Monday, April 14, 2008

Rarotonga

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That is the view from the balcony of my room here at the Rarotonga Backpackers facility.

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I'm staying right on the beach in one of their "Beach Front" (the far right one) units until tomorrow, then moving to a smaller "beach hut" through Saturday. Although, it's rainy and overcast, it's still quite a beautiful place. I'm on the sunset side of the island, so if the sun ever does come out...I should have a pretty good view of it setting.

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These dogs were hanging out on the beach at the hostel when I arrived. They are really friendly and full of energy. It's fun to watch them chase each other around, dodging in and out of the water, around the beach chairs, beside anyone standing nearby, then...they start all over again.

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There are also several random cats hanging out all around. They seem to be indifferent to the dogs and spend most of their time just laying around (as cats are prone to do). I was waiting for a potential tense confrontation between these two, at least a little hissing or fur-puffity...but nothing. They stared a few minutes, then the dog just walked on.

I was enjoying the animals, until I saw this notice in the lobby of the hostel...

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"you'll get MANGINITiS....Affects the genitalia"

Jinkys! I'm not sure what that is, but I'm keeping those animals at a very safe distance from my naughty bits.

Mental note: Get Purell.

There are also roosters wandering about the city and countryside. Not unusal on an island, but still funny to see them meandering up to tables at restaurants, rather than being served in restaurants, surrounded by carrots and potatoes.

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The internet connection here on the island is kind of ass.

I have no wifi connection at the hotel, so I decided to head into town to one of the Telecom wifi-"Hotspots". After buying a prepaid card and going to the first hotspot, Cafe Salsa, it wouldn't connect. So, I ate my pizza, then headed over to the Telecom offices here in the city, figuring that it's their card...so, if I have a problem, I'll chat with them.

The connection is working, more or less, at the moment.

However, I have a feeling that the same technology that took the dryer, at my last hotel, 3 hours to dry one load of clothes, may also be powering the "broadband" connection here in Rarotonga.

So far, it's taken about 15 minutes to upload 1 picture.

Dear...Lord...In...Heaven....Above....

I'm going to have to get used to "Island Time" real quick.

5 comments:

My Life .... said...

Geez, I didn't know feeding dogs and cats can have bad effects on your genetalia LOL .... perhaps only in Rarotonga. Good job I bought some Purell with me on this trip LOL ....

Vampire Hours said...

I know...thank goodness they don't have a zoo! It's always good to be prepared...

Anonymous said...

What, they never heard of flea collars down there? I'm going to need to inform authorities at LAX upon your return, to make sure you get a Silkwood scrub before they let you onto American soil where your unwanted passengers can disembark your groin and proceed to take American jobs.

Sissy said...

"Manginitis"...it turns your man-parts into a "mangina"...now THAT is some scary stuff! Think Dr. Drew knows about this stuff?

Lo said...

Dear Heaven! I agree with the comment about you getting scrubbed down before coming back to the mainland...And someone should call Dr. Drew and have him waiting at LAX for your arrival. Maybe you could join the next "Celeb Rehab" - could cure you of what ever diseases you received down under, not to mention help with your booze "problem"...double win!