They can't get rid of us now!

Two years ago today, we landed in "windy Wellington" to start our newest adventure.

It's more than an anniversary. It's a major milestone as an NZ immigrant.

When you first get residency, to all intents and purposes, you are a permanent resident. But they put a two-year restriction on your visa. If you remain in country, it doesn't matter. But if you want to travel anywhere, you wouldn't be able to get back in after those two years is up.

So, once you've got through those first 24 months, you can then apply for your "proper" permanent resident visa, that doesn't expire. Ever. Providing you've demonstrated "commitment" to NZ.

Today, Ian trooped down to our local immigration office with paperwork and passports in hand. And now we have some shiny new visas in our passports that mean we could leave tomorrow and not return for another 20 years. But we'd still be eligible to live and work here.

Not that we're planning on moving any time soon! But it does mean that these kiwis can't get rid of us now!

A free scenic flight

While we were in Raro, we'd seen ads for a short scenic flight around the island. It was something we fancied, but we never got round to it.

Well, Annalie got a free one as we departed. Her window seat on the left hand side afforded a fantastic view of the island after take off.

Kind of shows how small the island actually is!

All good things must come to an end

After 8 days of bliss on a South Pacific paradise island, we're awaiting our flight home.

On the drive to the airport, we once again glimpsed some whales playing in the surf. It kinda summed up the holiday really.

The only thing that makes our trip home a bit more bearable is the fact that we got upgraded to business class.

Strangely, Air NZ uses a 777 for its Sunday afternoon flight. But it gave us the opportunity to bid for an upgrade using our loyalty scheme dollars.

They use an auction approach to allocate upgrades. So we put in a bid that was below "strong", not hopeful of a win. But win we did. So now we're enjoying the delights of the (tiny) business class lounge in Raro before heading home.

It's been a fabulous 8 days. And I reckon we'll be back. Hopefully we won't wait another 6 years before our next beach holiday! But what next?

A whale of a time

Its certainly true that some of the best things in life are free, and that had been proven to us on this trip.

On day 3, we paid to do a 4x4 safari around the island. It was an excellent trip, introducing us to the customs and culture of the Cook Islands.

But all the sights of the trip were surpassed that same afternoon when a whale was spotted just beyond the reef outside our hotel. The whale came up for air several times, blowing water sky high and taking some well earned breaths. Then it would treat us to the sight of its magnificent fluke as it dove down to fish. Magical.

As we'd been told we were "in between" the whale seasons, we were really pleased to spot this lonesome beast making its way up the coast.

But the following day, that show was to be outdone. Yet again in the late afternoon sun, a whale was once again spotted just beyond the reef. It had its fin in the air and seemed to be waving at us all!

As Ian was resting in the room, out of the sun, Annalie ran back to get him and his "big guns" camera to see if he could also capture this sight.

After a few more waves at the beach, the whale then decided to really show off and breached. Not once but four times, thus confirming it was, indeed, a humpback.

It was truly magnificent to see one of these ocean giants make its way up the coast in the most spectacular fashion. It's certainly something that will be lodged in the memory banks for an awfully long time to come. An unforgettable moment.

And the best thing? We didn't pay a cent extra to see it. Mother Nature can be awfully charitable sometimes.

Green beer

On day 2 of our tropical holiday, we visited the biggest (and only!) brewery in the Cook Islands. As you can see, there's not a lot to it!

However, it's not about size, it's about quality. These guys are related to a brewing family just outside Wellington. When they upsized, the Matutu brewery got first dibs on their old gear, and off they went. And a fine brew they produce.

The brewery do their bit for the environment and encourage recycling. So much do that if you go to buy some beer direct from the brewery, it turns up disguised as water ;-)

Finishing the days in style

Thanks to being on the western side of the island, we're being treated to some stunning sunsets.

We're only on day 2, but I'm not sure we can tire of days ending like this...

Paradise. Found

We've arrived on our first beach holiday in exactly 6 years. The Cook Islands. Rarotonga to be precise.

A 1 am arrival time meant we didn't get the chance to see much of the place when we first got here. But our beachfront room afforded us this view to wake up to...