than BAM down in the 40's it goes.

[Ianab]

Video for the fishermen.

This is in the harbour @ Avarua. One of the smaller charter boats has just come in, and the local giant trevally have followed it in.  They don't fish for them as they are basically the local "pets", that get fed the leftovers from the filleting on the dock. 

If you haven't seem these fish, they grow to about 5ft long and 170lb.

[tule peak timber]

Awesome to see fish of this size and just enjoy the view ! 

[Hilltop366]

Thanks for the tour Ianab.