A very lazy rollout after a grand day. Another outstanding breakfast at Etu Moana. It was decided that I would dawn bike clothes and get the best bike I could to cycle into town for the proverbial lunch stuff. Mariella would stay back and enjoy an easy morning. The road called.

I had a 3 speed metro bike with a basket. I got some more air in the tires. It seemed the bike only rolled so well but, off I went into Arutunga harbor.

I wanted to explore some more and up the hill I started. I climbed up to a ridge above town. Very cool neighborhood.

I followed the signs for Piraki lookout. It appeared that the 3 speed internal hub on the bike was intermittently catching and braking the bike causing it to slow. I had a piece of hill that just was not getting it done with the bike so. Not sure I was all the way but I was where I would stop and turn around. The views were cool.

I got down to Maina superstore and got my shopping list. Back down the road I went.

Mariella has a swim in the lagoon while I was away. A swim, shower, lunch, nap and reading for me, before fabulous grilled chicken at Sam and Beverly’s Local Grinds Restaurant.

I brought Sam his pineapple top. Really nice people. Peace out Tres

Editor’s note: Featured image photo credit to Nicole Smith. One of the great people on our cruise.

We had the best breakfast during our time in the Cook Islands at Etu Moana. Fresh ground local coffee filtered in French press with fresh local baked breads and pastries. Fresh local fruit, dragonfruit, pineapple, star fruit, coconut, bananas and papaya. Sliced cheeses, ham, tomatoes, eggs, yogurt and cereals with juices or coconut water. And more I do not even remember.

We were picked up by Sean our captain and his first mate Joel. There were ten of us on a very seaworthy metal boat with a big Saltwater Yamaha. A full awning to keep us from “frying like bacon” and the itinerary of seven island tour in this incredibly stunning lagoon. Sean was a great captain and historian. We went to the first island where Survivor was filmed.

The other side of the island proved to be breathtaking with some wildlife.

Another just small sand island and swim. Yellowfin tuna preparation.

One Foot Island idyllic views and coconut palms and Giant Trevally. More about them later.

Photo credit above to Nicole Smith

Another island and lunch stop. Sean has the tuna grilled with hot dogs, potato salad, Cole slaw, fresh watermelon and passion fruit with the best cooked bananas I ever ate. Sean played ukulele and sang. It was Polynesian heaven.

Photo credit above to Nicole Smith

On to snorkeling, with Giant Trevally being fed at times too closely to me by Joel. Everyone got a kick out of seeing me try to miss the 50-100 lb fish. Also the giant clams.

A return to Etu Moana and Mariella got our passports and they were stamped from One Foot Island, Aitutaki, Cook Islands. Sean and Joel were great. This lagoon seems like a seventh wonder of the world.

On to BBQ at Tamanu and Nick Henry the manager welcomed everyone personally island style. We had some of our tour group at the Q. Greatest day. Peace out Tres

A morning return of e-bikes and a super easy shuttle into the airport had us checked in on the way out of Raro. The flight was great and unlike the littler plane, that held 12, this plane held 36 people and had a stewardess.

Our hotel had a shuttle for us organized and beautiful leis to wear. We are staying at Etu Moana Villas and we are very close to the beach, pool and breakfast. The villa is the most luxurious of our stay.

The grounds are beautiful.

We went for lunch down the beach at Tamanu Restaurant. Two beautiful pieces of Mahi. Down for nap and then I snorkeled from our place. OMG. Let the pictures do the talking.

We had tried to book a lagoon cruise for Sunday. Not an easy task in the Cook Islands. We did get a reservation with Kia Orana Charters. We also made a reservation that Sunday for BBQ night at Tamanu.

Had the best local pizza at Local Grinds with Sam and Beverly. Two lovely people. Sam gave us only his second homegrown pineapple with some passion fruit and bananas. All we had to promise was to return the top.

Peace out Tres