Rarotonga

[Big Dan]

How many of you have been to Rarotonga?

What was your experience like?

What would you recommend doing there?

I'm heading over there for 10 days in May with a few cousins and its my first time to a tropical island so it will be a good culture shock and one i'm looking forward to.

Whats the food like there i'm assuming there will be alot of fruit.

Your thoughts and feedback will be much greatly appreciated

Thanking you all as always

[Devil]

Been twice. Fantastic both times.
You have to hang around Muri lagoon, it's the nicest part of the island, best swimming, best bits of beach.

As far as what to do, there isn't a hell of a lot. Sit on the beach, go do the cross island walk (it's quite a hard one, but well worth it) or race scooters (the main mode of transport over there).

Food was fantastic, mainly new zealand produce and meat. Yes plenty of tropical fruit. You'll find most things come with mango!

No culture shock. Everyone speaks english, despite having cook islands maori as the official language. Seriously, it'll be like spending a week at the otara markets but without the threat of being beaten up.

Very very very friendly people.

Flame tree restaurant just north of Muri for a flash meal, Stefano's in muri for the best Italian you'll eat outside of italy. I recommend the Pasta Saporita.

Everything is NZ dollars and you can use the ATM's to get cash out.
Prices are NZ + around 15% for meals really but you can get good cheap takeaway food. Check out Super Brown for your burgers and steak plates!

[Devil]

Oh, take a mask and snorkel. The fish love bananas. You can buy them cheap as at roadside stalls.

I think the Yellow Hibiscus (I think) had a good happy hour and food as well.

Expect good eating for reasonable prices. So if you're into good food and sitting on your arse relaxing you're heading to the right place.

Few fields around so if you want to kick a ball around there's no problem.

[Devil]

Oh and about the halfway point of the island is the saltwater cafe run by a real nice guy. Good place to hang out for a beer and does mean nachos.

[wysper]

We went over for my sister in laws wedding a couple of years ago.
Stayed at the Rarotongan.

It was great, we went in NZ winter, still warm enough to swim, snorkel, dive etc.
Shorts and t shirt weather. Although some of the locals had sweatshirts on LOL

Great food, friendly people. You can have a blast on the scooters.
I think there is gliding you can do too maybe. Can't remember.

I would definitely go back for a holiday. We loved it. If you are taking kiddies it is good for them too.

There are a few hotels that are NO KIDS ALLOWED if you want that too.

RECOMMENDED

[James Deuce]

Shithole. Terrible service. Wouldn't ever reccommend it.

[Big Dan]

Shithole. Terrible service. Wouldn't ever reccommend it.

Can you go into detail please

What made it...

A Shithole
Terrible Service?

[James Deuce]

If you keep telling everyone how great it is then EVERYONE goes there and then it isn't lovely and quiet and wonderful the next time you go there, is it?

[Maha]

Can you go into detail please

What made it...

A Shithole
Terrible Service?

Jim is confused...he means Rotorua....:shifty:

Rarotonga is fantastic, we have been there a few times, we stay at the Edgewater, there is something happening there very night (as with most Resorts) First job is to grab a scooter, snoorkles/googles and reef shoes are free so we pop them under the seat and spend the day finding those beaches and stopping into most resorts for a beer along the way. Service is great, where ever we went. Club Raro has been done up but is on the windy side of the Island. I will find some pics.

[Maha]

Heres some pics....

Pic 1....Taken from our unit at the Edgewater
Pic 2...Muir Lagoon...just brilliant
Pic 3...Pacific Resort........on Muri Lagoon
Pic 4...One of those beaches with nobody around.....its all yours.

[Maha]

Some more....

Pic 1...You gotta find this place!!!..I will hunt down the name, seats about 12 people, we found it by accident really, glad we did.

Pic 2...Is the view from the same place at sunset.
Pic 3...Another place to find, great food, its right on the roadside.
Pic 4...The cocktails....forget Lion Red mate....work your way through the coctail list.

[Big Dan]

Jim is confused...he means Rotorua....:shifty:

Rarotonga is fantastic, we have been there a few times, we stay at the Edgewater, there is something happening there very night (as with most Resorts) First job is to grab a scooter, snoorkles/googles and reef shoes are free so we pop them under the seat and spend the day finding those beaches and stopping into most resorts for a beer along the way. Service is great, where ever we went. Club Raro has been done up but is on the windy side of the Island. I will find some pics.

Edgewater is where we will be staying whats it like to stay there

[James Deuce]

Will you fanbois STFU please? It'll be full of tourists next time I go there if you don't!

[NDORFN]

The absolute coolest thing to do in Rarotonga is stand at the end of the runway when a 767 takes off. Not the ocean end, the other end down the alley with the paddock. Other than that, I recommend trying dog cooked in an Umu.

[Maha]

Edgewater is where we will be staying whats it like to stay there

I wouldnt stay anywhere else really, it aint the dearest but it aint the cheapest and lets face it, you only need a place to sleep right?..the night life there is great, get pissed at Mals Bar, you are sitting outside listening to whatever is going on (mainly muso's playing and having a laugh) oh, and have a burger at the 'Whatever Bar and Grill', in town....brilliant place.

The Edgewater has everything there, its super clean, the staff are great (mostly Fijians) ....I think it has the best snoorkling beach, reef is about 100mts out and the fish!!!! amazing.

[Maha]

Pic 1...The road you'll be riding on
Pic 2...The beach you'll be swimming in.

You lucky bastard, I wanna go back now....

[boomer]

we stayed at he pacific resort, beautiful place. I did my advanced diving ticket whilst there too..

awesome island

[Highlander]

I wouldnt stay anywhere else really, it aint the dearest but it aint the cheapest and lets face it, you only need a place to sleep right?..the night life there is great, get pissed at Mels Bar, you are sitting outside listening to whatever is going on (mainly muso's playing and having a laugh) oh, and have a burger at the 'Whatever Bar and Grill', in town....brilliant place.

The Edgewater has everything there, its super clean, the staff are great (mostly Fijians) ....I think it has the best snoorkling beach, reef is about 100mts out and the fish!!!! amazing.

Replace Edgewater with Pacific Resort and you would be pretty close to our experience.
Convert your Kiwi licence to a Cook Island one for $20 and hire a scooter cost us $50 for 3 days (a month ago), + $15 to return it with a full tank. Trader Jacks is a good place for a meal, go in hungry bcause they dont do small servings. Island nights are good entertainment (if you are the one in our party of 4 not dragged up to dance). We took our own snorkels and masks but used the flippers from the resort.

edit: We ate one night at the yacht club (Sails?) resturant and left with all 4 of us saying we wouldn't go back. Food was barely acceptable, small quantities, service crap. Every where else we went on the island we were most impressed with.

All 4 of us would be keen to go back, apart from the realisation that there is a limit to how much money we can spend seeing the world and a lot of world to see, so why go to the same place twice? If we did go anywhere a second time Rarotonga would rate highly.

[Winston001]

Rarotonga is a lovely lazy place to go. If you are thinking of nightclubbing and extreme activities........take a very large book and plenty of valium. :shifty: Personally I love the place but some tourists find it boring.

You can walk around the entire island n a day - about 20 miles. The cross-island walk is recommended. There is also a tantalising rock spire begging to be climbed if you can find a way up to it. Take reef shoes and good walking shoes. The coral is a killer.

The prevailing weather is from the north-west which means the beaches aren't up to much on the west and north. The reef is very close. Muri Lagoon on the south-east is the preferred spot and thus more expensive accomodation - beautiful.

Food mostly comes from NZ so is expensiveish. Given the low wages, its subsistence living for the locals.

Here are a couple of links to explore: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=726510&tstart=0

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294328-Cook_Islands-Vacations.html

[James Deuce]

Shuddup, shuddup, shuddup, SHUDDUP!!!

[Highlander]

The week we were there the wind didn't stop blowing, and it rained nearly every day.
The lagoon was all choppy and murky so water activities were unpleasant. :no:
We made the most of the duty free booze we took in with us and the Happy hour at the resort each night. <_<

Roosters crowing all friggin night :2guns: and Dogs roaming wild on all the roads made scootering dangerous. :shutup: Hit one of them and had a couple of near misses with others.

[Big Dan]

You guys rock

you have been very helpful so thanks but don't stop keep it going

I'm almost tempted to say that KB members should all go to Raro at the same time just to annoy James Deuce - lol

I'm so looking forward to it i'm currently in the saving stage for the ticket there

Maha don't be jealous i'll try find a internet cafe and send KB photos LOL or send postcards

[Qkkid]

we stayed at he pacific resort, beautiful place. I did my advanced diving ticket whilst there too..

awesome island

We used to go to the Barefoot bar on the beach at the Pacific resort for happy hour every nite while we were over there. Very nice resort :Punk:

[Maha]

Yeah the Pacific Resort is pretty cool, but like I said, you can visit any one of them, the Island is only 40 kms around, about as big as Lake Rotorua.

And theres a cool eating place by the boat ramp/wharf just before Avarua, it looks like a pie cart but the food is cheap and way tasty, a big plate of chilli prawns for about $ 9 with salad .

First Pool is at the Pacific.

[Maha]

You guys rock

you have been very helpful so thanks but don't stop keep it going

I'm almost tempted to say that KB members should all go to Raro at the same time just to annoy James Deuce - lol

I'm so looking forward to it i'm currently in the saving stage for the ticket there

Maha don't be jealous i'll try find a internet cafe and send KB photos LOL or send postcards

One thing I would say about the Edgewater, first year we booked a Garden room, next time we booked a beach front room, and although its very nice to see the sea first thing in the morning, that constant wave break on the reef gets up ya nose after a night or two, so its back to the peace of the Garden rooms next time.

[skidMark]

The only good thing rarotonga has is ashortcut way to ull bike license...

except they have now cracked down on converting them...

:no::sick::shit:

[Milts]

Hah just got back less than a week ago. My advice:

- Bring some snack food with you (food even at the supermarket is much more expensive than NZ).
- Expect to spend most of your time swimming/snorkling/riding. There really isn't a lot else to do.
- Go to the Saturday market (from about 6am til midday near the main town) - lots of cheap food, clothing, and jewelry.
- Watch the dogs. Plenty of dogs with 3 legs because they ran out in front of someone's bike.
- Muri Lagoon is the best place to swim by far, it's hardly even worth trying any of the other beaches.
- As for food, follow what these other guys have recommended, when I was there I wasn't impressed. The takeaway food we got wasn't that great (stay well away from the 24hour fish and chip place), and the two restaurants we tried (the indian place at the main town centre and an italian place a few k's "clockwise") were average at best, and the italian one was overpriced to boot.
- Get a decent bike for transport. Check it before renting! And really shop around for a rental bike, your choices are basically limited to a GN125, Yamaha YBR125, or a Yamaha automatic scooter. My first YBR wouldn't idle, it stalled at every intersection. Went back, tested the engine of about 4 bikes, found one which ran well and went to leave on it only to find it had no front brake cable. My third bike had the throttle cable break after three days (not my fault I swear :innocent:). Give the bike a good inspection before renting. I found service at all three bike places my family tried was excellent.
- There is one company which runs a Rarotonga "Safari". This basically involves driving around the island on the back of a big 4WD looking at all the back roads, views from the hills, and local landmarks. Well worth it and very informative, as well as entertaining (the tour guides were great). Make sure you do the morning one as it comes with a BBQ lunch, which the afternoon one doesn't.
- Weather was 'warm' the entire 8 days we were there, but only really warm enough for swimming for about 5 of them. Only pack a jacket if you're planning on riding late at night or you grew up somewhere with mild winters, I've lived in Wellington all my life and didn't bother with a sweatshirt even when the locals were wearing jackets.


Have fun but don't expect excitement - it's a very relaxing and laid back place. Also, forget shopping of any kind after 2pm Saturday, the whole island just shuts down until Monday.

[Devil]

Also, forget shopping of any kind after 2pm Saturday, the whole island just shuts down until Monday.

Which is one of the best parts!

[Mom]

I am a Raro fan too. I wont go into details for fear of envoking Mr SHUDUP SHUDUP SHUDUP again but seriously, if you want a cruisey, laid back, restful holiday Rarotonga can not be beaten. Only one thing I will warn about is the people are very religous for the most part. If you do decide to go to church on Sunday (the singing can not be missed) make sure you wear very conservative clothing. If you wear a frock (well you know what I mean) make sure it covers your shoulders and your knees, else a very stern preacher will come and tell you you are not welcome DAMHIK :o

[want-a-harley]

Aitutaki is better, internal flights aren't cheap tho.

www.aitutaki-vacation.com

www.airraro.com

[Kittyhawk]

If you keep telling everyone how great it is then EVERYONE goes there and then it isn't lovely and quiet and wonderful the next time you go there, is it?

Felt that very same way when I was in Paris standing under the Eiffel tower. and at every other friggin tourist spot in Europe....Unless really necessary I'd never go on a conducted tour, exploring with no real set plans apart from accomodation an the next flight ticket, spur of the moment was everything else, and backpacking is the best way to go. You see so much more.

[colonel]

the only good thing there is the airport as you leave .fucking boring shithole

[skidMark]

Felt that very same way when I was in Paris standing under the Eiffel tower. and at every other friggin tourist spot in Europe....Unless really necessary I'd never go on a conducted tour, exploring with no real set plans apart from accomodation an the next flight ticket, spur of the moment was everything else, and backpacking is the best way to go. You see so much more.

Except you've never been to europe sheryl :dry:

[Big Dan]

the only good thing there is the airport as you leave .fucking boring shithole

James Deuce? is that you again - lol

or is colonel using your material :P

Colonel: If you are serious maybe you couldn't find things to do that you enjoyed

[James Deuce]

It ain't me and I try not to be that artless.

[Maha]

James Deuce? is that you again - lol

or is colonel using your material :P

Colonel: If you are serious maybe you couldn't find things to do that you enjoyed

Maybe he enjoy Beirut this time of year??

I dont vote in polls but I would give it a 9/10 because its the kinda holiday that I look for, you come home feeling you've had a holiday.

[colonel]

James Deuce? is that you again - lol

or is colonel using your material :P

Colonel: If you are serious maybe you couldn't find things to do that you enjoyed

things to do, swimming,snorkeling,fishing if the weather holds and drinking=boring

[Kittyhawk]

Except you've never been to europe sheryl :dry:

lol, I failed 6th form cos I was overseas. :Oops:

[Mschvs]

I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would go to a Pacific island and stay in an apartment like at the Muri Beach resort or anywhere like that. You can stay in a multi level hotel like that anywhere in the world. Why wouldn't you want to be in a (palacial or cosy) bungalow, on ground level, with the beach on your doorstep, and a pool with a bar in it! Isn't that the point of going to an island??

That was my dream of my holiday in Raro when I was 21 ... and I did it, and thoroughly enjoyed it at Club Raro!! Great price, (package deal) great staff, tidy well kept facilities! Private, great view. A bar in the pool (one of my absolute pre-requisites for my holiday in Rarotonga), and about a 10 minute walk into town ... which I wouldn't have actualy wanted to be any closer as the walk each morning, or 5 minute scooter ride helped work off my (included) breakfast, and gave me a chance to wake up and get into 'island time', and take in the beautiful mornings on the island!

[Mschvs]

After reading a few reviews just right now though, looks like opinions are mixed. Maybe a seasonal thing? When I stayed it was well priced, very clean, breakfast was great, fresh fruit etc, staff were friendly, helpful etc but others didn't seem to enjoy it according to tripadvisor.com!

[Maha]

At the Edgewater on the cocktail list is a drink called 'The Tangaroa'.
I suggest you have one of these Big Dan (if you drink that is).
Its known as 'The Raro Bikini Remover'....it consists of...Gin/Vodka/White Rum/Bourbon/Triple Sec/Tequilla/Ginger Ale/Coke and Lime Juice and its served in a 1.8 Lt Fish Bowl...it cost $29. and comes with two straws.

Enjoy.

[Big Dan]

At the Edgewater on the cocktail list is a drink called 'The Tangaroa'.
I suggest you have one of these Big Dan (if you drink that is).
Its known as 'The Raro Bikini Remover'....it consists of...Gin/Vodka/White Rum/Bourbon/Triple Sec/Tequilla/Ginger Ale/Coke and Lime Juice and its served in a 1.8 Lt Fish Bowl...it cost $29. and comes with two straws.

Enjoy.

Well sorry to say that i don't drink there Maha so i'll be sticking to the soft drink or water

[Blackbird]

Umm.... I think we'll be up there next week celebrating our 37th anniversary. Mrs B and I take it in turns to organise a destination which we keep a secret from each other for as long as possible (usually the check-in desk :innocent:), but she let something slip this time which leads me to think Rarotonga - will let you know. Year before last was Vanuatu and we had an absolute ball there.

[PrincessBandit]

We stayed at The Little Polynesian. Right on the waterfront too!!
It was lovely in terms of doing nothing - that was exactly the holiday we needed. Getting around on scooters and motorbikes is a great way to see what there is to see but don't bother going for shopping. Dunno about the night life really, we weren't into that, but super friendly people. Speaking with the manager of our accommodation tourism is pretty much the only form of income for the island so it probably is in their best interests to make sure you're well taken care of!

We stayed for 6 days, and by then I was ready to come home. Much longer and I think even I would have started getting bored; however next time we go we will definitely go to Aitataki as well, and if my shoulder is all better do some quadding or horse trekking.

[Blackbird]

Just got back from 6 days in Rarotonga and absolutely loved it. You can be as lazy or as busy as you want, we mainly went for the latter. Hired a scooter (Yamaha Cygnus X)for peanuts and we went exploring all over the island. In 40 plus years of riding, it's the first time I've ridden a scooter and it was huge fun. Note the Cook Islands helmet - cap turned backwards! Didn't feel safe with sandals though and went for better shoes. Went 4WD exploring in the backroads and there are also beach buggys and quads for hire. The Sachs Madass with matching plate was cool, but not for hire unfortunately. Lovely people, lovely place to chill in the NZ winter.

[cold comfort]

Overpriced junkyard with barren reef and cockroach infested accommodation. Unless you stay top-end, in which case you may as well be anywhere. It rained most of the time too. The main island is as good as it gets if the weather is good and you don't want any excitement- ideal for a book and snorkelling. The scootering was fun (first time ever pillioned the wife). p.s That should have read Aitutaki (u next to i on the keyboard)

[Blackbird]

overpriced junkyard with barren reef and cockroach infested accommodation. Unless you stay top-end, in which case you may as well be anywhere. The main island is as good as it gets if the weather is good and you don't want any excitement- ideal for a book and snorkelling

Haven't been to Aututaki so can't comment. Dunno what your "top end" criteria is, but Mrs B picked up a package through House of Travel in March. 5 nights at the Manuia Beach Resort, including $200 advance on meals, 2 days of scooter hire, half day orientation tour, 4x4 trip into the highlands for $1250 each inc air fares. The beach huts were great, not sterile and we only scratched the surface of things to do. Not looking to argue as everyone has their opinions but a bland statement like yours doesn't tell the whole story.

[cold comfort]

Thats the problem with brevity-it lends itself to comments such as "bland" My point was merely that,IMHO for the extra $$, Aitutaki is overated and over priced. Keisha Castle-Hughes did some grandstanding on behalf of climate change and Greenpeace there recently with respect to the dying/barren reef. (Wether this is a natural event or climate change is speculative, and the lack of fish could easily be due to overfishing). The land environment showed a distinct lack of conservation looking, in many respects, like a municipal tip.
As you state, good deals are to be had in Rarotonga. My experience on the main island was (as i hoped i said) nothing but positive. We enjoyed the time, had fun and purchased a great piece of artwork from a local artist. My advice would be to not waste money on going further for little return. I have been fortunate to experience a number of island holidays and Aitutaki just did not cut it. My wife and i plan to go to Vanuatau this yr and,as certified divers, are really looking forward to it!

[Blackbird]

My wife and i plan to go to Vanuatau this yr and,as certified divers, are really looking forward to it!

Did Vanuatu the year before last and loved it! My wife and I have taken turns for most of our married life to organise a secret destination to celebrate our anniversary and keep it a secret for as long as possible (normally airport check-in if going overseas, haha). Port Vila is pretty run down but still has a certain charm. However, we stayed just out of town in some lagoon bungalows run by a couple of Kiwis and it was great. Heaps to do there too. Pretty primitive in some areas which adds to the interest. We visited a tribe in the Highlands that only gave up ritual cannibalism a couple of decades ago :(

[Maha]

Just got back from 6 days in Rarotonga and absolutely loved it. You can be as lazy or as busy as you want, we mainly went for the latter. Hired a scooter (Yamaha Cygnus X)for peanuts and we went exploring all over the island. In 40 plus years of riding, it's the first time I've ridden a scooter and it was huge fun. Note the Cook Islands helmet - cap turned backwards! Didn't feel safe with sandals though and went for better shoes. Went 4WD exploring in the backroads and there are also beach buggys and quads for hire. The Sachs Madass with matching plate was cool, but not for hire unfortunately. Lovely people, lovely place to chill in the NZ winter.

Behind you, in pic two, the blue place? did you get a feed there at all?

Oh, and did you see this place? (pic below) its on the road behind the Airport...:niceone:

[CookMySock]

Did Vanuatu the year before last and loved it! My wife and I have taken turns for most of our married life to organise a secret destination to celebrate our anniversary and keep it a secret for as long as possible (normally airport check-in if going overseas, haha). Port Vila is pretty run down but still has a certain charm. However, we stayed just out of town in some lagoon bungalows run by a couple of Kiwis and it was great. Heaps to do there too. Pretty primitive in some areas which adds to the interest. We visited a tribe in the Highlands that only gave up ritual cannibalism a couple of decades ago :(I spent a week in Vanuatu a few years back, and I damn near went straight back to stay. I got an offer to come back and live and work for six months, and it was pretty hard not to take it. The place is cheerful, dirty, run down, and the young ladies are verrry friendly, and the weed is cheap or free.

Steve

[Blackbird]

Behind you, in pic two, the blue place? did you get a feed there at all?

Oh, and did you see this place? (pic below) its on the road behind the Airport...:niceone:

No, we stayed on the other side of the island and only lunched a couple of times on the eastern side. We swam right in front of it though.

Hahaha - didn't see that - nice one!

[portokiwi]

:niceone: Yes been there a few times.... Lived there for a few months lol.
Might try out Fiji next time.
Dept tax has shot up:Oi:
pics from there

[portokiwi]

and some more

[cold comfort]

Did Vanuatu the year before last and loved it! My wife and I have taken turns for most of our married life to organise a secret destination to celebrate our anniversary and keep it a secret for as long as possible (normally airport check-in if going overseas, haha). Port Vila is pretty run down but still has a certain charm. However, we stayed just out of town in some lagoon bungalows run by a couple of Kiwis and it was great. Heaps to do there too. Pretty primitive in some areas which adds to the interest. We visited a tribe in the Highlands that only gave up ritual cannibalism a couple of decades ago :(

Just got back from Santo-redeye flights and EXPENSIVE but a great time. (Will never wish i spent the money on plumbing instead). Nice people, excellent food at Coral Quays (best ribeye steak ever) Best wreck diving i've done and saw a bit of the island. (Extortionate demands by a billigerent taxi driver in Vila only down side). The Aussies do better with direct flights from Brisbane, and a better exchnge rate.
My wife is keen on the "secret destination" idea too so its her turn next!

[Blackbird]

Just got back from Santo-redeye flights and EXPENSIVE but a great time. (Will never wish i spent the money on plumbing instead). Nice people, excellent food at Coral Quays (best ribeye steak ever) Best wreck diving i've done and saw a bit of the island. (Extortionate demands by a billigerent taxi driver in Vila only down side). The Aussies do better with direct flights from Brisbane, and a better exchnge rate.
My wife is keen on the "secret destination" idea too so its her turn next!

Good on you:Punk:

I've never been disappointed with any of the choices that either my wife or I have made because you end up making your own fun. However, the closest we came was Norfolk Island. Lovely people but after 5 days, you're really scratching for something new to do, even if you enjoy chilling out. It wasn't even good fishing at the time we went. Err... they do say it's for the newly wed or the nearly dead, so if you're somewhere in between; probably best avoided.:innocent:

[cold comfort]

Haha -yeah i had heard that expression b4 we went. The departure lounge was full of blue rinses and zimmer frames. Though "wot the hell have we done!". However, as you say, we made our own fun. Went SCUBA diving, walks, out to the island bird sancuary/ breeding colony,collecting eggs with the locals (they take the first laying to keep the numbers down), good food, and of course my wife's great company. My daughter went with her unadventurous mother and step-plonker and absolutely HATED it. Just what they deserved, boredom and a sulky teenager! Whats with the "for sale" on the bike?

[Blackbird]

The departure lounge was full of blue rinses and zimmer frames. Though "wot the hell have we done!". Whats with the "for sale" on the bike?

+1, hahaha, just like you, my heart sank when I saw all the walking sticks and wheelchairs!

Your query on the bike: In my 60's now. Although I don't need a stick or zimmer frame :laugh:, the 'bird's a bit tall and I'm starting to notice the weight when manoeuving at low speed or parking. Going for a Street Triple in a few weeks - fits me perfectly - feet flat, 60kg lighter than the 'bird. Probably more suited to everyday riding in the Coromandel too.

[hayd3n]

will be staying at the scantuary in june for 8 days :)

[ellipsis]

...thieving cunts...just like every other DESTINATION...naivety rules, man...

[hayd3n]

...thieving cunts...just like every other DESTINATION...naivety rules, man...

huh?:eek5:

[Oakie]

Raro? Great place. We'll go back. It's laid back, lots of casual eating options and it's warm without being oppressively hot ... well it was in August when we went. Just don't get sconed by a coconut falling from a tree. It does happen.(good thread dredge by the way!)

[Jantar]

I have now visited six different Pacific Island nations.

My choices in order are:

1. Samoa. Particularly Savaii. Beautiful and very friendly people. Been there 4 times.

2. Rarotonga, although next visit we will try one of the outer islands.

3. Niue. There is not much to do for more than 3 days though.

4. Tonga. Pleasant enough.

5. Norfolk. 7 days is 2 days too many.

6. Pago Pago. Dirty and americanised.

[Berries]

Hmmm. Raro.

I had the vague impression that they were more interested in the $$$$$ than the people, unlike some of the other south pacific islands. Then some pissed local, who I was trying to save from being run over, king hit me from behind and legged it. Managed to get to a restaurant where they offered to ring a taxi, nothing else, not even a glass of water. Somewhat dazed at the time I got ripped off big time in the taxi. Got to the hotel and told to sleep it off although I was stone cold sober. Rang the police against the wishes of the hotel. Found that I was not worthy of actually switching on the x-ray machine so sent back with paracetamol. Eventually, a week later after the bones had started to knit, I arrived in the UK where the first person I saw recognised the fractured skull. In three places. Straight in to surgery where they had to break things again to put them straight - never realised a tyre lever could be used in that way Severed nerves mean snot runs down my nose on cold rides and I don't know about it until someone tells me.

Got a shag out of the quite impressive black eye on that island you can kayak to from the posh hotel but overall, nah. Fuck them. Will go back to Fiji next time. At least they have sand.

[hayd3n]

just spent the last 9 days in raro at the scantuary ,


what a amazing place we had a fantastic time,

( got hitched )

the locals were great , the staff were amazing the fishing was awesome (tuna wahoo, mahi mahi ) and the other boat landed a marlin ,
the snorkling breath taking

will definitely have to go back :)

[Jantar]

( got hitched )



Oh dear, How are you going to break THAT news to Stina? :wacko:

[hayd3n]

Oh dear, How are you going to break THAT news to Stina? :wacko:

ill change her last name that should please her

[Paul in NZ]

Spent a month there working 7 days a week - 11 to 12 hours a day.... Had one day off at the end of the project and it bloody rained! Sigh... Still - you are wet in the water anyway.... who cares if its raining.

Some nice bits - the waters warm - foods good..

Bad bits - stay the heck away from the nightclub / bars the locals use - they 'change' with a few steinies in them...