Landfall in Aitutaki - Sept. 28, 2014

We are officially checked into New Zealand in the Cook Island chains.  This pass is 40 feet wide in spots and only 6 feet deep.  We didn't dare go in, so we are anchored outside.  Two of the mono-hulls that went in (there are only 3 in there right now) touched ground (sand fortunately) on their way in.  Not to mention that we are 30 or slightly more feet wide.  Doesn't allow for much pull of the current, etc.  We are happy out here.  First morning we were at the table in the cockpit eating breakfast when a whale blew right behind us!!  Front row view!

So, we are OUT of fresh fruits and veggies.  I went to a couple of stores here and there just isn't too much!  Surprising since it's a NZ Island and all the carrots, potatoes, most apples, etc. were getting to the Society Islands from New Zealand.  We are now closer to NZ and in their territory, so it doesn't make perfect sense that there's not a lot to choose from and what there is, is very expensive.  5# bag of sugar $9.90, 12 ounce can of tomato sauce $3, box of cereal $7.90, about 2/3 gallon Ziploc full of powdered milk $23, Potatoes $2.90/kg.  Carrots $5.90/kg.  Apples $2 each.  EACH!!  Now these are NZ dollars and we haven't yet figured out the conversion rate, but it's not looking good on the budget!!  We bought a bundle of bananas for $4.50 (normal bundle, but green) and a papaya for $2.50 for a medium to smallish one.  The man in that store advised us that you could pick fruit on the side of the road and it's socially OK here.  Really?  Sooo, we launched the motorcycle and went shopping!!

How fun!  First, we went remote, so we weren't in anyone's front yard or something awkward.  We found many abandoned houses and remote dirt roads with papayas growing that had vines overgrowing them (yet still producing fruit!).  So, we stocked up on papayas.  We found a mango tree (OK we found lots, but they appeared to be picked clean!)  Finally we found one with some fruit on it.  Plan A, I climb on Courage's shoulders.  Plan B, we put the motorcycle under the tree, I stand on it, he stabilize it.  Well, during plan B, Courage backed up to take a picture.  Unfortunately in doing so, the bike suddenly leaped to the ground with me landing on it.  Courage was just about to get a video, but we missed it . . .  Alas, plan C.  He reached up and pulled the branch down and we knocked them off.  We found a couple more trees and left with a nice bag of mangos (that need to ripen also).  

Ultimately I asked to see the local hospital, and while we toured up the hill to see the one story that looked like a little more than a large house, I found some bananas on the side of the road, no houses, and overgrowing with vines.  That screamed abandoned to me, so we went and cut a couple of bundles off.  Yeah!!  Provisioning in Aitutaki, which appeared to be quite expensive, has now come down dramatically in price!!  We of course bought potatoes and have eyes on carrots and eggs before we go.  We're also dumping money into the local economy buying a bin of ice cream every evening!!!  Unlike that in French Polynesia, this ice cream appears to have been frozen throughout transport - not melted and refrozen.  It's great and creamy and refreshing!!!

So, we've had a fun and always interesting time here in Aitutaki with a new culture and new setting to adjust to.

Shannon