The Day before the big Day!

Mitchy was a bit off before the day of our flight, and when we arrived at the airport we discovered he had broken through a molar, missed at least a whole tooth and had grown a molar!  On the other side he had what looked like a big bruise under his gum where the second one was about to cut through.  So needless to say he was upset, clingy, unwell and just needed his Mummy the few days before the wedding.  Poor wee mite.

We spent Sunday at Akitua, the island on which the Lagoon resort and spa was built.  In this part of the lagoon the water is like an azure blue.  It surprises me though how manicured this setting is, and how they have altered the landscape to have the stereotypical white sands and blue water.  It is an incredible location that you can only get to by a 20 metre or so ferry ride.  When Craig and I visited back in 2004 or so there was a walk bridge to get there.  The cyclone of 2010 destroyed the bridge.  But there is something about the artificial-ness of this groomed environment that doesn't sit well with us.  I would have liked to have gone to Honeymoon island, it is very new.  A built up sand bar that is slowly growing new trees, covered in Hermit Crabs Craig tells me!

However at Akitua, Rochelle and Kurt tried stand up paddle boarding.  Rochelle had a mantaray try to climb on board her SUP.  There is a channel that runs along the beach, and it is just a short swim to get to a sandbar that is enormous and slightly submerged.  I think Steve and Dale managed to get some good photos on this day, so i look forward to seeing them.

Anyway, just a little bit at a time.  I have Craig in cadell's bed with a probable Dengue Fever diagnosis, and I'm at just after midnight to assess and observe and feed him water.  Cadell is in my bed recovering from a high temperature today, and I'm expecting it will rise again tonight.  Here is Sacha's brilliant photo she posted today

The Adventure begins

Me, the boys, Craig and Rochelle set off just after 6am to get to the airport.  In the excitement of unpacking the car at the airport, I left my phone in the car - the first and pretty much only mistake of the entire trip.

At our departure gate, Cadell went as white as a ghost and was shaking like a leaf.  he had talked himself into being sick on the plane again as he did when we came home from KL when he was 2.  By the time the plane taxied out to the runway he had settled down and being seated by the wing, Mitch was pretty excited too.  As we took off all anxiety was swept away from Cadell and he giggled excitedly as we lifted off.

There were about 9 couples on the plane going to get married in Rarotonga, we were the lucky party of 27 heading on to Aitutaki, and I'm pretty sure the only ones with an awesome wedding cake on board.

When we arrived at Raro the airport staff were trying to push several people through to get on an early flight.  But they wouldn't take Craig and I and the two boys so Scott, Mitchell and I boarded the early flight along with Sacha, Dale, Chris and Marco.

Fortunately our wedding planner happened to be at the airport to take us to our accommodation. It was wonderful to finally meet Annie and also to arrive at Are-tai our amazing accommodation.

Thanks to Scott he managed to settle Mitchell as a few hours later Annie and I set off to the airport again to meet the rest of the wedding party and Craig and I went to the justice department to fill out the wedding paper work.  Lucky Aitutaki is relaxed, because I clean forgot to arrange our birth certificates! 

Saturday; Gene had arranged an awesome day for the boys, they didn't get to have ALL the fun planned but still they all enjoyed swimming with the Giant Trevally at Honeymoon Island, a real treat.

Us girls spent the day at our house, having a few quiet drinks while Mitchy clung to me, and was not interested in anyone else but me and later the Lovely Olivia (thnak goodness for Livi!)  Our poor baby cut a molar before we left, and another while we were there, i suspect the bottom two won't be far away.

Sunday; our boys and I headed for Akitua.  We struck amazing weather there.  Rochelle, Craig, Kurt and a few others tried Stand Up Paddle Boarding, and we had a great lunch at the Flying Boat Bar where our reception would be held.

Which leads to Monday - Wedding day!  Which I will post about at another time because finally all the boys are asleep in the house and I should also sleep!

Aitutaki Wedding

Packing Food

I have been talking to Ros and Gene about taking food.  Ros said all the basics are there, though there isn't much variety.

We will be taking these things, mainly to feed our boys...

• canned creamed rice
• canned tuna
• crackers (apple and cinnamon grain crackers, grain wafers)
• pasta ready meals
• weet-bix
• peanut butter
• and hopefully a frozen loaf of bread because our boys eat bread like its going out of fashion

Wine sells for $20-$25 a bottle, Oyster Bay $24

Also another note on dress for our wedding day:  be comfortable, guys please don't wear long pants you will cook!  In the evening bring something to add a layer on in case it gets cooler

The evening function is being held at the Flying Boat Beach Bar and grill at Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa.  Transfers have been arranged but need to be paid for $15 one way and $20 return.  Canapes will be served and we will run a tab, meals can be bought from the restaurant.

The lagoon cruise is arranged through Bishops who know where all of our guests are staying.  You will be picked up around 9:30/45am and taken to Ootu Beach where the boat leaves from.  We will return around 4pm and you will be taken back to your accommodation.  Transport for the evening function is likely to pick you up around 6:30pm

Craig and I are meeting with the wedding planner as soon as we get off the plane to go and sign all official documents, then again to go through the run of the day, then meeting with staff at Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa.  So things could change, just relax and remember you are on holiday, it will be "Island Time"

See you in Aitutaki or at the Airport!  We will rock that plane!!! 27 of us on board our flight, Craig and I plan to upgrade to business class and leave the boys with the rest of you!  Poor other passengers on our plane!

Especially for Scott....

Thanks for getting back to us with your RSVP.

Currently the plan for our wedding day is as follows:

9:15/30am guests will be picked up from their accommodation and taken to the "Lagoon Lova" boat.

9:30/45am The Lagoon crusie will leave heading for "One Foot Island" or "Tapuaetai" (its local name)
This is a lagoon cruise.... it will be approximately 30-45minutes.  Craig will be on board, as will the wedding planner (Annie) I believe, and a bit of local entertainment.
The bride and bridesmaids, Sacha and celebrant will go to the island on board the "Jaguar".  Ooooo, exciting!

We will have the ceremony, photos, lunch then free time for swimming and snorkelling. Snorkeling gear is available on the boat as are towels.  Feel free to bring your own.

We are expecting you to be in comfortable, cool, tidy beach dress.  I, for one am planning on getting in the water ASAP, so it will be off with the wedding dress and on with bikini, mask, snorkel and flippers!  We should be able to change on board the boat which will stay at the island unless it takes us out for snorkeling at "Heaven" or "Honeymoon Island".  There is the "Post Office" hut on one foot owned by Bishops Cruises.  This is where you can seek refuge from the sun, where we will have lunch and bring your passport to be stamped with a "One Foot" stamp.

Bubbles will be available for toasting, but we have requested minimal alcoholic drinks while on the island as it is hot, hot, hot.  That and swimming and we didn't want to be having to rescue anyone! We have about 15 parasols for our guests to help beat the heat too.

At around 1pm the Jaguar will leave Tapuaetai, to return the celebrant to the main island. If need be people can return home on this.

3:00pm ish (island time don't forget) The Lagoon Lova will head back to the main island.  Transport will be waiting for you to take you back to your accommodation to rest, freshen up, eat if you have to.

6:30pm You are invited to "Akitua" the "Lagoon Resort and Spa" to have nibbles, cake and subsidised cocktails. Meals will be available for you to buy.  There may be a few speeches too.  Since there are a large group of us staying at Paradise Cove and other accommodation on the other side of the island, I have asked if transport can be available.  We didn't want drunken and injured scooter rides home in the middle of the night! It will be $10 per person, or $15 return trip.  Pick up is at 6:30pm and drop off at 11:30ish

For the boys, Gene is arranging a stag do day on Saturday.  Not sure what that entails as of yet, Motu Survivor and golf I have heard among other things!

FLIGHTS

Right! Our onto it bridesmaids (3 of the four) have booked their flights and accommodation already!

Well done my girls, and Rory!

Here are the flight details:

Depart: Auckland 9:00 am Sat 4 May.
Arrive: Cook Is (Aitutaki) 6:50 pm Fri 3 May.
Flight number(s): NZ0046:NZ4030.
The Akld-Raro flight arrives at 2:55pm  Raro-Aitutaki leaves at 6pm so a 3hour stop.

Depart: Cook Is (Aitutaki) 4:40 pm Thu 9 May.
Arrive: Auckland 8:50 pm Fri 10 May.
Flight number(s): NZ4029:NZ0045.

These flights have a short stopover (a few hours) in Raro.

We are likely to head over on the same flight and return a day later. Meaning our family will be staying 7 nights. Details below...
Return Flights:

Depart Aitutaki Friday 10 May 7:10pm
Arrive Raro Friday 10 May 8:00pm
NZ743
Depart Raro Friday, 10 May 10:10pm
Arrive Akld Sunday, 12 May 12:40am

Please feel free to email Paradise Cove directly to book your accommodation, and tell them you are a part of our wedding party.  If you contact Kaylene, tell her that they have quoted us $135 per night, plus a 4% credit card fee.  Paradise Cove would like a 2 night deposit which is about $280 incl. credit card fee.

I'm hoping that with a heap of us on the flight from Auckland to Rarotonga we can sweet talk our way into the Koru lounge!  Who is the most persuasive person coming with us - Rory perhaps?  Scott?

PACKAGES

After many hours swearing, cursing, pulling my hair out and feeding Mitchell, while sending emails scouring the net and making phone calls - this is going to be the easiest thing to do...

Book a package through Kaylene at Flight Centre, Chartwell. She is magnificent!!!

She planned our trip over to Switzerland for us last year, and is going to put together our package for our wedding.  She will then fit you all in around our flights and wedding day.  (She is also gorgeous, wink, wink nudge nudge youngest and single brother in law!!!)

Her contact details are...

E: kaylene.johnstone.nz@flightcentre.co.nz
P: 07 854 7200

She said if you can make an appointment to come in that is ideal.  Face to face clients take priority I believe. Feel free to email her your plans eg wanting to stop over in Raro, don't mind flying with Virgin Pacific arriving in the wee hours etc., and then if you can make a time to see her.

After talking to a few people we are moving the actual wedding day to

Monday May 6.

This means that you will need to take less time off work, and for those with kids or teachers it means you can leave in the holidays, hopefully making the logistics of childcare a little easier too.

Kaylene is looking into 5 night and 7 night packages for us at the moment and will email me when specials come out.

I'll post details of our flights etc once they are booked on this blog to help you all make your plans.

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