Rarotonga, The perfect Island holiday

After a blissful week I sit by the pool, just a little bit lonely. Most of you will think that's ridiculous, to be on a tropical island on a saturday afternoon with the warm sun beating down and endless hours with nothing to do but read and play on my ipad. But, it didn't occur to me until it happened that having spent this last week with some of my very best friends, and made many new ones too, saying goodbye to them and staying for an extra day would make this magical place lonely. We've shared so much while here, always in somones company. And when you got tired of one activity or one person, another was just around the sandy corner. 

Over the last few days since the wedding I have made the most of sitting on the beach, reading, cocktail hour, exploring the island and hanging out with friends. Paul and I drove around the island, stopping at art galleries and souviner shops. The whole trip takes only 40 minutes, but we stretched it out to an afternoon, even exploring some of the inner roads where the fruit and flowers grow. 

It rained heavily on Thursday, rain that the locals were so greatful to see. After 3 months of no rain they were nearing crisis point, luckily for them it is no longer a concern. But this meant we spent a couple of days doing non-beach activities. 

This morning at 6am all my friends met in reception to board their bus to the airport. I padded out in my PJ's to say goodbye. They were all on the same flight home to Auckland and most flew on to Wellington. They should be walking in their front doors around about now as I type this. Meanwhile, I slept in, relocated to the beach for a smoothie and then lunch. It was slightly windy on the beach, but I stayed there for several hours. Seeing as the room charges hadn't been nearly as high as I thought I splurged on a little internet time and loaded blog posts and photos. I also managed to chat to my sister, brother and best friend back home, which was just what I needed as I thought about being all alone on a tropical island. Again, I imagine sympathy is not forth coming at this point and in the grand scheme of things it's not at all warranted. I'm just excited and a little nervous, ok, a lot nervous, about my next part of this grand adventure, and it seems so strange not to have someone even remotely close to share it with at this point. 

Right now, I'm sitting in the sun beside the pool, watching children jump in and the sunlight scatter between the palm trees to dance across my feet. I have my sunglasses, book and water handy, along with my camera, passport and the credit card I thought I'd lost, but turned out it was only in a super safe place. My bag is packed (with plenty of room to spare thanks to Paul for taking my wedding and souviner items home with him) and I'm ready to go. My bus to the airport will pick me up at 9.30pm and my flight to LA is at midnight. Now the question is, which book do I read next? and what should I do for dinner? It seems so very close, but so far away, I'm just dying for this next part to get started! 

I think I'll definetly be back to Rarotonga, it really is the most amazing tropical island getaway. I highly recommend it to anyone even remotely considering a holiday away. The weather is beautiful but not unbearable, there are things to do for those that need them, and the beach is the most amazing thing you've ever dreamed. I'm already wondering when I can come back.

Once you read this I'll be in the USA somewhere. I arrive in LA at 12.30pm Sunday (local time) and fly to San Francisco a few hours later, to arrive their at 5pm (local time). Being terrible at maths as I am, I assume this is around 11am on Monday NZ time. Please comment on my blog and or on FB, or send me an email. Despite the amazing adventure, I am all alone, so any friendly thoughts are warmly appreciated. 

XXX

PS: If I wait till I upload photos to my ipad, these posts will be few and far between. Please check out my Facebook and Instagram pages for photos to go along with the posts :) 

PPS: I've arrived in San Francisco. I'm pretty sure I was in the same clothes for 36 hours. I didn't see any of LA, just the airport before I flew up here. Once I finally made it to the hotel and brushed my teeth (if felt so good!) I went for a walk around the area I'm staying in. Just down the road is Macy's, Cheesecake Factory, Tiffany's and about 20 Pizza places. I knew San Francisco was hilly, but the map is flat, nevertheless it was good to go for a long 45 minute walk up the crazy hills after spending so much time sitting on airplanes. I wanted to see the harbour, but I also didn't want to get caught out late and in the dark when I didn't really know where I was, so I turned around and got some dinner. It was awesome to chat with John, Rach and Lu over Skype when I got back to my room. It was nice to share the things I'd seen and actually have a conversation with people I knew. In saying that, almost everyone I've spoken to so far has been really friendly and helpful. Let's not mention the immigration officer that couldn't get her head around the idea that I would willingly travel overseas on my own. Yep lady, I'm an adult and not afraid of the world. Bite me, I'm here to travel! Note, I didn't actually say that, cause if I had, I doubt I'd be here right now. hehe.