Aitutaki Island Paradise!

I have just spent 5 days in Aitutaki facilitating PD to all the teachers on the island.  Before I provide details here are some photos to enjoy!



First Sighting of Aitutaki.  The overcast conditions were a sign of things to come!



Our digs.  Basic but comfortable.

The 'Superstore'.  The one stop shop.

Beach front by our digs.

The water was too shallow to swim in and absolutely full of sea-urchins.

Vaitau School.  Mosquitos swarmed like birds!

Araura Primary - they had a Smartboard - such luxuries!

Araura College.  The primary and college share the playing fields.

The school bus!

...and I thought Rarotonga was isolated, this place really is small.  But when I mentioned that to staff here they said "Just wait until you get to some of the other islands"  So the song "It's a small world after all" really rings true, especially when you consider some of the teachers I spoke with have actually lived and worked there their whole life, save the years they spent teacher training on the big smoke of Rarotonga!

  Unfortunately the weather was awful for 4 of the 5 days but I managed to get out for a bit of a tiki tour.  As we rode the back roads we had to mind out for huge crabs scurrying across the road into their hiding places.  They make great eating apparently but I wasn't game to chase them.  I do remember eating them in Fiji - delicious!  It was nice to be riding along and have people you've only just met ride the other way and shout out and wave "Hi Brendon!".  They really were so friendly.  As night fell the bugs came out and it felt like I was riding through a sand storm!  Had to wear my shades at dusk so glad to get home in one piece.  Reminded me of the motorbike scene in the movie "Me, myself, and Irene".  Managed to fit in a swim in the beautiful lagoon.  It's sad to consider that pollution and sewage seapage is slowly killing it.  I was told that the sweage tanks on the island have NEVER been pumped out and cleared!  Incidentally, when the tanks at the local hospital were checked there was nothing to pump out - it had already seaped into the soil!  Consequently, sewage is a huge topic of debate here now.

Back to Aitutaki, the effects of last years devastating hurricane are still evident and progress is slow in repairing things.  Instead of attacking the task one house at a time they are doing a peace-meal process of all walls, then all roofs etc.  II guess they're trying to be fair but it's a slow process.

Had a wonderful night out at one of the local principals place.  They have a fantastic little beach side place that resembles a real kiwi bach.  Her husband spends half the year on Aitutaki fishing and the other in Nelson growing grapes - it's a hard life!  Whilst on Aitutaki he also sits on his porch and takes pot shots at the 'noisy' roosters and pesky crabs with his air-rifle.  He believes the crab holes are undermining his foundations!  I now wish I'd brought mine over.  She whipped up some iki mata (raw marinated fish) for us - beautiful!  As Raro hasn't had any fish in two weeks this was a real treat.  After a few beverages the scooter ride home was nerve wracking indeed - not recommended!