2/9 Ian – The island way….

A few days ago was our first day on Rarotonga, capital of the 15 Cook Islands. As per the previous post, we’d procured hire scooters, passed our local driving tests and obtained fully legit local driving licenses. We’d also sorted out our scuba qualification intentions, which Claz has already talked about. So with our own transport for the couple of days before our scuba course commenced, we decided to head out around the island’s 32km circumference road, seeking one of the four recommended ‘quality’ dining establishments out here, The Flame Tree.

Working to the plan of a quick, early dinner and a cheeky beer (we were both driving, remember…) we rocked up at 5pm, opening time. To find The Flame Tree firmly closed, with no signs of life in the place. No problem though – clearly far too English of us. Chill, relax, take it easy, remember? So we killed time with a stroll down the beach for half and hour and headed back. No problems. It was open now, front of house staff gently setting the room up for the coming evening’s trade. We got a table easily and set about deciding what to order. Just a few changes to the menu to be aware of though, informed the waiter. No fish dishes on at all. About half the menu then. No fish on the island, you see. Fishing conditions too rough, apparently, so no one had been out for weeks. Oh well. Fair doos I guess. Fancied the belly-pork anyway.

Perhaps one of the locally brewed beers then that I’d been looking forward to then, whilst we waited? Unfortunately not possible sir, replied the waiter. No local beer on the island at all. Supply ingredients hadn’t been shipped recently, so no local brewing had taken place for weeks. Oh well. Imported Kiwi brew for me then. Good job I like it, eh?

So maybe a side order of veggies to go with our mains, we thought. So what were these local beans they had on offer, we pondered? Ah, replied the waiter. They’re kind of like a runner bean, local to the island. Oooo, interesting. Let’s have a try of those then, please. Ah, not possible I’m afraid sir. No one has been out to pick any beans recently, so we haven’t got any. We could offer you a bowl of assorted imported veggies though? Splendid, we thought. Just what we were after….

To be honest, you get used to it really quickly, and the more little things you spot, the more you just shake your head and chuckle. I went for my first shower, in a pretty respectable resort apartment that we’d booked, mind. Fully on, it was clap cold. Bloody hell. I let it run for a while, with no improvement. Just as I was about to call reception, I had a flash of ‘island way’ inspiration – of course, it was connected backwards. Turn it round to cold and there was the hot water. Hey, it’s a shower, right – why get all worked up about something as daft as the correct controls…?!

I’m actually writing this from our second apartment, in Aitutaki. The whole place is pretty swanky for sure, but those little ‘island way’ tell-tale signs are there if you look for them. Want the room fan on full? Turn it all the way down to 1 of course. Want it humming gently on low? Crank it up to 3. Need to paint the outside of your house? Hey, grab some paint and crack on. Run out part way through? No problem! Find some more paint and keep going. Not remotely the same colour – what, like that actually matters? Multi-coloured looks great in the island sunshine.

Life’s too short to worry about these pesky little details. The sun’s out. Grab a beer and forget about it. Nice.