Incredibly Sore bottom / Day 4 of the Cook Islands

Well today I decided that I would cycle the entire way round the island, as it’s only (?) 32 km.

I decided clockwise was best as I would always  be right next to the sea all the way round... and also because it’s the outside lane the journey would be slightly longer, making me slightly fitter.

I still can’t get over how beautiful the island is, with the crystal clear turquoise waters in the reef, to the deep blue of the sea bond and the delightful green central mountains....

Went past a very pretty church with stunning views behind – it’s so disappointing that they never come out on camera as beautifully as they look in reality.

Stopped to enjoy the view at “Black rock”... I think I’ll have to go back for a swim there before the week is out... there were already 2 people there having a rather private swim of their own so I was careful not to get them in the picture and get away before they noticed me...

 I stopped at Avarua Harbour where the Greenpeace ship Esperanza is docked,

and I also stopped at Ngatangiia Harbour ....this is really a stunning place.  Apparently this is where the Maoris started from when they kayaked across to New Zealand.  

So I stopped for a snack and a rest for my poor sore bottom... and it really was getting quite sore as I had done 25k by then, though I stopped for lunch earlier at a part of the island where the reef has been smashed by storms and the beach is just huge chunks of coral thrown on to the land, and the Pacific ocean crashes and booms on the shore.  I found myself a comfortable rock and ate my lunch staring out at the horizon feeling the salt spray cooling me as I ate.

When I finally arrived back I just ran straight to the beach and jumped straight into the cool sea, to soothe my burning bottom, and lay (face down) on the beach and dozed for a little before coming back in to clean up and eat.

I think tonight Atua is taking me and another couple who arrived yesterday to an “island night” where they do traditional dancing and drumming which should be cool.  And tomorrow I will do the “cross island” trek with them which takes you past some waterfalls, and gives you stunning views of the island too. (Thighs and bottom permitting of course!)