Comments on: All Around Rarotonga http://www.travelswithtwo.com/2009/09/11/all-around-rarotonga/ The travel blog for couples - Written by Melanie Waldman Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:57:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Melanie http://www.travelswithtwo.com/2009/09/11/all-around-rarotonga/#comment-2720 Melanie Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:25:36 +0000 http://www.travelswithtwo.com/?p=5884#comment-2720 Lisa, thank you for this amazing comment, and your kind words! I'm also relieved to hear that despite lots of tourists, much seems the same on Rarotonga since your visit -- phew! We also love dogs, but sadly weren't adopted by any for longer than a roadside stroll here and there. I'm glad to hear you made such a good friend! Now, a nonprofit spay and neuter program wouldn't be the worst thing to happen to the island...but seriously? Some of the cutest pooches we've ever seen. I'd love to write longer, but I have to go Google "large blue clam." Any mollusk the size of a coffee table HAS to be seen to be believed! Lisa, thank you for this amazing comment, and your kind words!

I’m also relieved to hear that despite lots of tourists, much seems the same on Rarotonga since your visit — phew!

We also love dogs, but sadly weren’t adopted by any for longer than a roadside stroll here and there. I’m glad to hear you made such a good friend! Now, a nonprofit spay and neuter program wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to the island…but seriously? Some of the cutest pooches we’ve ever seen.

I’d love to write longer, but I have to go Google “large blue clam.” Any mollusk the size of a coffee table HAS to be seen to be believed!

]]> By: Lisa Bruckner http://www.travelswithtwo.com/2009/09/11/all-around-rarotonga/#comment-2719 Lisa Bruckner Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:01:06 +0000 http://www.travelswithtwo.com/?p=5884#comment-2719 Thank you for the lovely post. I vacationed in Rarotonga in 1997 and have very fond memories. I was delighted to see that not much has changed since I last visited. We didn't stay in the touristy resorts and got to mingle with the locals and fell in love not only with the island, but it's inhabitants! The abandoned Sheraton was brought to my attention by some of the locals who think the place is haunted and cursed. I remember one night they drove us there in an attempt to scare us (for fun). They were shocked that we shrugged our shoulders at it. They said that even the animals don't like the place. A cross island hike with "Pa" is a great adventure (you literally cross the island through the jungle and over the black peak!). Scuba diving was nice-saw the only spanish dancer I've ever seen up close and personal (it's a beautiful pink, fringed nudibranch) and some of the largest blue clams (coffee table sized). Another endearing aspect of Raro was the stray dogs. They weren't annoying for us dog lovers, they were endearing. They literally adopt tourists and stay with you at your side throughout your stay (if you are willing). Ours slept in our beachfront room and slept under the table at the restaurants we ate at. The locals can't stand them (and some of them actually eat dogs still-old Polynesian custom), but I will admit I cried when we left our "Deputy Dog" and I still think of him from time to time. Thank you for the lovely post. I vacationed in Rarotonga in 1997 and have very fond memories. I was delighted to see that not much has changed since I last visited. We didn’t stay in the touristy resorts and got to mingle with the locals and fell in love not only with the island, but it’s inhabitants! The abandoned Sheraton was brought to my attention by some of the locals who think the place is haunted and cursed. I remember one night they drove us there in an attempt to scare us (for fun). They were shocked that we shrugged our shoulders at it. They said that even the animals don’t like the place. A cross island hike with “Pa” is a great adventure (you literally cross the island through the jungle and over the black peak!). Scuba diving was nice-saw the only spanish dancer I’ve ever seen up close and personal (it’s a beautiful pink, fringed nudibranch) and some of the largest blue clams (coffee table sized). Another endearing aspect of Raro was the stray dogs. They weren’t annoying for us dog lovers, they were endearing. They literally adopt tourists and stay with you at your side throughout your stay (if you are willing). Ours slept in our beachfront room and slept under the table at the restaurants we ate at. The locals can’t stand them (and some of them actually eat dogs still-old Polynesian custom), but I will admit I cried when we left our “Deputy Dog” and I still think of him from time to time.

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