4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The rain drove me back for the rest of the day. My last night here, with food from a nearby chip shop and a beer. This has been one of the most liberating and boring few days I have spent, trapped on a tropical island with nothing to do and no one to talk to. It allowed me to meditate a lot on life.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

I thought his these were some surprisingly impressive roadworks for this island. It's like an actual highway!

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Tried to venture out when the rain stopped. This is the Air Rarotonga office just outside of town.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The family lived just beside the bungalow. The seems like an OK family, with the kids playing outside and parents lounging around. They built a big fire one night for some reason. Didn't look like an umu from what I can tell.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

View towards the sleeping area. One of the nights there was a gecko chasing a giant cockroach, but my main complaint was the sounds of rats scurrying around on the roof at night.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

A better view of my bungalow. Quite spacious. There were actually three beds in here, with sleeping room for 4.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The breadfruit tree just outside of my bungalow. I love the shape of the tree and the fruit it produces. It's like a super dense potato the size of a bowling ball that can drop on your head. You can see one of the fruits on the left side of the tree.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

I waited out the rain while enjoying two oranges I bought, imported from NZ, for just under $6. I hope I'm not going to be trapped in here for the rest of the day.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Man, that rain kind of came out of nowhere - it started raining shortly after I got back. This is the field just beside my bungalow, where the local rugby team practises (and then jumps in the water afterwards).

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Although there was a good amount of marine life, sadly, the water was very murky, and things were covered in a layer of white gooey dust.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Supposedly there is good snorkelling close to the marine centre.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

These crabs were very skittish.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

More mature giant clams, with their iridescent lips. They are transferred to the lagoon once they are mature enough.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html 

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Baby giant clams!

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The research centre was completely open to walk around, supposedly they have turtles here somewhere, but sadly, I didn't see any :(

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

I made it to the marine research centre by the airport on the north part of the island. Riding a circle around the island took way less time than I thought it would... what am I going to do for the rest of the day?

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Where am I? Is this a road?

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Cool banyan tree tunnel. I was surprised this wasn't on the map, considering some of the "attractions" that made the cut.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

View from the wharf of Tautu. There was a monster slope there. My terrible brakes barely kept me under control going down that thing.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Tautu. While looking at a map, a local driving by stopped and asked me if I needed help. People are so helpful here! I also bumped into the Swiss tourist who was on my flight. He had a scooter.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

After a while of random wandering, I found that I'm on the way to Tautu.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone);

Taro fields. Man, how I love taro.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

My trusty steed on a dirt road through fields. At this point, I'm heading inland, looking for an old marae or temple or something - it was on the map, but nowhere to be found (as with lots of things in the Cook Islands).

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

View into the lagoons and the islets.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

This is close to where the dock for the lagoon cruises are - the south east part of the island. The plan is to circumnavigate the island with my (terrible) bike.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Riding my bike along the more populated areas.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The bicycle was terrible - it was rusty, stiff, gears didn't work properly, etc. Guess rental vehicles (judging by the bicycles and scooters) just aren't that good on the island. On the plus side, there's no need to lock up vehicles since it will get easily found anyway.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Another part of Arutanga, the capital (is that the right word?) of Aitutaki.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html

4 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The road leading to the wharf of the main town, Arutanga. Ended up rending a bicycle for the day after being waved down while walking.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-nz-to-sf-day-22.html