What’s Rare About Rarotonga?

Travel quote:  "The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper."  -- W.B. Yeats


Good morning!!

Here comes Rarotonga!!  This island is the largest of about 15 islands in a group called the Cook Islands.  Located in the South Pacific, where it seems we've been for about a year..........  it is about 26 square miles and has a population of less than 20,000.  It was "discovered" by the Europeans in 1823.  Today, you can fly there direct from Auckland, Sydney, Tahiti and.....Los Angeles.  Come on out, the water's nice!

I took a ship tour called Lagoon Cruise and Snorkeling.  We had fun.  I swam and watched the fish, as best I could, since I couldn't wear my glasses in the water.....





The water and the fish was amazing!

It was a really hot day!

We had a yummy barbecue on the beach - fish, plantains, sausages and onions.  There was also potato salad, papaya, cole slaw and pineapple.

Our guide, who was a hoot, by the way, engaged all of us as he demonstrated what you can do with a coconut tree.  They use the fronds to make baskets and rugs, and other items.  The roots of the tree are used to make medicines (which, he said, taste horrible - he'd rather stay sick than drink the medicine his mom used to give him).  The coconuts are used fully - the outside stringy stuff is used as tinder for fires, the outside soft peel is used as cloth, the juice inside is for drinking, and the white tender coconut meat is used to eat, make coconut cream from, and also to make oil, although that is a long and laborious process.

Here's a few shots of the island from our bus on the way back to the tender dock.

Stay tuned for more Pig Tales!!!

It’s A Mutiny!

Travel quote:  "Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year."  -- Unknown

If your name was Bligh, and you were the captain of the HMS Bounty back in 1789, you were in for a very bad time.  You see, he and his men had spent some time on the island of Tahiti for a few months, and the men had started to lack discipline.  When the ship set sail again, Bligh had some troubles with his men, and started handing out punishments left and right.  Acting Lieutenant Fletcher Christian staged a mutiny, and set the Captain and 18 others in the ship's open launch.  Christian and 25 others (some willing, some not) sailed on and eventually landed at Pitcairn Island. They burned the ship and its remains lay at the bottom of the "Bounty Bay" today.  Bligh sailed more than 4,000 miles before he reached safety.  Once he arrived in England, a ship was sent out in search of the mutineers. Some were captured on Tahiti, but it wasn't until 1808 that Pitcairn Island was discovered.  By then, only one mutineer was still alive - John Adams.  All of the others, including Fletcher Christian, had died - many had been killed by some of the Polynesian captives.  By this time, the group had grown - there were now descendents of the original mutineers and the Polynesians from Tahiti.  John Adams was not prosecuted, nor was anyone else.  He died and his grave is the only one that has been officially discovered.  

Today, 55 people continue to live on Pitcairn Island. Most are descendents from Fletcher Christian and the few original mutineers.

Some small cruise ships, like ours, visit Pitcairn Island throughout the year.  We are not allowed to disembark, but at least half of the islanders come out and board our ship, in their longboats, bringing with them handmade crafts such as jewelry and wood items, postcards, tshirts and their famous honey. They set up booths around our pool area and the frenzy begins.

Meanwhile, one or two islanders give an hour-long presentation in our mainstage theater, where they describe what it is like to live on the island, how they get supplies, and other interesting tidbits.  A question and answer session follows.

We had a great morning with the islanders.  

View of Pitcairn as we were arriving in the morning.  There are actually 4 of these islands in the group - Pitcairn, Ducie, Oeno and Henderson.The four volcanic islands only make up about 18 square miles in total, with Henderson being the largest at 86%, but only Pitcairn is inhabited.  They are a protectorate of Britain.  

I included myself in the shopping frenzy - I bought this wooden bowl/plate, below, from Brendan Christian, yes - a descendent of Fletcher himself.  It is made from Miro wood.

Here comes the longboat!

A close up zoom shot of the isalnd cliffs and the longboat just leaving Bounty Bay for our ship.

Below are some slide shots that were part of the presentation.  
The island has 3 generators for power, and they are experimenting with solar, with mixed results.  Electricity is on from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.  Their drinking water is collected from the frequent rains.

Some of their crops.

They have found some ancient heiroglyphs on the island.

Their cemetary.

You can actually visit Pitcairn Island and stay awhile if you'd like.  In fact, they'd love it if you'd stay permanently!  They need to increase their population.  Currently there are only 2 women of child-bearing age, and one of them is considered to be too young to get married.

Here are some of the local fish they catch and eat.  

Their honey is supposed to be really good.  I'll find out when I get home - I bought a jar.

A number of years ago, islanders discovered this turtle on the other side of the island.  It was during the time when the popular TV show - The A Team - was on, so they named him Mr. T.  Years later, a biologist came around and said their Mr. T was really a Mrs. T.  And so it goes............she's still alive and kicking.

The islanders live very healthy lives.  Very little meat (no cattle available) - fish, vegetables and fruits.

There are a few cave-like indentations in the cliffs, with some spectacular views.  

Here is John Adam's grave.  They named their one and only town after him - Adamstown.

An aerial view of Bounty Bay and their boat marina.

A swimming hole.

Local birds.

For years, there was the memorial plaque on the left, with the names of the Bounty's sailors.  In 2005, a second memorial plaque was placed that also memorializes the Polynesians that came with Fletcher on the Bounty.

This is the supply ship that comes 4 times a year, from New Zealand.

As you might be able to tell from the other pictures, Pitcairn is very steep.  They recently "paved" this rocky road and have acquired a few light trucks and ATVs.  They used to have to hand carry all their supplies up this hill to their town.

Because it was our Captain's last world voyage before his retirement this year, the islanders invited him and a few officers (and photographer) onto their longboat and to the island for a private tour.  Lucky them!!!  

One last look at the island as we sailed away.

The drink of the day - Mutineer's punch.  Light rum, dark rum, orange juice, grapefruit juice, pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine.  It was pretty good!

Stay tuned for more Pig Tales!!