10 things about Rarotonga
Time is flying by. I can't believe it's already over halfway through MAY! A quick update on living in paradise, before 10 (hopefully) helpful Rarotonga travel tips!
Kia Orana!
I’ll begin with a little life update and then get into the topic of this blog post.
So, as per my last blog post, my trusty Rusty the Raro Car paid a visit to the local mechanic… turns out she is FARKED. Engine is a complete write off and I have lost a few thousand dollarydoo’s on the bloody thing.
Ah well, shit happens! I refuse to get worked up over it and my amazing flatty is letting me use their car until I get myself sorted again.
I have been racking my brain to think of some quick side hustle money makers, but due to my work visa regulations I can’t take up a second job elsewhere.
Plus the internet here is also quite shite at the best of times, so it will cost me an arm and a leg to pay for data to do any serious online work. If you have any ideas, please let me know! Money is tight for us visa workers!
Other than that..
Life is peachy!
Although I have been slacking off a lot with writing my novel but hey, I’m busy living it up in Raro! There’s always time to carry on writing later but for now, I want to make the most of my time here with my friends in this gorgeous country.
Pupdate
My dog Pippin had three gorgeous little puppies two and a half weeks ago on ANZAC Day! They are Fox Terrier x Jack Russell and are the cutest little chunky blobs. As they were born on ANZAC Day, I nicknamed them Poppy, Zac & Gunner.
I’m sad that I will never get to meet them, but I absolutely adore my parents sending me regular updates with photos and videos letting me know how they are all getting on.
Tips for Rarotonga
These 10 things that I have personally loved and learned on this gorgeous rock so far:
Bring your cash! A lot of places are cash only, and you don’t want to find yourself having to miss out on a treat if you don’t have enough cash in your bag. There are plenty of ATM’s scattered around the island - BSP Bank of South Pacific and ANZ if you need to withdraw some.
$4 cheeseburgers at Villi’s on Wednesday’s. These burgers are AH-MAZING and taste very similar to a Macca’s (McDonald’s) cheeseburger - but better. There are no fast food chains here on the island, so everything is locally owned and operated.
Free fire show at Vaiana’s on Thursday nights. I’d advise booking a table in advance to get the best seats to sit back, enjoy a cold beverage on the beach and watch some talented local fire spinners. Vaiana’s also makes some tasty cocktails and food so you can really enjoy the atmosphere. It is also a great bar to grab a drink and some food at, whether it’s Thursday or not!
Grocery shopping. Prepare to pay an arm and a leg for the most basic foods. Imported fresh fruit and vegetables cost a fortune, so you have to learn to adapt and improvise when it comes to your recipes and what meals you want to make. I do love how unpredictable the supermarkets can be, though! Sounds random but it’s a lucky dip - you never know what is going to be on the shelf. I am really enjoying buying local produce and trying new foods and adaptations to my usual recipes.
Stop at the random fruit & veg stalls along the road. They have some delicious and super fresh local produce that might not be in stock in the supermarkets. I love grabbing a fresh nu (young drinking coconut) to drink when it’s a particularly hot day (or when I’m hungover…). They are full of good vitamins and electrolytes, plus super filling! Cash only.
Muri Night Markets. Now this one is a must! Plenty of food stalls to choose from with something to cater to everyone. The Muri Night Markets are on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights from 5pm - 8pm ish. Personally, my favourite day to go is Sunday as not all of the food stalls are there during the week. Again, bring your cash! There is also an ATM right next door to the Markets on the side of the Muri supermarket if you forget. I advise getting there closer to 5:30pm - 6:00pm as the popular dishes sell out quickly! Also make sure you are hungry as a lot of portions are island portions.
Punanga Nui Market on a Saturday morning. Take your time browsing through all of the amazing stalls here. There’s all sorts of clothing, ei katu (gorgeous floral headwear), food, drinks, produce, pareu (sarongs), cookies & sweet treats, turtle tours, hot sauce, smoothies & much more! Be sure to bring your cash as majority of stall holders do not have eftpos. There is also an ATM on one end of the market if you need to withdraw some more pocket money.
The dogs! If you are not a dog-friendly person, this is not the destination for you. The majority of island dogs are super friendly and will beg for pats and whatever yummy snack you might be eating. You’ll find them on the roads, the beaches, outside food places and just wandering about. Most of the dogs have loving homes, they are just free range!
Bring your earplugs. Seriously. And especially if you are a light sleeper. The roosters are abundant and LOUD. They have no inner clock and will crow at all hours of the day and night, regardless of if you’re staying by the beach, inland or by the main road.
Sunday’s are for God. Not many places are open on a Sunday. The big CITC supermarket in town is closed, plus you can’t buy any alcohol in the supermarkets and shops that are open. You can only order drinks in resorts, bars and restaurants that are open. If you’re looking for something to do, I highly recommend popping down to a church close to you and listening to the beautiful singing. It is inspiring and brings goosebumps.
I hope you enjoyed my latest instalment of words by Lucy Anne! Please feel free to share, subscribe and send me any feedback :)
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