Not recipe related ( well, perhaps a recipe for relaxation at least! ) I understand you stayed at the Edgewater resort in Raro recently? Have been looking at the possibility of Rarotonga for DH Birthday surprise in January. Had thought of the Rarotongan Beach Resort and noticed that they now also have an adults only Sanctuary Rarotonga- just wondered if you had seen or heard anything about it? It was easier to get you here than on the travel section.
fisher,
Jul 8, 1:12pm
Yes, we spent a day out looking at other resorts. . That's the great thing, they dont mind you spending the day there using their facilities and of course spending your monies. . :} Even tho we had been to Raro just last January, this return trip last week was a prize for an article I wrote so had to return to the Edgewater... January would be great as the Island is far more colourful with the flowers and flame trees in bloom. . Can get pretty hot. . over 30c... Would I go back... sure its a great resort albeit a concrete jungle but facilities are great, swimming straight out in front in the reserve, pool, tennis, food 6-7 out of 10 (far better on the island ) but avoid Raviz and the Spaghetti house. . Cocktail hour 10. 00 bucks and a must do Island Night. . Nice, basic free breakfast. . Just make sure you get a newer Beachfront deluxe room, which is serviced everyday, roomy, clean, tidy and adequate. . Not luxurious even tho they have a spa bath. . We only slept there, had hire car and went out everyday, watched the sunsets, showered and went out to dinner, returned and drank drinkies with snaks on the beachfront terrace. . Take all your own in your luggage. duty free cheaper in Raro. . Sure, the Rarotongan is nicer (read: also more expensive) and probably the only other one we would stay at. The Edgewater is better situated, best sunsets and being closer to town, airport and has most of the better restaurants close by. . But the Rarotongan has far better swimming, snorkeling if that's what you are interested in. . Not a lot to do, not a lot of shops. . 4x4 tour. . lagoon cruise. . fly over island. . mini golf. . tour re culture. . loads of great places to eat. . fishing charter. . drive about looking around side streets. . (32kms right round)
fisher,
Jul 8, 1:20pm
Adults only means just that, no children so peace and quiet and also restriction to swimming pool as well so no kids jumping in. . own wee stretch of beach as well. . A must do is go to CAFE ARIKI. . It's on the inner road next to the Toyota car yard for a downright magic homestyle meal. . heaps of locals go there so will give you an idea how good it is. . Great food. . great prices. . great premium beers 4. 00 (stein pures) . . We went there twice... :}
cookessentials,
Jul 8, 1:22pm
Sounds good - not worried about shops - the water would be #1and Brian would enjoy some fishing - I understand the fishing trips are good and not too expensive. Not too worried re the expense - want something special but not over the top. Have printed off a resort map and the beachfront suites at the Eastern end of the beach seem ok. I just found that when I looked at the home page, they were promoting Sanctuary Rarotongan, but they look the same - just wondered if they were?
cookessentials,
Jul 8, 1:25pm
ok, am noting all this for reference. I see they have a Saturday market - did you go and how did you find it? We both love pawpaw, so would be good to get some reasonably good priced ones. I have only been off rarotonga on a cruise ship, so wanting something just that bit different and a REAL relax-dont care if we lie under a palm tree all day quite frankly LOL- just need a good old re-charge.
fisher,
Jul 8, 1:26pm
Unless your staying overnight in Auckers, we flew out Pacific Blue 6. 30pm arrived 12. 05am with hire car waiting. . and back Air NZ which landed at 8. 15pm and allowed us to drive home that night. . Pacific Blue lands 5. 00am leaving Raro 1. 05am . . Real tired from being up all day then all night on the plane. . We wont be going back... Planning Hawaii as I speak. . (2011) with a return to New Caledonia (2012) we love soooo much for the food. . or back to Sthern USA to see Kathy's family. .
fisher,
Jul 8, 1:39pm
Pawpaw all over the place... 2. 00 bucks... fruit veges are reasonable but other commodities are not due to shipping charges. . Green top milk 14. 80 2 litre. . coke 4. 80 1. 5 litre. . chips 4. 40 a pack. . orange juice... 8. 70 2 litres. . soya oil 2 litres 18. 10. . just to give you an idea. . Take your own snack sweets and splits. . also your own wine. . (1. 75 litres allowance) as not much to choose from anywhere... Just down road from Rarotongan is the only other outlet to open sea on Raro apart from Avarua Harbour... There's a few boats for hire there (about 7 metres). . Brian should be able to go out for half a day for sub 120... or go to Avarua harbour for bigger and smallerboats. . Must do it the Capt Tama lagoon cruise. . nice rustic BBQ on a hot plate with slabs of fish coleslaw and fried bananas... Main market is Sat morning. . trinkets, sarongs ... Nice walkabout but not a lot going for it really. . Nice Cafe in the shopping centre...
cookessentials,
Jul 8, 1:42pm
We would have to go out of Welly, although looking at some of the flights, we may still go from Auckland. There is a Pacific Blue flight that returns via Sydney and gets us into Welly at midnight. I did note that alot, if not most, flights are arriving and departing in the wee hours! Will try and swing it that we have the day at home to recover as we can get someone to look after the shop - only thinking 5 nights probably. Noosa is the place we love to pop to, but wanted something a little different and really away from it all if you know what I mean!
fisher,
Jul 8, 1:45pm
You can do all that at Edgewater. . Ill put some pics up of the beach etc so you can see. . paw paw coming out ya ears at free breakfast as are oranges, bananas, coconut, grapefruit, pears, etc yogurt, cereals, museli, toasts etcWe just took plate fulls of fruit back to the room fridge to snack on during the day. . so missed out on a lot of lunches lol:}
fisher,
Jul 8, 1:49pm
You'll love it... You really will... cleanest Island holiday we have been to and folks are soooo friendly. . only saw two bits of paper on the road and I bet a tourist dropped them. . lol. . They have 6 month house inspections so no derelict cars, rubbish or long lawns allowed... The place is soooo tidy... apart from the unused sections...
cookessentials,
Jul 8, 2:27pm
Brilliant! we always buy the lovely mangoes when in Noosa, as well as paw paw. It is his big 60, so kind of special and will be a complete surprise - just have to liaise with his boss!
cookessentials,
Jul 8, 2:32pm
Thanks so much Fisher, much appreciated. Any other info gratefully received.
fisher,
Jul 8, 3:42pm
Hire a car from Rarotonga Rentals across the road from the Airport... we got a deal in January for $180nz for 5ish days and they did it again for us. . cheap as chips and the wheels go round. . (little Toyota Vitz/Echo. ) no mileage and just return with same amount of petrol. . Was great to just get up and go whenever. . to wherever. . We actually met and took some other Aussie Edgewater patrons about touring and to dinner with us on a couple of occasions. .
buzzy110,
Jul 8, 3:54pm
fisher, wasn't it you who told me off, even wrote a big list of what sort of posts belong where, reminding me that this is Recipes.
Heaven's knows why the curmudgeon/termagent who keeps ringing up TM and complaining about threads and posts that have nothing to do with Recipes has struck with this thread.
Maybe the humourless so and so is actually posting in here. Maybe even started this thread.
fisher,
Jul 8, 4:50pm
I never told anyone off... I did make notes of what i thought should happen in these threads but it was never adopted and everything carried on as normal. . oh well, not for me to make the rules. . huh? ? If you don't like my postings complain... go on... LOL. . You have a problem... you really do... accusing someone that you have no proof of. . but your the type of person that would never make apologies anyways if found wrong . . right? ? and your the type of person to brand someone with the same caste if you think they are siding with someone. . so funny. . Cooky asked me a question. . directed to me. . I'm answering like the gentleman. I am. . :} or would you have me ignore her request. . ? ?
fisher,
Jul 8, 4:53pm
Nothing more to say on the matter... Cooky. . any more info I'd be pleased to help . . ask away. . (as I would if anyone else asked)...
charlieb2,
Jul 8, 4:58pm
Very interesting reading Fisherman... *waves*
Waiting for you to put up the beach shots! !
Would love to get to Raro one day. .
toadfish,
Jul 8, 4:58pm
I think you have to remember that a few of us "Cyber" freinds have actually met... and actually like each other. I think its completely acceptable to ask advice from a mate who has been there done that... no lecturing, no trying to change someone, no belittling others choices. Live and let live I say... Some people serioulsy need to get out and get a life... I was trying to find a delicate way to put it in the curmudgeon thread. . but to be honest I knew it would just add fuel to a fire... and it would also mean interacting on some level with people I chose not to. Just as in real life I chose who I hang out with... . I also chose on the message board who to hang out with.
Now FISHER! ! ! on the other hand... you have me dreaming of cocktails in the sunset... grrr and "S" clutching his wallet lol.
toadfish,
Jul 8, 4:59pm
PS... Fisher & Pam... I have both your emails... would you like me to trade... . .
*waves at BFF Charlieb*
alewis,
Jul 8, 5:02pm
I was also enjoying all the info, its been a few years since I was in raro, and buzz off buzzy totally out of line to come in an be so negative, I was brought up if you had nothing nice to say SHUT UP sorry that really was very rude of you to upset the nice feel this thread had.
charlieb2,
Jul 8, 5:05pm
LOl... . *waves to Ali and Toadie*
Watch out, we'll be accused of being a posse next! ! !
*rolls eyes*
alewis,
Jul 8, 5:07pm
hello charlieb and toady, any suggestions of soft food, son is doing really well since surgery hes a lovely yellowy green today but most impressed how little his face has swelled.
charlieb2,
Jul 8, 5:11pm
smoothies... full of fruit and some sort of protein powder maybe?
toadfish,
Jul 8, 5:12pm
Talk about hijacking a thread... . Creamy scrambled eggs and soft bread & butter... your beautiful soup... ooohh oohhh Rissotto, nice and tasty. Rice pudding... . cottage pie... spaghetti bolognaise but on risoni... keep the chewing down. When does that beautiful daughter of yours touch down? We were just talking about her today as we wandered around AUT & AU(AU is winning at this stage)
winnie231,
Jul 8, 5:13pm
My sentiments exactly Toady! The live & let live bit I mean.
Hi all :)
Charlieb - I'm moving to Chch at the end of the month ... would love to put a face to your name sometime!
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