May 13th Cook Islands

May 13^th, 2006 Cook Islands

Well we have settled into married life (ha ha). Actually, there was no adjustment to be made as we were pretty much married anyway, now it is legal that’s all. Yesterday we went to town, got a Cook Islands driver’s license ($10 and a cool souvenir) so that we can rent a car and a copy of the marriage entry certificate (doesn’t hurt to have a copy-not like we can just get one quickly once we are back if we need it for any reason).

When we got home we ran up to the butcher and got a massive tuna steak and barbecued it along with some bananas. We washed it all down with a Steinlager beer. For desert we had some paw paw. Went for a long walk afterwards.

Today we got up early took the bus into town, it was packed. Went to the market and ate some really good food, there was a cruise ship in so it was busy there. Finally got home around 3 and then went kayaking out to the shipwreck off muri beach. We pulled up along the perimeter of the lagoon and walked around perhaps 100 meters from where the open ocean is breaking on the coral reef (wouldn’t go any further than that).

Tonight we are going to an ‘island night’ which involves a feast that they cook the traditional way using hot rocks and leaves and burying it in an underground oven. There will also be a drumming and dancing show.

Too bad our time here is nearing an end. All good things must come to an end I guess. Tomorrow we will probably just relax and perhaps rent a sailboat or take some pictures from the kayaks. Monday we are off to Aitutaki for a day trip, leaving at 8 am and back at 5:30 pm. It is only a 30-minute flight. The lagoon up there is supposed to be one of the nicest in the world. The trip includes a day of snorkeling, a glass bottom boat lagoon cruise and food. On Tuesday, we plan to rent a car and take in any sights, shops we might have missed. Wednesday, we are going to do an organized walk with Pa, well known local character that does the trek 3 times a week for travelers. It takes about 4 hours to go just 2 km. Thursday is our last day here and we check out of Sokala at 6pm and our flight leaves at 11:30 pm (Rarotonga - Papeete, Tahiti – Los Angeles – San Francisco). Two weeks from now this will all seem like a very pleasant dream. Since we so have history here now though, I think we will be back here again from time to time throughout our lives.

Got our professional photos back yesterday, 56 prints, negatives and a73 pics on a cd. They are very nice and we will put them on flickr when we get home.