I've made it! Day 2 in Rarotonga and I've miraculously managed to make the 29 hour journey without missing my connection, losing my passport, getting lost or any other disasters i feared might occur. I think poor Tone had grave doubts when I was filling in my visa application at the airport and asked him 'what country do I live in?'! I'm still not sure - England, Great Britain, UK? I ended up putting England, which worked. After a tearful goodbye to Tone (dust in my eyes I think), i clambered aboard and found myself bang in the middle of the English and French Rugby teams! Unfortunately, however, the guy I was sat next to was French so conversaion was limited but I was kept well enterntained with scores of films, documentaries, music channels etc. We chased the sun on the whole trip to LA, and had brilliant clear skies. I saw Greenland! It was breathtaking and I took a few piccies that I'll add when I have access to another computer - I can't plug my camera into this one. Anyway, after a long 3 hours at LA, I made my connection and got sat next to a nice girl from Surrey who was travelling with her friends. As I told her I was from Cornwall, a couple sat in front of me turned round and announced they were from Looe! How weird! Unfortunately they had booked into a different hostel from me, which was a shame because I felt an immediate bond with them, like family! I arrived at Rarotonga at around 8.30am, just one day after I left. Very strange, considering I'd been travelling for 29 hours! Nothing could have prepared me for the beauty of the island, despite hours spent studying and researching it on the net. Walking off the plane was literally like walking into a sauna. In the arrival area there was a delightful local man playing his guitar and singing us a welcome. A few of us bundled into a little bus and were driven to our hostel by a guy who gave us useful information as we made our 15 minute journey. I was utterly in awe of the place, the minute I arrived. One one side of the road was the shore, with beautiful blue sea and white sand. On the other side, thick green vegitation gruew up and into the mountainside, with pretty little hourses dotted along the way. Trees, heavy with coconuts, mangoes and bananas lined the street, and looking inland reminded me of Jurassic Park. It really is too beautiful to describe. Our driver waved to every person on the street and in the cars as he drove, and someone commented that he know a lot of people 'Everyone knows everyone in Rarotonga' he replied, 'hitchiking is perfectly safe because everyone knows who picked you up'. What a friendly place! Vara's Beachouse is actually an array of houses dotted along Muri beach and up the hillside. I've landed in a nice, clean building of about 16 people (I think). All are friendly and I'm sharing a room with two guys from London. I could instantly tell they were nice, unthreatening types so I'm more than happy to share with them. I spent yesterday settling in and having a mooch around. The water is unbelievable. Clear turquoise cloured water and white sandy beaches. It's like heaven! There were a few heavy downpours but also some sun so I already feel the warm glow of a tan appearing. I flaked out by early evening and slept like a log until about 6.30am. I'm writing this at 11.30 am and have already been for a swim and walk along the beach and also hired a push bike so I think I'll go exploring in a mo. I'm sweltering hot as I write so may go for a quick swim first. Four more days of this wonderful island before I move on to Fiji. Already heard good things and got some tips about where to go, and the guys in my room are heading there with me on the same flight so I can just follow them! Wish you were here...