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Niue, Pacific Islands, photography, photos, South Pacific, travel destination, travel images, Travel photography, tropical
Please click links to see more images from this real surprise in the Pacific.
Niue –nowhere like it, or so they say.
Arrived following characteristic delays on Southern Motorway and of course AirNZ.
Blustery as all hell, 35 – 45 knot winds, huge seas, and 28 degrees.
Nice resort, a wine, dinner and good sleep set us up for what is in effect day 1.
Collected hire car – rattletrap of Nissan Cube. More rattles in this thing than grandkids have. Spent day dodging potholes, and taking walks down to rocky coves with wonderful rock pools all fairly teeming (slight overstatement, but compared to what we are used to!) little fish, myriad of colours and styles. Had a wee snorkel in one of the larger pools, very pleasant. Heaps of coral types growing, all colours and shapes and styles (or is species).
The whole place though is somewhat of a grave site. Typically Pacific Island, everywhere you turn there are the graves of those who have gone before, be they people, old houses or dead cars, they scatter the landscape.
The monthly ship from NZ arrived today to restock the necessities of life here. It’s a monthly event, and quite an exercise as the ship is tied off to the wharf about 300 metres 
out and motors kept running to hold her stern on while the unloading of containers on to a barge occurs one at a time over the next couple of days. By then the supermarket, the gas station and I hope the cafes will be restocked (not that we have had any trouble getting a coffee, but was getting worried).
I say not that getting a coffee…… actually the coffee is quite good, but you’d better not be in a hurry. Average wait time would be 30 minutes, and (through beautiful bush usually) continually rising too. To get to the coral ledges and tidal pools we often have to take a bush walk or sea track and then a swag of steps to the bottom.
Seems like we descend and rise the 70 metres every time we head to the rock pools.
We’re heading out today to start with a school assembly. An interesting experience. About 100 kids singing, praying and receiving awards, all in two languages.
Then off to some more of the scenic spots navigating our way through the strategically located potholes.
It’s fun swerving our way down the road, slowing and waving when cars come the other way. Not sure Anne feels it as much fun. Especially when I hit one, it sends a shuddering reminder that I’m alive to my spine. According to Israeli owner of the Japanese restaurant they are waiting for the Chinese to return to repair them. Better hurry because I’ll swear some of them are big enough to be home to marine life now! The Japanese food was worth the effort Graeme, some of the best we’ve had. Thanks for that recommendation.
The other side of the island (east) is very different. Rugged and rough.
Met a woman collecting what turned out to be large sea-snails for lunch after church on Sunday. Told me it was good on this side today, can’t always do what she was doing. Looked pretty rough to us.
As well as the rock pools and coral at end of the walks, arches, chasms and caves add to the beauty spectacularly.
Not much in way of wildlife. Haven’t seen a seagull of any variety. Quite amazing, but the place is chocka with cats and the ever-present chooks, or jungle fowl as they know them.
Not sure but am seriously wondering whether the cats are to blame for the dearth of bird-life.
If Gareth (cat-man) Morgan really needs a mission perhaps he should check Niue out.
I think life is pretty good here, simple, seemingly worry-free and warm. Met the Secretary for Government on the plane on way up. He says, that with the taro, a few veges (hydroponically grown), coconut and fish it’s a breeze.
The working week here is 4 days. Guess that works because 35% of the people work for the Government so we are told.
Lunch at another of Graeme N’s recommendations. The Washaway Bar. A rustic fun joint only open on Sunday afternoon, after all the church services are over. Again, a great experience.
Final sightseeing journey was to the Talava Arches. Worth the 30 min walk through bush and over a rugged coral path that requires some concentration to avoid falls, then through some narrow limestone caves to finally spot the arch across a bay. This is one of the more recognised scenic destinations on the island.
Potholes, strategically located, chooks, ,amazing variety coral, chasms & caves, that’s about it.
it all here and tomorrow the cocks crow for the last time for us.
