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