Winiata’s Blog

On Wednesday we got up early to have breakfast. When we were packed, we hopped into the van and headed off to Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruise. At CTLC we got into a glass bottom boat, and go far out in the lagoon. Kata, Kori and I got to sit on the front with our feet in the water. The captain gave us some coconut oil that, when one rubbed it on our body, might help us get a tan.

After we dropped the anchor, the captain told us a little about the place. Through the glass, we could see the ground, and some coral and fishes around it. We were told that we could get into the water, so we took the honour of going first. When we hoped in, we found that it was a WHOLE lot deeper than I had expected.

This was the best part of my trip. The different colours of fish surrounding me were just incredible. The sight of all the coral and rocks was beautiful. Massive clams on the lovely coral rocks. Colourful fish swimming between the waving sea-weed, and the most awesome part about this is that you are a part of it.

We discovered a lagoon and inner reef area where marine life was abundant. We got to swim and snorkel among schools of colourful butterfly wrasse and triggerfish. We also saw giant crabs in their natural habitat. I swam upside down under the glass. After half an hour under there, I was picking up stones from the seabed, diving all the way down it was amazing.

Later we went to the island and we were given a BBQ lunch. After that we played this game where we had to look for crabs, and I found the biggest one. There was one which was bigger, but the guide said it was too dangerous to get it. There were heaps of crabs, but when I asked whose property we were on, the guide just said, “It’s cool, this is my uncle’s house!” But I got the impression that everywhere he goes he says that.

We were shown a skit about coconuts and a lavalava, like how to wear a lavalava in different ways. It was really funny, we all laughed when they got dressed up in a lavalava and put a coconut inside the lavalava, and sang a song as it swung between their legs.

On Thursday we got to sleep in for ages. Then after breakfast we went for a bit of shopping but I was to discover that I had left my wallet behind. Everyone bought an ice-cream except me. Then we went to the perfumes of Rarotonga, a shop where they make perfumes and other stuff for your skin. After that we went to the snorkelling part of the coast. We swam really far out where there was a diving platform anchored off the beach, out to sea. Right next to it was a big rock with lots of fish around it. Kataroa went back to get some bread. When he came back with it there were lots of other big fish following behind, wanting to eat the crumbs.

After we went back to the cabins and we had a tournament like a triathlon, with three different games – pool, darts and table tennis. The problem was four out of the six teams all got tied. My team didn’t lose one game.

On Friday it was our last full day. Most of the day we spent with my aunty who lives in Rarotonga. She came back to pick us up. We went to her place again, we watched DVDs and we talked most of the day. Then we went to an Indian restaurant for dinner. After dinner she took us back to the cabins.

When we got back there was no one around, so we went searching and finally we went to the food hall where the dinners are served, and we found everyone there watching rugby. The All Blacks versus England. After a while my brother Etere decided to go back to the cabin and watch a DVD. Later on everyone else came back and we were told to get our bags ready.

When we got to the shuttle bus, we loaded our bags into the trailer and got on. At the airport we checked our bags in and they looked at our passports again. On the plane I was sitting next to my brother and Josephine. We watched another DVD, but that got boring so we listened to music instead on the radio.

Just before the plane landed in Auckland I looked out the window and saw that it had been raining. When we landed we went to the carousel to get the luggage and stood in line with everyone else, and waited to check out. Then we went through to the public area and our uncle Pompi was there to pick us up.

We got back and had to wait at uncle’s place for about 5 hours until mum and dad arrived. First I fell asleep and slept until noon. Then we played guitar hero on the big screen all the rest of the afternoon until mum arrived. Then we all had tea together, and when it got dark, we drove back to Te Awamutu.