Love/Hate

I hate this picture.

The kids from the Highland Sunset Paradise Show in Rarotonga are obviously awesome. I, on the other hand, look like an old colonial white lady who finds the natives' primitive dancing "ever so charming."
I'm probably being melodramatic, but from the looks of that boy in the front..maybe not.

Nothing but respect for that kid. Keep fighting the power, my little Maori brutha.

I love this picture.
This was the beginning of a perfect second day on the Cook Islands. I couldn't tell you the temperature because I'm still confused as hell about celsius versus farenheit. But there was an excellent breeze that took the edge off the tropical sun and carried the music that the Koka Lagoon Cruise crew was playing before we boarded the boat for our snorkeling tour.

I'm pissed at this picture.

I wish Tairi's entire head was in the frame on our way out to our first snorkeling stop. And maybe just a bit of the sea in the background? That would have been sweet. Or maybe I could have grabbed a more interesting shot had I sat farther away on the boat? You could have seen Tairi singing with the rest of the crew which was the cutest thing ever. But how can you say no to this face when he insists you sit next to him? Had I not sat with Tairi I wouldn't have been invited received his excellent relationship advice "you find a good Raro man, Sarah!" Speaking of which..

I loooooooooove this picture.

Because that is Baba from the island of Puka Puka. And those arms are real. And he really looks like something from every "How Sarah Got Her Groove Back" fantasy I have ever had. Plus, he sings. Plus, he smiled at me at least three times on the way out. Which I handled by widening my eyes in shock and looking away as quickly as possible. I made up for it by shooting my arm up way too fast when he asked for a woman to demonstrate sarong tying...cuz I got game like that.

I am grateful for this picture.

We had stopped at one of the "motu", (islands) in the lagoon for a lunch break which meant the end of my snorkeling fiasco. I'm sorry, I want to love snorkeling but those masks completely freak me out and there is a really good chance that a fish will touch me. One of the crew noticed my international freakout in the water and offered to hold my hand we swam around in order to soothe my nerves. I would have calmed down had I not seen a 10 year old swim by me like Ariel from "The Little Mermaid". Not the coolest moment of my life.

I lust after this picture.

Not because it's Baba, pervs! Simply because I love coconut and I could not wait to learn all about its significance to the Cook Islands people as presented by a native who happens to have extraordinary arms! Get your minds out of the gutter.

I find this picture educational.

Because who knew that a human being could climb to the top of a coconut tree in under a minute. Oh wait, a human can't... but Baba can.

This picture is inspiring.

It was so great to watch Baba pass his traditions on to young visitors. It was also great to watch Baba's...arms.

This picture is absolutely delicious.

I ate fresh coconut and pawpaw (papaya) every breakfast for a week while I was in the Cook Islands. When I ate this after lunch, I realized that I may not always be the northeastern girl who has to have season changes. Maybe sun and coconut and pawpaws wouldn't be so bad everyday?

And well... there are no words for this picture.

Because this was nothing more than a demonstration by Baba of how one traditionally creams coconut on the islands.
And the other volunteer and I made every possible joke that can be made.
And this is a family blog..although Baba's appearance has pushed Sarahcentric dangerously close to the edge.

This picture is bittersweet.

I left Rarotonga after two days because the very excellent dude I was working with, Damian from Pacific Travel Solutions, said "I really want you to see Aitutaki which has one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world." How convenient, because I really wanted to see one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world.

But it was sad to turn Baba down when he invited me watch his cousin firedance at another resort. (I told you I got game. Remember ladies, avoid their gaze and ask for sarong instruction!) It was hard to say goodbye to Tairi who said that I must come back to Raro. And two days later, I would return..but you never really know if you'll see these people again.

Love/Hate. Happy/Sad. A range of emotions within two days on one tiny island.

Polynesia will do that to you.

Comments

[Susan]

I laughed, I cried, I betrothed you to Baba in my mind. Awesome post, fantastic, memorable, redolent with sweet & funny Sarahness at every turn.

[doeandmouse]

I think you should move there and be with Baba.

[Andi]

How could you turn THOSE arms down, droooool!!! I think ALL of those pics are incredible. What a great post. :)

[Camels & Chocolate]

I have the most brilliant idea EVER! You, me, the Cook Islands. What better a setting for our first IRL meeting than pure paradise!??!