Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Escaping to paradise



Last week we visited Aitutaki, which is in the Cook Islands. 
I was excited when my DH took me away for a week to this tropical Island.
Here are a few snapshots from our time away and had to pinch myself that how beautiful the Island was. We had perfect weather with blue skies and only one morning over breakfast, we had a rain shower and had to retreat  under cover.
We flew 3 1/2 hours to Rarotonga and then caught a smaller plane over to the Island.
On arrival we were greeted by Kirsty with a gorgeous lei of sweet smelling gardenia, and frangapani and a coconut drink with Hibiscus flower
 
Etu Moana was the place where we stayed in Villa 1, with its thatched roof and located right on the beach.
 This is the view from off our deck and was enjoyable having a drink and watching the sun go down.
Listening to breaking waves crashing on the reef and looking out from our villa, to the clear blue ocean,  and white sand really was paradise. The only negative was a pesky old rooster which was a little ambitious and one night started crowing at 3 am!
my husband reading a book on the sunlounger

 The Lagoon made for safe swimming, snorkelling around the coral and seeing all the tropical brightly coloured fish, and to me that was the highlight of the trip. I even saw Nemo.

We explored the Island on push bikes, kayaked, ate too much food, read some books and generally just had a relaxing time.
At Koru restaurant where we dined outdoors for lunch one day, we were amused to read this sign, as chickens were happily walking around everywhere
 
One day we went out on a boat, with Bishops Tours who showed us around some of the other Islands. and saw a large turtle swimming around and our tour guide swam in after it, but luckily the turtle was too fast for him. 
The turtle sculpture was in the airport

They dropped us off to go snorkelling around some giant Trevalli fish (protected) It was scary and they seemed like sharks swimming around with us.
We had to take our rings and watches off as we could be mistaken for a small shiny fish that they would be attracted to. My wedding band would not come off, so they put a band-aid over it.
They told us that a lady a few weeks back, had to have 6 stitches as the fish had tried to bite her finger with ring on, so was actually glad to get back on the boat with my fingers all intact.
One Foot Island was where we stopped for a Barbecue lunch of fish, sausages, salads and fresh fruit, and that was a lovely way to finish our day out on the water.

All good things must come to an end and our week went so quickly and before we knew it, was time to get back on the plane and head for home.

Do hope all is well with you and that you have a wonderful week
hugs
Carolyn


26 comments:

  1. WOW, my dearset Carolyn, what a beautiful place! It looks, like you had a wodnerful andrelaxed time there!
    Hope, you all ar well, will write läter, I am ill at the moment and not a lot at the computer ...
    Take care, my friend,
    sending much Love and hugs, Claudia xoxoxo

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  2. Lucky, lucky you! Absolutely gorgeous. Sounds like a heavenly trip. The photos remind me very much of my honeymoon. :)

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  3. Such a lovely little getaway, dear Carolyn! Everything sounded wonderful, except for swimming with the fishes who might bite your finger! You are brave. So glad that you were able to get away for a little rest and relaxation on this tropical isle. There are chickens running wild in Hawaii, too! Lovely photos - I can feel the tropical breezes and hear the palm trees swaying :) Sending hugs xo Karen

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  4. Dear Carolyn - I am so pleased that you had such a delightful stay in Aitutaki - it really does look and sound just like paradise.
    I am sure that you both needed this relaxing break after all of your kitchen renovations and your sad family loss too.

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  5. Amazing post dear! Photos are beautiful! Have a great day! xoxo
    Vesna - Home Chic Club

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  6. Hi dear Carolyn, esa isla es realmente un paraíso, me encanto sus imagen

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  7. Hello Carolyn,
    It really does look and sound like paradise. What amazing pictures you took. I am glad you had good time.
    Big hug
    Giac

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  8. Dear Carolyn
    Wow.... so nice your pictures. It looks, that you had a wonderful time.
    I wish you all the best and send you a lot of greetings from Switzerland. Love and hugs Yvonne

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  9. Oh my what a paradise. Lucky, lucky you. Love the pictures.
    Hugs from here

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  10. It sounds just like a paradise! I' m so happy that You had a beautiful vacation
    Hugs Alessandra

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  11. Wowww...you are a lucky girl....!!...That must be a amazing week ....love from me Ria x ❤️

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  12. What a wonderful time this must have been Carolyn! Every beautiful photo was a treat. So happy you had a wonderful time and came home with all ten fingers :))))

    sending love...

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  13. Dearest Carolyn,
    Wow, if one can reach Paradise with a 3.5 hour flight - Yay!
    It is worth it and the beauty and tranquility does our soul good at times.
    Happy for both of you and sending you hugs,
    Mariette

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  14. You are so lucky to have such an amazing thoughtful husband. Thank you for the lovely sunny post. Its really brightened my Winter. xx

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  15. How thoughtful of your husband to organise the vacation in such a beautiful place. Your photos give us an idea of your time there and I'm glad that it was a relaxing experience for you both. Thinking of you dear blog friend.

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  16. That looks like a beautiful time away!

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  17. What a lovely vacation you had, dear Carolyn. It seems you had a lot of fun and I'm glad the fish didn't try to eat your fingers.
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    xo Julia

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  18. Hi,Carolyn,
    I enjoy all of your photos. They are really tropical places!!
    Have a good weekend!

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  19. Oh dear so lovely! What a PARADISE...
    I would love to visit that place! Dull and rainy weather here in Sweden, soooo boring.
    Love from Titti

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  20. Wow that really does look like Paradise apart from the early morning wake up call. It must have been wonderful to get away! Sarah x

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  21. What a wonderful trip, Carolyn. And a beautiful sunrise looking out from the plane going home.

    love, ~Sheri

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  22. What a great escape to paradise that must have been. Nice photos, and warm greetings to you.

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  23. All your photos belong in a travel magazine, paradise indeed.
    Amalia
    xo

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  24. You had a great holiday in nature. Happy Sunday.

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  25. that looks like a wonderful place to visit

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  26. Beautiful photographs ...

    All the best Jan

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Thank you so much for visiting Draffin Bears.
It always makes me happy to read your comments
and I look forward to visiting you.


Carolyn xx