Dinner in Rarotonga

You'll understand why we didn't want to go out to eat. This was the view from our porch table for the last few nights, and right there under the umbrella was a beach-side picnic table and barbeque. When we travel, we get our bearings by doing some foraging, and in Rarotonga, the foraging was Very Good. It always starts with a search for salt, pepper and oil, which we found in abundance at the excellent supermarkets in Avarua. Lemons were not to be had, so we made do with an extra pinch of salt.

A few minutes' walk down the road was a scruffy fruit stall. Huge papayas for $2. Scoop out of the shell for a nifty tropical breakfast. Add an orangey tangerine, a small perfect banana and a mango... perfect with a dollop of yogurt. We found local coffee too, which was also a tiny bit fruity.

There are plenty of salad greens, herbs, tomatoes, and cucumbers growing here. Big, lush, generous bunches.

Potatoes "imported" from New Zealand, par boiled, tossed in oil, browned on the barbie, and flavoured up with green onions. Yum.

Steak, chicken or fish? How about a different one each night? Simply grilled and served with salad and the spuds.

Here's where we hung about between meals. On our last day a whale swam by, just outside the reef, and blew us a massive goodbye kiss. This was one of the most delicious quick holidays I've ever had.