5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

A short spell of rain. I liked the atmosphere with the tropical foliage and jagged central mountains, the eroded remnants of the volcano, in the background.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

View of the beach southwards. Very pretty, but didn't get me excited, having just come from Aitutaki.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

One of the little motus in the lagoon. I think this is Taakoka. Definitely considering swimming out to one of these islets.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Signpost indicating the closest McDonalds is 2581km away in what I assume is New Zealand. Could this possibly by true?

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Famous Muri Lagoon as seen from our deck. It was very windy and surprisingly cold in my time there. I imagine it would be much better without the wind.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Eventually got to my hostel on Muri Beach - Vara's accommodations and hostel. The location was great, with a large patio over the beach at Muri. The room was also neat, bright, and spacious, although there were a lot of beds and the pillows smelled. Also, there wasn't any staff to be found until the next day.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

A cool looking church. Close to it is the supposed remains of some old palace or structure. I saw some stones, but it appeared to be on or behind private property, so didn't get close to it. Not sure if it is even the right thing to be looking at anyway.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The police station. Always busy, as tourists have to purchase a local driver's license to rent vehicles here. A nice souvenir for the tourists, and a good way to make money for the locals!

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Main town area of Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands. The ocean is on one side, while the dramatic cliffs are on the other.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The block on the right is a boiler that is the remnant of a steamship (SS Maiti) that struck the reef here in 1908.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

After the market, I decided to take a quick walk around town. I took a this picture of Raviz Indian restaurant since I recognized it - they have a few stores in New Zealand, and one store here for some reason.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The music at the market was not bad either!

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

This was definitely the highlight! Baked palusami, possibly even from an umu, with a slice of breadfruit. One of the most delicious things I've ate in Polynesia.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Octopus (eke) with coconut. In retrospect, I'm not sure if I was supposed to have used this as an ingredient in cooking something.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Punanga Nui Sunday market. Mainly a tourist development, it was pretty lively and had a surprising amount to offer. I came mainly for the food stalls run by locals.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Walking to the Sunday market in town. The warship may have been American, but I'm not sure.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Approaching Rarotonga. As you can see, it's not a very big island either. I feel like I'm finally returning civilization compared to Aitutaki!

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

Passing the edge of the lagoon, an oasis in an otherwise endless and featureless ocean.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The southern portion of the main Aitutakan island, you can see it's really not that big, which is why it was so quick to bike around on, even on a terrible bicycle.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

The main island of Aitutaki on take off.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

This flight was a bit fuller, but still pretty empty. I wasn't the only one with flowers around me, you can see a Polynesian wearing a crown of flowers in the seat near the front.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html

5 June 2011 (-1 in time zone):

To my surprise, I was presented with a lai when Tom (the owner of the guesthouse) drove me to the airport. I guess I was supposed to get one when I arrived too, but he didn't realise I was coming for some reason.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/05/2011-nz-to-sf-day-23.html