Happy Valentine’s

Raro has happily adopted Valentine’s day. Most of the restaurants are having themed dinners and almost all of the adverts I have been creating for the newspaper are also themed with hearts, cupids etc. I thought I would add a touch of glamour to the blog by including one of the photos that wasn’t required from one of the advertising promos. So…. Happy Valentine’s!

Cat Hot

WTF? The temperature reached 32 degrees in Dunedin last week?!? How is that possible?
The annoying thing is, I don’t whether to be jealous or not, because I have no idea just how hot it has been getting here in Raro.

Since November the local TV news has not been including the day’s temperature in the weather reports.So, I have started categorising the days myself. For example, a “Swim hot” day means we have to go for a swim after work. Not want to go, have to go. It’s that damn hot. But my favourite category is when the temperature reaches “Cat Hot”. That’s when the cats lie upside down and pretend to be dead. That’s hot.

180 Degrees of Separation

Rarotonga is a place of contrasts. Nowhere is that more evident than at the airport. Stand on the sideroad behind the airport and face east and it’s pastoral view of Taro patches, cows, pigs and grass as far as the eye can see. Turn 180 degrees and face west and it’s a broad expanse of manmade construction augmented by the deafening thrum of a triple 7.

Ye New Stone Wall

When life gives you lemons, make G&Ts with a lemon twist. When the sea surge dumps rocks in your garden, build a sea wall to protect your home from the next high tide. Ok, maybe 'seawall' is overstating the matter. It's a border a best.


BTW it turned out that a Red Ant colony had been planning on making their new home under some of the rocks and they weren’t too happy to be moved on. Ouchie!

Ye Olde Stone Wall

Pictured: Stone wall bordering the local Chief’s Palace, that I walk past on my way to work.
Click picture to view at a larger size.

Coconut Tide Line

The seas have returned to normal and we are left with the mess to clean up. The high tides swept coconuts, debris, sand and rocks on to our lawn, including several sizeable chunks of coral.

Immigration The Saga continue

Well my work permit has been approved and paid for and today my passport was returned safely. Only thing is I discovered the passport hasn’t actually been stamped with my new worker status… sigh. I must face my nemesis, the staircase, once more.