Home at last. Having paused in Rarotonga for a few days to just sit and do nothing (except a bit of grocery shopping) we flew to Aitutaki. We watched the sun setting the clouds on fire in the west at the same time as the full, pink moon arose from the east. Then suddenly the lagoon was there, and the island, and the runway. And the rain. That wasn't quite in the script... So we ran through the rain to the terminal, only to get equally drenched within the terminal building. Noone has fixed that roof yet. Jen and the kids took the resort car home and Michael followed in the truck with our (now) 16 bags and boxes. 30 seconds after walking in the door the kids have the lid off the lego box and are into it. It was dark, and we had no idea what time it really was, let alone what time we felt it was, so off to bed and a bit of a sleep in the next morning, the last of our holiday.
Michael hid out at home for the day - time enough for work to start on wednesday (which was not the belief of the Raro team who seem to think that combining holidays and work meetings is quite acceptable). We were reunited with big cat Georgie who is quite pleased to see us home. Freddie is AWOL, out on the prowl, but he pops into the resort each night (at dinner time) to say Hi to everyone. Both cats have been nicknamed Michael and Jenni as they have been accompanying security on their rounds, checking out reception and generally making sure things run smoothly. Next time we catch Freddie, both cats will be on the plane to Raro for the big SNIP! That should keep the lads closer to home.
Today, Thursday, is the second day for the boys back at school. The SDA school is currently located in a large packing shed at someones house, with years 2-6 in together (40 kids) down one side and lunch tables and library (with salvaged books) down the other side. The 'School-in-a-box' resources from UNICEF are being put to good use, and the Red Cross Breakfasts in Schools is just finishing. The boys were pleased to be back and the kids at school were pleased to see them. Another warm Aitutaki welcome for The Shahs. The Year 1, new entrant and preschool kids (another 40) are in the home of the principal in her lounge room and tarp covered porch, again with resources recovered from the rubble, plus UNICEF stationery and photocopied books.
Everyone seems to be in good spirits, but there is a lot of frustration on the island with the slow speed of the rebuilding. We all know that nothing happens quickly up here, but 6 weeks before roof repairs start is such a long time. The immediate cleanup is finished, with damaged buildings cleared out, but there are still some piles of timber and roofing iron beside houses, and the broken branches are similarly heaped around the place. Those that are able have returned to maintaining their perfect lawns (a Serious Responsibility on Aitutaki) but many of those lawns have big white marquee style tents with overflow beds and belongings from extended families living together. On the plus side, the trees have greened up and the land looks healthy, if a little bare in places where the big trees used to be. A few pawpaws are about the place and flowers are blooming in pockets around the place, and people still have a wave to share as we pass each other on the road. It is nice to be home.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Monday, July 20, 2009
Pacific Resort Awards
News today that Pacific Resort Aitutaki have taken a title at the CNBC Asia Pacific Property Awards, winning Best Small Hotel in the Asia Pacific Region. The CNBC Global Property awards will be held in San Diego in November, so fingers crossed (not for personal attendance of course, but a shiny trophy might be nice:-).
Secondly, nominations for the 2009 HM Awards (Hotel & Accommodation Management Magazine) have been released. Pacific Resorts are finalists in the following categories:
Secondly, nominations for the 2009 HM Awards (Hotel & Accommodation Management Magazine) have been released. Pacific Resorts are finalists in the following categories:
- South Pacific Property of the Year - Pacific Resort Aitutaki
- Environmental Program of the Year - Pacific Resort Rarotonga
- South Pacific Manager of the Year - Greg Stanaway
A Visit from Nana & Poppa
The big event was a visit from Mum & Dad for a week or so in mid June. The kids were beside themselves with excitement while they were here (and with sadness when they left). It was really nice just to have them around, and we had a pretty good time getting around the place too. We took in the sights, circumnavigating the island and finding some new roads to drive down (packed into my little 2 door!). We spent some time at school, at island shows (Jamie is a dancing fiend), on the lagoon and all too soon it was time for them to leave.
The day that they arrived was the interschool sports day (last Wednesday of each term). This term was Rugby and Netball, which Jamie was excited by, but Bailey not so keen. In fact Bailey was SO NOT KEEN that he got himself worked up into a state and walked backwards into a motorscooter, burning his leg on the muffler. A nice, blistered burn behind the knee, about 5cm long. So Jamie was left with the school and B&S & I went off to get litres and litres of water in bottles to tend to the leg. We arrived back to watch Jamie 'play' with the 5 and 6 year olds. We saw lots of random running around and chasing, a few "sit down's" in the middle of the field, and a few "mum, I can't get the ball" complaints, but he won a lot of points for trying. We left after the games were finished and waited at home (impatiently) for the plane to arrive. It was really wonderful and so exciting - the kids ran around and told EVERYONE at the airport that their Nana and Poppa were coming.
A highlight was certainly a trip on the lagoon with Bishops Cruises. Bailey is interested in weaving, so helped weave the platters for lunch. Jamie was a model for the coconut show and got his own sun visor out of the deal. Sienna just wanted to climb the coconut tree on One Foot Island to see if there were any crabs up there.
The weather was perfect, the beaches champagne and the breeze light. It was lovely to show mum and dad why the Aitutaki lagoon is so beautiful. The kids all come snorkelling with us and fed the fish. As you can see, Jamie is a total (flying) fish and can now swim on his own without water wings.
Mum left a few days after Dad, which was nice. She spent some nice time with the kids as it was school holidays by then. Nurse Nana pronounced Bailey's leg nicely on the mend though not without some surprise (due to the total absence of fruit and vegetables in his diet) .
Also in June we had a visit from the Greenpeace ship Esperenza, who arrived with Keisha Castle-Hughes to discuss the local impact of climate change. I happened to drive past Bailey's teacher's house as she came out and saw us, and Bailey was invited to go out to the ship (via tender, as the boat is too large to get into the lagoon) with a doz of the school kids to tour the ship and deliver gifts of fruit and things. What an awesome opportunity (and I can't imagine I would ever have sent Bailey off to sea past Kawau Island with a dozen other kids and 1 adult in NZ without inspecting the vessel and life jackets etc...but that is the way things happen here), so with a bit of encouragement (it is a SCIENCE boat, Bailey) off he sent on the back of the ute.
Unfortunately, the ute arrived back an hour later. The sea had been too rough to take the kids out so the kids showed the film crew how to climb coconut trees, had a muck around and then arrived home with a copy of the Whale Rider movie. Greenpeace had some pictures of their stay on their website with some of our students in them, so I printed them off and handed them around at school. It was nice to be able to do that.
We had a fun night on the Friday and Saturday just been. Friday was the inter-village rugby final. Unfortunately Amuri (us) went down to Tautu 12-0, but it was a good game and lots of fun sitting on the coconut tree benches on the sideline. As usual, the kids ran with the 'pack' and the adults alternately cheered and heckled the players - all encouragement seemed to come with an extensive belly laugh - and it was nice to be greeted by different people from around the island. After the game, Michael and I entertained 3 agents from USA at the resort and then went to Stephen and Poppy's to watch the AB's beat the Wallaby's (I confess I slept through a lot of it).
Saturday night was a fundraiser for the Aitutaki Hostel in Auckland, which is a cheap place for locals to stay if they don't have family in the city. It is a fantastic facility to have as all serious medical cases get flown back to Middlemore Hospital. It was held at the college hall (also the evacuation centre) and around 200 people attended. We were ushered up to the top table ("quick, the papa'a, the papa'a!!!"), invited to eat first, and drew the raffle as well. We had a big island feast, icecream and chocolate cake for dessert and the dance show was great. One of the little boys was amazing, getting way down low to the ground whilst knocking his knees - very tricky - and got the biggest clap of the night. The girls were awesome as always, and the men were hysterical, posing about the place - everyone was screaming with laughter.
Po'o Bishop, the deputy mayor, said that he wants the Island Council to pass a resolution preventing us from ever leaving! It was another occasion that told us that we have made an impact in the community and that Michael has a huge amount of respect from people all over the island. I was told this again this morning when one of the school mums mentioned that several of the entertainers and tour operators had said specifically that if Michael asked them for anything, they would provide it without question. So we saw lots of friends and aquaintences, and after sitting with Annie and Teina Bishop, with Sienna asleep in my arms, Papa Teina carried her to the car. It was a very nice night.
We are off to Raro this weekend for a well deserved break - Michael has been working 7 day weeks quite a few times recently and is exhausted. The property is very very busy over the next few months which is excellent. The new Food & Beverage Manager, Shane, has arrived which will take some of the load from Michael. So all in all things are good.
xxJen
Sunday, May 10, 2009
A Trip to the Big Rock
We 
have been back for a week since our 5 day break in Rarotonga - having a break from the small rock on the big rock. We left on the Monday – Michael in the morning for a management meeting , and the rest of us in the afternoon. We didn’t find out where we were staying until take off but happily arrived at Te Manava on dinner time. We stayed the week in a 3 bedroom house with a pool which was quite fan
tastic. Te Manava is a property managed by Pacific Resort consisting of luxurious self contained villas – we stayed in one of the older ones (thankfully) which was quite nice and well fitted out, but by all accounts the beach front villas are stunning.We didn’t have any transport that first night, nor food in the kitchen. I could have called Pacific Resort for a transfer to the restaurant but I decided to walk the kids along the beach instead. DUH! I knew it was 1km. I knew it was the end of an exciting day. I knew it was 6.30pm and I had no idea when Michael might finish work, but walk we did. Or at least carry part
of the way – I am such a sucker for punishment! Anyways – it only took a Pina Colada or two to get over that, and the kids played in the sand and ignored their meal anyway.We got a ride back to the house and settled in – and welcomed Sienna in to visit with the rain at midnight (when we got back to AIT we found that heavy rain had flooded part of the high school and washed out two of the roads.) We had breakfast each morning at Pacific Resort with the aid of our zippy Suzuki Swift (at an EXTREMELY preferential rate ;-) and did some shopping in town. We spent most of the time at the house where the kids lived in the pool. The boys are now diving for things on the bottom
of the pool and Jamie is doing rolly polly’s underwater. Sienna is paddling around in her water wings and starting to put her head underwater too.We did a bit of shopping in town for snorkling gear and hats and stuff, a $700 trip to the supermarket and a big box of meat and other stuff to take back to Aitutaki, and some awesome skirts made from recycled silk saris that can be worn 100 ways (so all in all I got 300 dresses!!!!). The boys spent a few mornings with the boys in the kids club - one whom is the son of Jamie's favourite teacher. The did treasure hunts, doughnut eating contests, used the hand rail in the pool as a slide and generally hung about. We had a nice morning kayaking on the lagoon with Bai
ley in his own boat (occasionally being towed by daddy).I went to see a doctor who was recommended to me by several people here. She is a Russian GP and Endocrynologist whose passion is integrating traditional medicines from different cultures into conventional medical practice. I ended up doing physical therapy sessions for 2 hours a day 4 days straight. She has some ideas that I can't quite get my head around but she found every single painful pressure point and knot in by back and arms and spent a lot of time using massage techniques to break down calcium crystals in my feet. It was agonising - I wept! I was quite shattered but straighter and more limber than I have been in years. Of course, her opinion of my arthritis differs significantly from my current doctor which puts my in an awkward spot really. I'm not quite sure what to do at present.
I’d like to say that we came back from Raro happy and refreshed, but the inevitable post-holiday catch up is dealing with that. Michael is working insane hours and the kids are playing up inevitably. We are having ever so much fun with Jamie's 4-year-old testosterone surge (super-powered in his case I'm sure) and sleep remains at a premium. So the Island is still lovely but I'm sad to say it feels like the honeymoon might just be over...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
It finally happened
As I sit here typing away, licking the chocolate cake mixture from my fingers, the chocolate cake that I made with my cake mixer and measuring cups, that will be decorated using my piping tools and colours... and look at my photos on the wall... and listen to Jamie riding his squeaky bike on the deck... you guessed it.. THE BOAT HAS ARRIVED!!!!!
At the end of last week we heard that the boat was due on Friday, so I ran (strolled quickly) down to the beach while the kids had breakfast and a beautiful sight awaited my - Voyage 115 (as it is known) - hovering outside the reef, cranes unfurled (??) lowering containers onto waiting barges which bring them through the reef and to the 'dock' in Arutanga (town).
Of course it was exciting to think that all our boxes would be arriving, but more exciting for the island was the arrival of the petrol. We ran out of gas 3 days before the boat arrived, though Michael had some in his work vehicle. Using the work car for school pickups is logistically problematic so we did as most of the island did - kept the kids home from school. The roads were very quiet - the only people moving about were those with deisel vehicles. Then at around mid morning, we heard a strange sound - cars! The fuel must have been the first thing off and in short order there were scooters and cars all over the place.
For the past 7-10 days it had felt like the island was slowly contracting, turning inwards and settling down into something akin to survival mode - unneccesary travel was eliminated, people ate what was in their cupboards instead of venturing out to the shops, fewer people were out and about and the ever present toots from passerby's vanished. It felt like the island was taking a bit of a nap. Then the boat arrived like an alarm clock going off and the island awoke and life started buzzing again.
We waited until late Friday to get our fuel, thinking that things would have settled down. Instead we parked ourselves in the queue at the Aquila station. We sat under the trees and shared our grumbles at the tour operator who had rolled up with a truck load of 44 gallon drums to fill, and the van that opened up to reveal half-a-dozen jerry cans. The rest of us in our cars and bikes slowly took our turn to fill up and 45 minutes later drove home with a feeling of freedom.
So for following days we watched people carrying jerry cans of various (illegal in NZ) descriptions on scooters and trucks alike and filling them to take home, either to fill other vehicles or to stash for later on - the later I suspect. It was the closest I have ever come to panic buying. And now a week later the sign outside the Aquila pumps says, predictably, "no containers being filled, limit for cars $20". The big problem with this is that for various, contentious reasons, V116 is not due for another 5 weeks.
The lions share of the blame belongs off the island though. Issue number 1 is that there is only one ship servicing the Cook Islands now - Reef Shipping. Towards the end of last year the second carrier, Pacific Fourm Line, decided that the run wasn't making them any money so they pulled out. The first effect of that was that there wasn't enough capacity and containers got left behind in Auckland. Those containers then started getting taken to Samoa so that the ship had to make longer runs - Auckland-Raro-Aitutaki-Nuie-Samoa-Rarotonga-Auckland.
So now the situation is that any delay during one voyage (such as cyclones Joni and Ken over the last few weeks, or making a diversion to Apia) slides into the schedule for the next voyage, resulting in any supplies that have been ordered to cover the estimated 4 week turnaround of a typical voyage needs to stretch out until the boat actually does arrive. Now because of the time frames involved, it is not as simple as ordering more - often the news of a ship diversion comes too late to order additional stock.
The second issue so far as fuel goes is that the fuel suppliers in NZ and Raro now demand payment in advance of shipping. The businesses here are too small to stump up with $30k plus to ensure adequate fuel supplies, and the more often fuel runs out, the worse the panic buying gets. Things might be improved by major purchasers - resorts and tour operators - paying up front to ensure their supply outside the supply for regular buyers, but it seems that either they are unable or unwilling to tie up their cash in that manor. (Happy to say that Pacific Resort is the exception!)
Woops, jumping off the soap box now!
So our boxes arrived, with suprising efficiency, on Saturday afternoon and the kids are in 7th heaven playing with their toys, I can finally do some baking and there are books to read, medicine cabinets to stock and photos to view. There are still half packed boxes everywhere, and stuff for Africa, but things are a lot more homely now.
xxJen
Mikey's Bit -
Now about work...so I've been at it for 11 weeks and I certainly feel at home at the resort. I like to think that there aren't many things I can't cope with but the odd thing creeps up to suprise me. On the face of it the resort is deservingly worthy of it's many awards and without a doubt guests love the place - the ambience and the setting are amazing. I constantly hear how much more beautiful we are than Taihiti, Fiji and even Hawaii, but it is the very charming and genuine service that guests seem to enjoy. There are a few areas that, after 7 years, are flagged for attention and will be my focus for the next few months. It's a challenge working 6 day a week - yes that's the standard for expats and I am looking forward to my first 3 month off island break.
There is never a dull moment - no matter how hard I try. New menu and wine list are due out in a week or so...I need to remember to take time to smell the roses (hibiscus anyway) but there's always something to make you smile ---
This week at a cocktail party for some travel agents one of the staff offered to pass around the cannabis - that's the small bite sized snacks you have for CANAPES and I was asked to order some more 'snoggles' - those are the tubes you breathe through when you're snorkeling!!!
xxM
At the end of last week we heard that the boat was due on Friday, so I ran (strolled quickly) down to the beach while the kids had breakfast and a beautiful sight awaited my - Voyage 115 (as it is known) - hovering outside the reef, cranes unfurled (??) lowering containers onto waiting barges which bring them through the reef and to the 'dock' in Arutanga (town).
Of course it was exciting to think that all our boxes would be arriving, but more exciting for the island was the arrival of the petrol. We ran out of gas 3 days before the boat arrived, though Michael had some in his work vehicle. Using the work car for school pickups is logistically problematic so we did as most of the island did - kept the kids home from school. The roads were very quiet - the only people moving about were those with deisel vehicles. Then at around mid morning, we heard a strange sound - cars! The fuel must have been the first thing off and in short order there were scooters and cars all over the place.
For the past 7-10 days it had felt like the island was slowly contracting, turning inwards and settling down into something akin to survival mode - unneccesary travel was eliminated, people ate what was in their cupboards instead of venturing out to the shops, fewer people were out and about and the ever present toots from passerby's vanished. It felt like the island was taking a bit of a nap. Then the boat arrived like an alarm clock going off and the island awoke and life started buzzing again.
We waited until late Friday to get our fuel, thinking that things would have settled down. Instead we parked ourselves in the queue at the Aquila station. We sat under the trees and shared our grumbles at the tour operator who had rolled up with a truck load of 44 gallon drums to fill, and the van that opened up to reveal half-a-dozen jerry cans. The rest of us in our cars and bikes slowly took our turn to fill up and 45 minutes later drove home with a feeling of freedom.
So for following days we watched people carrying jerry cans of various (illegal in NZ) descriptions on scooters and trucks alike and filling them to take home, either to fill other vehicles or to stash for later on - the later I suspect. It was the closest I have ever come to panic buying. And now a week later the sign outside the Aquila pumps says, predictably, "no containers being filled, limit for cars $20". The big problem with this is that for various, contentious reasons, V116 is not due for another 5 weeks.
The lions share of the blame belongs off the island though. Issue number 1 is that there is only one ship servicing the Cook Islands now - Reef Shipping. Towards the end of last year the second carrier, Pacific Fourm Line, decided that the run wasn't making them any money so they pulled out. The first effect of that was that there wasn't enough capacity and containers got left behind in Auckland. Those containers then started getting taken to Samoa so that the ship had to make longer runs - Auckland-Raro-Aitutaki-Nuie-Samoa-Rarotonga-Auckland.
So now the situation is that any delay during one voyage (such as cyclones Joni and Ken over the last few weeks, or making a diversion to Apia) slides into the schedule for the next voyage, resulting in any supplies that have been ordered to cover the estimated 4 week turnaround of a typical voyage needs to stretch out until the boat actually does arrive. Now because of the time frames involved, it is not as simple as ordering more - often the news of a ship diversion comes too late to order additional stock.
The second issue so far as fuel goes is that the fuel suppliers in NZ and Raro now demand payment in advance of shipping. The businesses here are too small to stump up with $30k plus to ensure adequate fuel supplies, and the more often fuel runs out, the worse the panic buying gets. Things might be improved by major purchasers - resorts and tour operators - paying up front to ensure their supply outside the supply for regular buyers, but it seems that either they are unable or unwilling to tie up their cash in that manor. (Happy to say that Pacific Resort is the exception!)
Woops, jumping off the soap box now!
So our boxes arrived, with suprising efficiency, on Saturday afternoon and the kids are in 7th heaven playing with their toys, I can finally do some baking and there are books to read, medicine cabinets to stock and photos to view. There are still half packed boxes everywhere, and stuff for Africa, but things are a lot more homely now.xxJen
Mikey's Bit -
Now about work...so I've been at it for 11 weeks and I certainly feel at home at the resort. I like to think that there aren't many things I can't cope with but the odd thing creeps up to suprise me. On the face of it the resort is deservingly worthy of it's many awards and without a doubt guests love the place - the ambience and the setting are amazing. I constantly hear how much more beautiful we are than Taihiti, Fiji and even Hawaii, but it is the very charming and genuine service that guests seem to enjoy. There are a few areas that, after 7 years, are flagged for attention and will be my focus for the next few months. It's a challenge working 6 day a week - yes that's the standard for expats and I am looking forward to my first 3 month off island break.
There is never a dull moment - no matter how hard I try. New menu and wine list are due out in a week or so...I need to remember to take time to smell the roses (hibiscus anyway) but there's always something to make you smile ---
This week at a cocktail party for some travel agents one of the staff offered to pass around the cannabis - that's the small bite sized snacks you have for CANAPES and I was asked to order some more 'snoggles' - those are the tubes you breathe through when you're snorkeling!!!
xxM
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