Recipes, Kiwi's, and an Island called Rarotonga

The harbor was small but very industrial. In addition, they were building a new super dock to attract big cruise lines.

The moon went full during our time here and what a sight she was over the mountains of Rarotonga

It was hard to capture the full spectrum view of the mountains, but they were spectacular, perhaps more so than Bora Bora

The people are Polynesian and speak English with a Kiwi accent, as we are in New Zealand territory. It's refreshing to be back in the land of English, although, the Islanders speak with a strong Kiwi accent, hard to understand them at times. Really falling in love with Rarotonga. The internet works great and all the people are happy and friendly. There are beach bars, music, and pizza! The Polish couple, Marcin and Aga, love it so much here they have decided to stay. Marcin was offered a job in Australia and they will make their way there soon. We will miss them, but that's how it goes with world traveler', here today and gone tomorrow. The Cook Islands are breath taking and we plan to visit the Island of Palmerston, a northern island with population, 50 people, all descendants from an English chap with three wives! Rumor has it that the Islanders love visitors, as few go there. Hopefully, they will not be like the native folk in the film Deliverance! I hate those damn inbreeds! If the weather permits, we will visit, Aautaki, a beautiful island just north of Rarotonga and renowned for it's white sand beaches and blue blue lagoon.


The name Rarotonga means "in the direction of the wind" It's fairly small, just 32 km around, with twisting valley's, towering mountains, and beautiful beaches. In recent years Rarotonga has become New Zealand's answer to Hawaii. Best of all, they love to party! Tonight we are going out to Trader Jack's for some live music. In fact, we hear all the hot spots are together down the main road and Friday night is the happening scene. We can walk from the boat to the clubs, or should I say, stagger home to the boat from the bar's, like true sailors on shore leave!

Pearl Beach Resort, other-side of Rarotonga. They have a fabulous cafe in the sand and the sand is like 10 feet of fine delicious powder. I've been waiting to see sand like this again...wow!

Ron and Brad in the kitchen at Brad's lovely home.

We made fast friend's with Brad and Christina. Brad has been on the Island for many years and hails from down-under. Brad has a few enterprises, such as; huge distributor of Nonie to the world, booming fishing charter biz, and three daycare's in Australia. Christina is from New Zealand and of the Malorie tribe. Her mom is from Roratonga and dad from New Zealand. Christina works in the travel and tourist Industry and is beautiful! Brad built his house and what a fine house it is! The front yard is all ocean and the home is very Feng-shui.

Christina; Brads lovely Island girl.

The local minister of Agriculture, befriended us and took Ron and I to his home, where he chopped down an entire Banana tree to give us this HUGE bunch of banana's! We also got some Papaya, limes, and lemons, right off the tree and all organic. Sooz hung the monster stalk from the mast. I see lot's of banana bread and cake in our future.

Sooz and Christina share a laugh.

The red wine was superb

Brad's front yard

Now for some recipes. 

BRIE TOAST

 Serves 12


2 Baguettes
Garlic Oil (use 1/2 cup olive oil and 8 cloves crushed garlic-make it the day before)
Sun-dried Tomatoes
Brie Cheese
Fresh basil
Pine nuts

Cut the baguette at an angle about 1/4 inch thick
Brush with garlic oil and toast lightly in oven at 350 degrees DO NOT OVER TOAST
Remove from oven and add 1 teaspoon sun-dried tomatoes and 1 slice of Brie
Place back in the oven until the Brie is soft and slightly melted.
Remove, top with chopped fresh basil and sprinkle of pine nuts
Serve warm



Some favorites;

Bread Fruit (Oru) Latkes. The recipe is on an earlier post. Bread Fruit falls from the

Mango, Papaya muffins

Peak of Rarotonga, taken by Sooz when she did the 4 hour hike across the Island.

Road sign as you go round the Island

They have simple messages here, like this road sign. The buses that take you round the Island read; clockwise and counterclockwise! Swear to god, that is written on the bus.

We have been here nearly 2 weeks waiting for an important part to be delivered. It has been a blast but we are anxious to get moving again. The trip to Palmerston will be 2 days; from there to Samoa 4-5 days at sea.

I need to get some recipes up, but we have been having such fun, we forget to snap the food photos. We have some lovely neighbors on the boat next to us; young folk from England sailing to Fiji. We had a huge dinner party last night and Brad brought the Mahi Mahi, which Brad said I cooked to perfection in chili, lime, cilantro, cumin, garlic, and olive oil. The feast included: black beans (cooked from scratch) fiesta Rice, home made salsa, roasted corn salad, papaya, and fresh tortillas. Yummmm. We believe that Slow Dance is getting a reputation through the islands as having the best food ever, with many comments such as: "this is the best food I have ever eaten". After numerous attempts to dine out, we stick to the boat, as it is the best restaurant in town!

Gaz and new crew mate (oh boy) cute girl whose name I do not know. They loved the dinner party.

The other sailor and his squeeze

Their boat; maybe we will see you in Fiji

Rarotonga sign post-Soos

IMG_5959, a photo by clove on Flickr.

IMG_6007

IMG_6007, a photo by clove on Flickr.

Never boring in Bora Bora

Backside of the mountain

I know I promised recipes folks but the internet connection is weak and I wanted to get the pictures posted first. Hopefully the internet in Tonga will be good.  We have a great anchorage here in Bora Bora, with in your face mountain view and Ron is right; this is by far the most beautiful island. We arrived Wednesday, than yesterday we all went together in the dingy round the island for a day off, stopping at every resort for beer and food. After working so hard the crew needed a day of R&R. We spent a week in Raitiea in the marina working on the boat and you should see her now! As soon as I can I will post the before and after pictures of the deck, which Sean and the crew sanded down. They also polished the boat as well as clean the haul...she is looking grand and Ron is a happy camper as he finally has a competent crew and a captain who knows engineering. It's been like heaven. Enjoy the pix....

Beach at the Hilton and we even swam in the pool! We were not kicked out of any resort, so we must have looked like we belonged there.



Machin and Aga are a joy to have aboard and Aga is hilarious when she has a few drinks and tells funny stories in English. Aga also speaks French, and it has been great having an interpreter to get things done. Very few French or Polynesians speak English.

Wow, now this is the over-water accommodation I imagined!



Sean, Ron, and Sooz at the Hilton




Sean and the cook on the beach somewhere in Bora Bora

 We found a really deserted beach with a sandy bottom that stretched for miles out in the bay. The kids followed us in their kayaks and on foot for a really long way out into the water.

Sean grew up in South Africa and in the Caribbean, where his parents live today. Sean has been on the sea his whole life and it shows by his excellent ability to drive the dingy as well as Slow Dance herself.


Trini had a fabulous time



Side view of the Island



Locals hut where they harvest Palm and coconut



Sean and Sooz

Local has a load of palm

Cute little island girl

Happy cook, got the day off

Macin took a group shot at the local fair

Aga and the cook



Is this not the face of a happy man!



Sean



Grilled Island veges, always a favorite 

 Chow for now, we will return with more stories, fine food, and recipes. We are going to Matupiti, (which I spelled wrong ) for a few day's. This is the last island in the Society chain and supposedly very wild and primitive Hope they have tomatoes as the store here in Bora Bora had none. We are going to a huge festival tonight, which is a very local affair, complete with karaoke singing. (gonna need alot of drinks. From there we will be at sea for 3-4 days until we reach Roratonga in the Cook Islands. Signing off.....Victoria