N-I-C-E! (Bouma’s, I know you are laughing.)
We awoke to a cold, gray and rainy December Northwest day. Typical weather for this time of year, and exactly the kind of day I (Curt) wanted as we took flight for the South Pacific. We were all a little groggy but ready to roll. 8 full bags of luggage and 4 carry on pieces. Bringing the camping gear along made for quite a haul. This by far is the most we have ever packed for an air travel trip. We will end up camping about 25-35 days in Kiwi country. Everything was smooth today, besides Maddy coming down with a little cold. The flight was on time from Seattle to LAX, and our flight from LAX to Rarotonga is scheduled to be on time. The biggest excitement today was eating junk food (Burger King and McDonalds), and getting slightly lost at LAX; however, with an 8 hour layover it’s difficult to get bent out of shape over getting lost – time was on our side. Since we will be making 90% of our meals and shopping local markets, I told the girls to savor those last few bites of junk food.
We are currently hangin’ out in LAX and ready to hop on our 10:15pm flight to Rarotonga. We are scheduled to arrive in Raro at 6:30am on Monday, Dec 8th. Should be exciting the next few days on Raro as a large depression of tropical storms are headed into the islands. They are expecting strong winds, large thunderstorms, heavy rain, and possible minor flooding. Nothing serious, but it is the start of their rainy typhoon season (summer season). Rarotonga and the outer Cook Islands only average about 1 Typhoon a year, unlike the US that can see 10-20 cross the Atlantic during Hurricane season. They call them Typhoons in the Southern Hemisphere vs. Hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere, and evidently they rotate the opposite direction of our Hurricanes. (Have I thoroughly scared you yet, Mom? Honest, that’s not my intention.) I’m looking forward to highs in the mid 80’s and lows in the mid to upper 70’s. The ocean temp should be in the low to mid 80’s inside the lagoon on both Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
A quick thank you to Clint for so graciously offering to take us to the airport and launch us on our adventure this morning. Also, thanks to Tanya and Stacey for helping with the car thing the night before, let’s call it “Lighting the fuse!” And to Monty, Marty and the SVA staff, thanks for letting Lisa off the leash during the busy season…you guys are the best!
Ok, I’m told we are boarding for Raro, so I wish you all the best and please keep us in your prayers for our health and safety on this trip. The Esteb ladies are already missing friends and family…I haven‘t even given it a thought though… it must be the guy thing. –Over and Out
We awoke to a cold, gray and rainy December Northwest day. Typical weather for this time of year, and exactly the kind of day I (Curt) wanted as we took flight for the South Pacific. We were all a little groggy but ready to roll. 8 full bags of luggage and 4 carry on pieces. Bringing the camping gear along made for quite a haul. This by far is the most we have ever packed for an air travel trip. We will end up camping about 25-35 days in Kiwi country. Everything was smooth today, besides Maddy coming down with a little cold. The flight was on time from Seattle to LAX, and our flight from LAX to Rarotonga is scheduled to be on time. The biggest excitement today was eating junk food (Burger King and McDonalds), and getting slightly lost at LAX; however, with an 8 hour layover it’s difficult to get bent out of shape over getting lost – time was on our side. Since we will be making 90% of our meals and shopping local markets, I told the girls to savor those last few bites of junk food.
We are currently hangin’ out in LAX and ready to hop on our 10:15pm flight to Rarotonga. We are scheduled to arrive in Raro at 6:30am on Monday, Dec 8th. Should be exciting the next few days on Raro as a large depression of tropical storms are headed into the islands. They are expecting strong winds, large thunderstorms, heavy rain, and possible minor flooding. Nothing serious, but it is the start of their rainy typhoon season (summer season). Rarotonga and the outer Cook Islands only average about 1 Typhoon a year, unlike the US that can see 10-20 cross the Atlantic during Hurricane season. They call them Typhoons in the Southern Hemisphere vs. Hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere, and evidently they rotate the opposite direction of our Hurricanes. (Have I thoroughly scared you yet, Mom? Honest, that’s not my intention.) I’m looking forward to highs in the mid 80’s and lows in the mid to upper 70’s. The ocean temp should be in the low to mid 80’s inside the lagoon on both Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
A quick thank you to Clint for so graciously offering to take us to the airport and launch us on our adventure this morning. Also, thanks to Tanya and Stacey for helping with the car thing the night before, let’s call it “Lighting the fuse!” And to Monty, Marty and the SVA staff, thanks for letting Lisa off the leash during the busy season…you guys are the best!
Ok, I’m told we are boarding for Raro, so I wish you all the best and please keep us in your prayers for our health and safety on this trip. The Esteb ladies are already missing friends and family…I haven‘t even given it a thought though… it must be the guy thing. –Over and Out
2 comments:
Wow, 8 bags plus carry-ons. That is much different than Europalooza! But, a much longer trip and also the camping thing definitely adds to the bulk.
We are so jealous!
Have a NICE time :-)
Tell Maddy I miss her dearly =).
I miss you, too McKenna!!!
=)
Love,
Hayley.
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