Chemtrails not working in Raratonga

Day 3

 <---- Our Bus stop!!

As you can see - the rain from the previous day washed away anything and everything in the atmosphere and Raratonga lived up to it's repudiation - Blue-skies!!! We were still without transportation - so figured (being Monday and all) that we would catch the local bus into town.  First we had to get our head around the fact there are two (only) buses - with one going clock (and the other going ) ANTI-clockwise round the Island.Then they come round only on the hour or so - at different times (remember Island times too) !  The trip into town itself took only about 20 minutes - and proofed to be eventful!  Christchurch people will understand when we mention POT-holes!  The road around the Island (apart from the actual main town) is in general bad repair!  We did actually see a road crew coming along and lay down a bit of grit! Anyhow - a small part was so bad the bus literally swung side-ways up and down - it almost made me sea-sick just looking out the front window.  We joked that the traffic speed limit (set at 50km/hr) is not so much a limit as a safety net - any faster and the road would catapult you out - sideways! :) The funny part was that on that very same day the local Raratonga'n News Paper run a comic strip commenting in a rather funny way on the quality of the road! Well done!!!

We stomped round town - found souvenir shops (and YUSSSS two badges for me) and other supplies and goodies.  We worked out were the Sat market will be and found one of the locals running a carving shop there - so stopped there and had a good chat about local timbers and woodwork (yes he had a rather very very very nice Coconut-tree bowl which was sadly beyond our price range) and also about importing things to NZ - as well as general stuff concerning the Cook Islanders (water and electricity etc)! From there we found a local Mum & Pop shop for lunch - very lovely meal!  After that it was back to the Lagoon Breeze Lodge via the Bus- and hopefully for a swim in the lagoon.  Sadly the tide was out so very low water - so ended up in the pool instead (and were surprised -filled with sea-water as fresh water is being a rare commodity)




No breeze so a good time to experiment with the reflections!  Still got that Blue Sky!!!

Happy hour proofed to be - lonely.  We were the only two people there - with everyone taking advantage of the sun-shine!!! No matter - we enjoyed the cocktails, just do not ask me what exactly we had!

As you can see - the old girl did enjoy her drink!!


















With the clear sky in sight - we decided that after dinner we head to the beach and see what it is like in terms of stars etc.  Sadly, during transit, our airline seemed to have busted my tri-pod in two places,  - even though it was wrapped up well in my suitcase. Luckily for me I always carry some rope with me these days (old scouting thing) for any emergency or whatever! Thus I found out that my scouting skills in lashings and whippings and tie things-up etc are still current and I managed to stabilize the broken three-legs! Although I could no longer extend the legs! Still not bad for an old geezer?!?!?!

Off to the beach we went and settled in for the evening - local dogs are everywhere and are friendly enough.  This one took an exceptional interest in my setup - and his head mimicked mine - going from side to side!! So funny!!!

The sun is setting - so we did our usual thing - saluted with a glass of 'special' drink! You can see the reef being exposed still from low tide!

It is dark by 6.30pm and being a small Island there is not much light pollution - THUS the stars are out in full force - perfect! One can understand how the early Polynesian sea-seafarers did all their navigating!
 I had a great time mucking round with exposures and time-lapses and framing up and getting it just so . . . .  (although just noticed that the Southern Cross is partly blocked by the Coconut tree - hmmmmm)

 Night all!

Have fun!