Initial thoughts on life abroad..

After four weeks of chattering fingernails, scratching my head, and questioning the decision, I have finally arrived in Rarotonga :)

Having only finished up at Sportal NZ on Sunday morning at an unpleasant 2.30am, there hasn't really been enough time for me to realise just what I have got myself into.

Needless to say, the many hours I'm sure to spend strolling the streets, soaking up all of the sun, sand and beautiful sounds of the Pacific will ensure that what I've done is the right thing.

It's funny, really. People called me brave for venturing out of my comfort zone, for 'stepping into the unknown'. The fact of the matter is sometimes you need a little adventure in life, a little reminder of how decent things are back home, wherever that may be.

And it hasn't taken me long to realise how well I had it in Auckland.

Wasps. I'm not usually a fan of anything that has the potential to introduce me to a new level of pain and the Rarotongan wasps are no different. In fact, they almost look like the overweight uncles of their Kiwi counterparts which has me nervously thinking about my imminent sleep.

I managed to track down my editor at the Cook Islands News - John Woods - at Auckland International Airport. A wonderful man, he introduced me to his family before we all went and waited at the Koru Lounge.

The flight was fantastic - 21 Jump Street was fantastic by the way - and we arrived ahead of schedule. Weary, I got off the plane only for immigration to ask me for a proof of purchase or warranty for my computer, which I brought over. Seeing as I didn't have such thing - it's four years old so the warranty has since become void - I had to unpack the computer - as well as the clothing inside the box that couldn't fit in my bag - as directed.

It was my first drama, all after an hour of being in Raro. 

Still, from there it was a smooth sailing, complete with two fragrant leis that are acting as my air freshener at this stage. 

It's all still a bit surreal. Part of me feels like I'm back in Tahiti, when I went on exchange there in 2004. Yet another part senses this really is the start of a whole new adventure.

It will take a while for the whole experience to sink in, no doubt, but for now there's no time to settle in and chill out for a few days - I start tomorrow morning.

From one rush to another, but so far I'm doing well.