Cook Island - Aitutaki

Karinya
Tim And Vicki Schofield, Captain Cal 7 and Jess 4
Fri 26 Aug 2011 21:17
16.29s  151.46w
 
What a change.  They speak English, it was the oddest thing, even Callum asked me to translate, and I told him I didn't need to - he looked confused!!  We haven't been in English speaking since the Caribbean which was in March.  A New Zealand/Maori cross. 
Extremely friendly, and an even slower pace of life.  A very small island with a fishing club, and lots of rugby posts...gearing us up for the world cup.  We didn't see them in use, but it was a welcome change from football nets.  The church features very highly in their calendar with the Sunday service being packed.  A fair few tourists from the fancy hotel on the other side of the island, and us yachties.  It was a wonderful service, spoken half in Maori and half in English.  Singing was out of this world, and if I ever get around to work out how to put it on utube, I will! 
We dingyed off to a picturesque island for the day with picnic.  Lots of snorkeling, and Callum let lose with a spear gun to catch lunch.  he had no luck, but was closely guarded by our buddy Stof - rather him than me!!  We saw the most amazing giant clams.  They must be aobut 1.5 feet tall and 3 feet long.  Beautiful colours and they are so alive.  The water was still, clear and the coral pretty, pretty perfect conditions. 
Well, almost at the end of our passage to Niue.  It has turned out to be longer than intended due to the weather being SH**.  Lots of waves from all angles, up to 25 knots of wind, and guess what, we were doing 0.6 knots!!!  Yes, crazy, so lots of motoring to power through, which increased our speed to ....2 knots!!!  so, another night at sea in our favorite washing machine. About 3 nights in Niue and then Tonga here we come, lets hope so anyway.
We are all well, and looking forward to land again.  Funny though, the more you do the more you get used to it!!
Till next time...
 
 
leaving Bora Bora - a happy time here.
 
Wraysbury school gang - I wore this so much it lost its elastic, so I recycled - a happy girl.
 
Sunday church.  Tim even wore a collar
 
a congregation member.  They all wear straw hats.
 
the first church to be built in the Cook Islands, has recently been restored with help from some NZ missionaries.
 
The island has a book where all boats make an entry.  It has been going years, and now we are part of history.
 
Seriously, every other sign says this.  Big into Sundays!!
 
Wonderful water colour
 
My explorers
 
giant clams, looks like velvet
 
 
mother and daughter
 
our anchorage, with church right behind