Cousin...Blast

It was my time to be surprised… It is I who usually surprise others with my appearance but this time the family set me up! It was a cousin fest here in Rarotonga. My cousins Jan and Gordon flew up from New Zealand for a few days to see us. After surprising me by walking in while I was having breakfast we all went into town to surprise Trevor and all us 5 cousins spent the next days out doing each other with catch-up stories. What a lovely thing to do... a family thing.

I promised I would report on the Jet blast sport which I have done a number of times, each one exciting and I say to myself I will just experience it without taking pictures. But, when you see that bloody big plane coming right at you it is a reflex action to put camera to eye.

I will get to the blast site 15 minutes before the plane arrives to get the best spot followed by other tourists and wait in the hot sun (“mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun”) while all the local kids etc, turn up 30 seconds before the landing for a quick thrill then back on their scooters and off to have fun somewhere else.

The first blast I experienced was more interesting watching the tourist. The plane came in over western approach or ocean and due to cross winds was noticeably wobbling from side to side. Two girls ran away terrified and squealing, but, soon the roar of the engines silenced them as the plane pasted safely overhead and landed much to everyone’s amusement.

The day I took these shots the plane came in over the eastern approach so you can see some of the landscape and a shot of my cousin Gordon getting the first part of a Jet blast.

Ka kite

My Family

I get to use my sister’s little Suzuki car to get around which means I can go in any direction around the island that I chose! First, however you must have a Cook Islands driver’s license. All I needed was a valid drivers license from USA plus $10.00 and the magic password of “Jayne and Danny Kelly” you can get the license while standing there. BTW, I have found the magic password very handy so far. It seems Jayne and Danny are much respected here and can open doors quickly.

Life here is in many ways like living back in the 50’s and 60’s in New Zealand. Don’t get me wrong it relates mostly to the pace and attitude between one person and another… I like it. All the other modern conveniences are here, but, the family life and social interaction is old school. The local TV station has no particular schedule even though it advertises one. The other night the news was on but was cut in the middle of the broadcasters sentence because a big Rugby came from New Zealand had started, so straight to that, which is what we all wanted to watch anyhow. Another trick I have found is to take a shower when a game is on or when “Shortland Street” a New Zealand television drama comes on as everyone is watching therefore is the best time for good water pressure!

I have driven around the island only once but plan to go more often as time allows. The electrical power here is all generated by diesel generators up on a hill side so power is more expensive than in the USA, but town water which everyone is on is free, just not always at high pressure. The main mode of transportation is scooter/motorbike, small cars and public bus. You folks back in the USA better stop complaining about gas prices.... here is is $2.39 per litre (four litres to the gallon). I see cruise ships call in and of course there are the flights coming and going from New Zealand, Tahiti, USA, Hawaii and alike.

I haven’t been taking many pictures as I’m just soaking up the place and living, laughing and loving with my family after 14 years. It is such a great pleasure to catch up with my dad… I do miss his conversation, wit and wisdom that he brings to any situation. Sitting with my mum started off very hard but is getting sweeter all the time. Catching up with my brother is wonderful as we share many interests together, photography being one. My sister Jayne is treating me like royalty and I love it… (Or as she puts it… “It’s only for 3 weeks, and then she sits back on the throne”)… isn’t that sweet of her?

We have had monsoon rains the last couple of days and it caused the flight from LA (The same one I came on last week) to be diverted to Tahiti as the pilots couldn’t see the runway nor the runway lights. I missed a free flight to Tahiti by one week!

Ka kite

The Island

It’s been awhile I know since my last update…. But am I having fun! Family is a special space, a special place… and I’m back living and loving all I can. Folks if you only see and feel what see and feel you would believe that, “somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, and the dreams that you dream of, once in a lullaby…”

Finally I got to sleep on my first night… but not until I had all the doors and windows open allowing the breeze to rustle through the coconut palms in concert with the breaking waves from the lagoon and the Gecko’s calling for an evening of love. Even the odd mosquito that floats through the door sounds in tune with these serene surroundings, there is a harmony here that reveals itself only when you relax and live in its time frame.

I awake as I do every morning to look out on Danny’s garden with a mountain rising steeply behind. Sunrise comes quickly with a quite intensity that takes your breath away for a heartbeat then soar’s higher into the sky to bring life to this lush island punctuated every so often by the thump of a coconut falling and hitting the ground.

A little walk on the beach followed by tea and toast with Jayne and dad kick starts the day followed by conversation with mum or a nap. To be in a hurry here would be sinful, a slap in the face of God who surely made this place as a prelude to what is to come if you care to join him in heaven.

Now you will have to excuse me as its time for me to just sit with my feet in the water and think about… will I have a fresh Pawpaw, Star fruit, Passion fruit, coconut milk or maybe some hokey pokey ice cream… let me at them all!!!!!!

Arrival

I’m sitting in LAX airport waiting for flight to Rarotonga. I’m surrounded by New Zealand accents and chatter. It sounds foreign yet distantly familiar. As I sit here I can feel the tide of memories flooding back filling me with excitement and curiosity. Will I fit back into my birth heritage or am I too far removed no longer a die hard Kiwi but a soul of the world with no spiritual fixed abode. This trip is going to be very interesting… at least to me it will…LOL.

ARRIVAL

Moist warm air embraced me as I stepped from the plane. Walking down the embarkation steps to the tarmac I caught the sweet scent of Tipani to set my mind and senses that I was now in the lush tropics of the south pacific. It was the strong smell of jet fuel shortly thereafter that accompanied the rest of my descent to terra firma however.

The anticipation of meeting up with my family after such a long time was now welling up within me and that all my years of being an emotional tough guy was about to abruptly end. Stepping onto the customs and immigration area we were all met by the dulcet tones of Jake Numanga singing Polynesian tunes while strumming his guitar. I along with many of my fellow travelers loved this personal touch and showed our appreciation with a little sway of our heads and the tapping of our feet along with applauses at the end of each song. Jake had set rhythm and lyrics for all of us landing on the island… It was up to us now if we were to continue to hum along and enjoy the sweet melody of our individual journeys.

Once through customs I picked up my bags and headed for the exit where an immigration official, a lady in this case was stopping people and asking the nature of their visit and where they would be staying, then directing them on through the exit. I tell her while pointing at the door, “I’m coming to see my family”. She looks at my eyes that are about to explode with moisture and she quickly waves me on saying, “you better get out there then, eh”! A couple of heart beats and a deep breath later I’m through the exit and there before me is a bloody big sign saying, “Kia Orana Sunshine Boy”. The rough translation of which can be two as follows. First translation “Welcome, mums favorite”, the second being and more commonly used, “Welcome, to the one who when he bends over brings forth the light!” There are of course many variations on the second translation depending on the situation at hand.

Yes, Sunshine Boy had arrived and while the next part remains a blur, I do remember heading for the one embrace I sort for so long, Bubs (Jayne) my little sister, the matriarch of the family in the absences of my mother’s physical presence. Bubs’ the tower of strength, wit and wisdom, but, most of all Bubs represented the coming together in paradise of our tribe after so many years apart, we were all here, the brothers, sister, father and the spirit of mum. I won’t bore you with the rest of the meeting but suffice to say I was no tough guy when it came to tears… but I wasn’t alone either on that score!

The first day ended with sunset on the beach across from the Kelly compound… Ka kite (se ya later)

Almost there

Less than one week to go before I set off to the South Pacific. While the excitement is building I've been thinking about getting there, you see, from Los Angeles there is only one flight a week to Rarotonga and if I miss that... well you see my point! Also in order to make sure I get to LA I have to go through Cleveland then catch my connecting flight to LA taking into account delays, bad weather, etc, that seem to be prevalent lately. It will be a race against time connecting to these flights, but, that will make for an interesting trip or no trip at all! LOL.

In the mean time I thought I would share with you a couple of things I will see/experience while on the island. Firstly, the extensive bus timetable broken down to day time and night time. Coming from the land of the automobile taking the bus seems far from my idea of getting around.... but wait! The Daytime timetable has a bus going clockwise and a bus going counter-clockwise (meaning only 2 routes) and the night time timetable has only clockwise with no night buses on Sunday. But I'm saving the best for last. "Bus will pick up and put down anywhere on route when signaled". Now is that customer service or what?
I have included an image from the front of the bus time table... as you can see this is the counter-clockwise timetable as seen by the direction of travel of the fish around his island!


It seems my sister Jayne is somewhat of a culinary celebrity becoming well known in the tourist industry not only for her duty free store at the airport but also for her "Ika Mata" (raw fish). She and her husband Danny are part of a "Dine in local homes" program where tourist have a chance to visit and dine at local homes. I will report on this further, but what a great idea.... anyhow here is her recipe for all you sushi fans.

Lastly, let me tell you about an experience I intend to do. "Jetblasters" If you have ever seen the movie "Pushing Tin" then you will know about this. Because you can get up close to the the end of the airport runway you can get jetblasted as the plane lands. To quote a dedicated jetblaster... "As the plane gets closer fear, panic and excitement start to set in. As it goes over your head it almost feels like you can touch the wheels and you can scream and yell as loud as you you like, but the roar of the engines drowns out everything. Then there's an almighty gust of wind that can blow you off your feet... a real jetblast! Stay tuned for this one!!!!! If I survive maybe my sister will give me the tee shirt she sells.

Until next time,
e noho ra

My Rarotonga Pilgrimage

Two weeks until I leave for Rarotonga (You can Google it to find out where it is!). 14 years have past since all my family were together last and 21 years since I was in Rarotonga.
A lot has changed I'm sure in those years, both in the expansion of the island life and expansion of a few girths, not lest of which is mine.


I have included a couple of images for you to get a sense of the island lay out. I will be staying in "The Kelly Compound", Kelly being my sister's married name. Specifically I will be housed in the VIP "Hilton Hotel Private Apartment".

I'm intending to write a few words and post a few images of my sojourn now that the island is the center of my family. Why center you ask? Well my Father lives there, my dear Mothers ashes are enshrined there, my brother works there and my sister (the favorite and leader of the clan) lives and works there with her husband Danny and son Ryan. I am it would seem the only one missing. But, not for long, I get 3 weeks on a tropical island hence 3 weeks with my mum, dad, brother and sister, etc... sounds like the garden of Eden to me!

Stay tuned for more posts. I leave on the 6th of April, God willing and the creek don't rise... but I could post at any time from now on.

I can hear the ukuleles' playing, feel the south seas breeze waffling over the lagoon on my cheeks, taste the fresh tropical fruits and see the sign's "beware of falling coconuts"!!!! Paradise found...

e noho ra