Once upon a time, Heather and I travelled far away to the small Pacific Island of Atiu, which is one of the Cook Islands.  Atiu is also known as Enuamanu, the “land of the birds”.  It’s a good name for the place.

The above is the endemic kingfisher found there, known variously as the Chattering Kingfisher, Atiu Kingfisher, or Ngōtare (Todiramphus tutus).

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The approach…

I for one would NOT want to land a small boat, or, god forbid have to swim ashore here.

The fossilised coral limestone (makatea) is incrediby sharp, making things tough on sneakers, sandals or a misplaced elbow… Ask me how I know…

The airport terminal is fantastic.

Some of the locals arriving home…at the time I was told the population was about 300 people – I believe now it’s a bit less that 600.

This is Villa 6 at the appropriately-named “Atiu Villas”.
absolutely no complaint from ME

What a peaceful place…

Form and colour

More form, and more colour

I have no idea about the species.

On the way to Taungaroro Beach…
…the hitchhiking actually proved to be pretty easy.

I literally had NO idea that this is how pineapples grew…
so it was a very eye-opening experience to walk into this particular field, look around…
… and say “holy crap I did NOT know that!”

I know not the species

Another crummy photo. I think it’s a Pacific golden plover (Pluvialis fulva)

Heavy rush hour traffic in Areora Village

Downtown Teenui Village

Local schoolgirls

Absolutely treacherous makatea, but fantastic beaches here and there.

Local fisherman

Another local fisherman

Lousy shot I know, but I’m pretty sure this is likely to be the only shot of a Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) I’m ever likely to get …so, tough!

No idea of the species, but I rather liked the pose…

I believe this is where Captain Cook landed in 1777

More Chattering Kingfishers, which kind of made up for my complete photographic failure with the Cave Swiftlets… Sigh…

Pacific reef heron (Egretta sacra)

I really think this qualified as a “once in a lifetime meal”.

All to soon it was time to leave.

And did I mention that the beaches were really, REALLY nice?