Sunday, August 17, 2008
Post from Kelly ....
hey guys, yep have settled in well, live in a villa 1 0f over 500 with 2flatmates, lisa is jus down the road and have made friends with sum aussie girls. the temp gets over 50 degrees but they dont avertise it coz outside workers dont have to work if over 50. we wear our abayas if off the compound and most of the time have to wear head scarf aswell, we sweat like pigs. have to plan shopping around the 5 prayer times coz everything closes for half hour. have started work, my ward has 22 beds 4 vip and a palace that fits 2 royals. it is amazing and really is fit for the king, even the tissue box goes into a gold case. the king owns the hospital and is 85 so i will get a chance to nurse him. went to the aussie embassay last night and got wasted and had a boogy, the religious police stopped our taxi on way home to check our cameras and phones for indescent pictures and the car 4 alchahol, they were really scary but i have my own personel taxi driver that comes to my beck and call wenever i need a ride or help so he was awesome and protected us and told us wat our rights were ect so we were let go.. im having a really good time and still coming home in nov 4 holiday and we are planning a trip to london then to amsterday next year so thatl be good. il send thrue my postal adress 4 my mail. heres sum photos of my villa
Friday, May 9, 2008
Colin & Lee-Anne ~ 29th March 2008
Finally the day had arrived. I felt quite calm and relaxed which was the total opposite of the previous two days. To say I was stressed to the max is an understatement. I was really wound up and panicky. Poor Krystal was doing her best to cheer me up and keep me calm. After the wedding rehearsal on Friday night we went back to the hotel and ended up having a family dinner. I realized then that was it. If we’d missed something, then too bad. So I finally relaxed.
So Saturday morning we all woke up and started our day off downstairs with breakfast. Then we moved most of our things up to the Bridal Suite. The guys went for their haircuts first and then we girls followed at 11. By the time we got back to the Hotel it was around 1ish at which time Brucena turned up to do our makeup. Janelle and Nick turned up around 2 and we sent Nick down to the guys rooms to get dressed with instructions for both him and Matt to be back at 3. Everything went like clockwork and we were all dressed and ready just after 3 when the boys came up. Janelle went with Col and the boys to the Rose Garden.
The wedding was at 3.30 so we just relaxed and chatted away quite happily – no nerves – then 5 minutes before we were ready to leave Krystal broke the strap on her shoe. There was no way we could fix it. As they were ankle straps she decided to take them off and try to walk in them. Well, yes she could – but not very well. At that stage I wasn’t worried if she walked down the aisle in barefeet. But she was determined.
Finally we left our room and went down to reception where the limousine was ready and waiting for us. After checking to make sure that the food was in the boot off we went. The Rose Garden was only a few blocks away so it didn’t take us long to get there. When we pulled up I admit the butterflies started fluttering a wee bit.
So there we were all ready to make our entrance. The girls started off and I was about to follow when Jamie comes running down the aisle and right past us. “Dad’s forgotten the rings” . You have got to be kidding. But no he wasn’t as he ran to our car and took off doing the clappers. I couldn’t believe it. But the limo driver came to our rescue. Bless him. Without skipping a beat he said – this calls for a glass of bubbly. So while our guests were waiting we were behind the trees having some bubbly.
Jamie arrived back, we finished our glass and made our entrance. I can remember being a little tearful walking down the aisle. But it was really great to see everyone and especially the rest of my family waiting for us at the end.
Things happened a little bit differently than what happened at the rehearsal the night before but at the end of it all we were married. If it seemed a wee bit different – that’s okay, because that’s exactly what we are – different - and all Colin and I wanted was that our kids enjoy our wedding day as much as us and they did.
We had a decanter and vases with different shades of sand. One for my family and one for Col’s. All of us were to pour our sand in to symbolise us coming together as one family.
After mingling and having a few photo’s taken the whole family climbed in the limousine. It was a bit tight with nine of us. Out came the bourbon’s and the wine and we had a leisurely drive down to the Government Gardens for some more photo’s. It turned out to be a popular day for weddings as there were three others having photo’s taken as well. So we drove around the other side by the Blue Baths and had ours taken there. We must have spent about an hour and a half down there. The hotel packed us a super hamper full of goodies and refreshments. We just had a big family picnic in between photos.
The kids were all just being themselves and Kelly decided to climb up one of the trees. Next thing they’re all up there. Fantastic photos. Our own family tree, lol.
Finally we made our way back, a bit earlier than expected as the limo driver had to be somewhere so we made a quick drive thru The Mill and we got some bourbons for the kids for later.
We arrived back at the Hotel and made our grand entrance. The bridal table was seated for 10. We wanted all our family up there so Nick had Janelle next to him and Kelly had her boyfriend Troy next to her. We managed to get through the rest of formalities. None of us had prepared any speeches but we all managed it. With the cutting of the cake all formalities had been done and now we were able to enjoy the evening.
The rest of the night just disappeared so fast. We all enjoyed ourselves. Everybody we spoke to did too. I never got to all the tables which I was a bit gutted about. With dancing and talking – time just flew.
We finally climbed into bed at some hour. Mr and Mrs T at last. We had a wonderful day. And we had a wonderful honeymoon.
We have wonderful memories of our special day. Here are some.
Sorry but they are out of order.
So Saturday morning we all woke up and started our day off downstairs with breakfast. Then we moved most of our things up to the Bridal Suite. The guys went for their haircuts first and then we girls followed at 11. By the time we got back to the Hotel it was around 1ish at which time Brucena turned up to do our makeup. Janelle and Nick turned up around 2 and we sent Nick down to the guys rooms to get dressed with instructions for both him and Matt to be back at 3. Everything went like clockwork and we were all dressed and ready just after 3 when the boys came up. Janelle went with Col and the boys to the Rose Garden.
The wedding was at 3.30 so we just relaxed and chatted away quite happily – no nerves – then 5 minutes before we were ready to leave Krystal broke the strap on her shoe. There was no way we could fix it. As they were ankle straps she decided to take them off and try to walk in them. Well, yes she could – but not very well. At that stage I wasn’t worried if she walked down the aisle in barefeet. But she was determined.
Finally we left our room and went down to reception where the limousine was ready and waiting for us. After checking to make sure that the food was in the boot off we went. The Rose Garden was only a few blocks away so it didn’t take us long to get there. When we pulled up I admit the butterflies started fluttering a wee bit.
So there we were all ready to make our entrance. The girls started off and I was about to follow when Jamie comes running down the aisle and right past us. “Dad’s forgotten the rings” . You have got to be kidding. But no he wasn’t as he ran to our car and took off doing the clappers. I couldn’t believe it. But the limo driver came to our rescue. Bless him. Without skipping a beat he said – this calls for a glass of bubbly. So while our guests were waiting we were behind the trees having some bubbly.
Jamie arrived back, we finished our glass and made our entrance. I can remember being a little tearful walking down the aisle. But it was really great to see everyone and especially the rest of my family waiting for us at the end.
Things happened a little bit differently than what happened at the rehearsal the night before but at the end of it all we were married. If it seemed a wee bit different – that’s okay, because that’s exactly what we are – different - and all Colin and I wanted was that our kids enjoy our wedding day as much as us and they did.
We had a decanter and vases with different shades of sand. One for my family and one for Col’s. All of us were to pour our sand in to symbolise us coming together as one family.
After mingling and having a few photo’s taken the whole family climbed in the limousine. It was a bit tight with nine of us. Out came the bourbon’s and the wine and we had a leisurely drive down to the Government Gardens for some more photo’s. It turned out to be a popular day for weddings as there were three others having photo’s taken as well. So we drove around the other side by the Blue Baths and had ours taken there. We must have spent about an hour and a half down there. The hotel packed us a super hamper full of goodies and refreshments. We just had a big family picnic in between photos.
The kids were all just being themselves and Kelly decided to climb up one of the trees. Next thing they’re all up there. Fantastic photos. Our own family tree, lol.
Finally we made our way back, a bit earlier than expected as the limo driver had to be somewhere so we made a quick drive thru The Mill and we got some bourbons for the kids for later.
We arrived back at the Hotel and made our grand entrance. The bridal table was seated for 10. We wanted all our family up there so Nick had Janelle next to him and Kelly had her boyfriend Troy next to her. We managed to get through the rest of formalities. None of us had prepared any speeches but we all managed it. With the cutting of the cake all formalities had been done and now we were able to enjoy the evening.
The rest of the night just disappeared so fast. We all enjoyed ourselves. Everybody we spoke to did too. I never got to all the tables which I was a bit gutted about. With dancing and talking – time just flew.
We finally climbed into bed at some hour. Mr and Mrs T at last. We had a wonderful day. And we had a wonderful honeymoon.
We have wonderful memories of our special day. Here are some.
Sorry but they are out of order.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Rarotonga ....
We flew out of Auckland at 5.30pm Sunday evening and arrived in balmy Rarotonga at 10.20pm Saturday night. (Wedding night again!!!!)
It didn’t take us too long to get our bags and go through customs and before long we were sitting in our coach waiting to be taken to our Hotel. The hotel policy is that when visitors arrive late at night they are taken straight to their rooms and check in completed the next day. A very welcome policy I can tell you.
So we’re driven down these little paths and shown where everything is and I’m thinking to myself how the hell am I going to remember this tomorrow. Then we stopped and walked the last little bit to our villa and wowee – it was just so breathtaking. It was everything like the photos but more. The porter brought in our bags and left us. There were flowers everywhere. On our bed, by our bed, coffee table, bathroom, kitchen, toilet even. And also a lovely bottle of champers cooling in a bucket. So we quickly changed took the bubbly and sat under our gazebo and relaxed. The pool was divine. In fact we spent about 2 – 3 hours a day in our pool. It was a lifesaver from the humidity.
Sunday everything is shut in Rarotonga while everyone goes to Church. Didn’t worry us, we had everything we needed. We went to breakfast and then finished the rest of our check in which took all of about 5 mins and went for a wander around the resort to get our bearings. The beach itself had a bit of rubble but not much. They rake it continually by hand. It is always clean and tidy. The reef was quite rocky and perfect for snorkeling. They had all the snorkeling gear and kayaks for you to use. There were plenty of hammocks and deck chairs along the beach and they would bring your drinks down to you. It was perfect. Of course we got to know the bar staff quite well at the Oceans Bar. We made sure we were there for happy hour most nights as well.
We went back to our room – opened the wine - Glenfidich for Col, and got in the pool. And so began our daily ritual only we did it in the afternoons not the mornings like the first day. We only scared the staff once too. Smooching in the pool we heard a knock at the gate, we quickly swam to the side as a head popped round. Here to service your room, can you come back later, you are later – you are my last service. Okay, give us 5 mins. Sorry. We learn’t too that if you turn the please service card around it says DO NOT DISTURB. We used it every afternoon from then on.
The staff were really friendly and helpful. We had our own pool boy that came every morning to vacumn our pool. We had the girls that serviced our room daily. The girls that came every night to turn our bed and leave us little pressies. Then of course there is the restaurant and bar staff who got to know us very well. We certainly provided them with some entertainment. I decided that I would try a new cocktail every night. Didn’t manage to try every one tho. But we did keep going back for the Pina Coladas. They were just right.
On Monday we caught the bus into town. Not a pleasant experience. By the time we were picked up it was standing room only and we were squashed right towards the back of the bus. Hot, smelly and sweaty. Yuk. We were going to get our motorbike licences but the weather was very changeable and we decided to get a car instead. More convenient – can’t carry too many shopping bags on a moped – keep dry when it rains – gave us extra time on our last day to do a few last minute things instead of having to wait around an airport for 3 hours.
Shopping – to be honest it’s not that great. Most shops pretty much sell the same things but at different prices. A lot is quite cheap but then if you think along the lines of $2 shop or similar it’s pretty much the type of quality that you get unless you go to a souvenir shop where it’s a lot more pricey. The market was opened only once when we were there and that was when a cruise ship called in. We just bought the kids t– shirts and sarongs and little knic knacs. Saved an awful lot of money, lol.
The island took about 50 mins to drive around. There are lots of hotels and villas around the island. The beaches definitely are better on the Muri side of the island than the side we were on. But as I said ours was pretty good as they raked the beach all the time.
We went to Island night which was amazing. Dinner and a concert. The dancing is a lot like the “Hawaiian style of dancing” very romantic and wiggling of hips. They had a dance troupe called “The little darlings”. Wee things aged between 5 and 10. They were so gorgeous. You couldn’t help be captivated by them. At the end of the night the dance group picks someone from the audience to go up and dance with them. Both of us got picked by these little cuties. I mean I don’t know how anyone can say no to them – but apparently some did.
While we were there we saw quite a few different faces come and go. We’d go to breakfast, lunch or dinner and they’d sit at their tables with this bland face on, not smiling, not talking, eat and leave. WTF!!!! It totally amazed us. I mean why come to a beautiful place like this and look bored. Should have stayed at home. No wonder the staff liked us. We found the tourists were more friendly in town sitting at a café than back at the resort.
There was a young couple there – I mean young looked like around 20. Thought they must have been on their honeymoon as they were both wearing wedding rings. They use to come down to the beach, hardly talking, reading their books, no hand holding, hardly smiling. They were sitting at the next table to us one night so I started chatting to them. Yes they were on their honeymoon and it was nice to see them smiling once they got talking. Col went and shouted them a drink and we left them with our best wishes and headed back to our room.
We had a wonderful time in Rarotonga. We ate plenty and drank heaps. Col put on 5 kgs!!!!! He can do with it though. I did put some on but not even 1kg which was amazing considering we ate three full meals a day, cocktails and wine. We would go exploring and shopping in the morning and return in the early afternoon. By then it was just too hot and we would spend the afternoon in the pool keeping cool, or under the gazebo having our drinks. Some days we’d have a nana nap and wake up refreshed and ready for happy hour.
The only downside was that I had a bit of a fall getting out of the pool. My foot slipped on the edge of the step and I fell back, twisted, gouged one arm, grazed the other and bruised the top of my ribs on the side of the pool. Thank god for big boobs, it could have been a lot worse. Ribs are still quite sore tho and will be for awhile yet. Did not deter me from the pool and other stuff.
We thought a couple of times maybe we should we go do a few more things but to be honest we did exactly what we wanted to do. We relaxed, we enjoyed ourselves, we did what we wanted and felt no pressure to do anything. We were on our honeymoon and we enjoyed just being together and talking about our future. Because of that we came home well rested with a clear picture of what we want and where we are heading.
So I’ll leave you with some photos.
You really to have one of these on your honeymoon ...... it helps
Our lounge area ...
The view from our bed out to our lovely pool ... now you know why we spent so much time here ...
Our bathroom ...
Our shower ...
Our pool again from the Gazebo ...
Col relaxing ...
My first pina colada ...
Col's first ...
Our second .... he really wanted a photo of me serving him the buggar ...
The view from the bar to the beach ...
Special art getting into one of those hammocks ....
Cocktail no. 2 Island Affair ...
Seafood platter at Trader Jack's
Little Darlings - Island night ...
Island night dance troupe ...
The Mozzie and the Pina Colada ...
Smooth as Silk ... forgot what was in it - rums ??????
Cheers to the Pina Colada ... can you guess it was the favourite ...
We had to have a bubble bath in this ...
Our ugly little men that we found ...
Midnight ... There were two cats that hung around the bar and restaurant. Midnight, below, did the day shift. Daylight, who was a ginger cat did the night shift.
Looking up from our villa ...
The entrance ...
Inside ...
Looking the other way from the villa heading to the beach ...
Hotel reception ...
The issue of the day in the Cook Islands. Wearing helmets is to be compulsory on the 14th April. The locals don't like it.
Muri Beach ... killing time before we leave
The water is unbelievably warm ...
Goodbye Rarotonga
It didn’t take us too long to get our bags and go through customs and before long we were sitting in our coach waiting to be taken to our Hotel. The hotel policy is that when visitors arrive late at night they are taken straight to their rooms and check in completed the next day. A very welcome policy I can tell you.
So we’re driven down these little paths and shown where everything is and I’m thinking to myself how the hell am I going to remember this tomorrow. Then we stopped and walked the last little bit to our villa and wowee – it was just so breathtaking. It was everything like the photos but more. The porter brought in our bags and left us. There were flowers everywhere. On our bed, by our bed, coffee table, bathroom, kitchen, toilet even. And also a lovely bottle of champers cooling in a bucket. So we quickly changed took the bubbly and sat under our gazebo and relaxed. The pool was divine. In fact we spent about 2 – 3 hours a day in our pool. It was a lifesaver from the humidity.
Sunday everything is shut in Rarotonga while everyone goes to Church. Didn’t worry us, we had everything we needed. We went to breakfast and then finished the rest of our check in which took all of about 5 mins and went for a wander around the resort to get our bearings. The beach itself had a bit of rubble but not much. They rake it continually by hand. It is always clean and tidy. The reef was quite rocky and perfect for snorkeling. They had all the snorkeling gear and kayaks for you to use. There were plenty of hammocks and deck chairs along the beach and they would bring your drinks down to you. It was perfect. Of course we got to know the bar staff quite well at the Oceans Bar. We made sure we were there for happy hour most nights as well.
We went back to our room – opened the wine - Glenfidich for Col, and got in the pool. And so began our daily ritual only we did it in the afternoons not the mornings like the first day. We only scared the staff once too. Smooching in the pool we heard a knock at the gate, we quickly swam to the side as a head popped round. Here to service your room, can you come back later, you are later – you are my last service. Okay, give us 5 mins. Sorry. We learn’t too that if you turn the please service card around it says DO NOT DISTURB. We used it every afternoon from then on.
The staff were really friendly and helpful. We had our own pool boy that came every morning to vacumn our pool. We had the girls that serviced our room daily. The girls that came every night to turn our bed and leave us little pressies. Then of course there is the restaurant and bar staff who got to know us very well. We certainly provided them with some entertainment. I decided that I would try a new cocktail every night. Didn’t manage to try every one tho. But we did keep going back for the Pina Coladas. They were just right.
On Monday we caught the bus into town. Not a pleasant experience. By the time we were picked up it was standing room only and we were squashed right towards the back of the bus. Hot, smelly and sweaty. Yuk. We were going to get our motorbike licences but the weather was very changeable and we decided to get a car instead. More convenient – can’t carry too many shopping bags on a moped – keep dry when it rains – gave us extra time on our last day to do a few last minute things instead of having to wait around an airport for 3 hours.
Shopping – to be honest it’s not that great. Most shops pretty much sell the same things but at different prices. A lot is quite cheap but then if you think along the lines of $2 shop or similar it’s pretty much the type of quality that you get unless you go to a souvenir shop where it’s a lot more pricey. The market was opened only once when we were there and that was when a cruise ship called in. We just bought the kids t– shirts and sarongs and little knic knacs. Saved an awful lot of money, lol.
The island took about 50 mins to drive around. There are lots of hotels and villas around the island. The beaches definitely are better on the Muri side of the island than the side we were on. But as I said ours was pretty good as they raked the beach all the time.
We went to Island night which was amazing. Dinner and a concert. The dancing is a lot like the “Hawaiian style of dancing” very romantic and wiggling of hips. They had a dance troupe called “The little darlings”. Wee things aged between 5 and 10. They were so gorgeous. You couldn’t help be captivated by them. At the end of the night the dance group picks someone from the audience to go up and dance with them. Both of us got picked by these little cuties. I mean I don’t know how anyone can say no to them – but apparently some did.
While we were there we saw quite a few different faces come and go. We’d go to breakfast, lunch or dinner and they’d sit at their tables with this bland face on, not smiling, not talking, eat and leave. WTF!!!! It totally amazed us. I mean why come to a beautiful place like this and look bored. Should have stayed at home. No wonder the staff liked us. We found the tourists were more friendly in town sitting at a café than back at the resort.
There was a young couple there – I mean young looked like around 20. Thought they must have been on their honeymoon as they were both wearing wedding rings. They use to come down to the beach, hardly talking, reading their books, no hand holding, hardly smiling. They were sitting at the next table to us one night so I started chatting to them. Yes they were on their honeymoon and it was nice to see them smiling once they got talking. Col went and shouted them a drink and we left them with our best wishes and headed back to our room.
We had a wonderful time in Rarotonga. We ate plenty and drank heaps. Col put on 5 kgs!!!!! He can do with it though. I did put some on but not even 1kg which was amazing considering we ate three full meals a day, cocktails and wine. We would go exploring and shopping in the morning and return in the early afternoon. By then it was just too hot and we would spend the afternoon in the pool keeping cool, or under the gazebo having our drinks. Some days we’d have a nana nap and wake up refreshed and ready for happy hour.
The only downside was that I had a bit of a fall getting out of the pool. My foot slipped on the edge of the step and I fell back, twisted, gouged one arm, grazed the other and bruised the top of my ribs on the side of the pool. Thank god for big boobs, it could have been a lot worse. Ribs are still quite sore tho and will be for awhile yet. Did not deter me from the pool and other stuff.
We thought a couple of times maybe we should we go do a few more things but to be honest we did exactly what we wanted to do. We relaxed, we enjoyed ourselves, we did what we wanted and felt no pressure to do anything. We were on our honeymoon and we enjoyed just being together and talking about our future. Because of that we came home well rested with a clear picture of what we want and where we are heading.
So I’ll leave you with some photos.
You really to have one of these on your honeymoon ...... it helps
Our lounge area ...
The view from our bed out to our lovely pool ... now you know why we spent so much time here ...
Our bathroom ...
Our shower ...
Our pool again from the Gazebo ...
Col relaxing ...
My first pina colada ...
Col's first ...
Our second .... he really wanted a photo of me serving him the buggar ...
The view from the bar to the beach ...
Special art getting into one of those hammocks ....
Cocktail no. 2 Island Affair ...
Seafood platter at Trader Jack's
Little Darlings - Island night ...
Island night dance troupe ...
The Mozzie and the Pina Colada ...
Smooth as Silk ... forgot what was in it - rums ??????
Cheers to the Pina Colada ... can you guess it was the favourite ...
We had to have a bubble bath in this ...
Our ugly little men that we found ...
Midnight ... There were two cats that hung around the bar and restaurant. Midnight, below, did the day shift. Daylight, who was a ginger cat did the night shift.
Looking up from our villa ...
The entrance ...
Inside ...
Looking the other way from the villa heading to the beach ...
Hotel reception ...
The issue of the day in the Cook Islands. Wearing helmets is to be compulsory on the 14th April. The locals don't like it.
Muri Beach ... killing time before we leave
The water is unbelievably warm ...
Goodbye Rarotonga
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