And... We're back!

A week in the sun was just what the doctor ordered, well, he didn't, but if I had asked him beforehand I am sure he would have agreed that a week in Rarotonga was a bloody good idea and should be undertaken as soon as humanly possible. So, on this fictional medical advice, we went, and it was fantastic!

If you get the chance to go to the Cook Islands, go! If you've been before, go again! We will.

We rented a beautiful little house right on the beach with it's own papaya and coconut trees in the garden. Plus the ever present wild chickens, just to make us feel at home.

The garden was maybe 6 metres long and then straight onto a coral sand beach, with the most awesome snorkelling and safe swimming for Molly. The whole island (all 32km circ. of it!) is surrounded by a reef, keeping lots of little fishes in and all the big fishes out, phew! I didn't actually do any snorkelling as the lagoon is really shallow in places and I have an extra foot of stomach to consider now, didn't want to risk any coral scratches on my bump. But Molly and hubby had a blast, hand feeding the fish - they like salt and vinegar chips?!? - and generally chasing anything that looked interesting until they were both exhausted! Molly's favourite thing was to scoop up sea slugs from the bottom and chase Mummy with them while they squirt - lovely!

Molly adopted our resident lizard/gecko (not really sure what it was to be honest), and named him Shirley. Every night Shirley would come and sit on the back door and 'striggle about a bit - that means Hello, Mummy', we have several dozen photos of Shirley at different angles and in different lights - thank God for digital cameras. The night that we found Shirley's Mummy in our bedroom was very exciting. In fact I thought Molly was going to pee her pants with excitement (I know I nearly did, but more out of fear!). Eventually, she was caught in a colander and set free. Who knew they could move so fast! Well done hubby! and well done for Molly, she was a great help, whereas I just sat on the couch shouting instructions, like a big pink, beached whale - I would show you the photos, but don't want to offend!

OK, I won't go on and on, I don't want to be a holiday bore - although if we do see any of you in the next few weeks we will be forced to bore you to tears with photos and video of our week. Suffice to say a good time was had by all and we will be going back as soon as we can. Molly has already decided that her baby will love it as much as she did - but he may not be as quick as she is in her rubber ring!