Cook Islands

Hello everyone,

Its been a while so we thought we would update you on our last few days.

Since the trek across the Raro, we have chilled and met some incredibly different people.
The Swedens: A couple from the northern wastelands of Sweden who were poles apart from each other (get it?!?) She was a ginger (dyed blonde) hairdresser who had a tendency to over use the word Fxxk and to scream at the merest hint of anything with wings. He was an electronics salesman who was hilarious and somewhat more subdued than her. Both however were great fun and we fully intend on imposing ourselves on them as we venture round New Zealand.
UK People: As we are, all very nice and with a similar tendency to drink too much and run around doing silly things!
Main happenings: One evening was spent having a few drinks with a girl called Katie, The Swedens and and English Couple called Phil and Katie.. needless to say, several trips to the shop to refill on the booze were needed and the night ended with the females of the party chucking themselves in the sea.
We managed to see a bit more of the island by hiring some scooters.. We used them to venture further afield to various snorkelling patches and in the process saw some incredible fish.. angel fish, giant clams and some little blighters that chased pol and made her scream!
Island night on Thursday was excellent.. saw some authentic half nude Polynesian men (and women) strut their stuff and make us all laugh. The night was compered by a chunky bald maori who had numerous digs at the brits!.

In Fiji now and are about to embark on an island adventure.. staying in a nice hotel about four hours by boat from the main island in Fiji.. will update in a couple of days with some more pics.

Loz: Happy Birthday and well done on the RAF.
Phil: Can you reply to your sis's email if you want the money for the bills.

Time is up so good bye.

love and hugs

Pollyali

xxx

Hello everybody...
Feeling a tad tender today as we managed a most amazing cross island trek yesterday (8km in total)
6 of us from the hostel geared up at nine oclock and after a short bus ride, entered the interior of the island, shortly before 11. After stumbling across a tied up pig and several incidents of roadkill.. the road disappeared (completely) and all we had to follow were muddy footprints trailing off into the forest. Well, it got worse as the almost vertical climbs up tree roots and over branches nearly got the better of ali as he banged his head and looked a complete loser as sweat began to appear where it really shouldnt do!

Any way, to cut a long story short, we made it to the needle (the highest point on the trek) where we consumed two marmite sandwiches (Thanks Pols Mum!) and managed to cool off while taking some great pics.

The way down was slightly easier and after some closer encounters with some rather large spiders, we made it to the waterfall where we all cooled off and gave the mosquitoes a feast. Four km's later and we arrived back at the hostel, slightly worse for wears but in need of some alcholic refreshments! Last night was spent drunk and playing some card games with the rest of the UK contingent (great fun) but someone has pinched our lonely planet..grr.
Thanks for the comments everyone,

Alis mum: Sorry about the day off yesterday.. hope this placates your hunger for more news!
Pols mum and dad: How did Loz get on with his interview? and how is the Rabbitoid?
Sandrine: Nice to know Topshop havent forgotten about me yet!
David: Wish i could say the same about work! However, having too much fun out here to contemplate organising your week for you!

Miss you all

Pollyali

Well here we are, Day two of our Rarotongan adventure and if we are honest, we've done f### all! The beach is fantastic and right on our doorstep.. we have a cheap room and the hostel is full of backpackers.. SWEET! Only seems to be two problems at the minute... and wait for it...
1: Jet lag: led to a monster 13 hour sleep yesterday and our record bed time so far has been 9oclock.
2: The weather is a bit shoddy. No where near as bad as in Blighty (before you all laugh to yourselves!) but overcast and showery whilst still being 25 degrees. Thanks for the comment (Mothers) it shows that some people have been bothered to register (we know you have Col and Mike, but we eagerly await some input)
Sorry for the lack of visual stimuli, the hostel, being budget does not allow for the uploading of data but merely the trickle of incoming info. We will, however endeavour to put some on in Fiji (next week!)
The islands are very expensive for phone calls - $10 for three mins of calls (so we will call more when we arrive in New Zealand in a couple of weeks time.
Snorkelling has been an amazing experience for us both. We have seen some incredible fish and a multitude of slimy squelchy sluggy type things. Pol seems to have made friends with two dogs and a pair of hermit crabs whom she has affectionately named "Hermi" and "Gary"
We seem to be eating well (bread, noodles and beans) but we dont care as we dont have anything strenous to do.
thats aboot your lot for today, we probably will update again soon so keep any eye out for more adventures of pollyali..

love you all.

xxxxxx