Jackamy - Raratonga, Cook Islands

Raratonga, Cook Islands

Jackamy

Paul & Derry Harper

Sun 13 Jun 2010 02:44

21:12.287S 159:47.111W

Sunday 13th June

Arriving at Avatiu Harbour

We arrived as planned at Avatiu Harbour at 08.00 on Saturday morning. We dropped the anchor and reversed back onto a dock where we then threw two lines to Blue Magic and Simanderal to tie around the bollards. We thought we were done and dusted until we turned around and realised we were a bit crooked. There was a problem though, the windlass has packed up again so we didn't have the option of re-anchoring as we'd had to turn the 24 volts off as well as the engine to cut the power to it. So by 08.30 Paul was in the water with his dive gear on to go and move the anchor himself to try and pull the boat round. After many attempts we are now straight and judging by the position of Paul's bubbles in the water the anchor is somewhere on the other side of the harbour!

First impressions weren't so great as the harbour is quite untidy and ugly so I think we all immediately made a judgement on the place. But I'm pleased to say we have completely changed our minds! When we ventured ashore to check out the Saturday market we were amazed at what was just around the corner, a bustling, vibrant, friendly town. The market was fascinating, there were food stalls, drinks stalls, clothes stalls, craft stalls and in the centre of the park where the market is held was a dance and band performance, it was fantastic! We had a curry and a smoothie for breakfast/lunch sat on a bench under a tree in the middle of the market surrounded by the friendly locals and we all knew there and then, having only been on the island for a couple of hours, that we were going to like it here!

The market stalls

We'd been recommended a restaurant called 'Trader Jack's' so we thought we'd gve it a try and wow were we glad we did. The food was great as was the service and it appeared to be the place to be on a Saturday night, the restaurant was jammed and the bar was getting livelier by the minute. Once we'd finished our meal we decided to move down to the bar for a drink which then ended up being a few drinks. Last orders were called at midnight and of course there is nothing better to help you sleep than a shot of tequila to finish the night off. It was a superb night!

We'd all agreed that we'd attend church this morning, last nights antics didn't seem so fun at 08.00 today! We've been saying since the Marquesas that we should go to church, other people have recommended it and we've never actually made it so we promised we'd go today. It's a big thing here and in Tonga, everything shuts down on a Sunday, people go to church in the morning and then the rest of the day is spent with family and friends relaxing. We asked the waitress last night for directions for the Christian church and she told us we'd be in for a treat as the singing is the best at that church. There are something like 7 different churches on the island for each different religion, such as the Roman Catholic church and the Mormon church. We were pleased that the singing was best at the Christian church as that's why we were going really and because of the way the service is conducted. Me and Amy had our pretty dresses on and cardigans to cover up our shoulders and Paul donned a shirt as everyone makes a huge effort when attending church.

We are so glad we made the effort to go as it was a brilliant experience, the singing was fantastic as were the people. Everyone was so friendly, they all knew one another and moved seats throughout the service to sit by other people they knew. The whole vibe was very relaxed, as if they were one big family. The kids were darting around the place in their sunday best and climbing up the stairs to the altar where the priest was sat. Some people would have a little conversation in between singing along, others were strolling in late but everyone was having a good time. The oversea's visitors i.e. us, were invited to join the congregation for light refreshments after the service which of course we couldn't refuse. We were completely surprised when we went next door as a few of the ladies had laid on a little buffet for us. One of the ladies gave us a talk on how the gospel came to Raratonga and a history of the church and then we tucked in to the delicious, banana cake, coconut cake, pancakes, sandwiches, papaya. paw-paw and watermelon. It was completely un-expected but very very welcome. They must have tourists visiting the church a lot as it seemed like a it was a regular thing for them. We're now regretting not attending church at all the other places we've visited, I think we've been missing out!