2/29/2024 0 Comments Point breeze motel new roads la![]() The Cook Islands Christian Church at Titikaveka, built in 1835, nearly knocked me over, not only with the simplicity of its 19th century colonial style-country English in the tropics it was the singing that pulled me in. I left Kelly on the beach and walked to the nearest church (no matter where you are on Rarotonga, a church is always within a five-minute walk). The day after the trek I decided to do something restful. After our picnic the spectacular view was even more appreciated, as were the giant ferns, streams and waterfalls along our descent. What a pleasant surprise to see that Pa had brought tuna sandwiches, star fruit and juice from mandarin oranges grown in his garden. Sweat was pouring off me when we reached the top, and blisters were surfacing on my toes. Much of the trek was almost vertical, and tree roots served as a ladder. Her friend told me she’s an actress, but she’s too nice to be that. When he learned where we were from, he said, “Oh, you live near Malibu? I have a friend in Malibu named Ali. ![]() With his good looks and indecipherable age, Pa kept us smiling with such remarks as, “I have many children, seven kids with my wife and 11 with my other friends.” The discomfort of my twitching thigh muscles and labored breathing as I climbed the volcanic slope was assuaged not by plants but by Pa’s gentle humor and subtle encouragement. Pa told us that the kotcucola leaf enhances memory, the mimosa cures fish poisoning, ginger root treats colds and stomach upset, the copianua plant is used for shampoo and certain ferns heal cuts. These remedies have been used for at least 500 years, about as long as the Needle trail has been in existence. The seven-mile hike included Pa’s explanations of how various flowers and roots cure everything from arthritis to acne. And many restaurants will pick up and return patrons to their hotels.įive days into our visit came the high point: a trek up Te Rua Manga mountain (the Needle) with the most celebrated guide on the island, a man known simply as Pa. We learned the local bus schedule: One came by every 15 minutes on the circumference road, passing every sizable hotel and tourist service on a loop to the main town of Avarua. Cars are few, and renting one is unnecessary. Every one of our eight days was filled with exploration, on foot or by kayak, canoe, motorbikes or swimming.
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