Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the main island in the Cook Island archipelago, a Polynesian paradise. It is spectacularly beautiful with high mountains, dense jungle and surrounded by a protective coral reef. It has white sandy beaches fringed with coconut palms and turquoise waters full with colourful tropical fish. Do I need to add anything more for you guys to understand why we went there?
According to traditional Polynesian tradition we were welcomed on arrival by a musician in a Hawaian shirt playing traditional island music on a ukulele. The fact that is was 4 in the morning didn't seem to affect him. The next picture clearly show that the Cook Island government hasn't taken any anti terrorist security measures. I could drive my mopped into the garden and no one seems to bother. Parliament continued their session.
On our tour around the island by bike. The island is a whole 32 km in circumvent so a several day journey at least.
Rarotonga reminded me of the old King Kong movie with Skull island. The interior of the island is very mountainous and seems impenetrable. Luckily Urs was not kidnapped by a big hairy ape.
After all the hard work of cycling and walking we enjoyed the tranquility of the beach (and had a drink or two)
On the left, the view from a view point on the west side of the island. On the right is the view from our little cabin on the east side (Muri beach for the insiders).
Life is sweet on a bounty island although the crab with the great red right claw might have a different opinion. The strange fellow lived next to our cabin in a small hole in the ground. What nature evolutionary reason for this mighty claw is, I don't understand but maybe it impresses the girl crab.