The Sea Calls Me

nicolemchaffin
Jun 25, 2017
4 min read

Rarotonga, Cook Islands - May 2017

Henry Thoreau said, “Our life is frittered away by detail...simplify, simplify.”

This quote speaks to me. It speaks both as a gentle correction and as a hopeful reminder.

Rarotonga is that quote in island form. No internet. No cell phone service. Limited tourists and unlimited Robinson Crusoe moments. Quiet beaches. Abundant life flowing beneath the water’s surface. Mountains holding the life and whispers of the ancestors. And one of the most beautiful places on this earth.

If I were to ask you where the Cook Islands were, chances are you may not know. I didn’t. If you looked it up on a map, it’s in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, with no other land around for miles. It truly is out in the middle of the sea.Off the beaten path and completely disconnected from the world around it. The perfect place for rest, renewal and a fresh perspective.

I learned three important lessons on this trip.

1. Travel teaches you. This is a life mantra, you guys. And this trip, Professor Travel taught me that you can do more than you think you can. Going out on a limb and taking a risk brings some amazing rewards. You’ll never know if you never try. By risking much, you have much to gain. The flight was 10 hours long across the sea. I’ve traveled longer in total segments, but it was the longest I had been in a plane at any given time, and it was one of the easiest and most lovely flights I have done. We were two of a handful of Americans in a virtually uncharted island and it was grand. To be the adventurers willing to go far and wide in search of the unknown. Future trip goal - to go further and take the chance and be open to possibilities. The original Islanders were voyagers. “Cook Islanders are true Polynesians, the finest seafarers of the vast Pacific, voyagers on frail canoes who felt at home on the ocean and who travelled across its huge wastes in search of new lands and new beginnings.” *

2. Being nice to other humans is an amazing adventure that is full of opportunity. We met some of the nicest people on this trip. Kiwis have a reputation of being wonderful and they originally descended from the Cook Islanders, so of course it makes sense that the locals were kind, generous, hospitable and genuine. The tourists that we met were also incredibly gracious - in particular our German friend and Kiwi friend. M was from Bavaria (be still my heart) and we unintentionally shared a meal with her our first night and became fast friends, spending many moments together. She and I are pen pals and she insists on us visiting Munich as soon as possible. S was from New Zealand and also opened up her home to us after chatting throughout an evening of wine and live music. It humbles me and fills me with hope that folks around the world are so hospitable to complete strangers in the name of community and experiencing a local culture. I wish more of that happened in this country!

3.Dive in fully to the local culture you are visiting, embracing customs and possibilities and being willing to step out of your comfort zone to meet someone new. This is sort of a bulleted line item to number two, but the richness and beauty in how others live and eat and see the world is an unparalleled experience. From the local fresh fish and fruit (I still dream of the local fruit dessert - paw paw crepes) to the young coconut leaves with milk (the best version of creamed Spinach you could ever consume) - everything is harvested there. The coconut is used for everything and nothing is wasted. The locals have a deep sense of heritage and pride regarding their ancestors and customs that were started so many years ago. See more on a traditional Maori ceremony below in pictures from the Highland Paradise. I also swore an oath to be a travel agent for the paradise, so if you need any assistance or have questions, I’ve got you covered.

*This is Moana’s island. A bonus bullet point for those of you that love the sea or have seen the movie. Seriously. The mountains, the stone spire at the top, the lagoon, not being able to go beyond the reef and the obsession with the glorious coconut and its many uses.

I could write and write in detail about what we did everyday or the places we visited and the activities we did, but it can be summed up in one sentence - experiencing and enjoying life while actively seeking out local culture and the ocean. Pictures can speak better than I ever could, so please enjoy this gallery and commentary below. If there is something more you want to know, write to me and I’ll happily answer any questions you have! Also, shameless plug for Julie’s Travel Desk in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Hollis and Melinda are travel rockstars and made this trip a reality. http://www.juliestravel.com/