quick update

We're having a lot of trouble getting a radio signal here, so I'll keep this short and fill in the details later. We've had a nice combination of being tourists and living our normal life. Laundry seems to be a big issue lately. No matter how much time we spend sloshing around in buckets, more and more things need to be done. The cushion covers were pretty grimy so that really added to the bulk this week. We have looked and looked for a portable machine, but can't find one. Dolphins has an electric spinner, which is a wonderful device. The hard part of laundry is the wringing out over and over again until the water comes clean. Spinning gets all the water out the first time and makes drying time fast too. Pete was designing one in his head this morning as he twisted towels around the life lines.

We did a really expensive, but impressive tourist activity yesterday. The "Cultural Village" is a series of huts on several acres that you tour with guides. Each hut has a presenter and a theme such as fishing, history, food, medicine, coconuts and weaving. The people now are not so far removed from their ancestors and still use a lot of the traditional techniques. The kids enjoyed the dancing, drumming and weaving best as they were able to participate. Lunch came served on palm tree leaf woven plates with no silverware, just like the traditional way.

All for now, except to say the weather is again it's beautiful tropical self and we're very much enjoying Rarotonga.

-kellie