The End

Looking back on our year in Paradise I can only sum it up (somewhat lamely) by saying we had great times and made some great friends.

So, we are well and truly back in NZ, having returned on July 3. (I've been unable to update the blog due to technical problems.) And yes, it snowed the day after we arrived...

To anyone out there thinking of trading in traffic lights for star light, your concrete jungle for real jungle, then GO FOR IT. They say Life's a beach and Raro is maybe as close to that as possible.

One Week to Go

We are packing and cleaning the house so we can hand it (and all the cats) over to the new guy and his family. I hope they enjoy their stay as much as we have.

It's our last week here in Paradise and today is Chris's last day as the CITC pharmacist. With our last few days we are planning on doing lots of touristy stuff and lazing on the beach. Good times.

Last Day at Work

work, work, work.
chocolate cake, speeches.
Patted the printery cat farewell.
then I walked off into the sunset



at least that's how I remember it.

The Mullet is a dodgy fish

You know the mullet, right? No, not the fish, the haircut. Anyway, there's this expression about the mullet, describing the hairstyle as "Business up front, Party in the back"

And that's what I think of when I go past this building in Avarua harbour.

One building. One item in common. Two very different... facades.

Chris makes a new friend

Parking Etiquette

When I first saw this parking sign (middle) outside the Muri Sailing Club, I was amused. A bicycle was chained to the pole where the main sign parking was, & to me it appeared that the sign referred to the small area around the pole and not the area in general.

Then when I got home and looked at my photo I noticed the other parking signs in the background. The red sign says "No Parking - Sailboats only - others will be sunk" and the "Motorbike Park" has been ignored, and the area is used for parking boats.

Then I read the middle sign again... And it didn't read quite how I first thought. I thought it said "Members' Parking" but it is saying parking members...

At least that only happens on Saturdays...

Countdown

Just 2 more weeks at work for me, 3 for Chris, then we will be heading back to NZ on the 4th of July. (cue the fireworks) Save some frost/slow/sleet/hail for us - we're gearing up!!!

In Raro they Call a Spade a Spade

Bey tinking bout actin', Mon?

One Month's Notice

In case you haven't heard, Chris has not renewed his contract. So we will be returning to Dunedin soon-ish. Won't that be...cold - I mean, cool. I mean FREEZING.

I've given my one month's notice at work and I've been told I may keep my uniforms.
I did feel obliged to say, "No, no, I should leave them for someone else" - Even though I was secretly hoping to keep at least one - as having a Hawaiian shirt on hand solves all my party costume requirements forever.

My generosity was met with laughter and I was told my shirts wouldn't fit anyone else. Ever. While I would like to think this is because I am 'slender' I think it's probably I am considered "child sized" if you know what I mean...

Flametree in the backyard

Coral Club

One of my favourite restaurants, The Coral Club, opposite the airport, is on the beach but wedged in between 4 large aeroplane fuel storage tanks. They still manage to pull off a good sunset and they do a great chicken Caesar salad.

Got Rats?

Wild Flowers

Happy Anniversary

Chris and I have been busy entertaining visiting friends and family for the past month, but I am back online now. Here we are celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary at Tamarind House restaurant - conveniently located next door to us.
& no need for the curling tongs on Raro, the 80% humidity makes my hair curly all day long.

Situations Vacant

So, you want to live and work on a beautiful tropical island like me? Then check the Pacific Jobs website...

What's Wrong with this Picture?

I wondered why I kept getting shocks of the DVD player and the computer...

Hanging out with Chicks

Cool Again

I thought working for 7 hours in 30 degrees was hot, but last week peaked at a staggering 34 degrees. (Inside where I work, I mean, not just outside in the sun). I think I only managed to survive the entire day as it happened to be pay day. (Old fashioned pay packets here, folks).

But the searing heat is in the past. The aircon was fixed this week, praise be. Work is now a mild, I might even say, chilly, 24 degrees. Long may it continue.

One Drama over while another Saga continues

Well the ship on the reef has been rescued * Huzzah * How? A temporary gravel road was built out into the lagoon, then the ship was craned onto a big truck and towed away. OK, my construction jargon is a little fuzzy on the details, what am I? A dude?

More important to me is the air con won't be fixed for at least a week as they have to "send away for parts". Yeah, they all say that. That's jargon for "Stop phoning me! I can't fix it. You're annoying. I want you to suffer in the heat! Hot HOT HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!" well, maybe not.

It was 30.8 degrees at work yesterday I was so HOT - and I had even brought my own fan! And my thermometer, that's how I knew the temperature. What am I, a nerd?

...Well... yes.