We have now been on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands for just over a
week. Unfortunately there is no wifi so this post will probably only
appear when we reach LA.

We’re staying at Rarotonga Backpackers which has no restaurants or
cafes anywhere nearby, people don’t wash up and tidy after themselves
and one group of people seem to think it appropriate to cook hugely
complex meals in a tiny communal kitchen. Oh and the weather’s not
been very good and shop/restaurant hours are short with public
transport times being inconvenient. Other than that it’s great.

No really, it is! The pic is of our lovely beachside hut which is
about 30ft from the sea. This was our home for half our time here and
now we’re in the main house and have been upgraded to a huge ensuite
room rather than the tiny double with shared facilities we had booked.

We’ve been to church both Sundays. Don’t panic parents we’ve not found
god but the gospel singing here is great. We watched 5 games of rugby
in one day – players were from tiny kids all the way up to huge scary
Rarotongan lads. Otherwise we are sunbathing, reading a lot, cooking
for ourselves and occassionally treating ourselves to meals out at the
restaurant and takeaway that are within walking distance. We are
especially getting very excited about our US part of the trip!!