I'm back from my trip

Hi everyone! I got back Saturday morning from my holiday and what a change it is coming back to normality from where I've been. The Cook Islands is a beautiful place to visit. Tourism is their number one source of income but it is still in it's early stages, so it's not an overly touristy place to visit. There are a number of places to stay at ranging from budget accommodation to luxury. Their way of life is simple and slow paced, and they are very friendly people.

The weather was beautiful for most of the time we were there, bar a few days at the end when it turned a bit cooler (still warm compared to Melbourne) and there was more rain than the whole time we'd been there. I went with my sister, and we spent five nights in Raratonga (the main island), three nights in Aitutaki (stayed at a resort just off the this island), then back to another resort in Raratonga for six nights. So relaxing, especially in Aitutaki where we stayed at a resort on it's own island. Fewer people there and you virtually had a beach area to yourself.

We didn't get to do everything we wanted, and it's definitely somewhere I'd like to go back again. Here's some pictures of the different places we saw, and I've placed more in an album for you to look at.'

Aitutaki lagoon - aerial view

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Honeymoon Island - taken on a day trip

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Muri lagoon - the last place we stayed at

I'm off to the Cook Islands!

It's late at night and I really should be in bed, but as normal I'm racing around at the last minute trying to get things organised before I head off tomorrow morning. I've probably packed way too many things but I'd rather be prepared than not.

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I'm away for the next two weeks, so I hope you all have fun stitching and I'll look forward to catching up with what you've all been doing when I get back. For those who are going to the Shepherd's Bush retreat later this month, I hope you have a fantastic time, which I know you will. I look forward to reading what you got up to as well.

Happy stitching!

Cook Islands here I come!

Well, my sister and I booked our holiday to the Cook Islands Thursday night. We're leaving on 13th September and arriving back home on 26th September. Flying Air New Zealand and staying five nights at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, three nights at The Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa which are both sister resorts, and then six nights at the Pacific Resort.

The Rarotongan and Pacific are both on Rarotonga, the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort is about a 40 minute flight north of Rarotonga. It's just off Aitutaki on it's own small island called Akitua. It's the only accommodation on that island and we've got a free upgrade to a beachfront bungalow. The waters there are supposed to be as blue as you see in the travel brochures. We'll probably do a cruise round to other islands in the area. One of them's called One Foot Island, and there's not much on it except limited accommodation and a Post Office. It's a must see so I'm told.

Beach on one of Aitutaki's motu Rapota

If this is a picture of what to expect, then I'm already getting excited. How relaxing does this look?

From Rarotonga we will probably do a day tour of the island. There's a bus service that goes clockwise and anti-clockwise round the island at regular intervals. This will be handy if we want to go to other areas, including the main shopping part of town, on our own.

Plenty of swimming, sunbaking, snorkeling, kayaking, and walking to do. We can go at our own pace and have an enjoyable, relaxing holiday. The weather will certainly be warmer than home, so that alone can't be a bad thing. The countdown begins...

Cats and holidays

I'm really not that good at this blog thing as I don't seem to update it very often. Perhaps that's because I'm still not stitching and haven't the urge to write anything.
My kitten Charlotte has grown up and she's nearly one year old now. She and my other cat Sophie are getting along well and becoming good friends. It's interesting to see the changing colours of her fur, as this is typical of Birman cats the older they get. How cute is she? She's changed a lot since the last photo I posted.

I'm planning an overseas trip for next September at the moment. Going away with my sister probably to the Cook Islands for about two weeks. A tropical relaxing holiday lying by the beach. We would have to go via Auckland NZ from Melbourne since there's no direct flights there. It's supposed to be popular with New Zealanders, like Fiji is to Australians. There's an island north of Rarotonga (the capital) called Aitutaki which looks like heaven. We'll probably stay five nights at two resorts on Rarotonga and five nights at Aitutaki. There's plenty to do: like day trips, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, sunbathing, walking, cycling and exploring the islands. September is the start of Spring here but still quite cool, so it will be lovely to go somewhere warmer. Still have to book the holiday and work out the finer details yet but hope to do that next month some time. This is a beach on the Cook Islands... and a picture of Aitutaki lagoon.

How gorgeous does it look? Makes you want to fly there now. This would have to be my favourite style of holiday. A warm tropical island. I've been to Hawaii for three weeks about sixteen years ago, but that's so much more fast pace than what this will be.

Still would love to get to the USA but I guess that will have to wait a bit longer.