Vara's Beach Resort - Muri Beach - Rarotonga

Our hillside lodge at Vara's
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We spent 8 nights on the main Cook Island of Rarotonga and stayed on the south east of the island in lodge 2 at Vara's beach resort set back on a hillside amongst the palm trees. From our patio we had great views over the spectacular turquoise lagoon with its two small islands and the white sands of Muri beach (the best beach on the island) and each morning we sat and ate our breakfast over looking it all. We shared the lodge with a nice Irish couple - Connor and Mariah and also the odd lizard or big moth in the evening which Meg loved! Locals lived near the lodge and most of them seemed to keep animals. We often had hens running around outside and we used to greet the goat in the nearby field who we named Billy! The weather was warm but mixed, with only three days of full on sunshine. We made the most of the sunshine as and when we could, lazing by the coconut trees on the beautiful white sands. The rest of the time we just relaxed and read or went to Avarua town on the anti clockwise bus - there is only one main road which circles the island, one bus goes one way round and one goes the other, nice and simple! During our stay we went on a Raro Safari Tour on which we spent half a day touring the island in an unmistakeable yelow and green striped open backed Landrover. We toured up into the hills getting great scenery and we learnt all about the native culture from the lively guide. Whilst on the tour we also saw 'The World' boat - an ultra exclusive cruise ship for the filthy rich and famous. Whilst there we also spent time watching some of the international ocean canoe races that were being held on the island over a week long fesitval. On our last full night in Rarotonga we had a nice evening at an island night where we watched traditional dancing and listened to traditional music whilst enjoying a few drinks. When it came time to leave we were given a lift to the airport by Vara herself - old lady with not great eyesight and even worse hearing - and were just glad to get to the airport in one piece! Our flight to Fiji took off at 12.10am on 25 Nov 2006 (Cook Island time) and although it only took 3hrs 25mins, we arrived in Fiji at 1.35am (Fiji time) ... on 26 Nov 2006 a day later than had left. Basically we lost a day of our lives as we travelled west across the international date line.