I was fortunate enough to spend three days in Mangaia on a whistle stop tour for business recently. Mangaia is the southern most island in the Cook Islands and the second largest after Rarotonga. It is estimated to be 18 million years old and the oldest island in the Pacific. There are three villages on the island, Oneroa, Tamarua, and Ivirua, housing approximately 500 people in total.
It is rugged, rocky, and quite spectacular. I circumnavigated the island on the customary scooter, which at times became quite testing due to the inclines and gravel. A four-wheel drive would've been a better option but my trusty steed and I made it without incident.
The Prime Minister, Henry Puna, and Minister of Education, Teina Bishop accompanied me on the flight over and I was invited to join them at the welcoming kaikai 'feast', which was nice! There were the customary speeches, all of which I couldn't understand, but the food and coconut milk were delicious!
I eventually made my way to the school late in the afternoon, which is spectacularly set on the hillside cliffs above Oneroa Village. I asked if they were concerned for their youngsters falling over the edge and was scoffed at. "They're used to it" I was told. The island has two distinct layers, the ring road layer which is encircles the island and a top level which is reached on steep roads cut into the mountain.
On the Thursday evening I had a few quiet beers with the Minister of Education and we discussed IT in the Cook Islands. It's not every day you get to socialise with an MP so that was memorable.
Our flight was due to leave Mangaia at 10.00am but due to the Prime Minister needing to get back to Rarotonga for a meeting the flight was rescheduled to leave at 9.00am. The previous night I had clarified with the women picking me up that the time had been moved forward, yet at 8.15am I was still anxiously waiting at my motel room. Another local was hurriedly called and I just managed to make my flight. I don't think the PM would've waited for me! Turns out the women who was meant to pick me up has a reputation for drinking and it was assumed she hadn't yet risen from last nights activities!
The Airport
Arrival. Minister of Education on Left of picture, PM on right.
Oneroa Village
Kids on their way to school.
The view from the school.
Two classrooms at Mangaia School.
Not a bad place to work!
The cutting which joins the bottom ring road with the top.
This was actually a good part of the road!
"You take the high road, and I'll take the low..."
The rugged coastline.
The rugged coastline
access to the beach.
The landscape
Ivirua Village
Ivirua Village
My trusty steed parked on the runway.
Who needs a dirt bike?
Traffic jam Mangaia style.
