Well, we made it to Aitutaki, after about 24 hours of an expected 12 hour sail. (Someone wasn't plotting properly, if at all). Oh well, we're here now, and in quite possibly the most beautiful Island I have seen yet. It's not so much the Island itself, as much as the clear-blue water, palm trees, and coral atolls that surround Aitutaki that make it so gorgeous. But, as I was talking with Leslie earlier, I could never live here. Visit and tour around, yes, but not permanently. The lifestyle here is so laid back and relaxed, and I think that would get to me after a while. But for right now it's fun just to see people in their 70s, with gray hair, riding around on motor-scooters in Floral shirts, with no helmuts! It's hilarious. But everyone rides around on those scooters, everywhere! Not just the elderly, although they are the typicals. Anyway, We had to anchor about a half mile from shore because of the coral reefs, and a tour boat offered to transport all of us to shore, which was great because it would have taken us forever to have transported everyone in the Zodiac (our dories are full of food and supplies for people in Palmerston, from friends we made in Rarotonga, as favours for them).
Gillian and I were finally able to do our BIG shop on Saturday, after the bed bug clean, before we left for here, so our boat is now full of food, plus all the stuff we are bringing to the small Island of Palmerston for people in Rarotonga. Apparently, no supply boats - or boats barely ever - go to Palmerston (the next one is in March). So when word got out that the Grace may be heading over there, a lot of people asked if we could take things there for them. Making good, friendly connections is always beneficial, so we ended up taking a bunch of food and supplies for one man's family who live there half of the year, along with a washing machine for the Police, a whiteboard for the school, a propane tank, and some other things for the Mayor of Palmerston. They told us to expect people to invite us into their homes, and stay a couple nights on land with them, like billeting, with full use of their showers, and new washing machine (that we are transporting over there)! It's quite hilarious! But we really enjoy helping others out, since that is what everyone has been doing for us!
The people down here are so friendly and sweet. Everyone knows everyone, and they all support each other. They just want to help you out and befriend you, and everyone is genuinely concerned for your well-being and really want to get to know you, and really curious about what we do on the boat. We get a lot of visitors regularly, and the boat even made it into the daily newspaper in Rarotonga! A couple trainees, as well as Skipper and Bo got their pictures in there too! I bought a copy to keep for my records!
Well, that's all for now. We have a pet Gecko that hitched a ride on the bunch of bananas that we are transporting, which I don't like, but people assure me it's a good thing because he eats bugs, so hopefully he will take care of the bed bug problem (they are still here, but so far only confined to the 4 bunks). I hope they don't spread! We will have to be regular with spraying the bunks down, and then doing another boat-gutting once we hit Fiji!
I hope everyone is doing well! Take care, and enjoy the rest of the lovely summer weather wherever you are!
Love always, Katie
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4 comments:
washing machine for the police, thats awesome. sounds like a good time. thinkin about you kate, and miss you.
lovematt
Kates! Haha, I'm sure the bed bug situation is not funny but from here it sounds funny. The islands sound amazing and you sound like you sure are enjoying yourselves (good to hear!). Things at school are good. Definitely miss having you and Ashli around (very different). And it feels so weird now that everyone our year has gradded. Lots of little freshmen running around! Hard to believe we were ever one of those! The weather has turned cold now so do not worry you are not missing out on that! Love ya and miss ya!
EM
xoxoxo
KATIE!!!!!
I've been thinking about you lately and wanted to say "Hello" and "I miss you"! I cannot wait for your return but am excited for you. love, Mir
Thank you all for your messages! (Matt, EM, and Mir!) WOW! I miss you all so much! It's so great to hear from you! Matt - I love you and miss you the most! That says it all! EM - I miss you and have so much to tell you. I hope school is going well! Mir - I have been thinking about you too, and I really hope you are doing well. Miss you so much! Love, your Katie
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