Wednesday 08 08 07

I have arrived home safely. I have just worked out that I have been awake, apart for 4 half hour dozes, for almost 23 hours. Sitting in planes, buses and airports is not particularly stressful though, if things go smoothly, which they did today – apart from 2 full planes which meant that there was no spare seat for a certain very large ‘infant’ i.e.under 2 years.

Last Saturday after breakfast we went into town to see the senior drumming contest. It was started by a performance by the winner of the junior competition. There were 4 senior teams. The announcer explained what they were doing ( it still did not help much) in each of the 2 sections. Firstly they were given a chant which they had to set to a beat and in the second part they had to make up a chant and set it to music. ( I think). Each team had 10 men. It was great.
We left a bit early, Isla had had enough and went to Trader Jack’s for lunch – apparently a Cook Island institution - overlooking the water.

On Sunday we had planned to go into town and go to church but decided that ‘doing nothing’ was a better option. The resort puts on a show at lunchtime on Sundays. In the programme it is listed as ‘St Mary’s choir’. The group consisted of about 5 mature age ladies singing, 5 youngish men and some younger people singing and dancing. Each of the songs was explained – all relating in some way to Christianity.

After Isla’s rest we took 2 kayaks out. A few days ago we took out 3 – Lach took Isla. This time I sat with Isla in the front of Lach’s. We had a few races, Lach working very hard with 2 passengers, against Wendy. The jury is still out on the winner. W and L had a special day- early wedding anniversary dinner. On some evenings the hotel puts on a 5 course dinner in a special part of the resort – right overlooking the water. They said it was excellent and enjoyed themselves. Isla and I had cheese sandwiches.

The highlight of Monday was the several hours I spent with Isla playing on the beach. Lach went to a tennis lesson and Wendy finished her holiday knitting project – a new beanie for Isla. Wendy was very pleased with it. She has not knitted since the schoolgirl scarf stage and wanted to relearn. It was an excellent opportunity for me to help her.

W and I went snorkeling in the afternoon. We saw the ( or a very similar) octopus again. He sort of ‘stood up’ on his tentacles then swam away – luckily away from us. He settled on a rock and we watched for a while from an appropriate distance. Apart from the myriad of brightly coloured reef fish we also saw some giant clams.

It was a very relaxing holiday and it was great to spend time with W,L and Isla.

Goodnight