Day 27 - Tue Mar 13, 2018 Rarotonga, Cook Islands - Crystal Symphony - Sydney to Tahiti

Day 27- Rarotonga- Tues, Mar 13, 2018

Rarotonga is the main island of the Cook Islands, and has a population of 10,600.  The Cook Islands are named after Captain James Cook, the explorer, even though he never actually set foot on the island.  However, the HMS Bounty mutineers did stop here in 1798 after the mutiny of Captain Bligh.  Rarotonga has lush volcanic peaks covered in dense vegetation that arise 2,000 feet above the white-sand beaches.  It is encircled by coral reefs creating many lagoons. 

We tendered into Avarua, the Capital of the Cook Islands and the main town on the island.  We set out on foot to explore.  We saw the National Museum & Cultural Center, the Cook Islands Christian Church with its interesting graveyard and the Palace.  Avarua has many hotels, cafes, shops and obviously can handle tourists, unlike our last several ports. 

This mountain reminded me of the opening scene of Indian Jones.

We saw an attorney taking a picture in front of a law firm, so Bob did the same thing - University of South Pacific.

The palace.

So many outrigger canoes.

The reef.

Swimming was our afternoon plan, and even though we had several rain showers, it was very refreshing.

Our nightly visit to the Crystal Cove.

Tonight was our last visit to the Italian Specialty Restaurant, Prego, for this trip.  We always enjoy our meals there, and tonight was no exception.  We both had the same meal:  Caesar Salad, Appetizer Portion of the Pumpkin Ravioli in Sage Butter Sauce, Filet Mignon, Pomegranate Semi-Freddo for dessert.

We've posted the other food items before, but this was a chef's special.

The evening entertainment was the International Pianist, Kym Purling, for his second performance on this cruise.  He was scheduled for a second performance as whomever was supposed to perform missed getting on the ship.

Today we walked 5.12 miles, 12,290 steps.