So now in Rarotonga for the nest 3 days...place is amazing...just like the glossy mags that have picturesque photos of aqua marine water and white sandy beaches...perfect. Staying at Vara's Beach House - which is on Muri Beach - the best beach you can stay at on the island - backpackers place...okay but then the rest of the accommodation on the island is fairly expensive (but totally bling) Did a cross Island walk that everyone raves on about...so thought we'd give it a go. Apparently only takes 3/4 hours...bloody hell it wasn't a walk more of a hardcore trek...extremely steep almost vertical climbs, very slippy and no discernible pathway...basically jungle...we got over half way and climbed as far as the peak to see the "needle point" which is the highest part of the island...then came back down...Didn't go any further because there were 4 different pathways down the other side of the island and we didn't know which to take...Don't think anyone has ever done this walk least of the people/giude books that recommend it and have the audacity to call it a WALK!! Met another person ont eh way down - Martin - who offered us a lift to the end of the walk - the waterfalls...gladly accepted. Stopped off via another hotel where his wife and in-laws were staying at ended up having a few drinks there while watching a beach wedding. Wedding was beautiful - gorg setting, rose ptels on the beach, bride looked fab and everything was so simle yet so elegant...Reena you defo need to havea beach wedding. Had a fab curry (but not as good as Dad's) at Raviz in the main town with Martin and his wife...real friendly people who've settled in Melbourne and invited us over... Sat morning went to Punana Nui Market - one every Sat so well worth checking out as you get a real taste of Rarotongan culture. Stalls with food, clothes and local craft work. Bought a tribal mask and gorg sarong...They had a raffle going on for the locals prizes of which included a new 4x4 pickup but the best prize of all was the van load of food you could win complete with whole pigs and chickens which we saw being loaded onto the trucks. So colourful - everything brightly decorated with flowers and paints...ace time. Went snorkelling for the first time ever - used my special prescription goggles which cost a bit but well worth it...saw heaps of fish...swam from our beach hostel over to another island...didn't seem very far away but boy oh boy it took a while... Another great place for snorkelling is Fruits of Rarotonga -15 min walk along the beach from Muri Beach...was a bit to windy for us and we kept getting swept up really close against the coral which isn't a good thing... Only negative side to the place is the fact that they charge you $60 to leave the damn island!!! and its only a little cheaper than Tahiti - but plus side its damn beautiful!! x