Things you need to know about the units
All the units except unit two are open plan studio style. The units are free standing surrounded by their own gardens. They are self contained and self servicing.There is a 2 burner gas cooker, fridge, electric jug, toaster and electric frying pan in each unit except unit two which has a gas stove/oven.The units are not serviced on a daily basis nor are the sheets and towels changed daily; we do service the unit on the 4th day. We suggest you hang your towels/bath mats out to air on the lines provided at your unit. If you prefer to service your own unit let Shona know and she will only be too happy to give you the necessary cleaning equipment.

Electricity.
Power here is fuelled by diesel which has to be imported and it is very expensive. So please turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Do however leave an outside light on when you go out at night; we don’t expect you to stumble around in the dark.
We don’t have electric fans or air conditioning – this is reflected in the price you are charged to stay here.
If you are feeling uncomfortably hot we suggest you do what the locals do - remove all your clothes, buy a hand held fan, or better still get someone to fan you. Look for somewhere breezy to sit.

Water.
Units one, two, three and four are heated by solar power. Please bear with us when it has been raining for a couple of days in a row as your hot water may run out. Units five and six operate on gas so please notify Shona if you have no hot water so the gas bottles can be changed.
We advise you not to drink straight from the tap you can purchase bottled water at a reasonable price from the local shops.
We have noticed that after a heavy rainfall we often have no water or little pressure. This is because the water pipes are blocked and need clearing or our own filters need clearing.

Phone.
There are no phones in the unit. There is a phone in the office you may use. Overseas calls may be made using a phone card, which can be purchased at any of the local shops. Telecom Cook Islands is located in main town Avarua and is open 24/7.

Laundry
This is five dollars a load – Let Shona know and she will wash and hang it out for you. She doesn’t iron, good luck if you ask her. An iron and ironing board is available on request.

Rubbish
Collection days are Monday and Friday. Bins are on the road and please separate your rubbish for recycling. Food scraps can be placed in plastic bags and given to Shona for the resident pig.


The Bus
This stops right outside our gate just flag it down. A bus time table should be in your unit. The bus drivers are very friendly and act as unofficial tour guides. They will assist you with the rates and times of the bus.

The Beach
Across the road is rocky and generally not suitable for swimming. It is great for fishing, reef walking and shell collecting. While the locals surf out there we suggest you check with Shona first before you venture out. It is an ideal beach for sunbathing. For snorkeling we suggest you go to the beach opposite the Fruits of Rarotonga in Ngatangiia, it is a reserve area. For swimming you should try Muri Lagoon or Black Rock.

The Shop
Turn left at the entrance - walk for one minute and you come to our local petrol station/store. This is open from 6am until 8pm seven days a week. You can purchase practically anything there and the prices are reasonable.

The Crime Rate.
This is practically non existent in our area however there is always a first time. There are safes in the units and we suggest you place your passports there and other valuables especially if you are going to the beach for the day.

Visitors/Vehicles
If you are have visitors we ask that they leave at a reasonable hour and that they park in the front area. We just ask that you use your commonsense and have some respect for others who are staying here. This also applies to Shona! Guests vehicles are the only ones that are allowed inside the yard and you may park by your unit.
We generally do not encourage people apart from guests to move freely around the property and please feel free to question who ever you see wandering around. This is to ensure the privacy and safety of our guests.

Pesky bugs.
Unfortunately this is the price that we pay for living in paradise. The units are treated regularly for bugs and it does help if you keep food packed away and the kitchen benches clean and wiped down. There are no dangerous or life threatening insects/bugs here only ugly ones and ones that can deliver a sting.
Check your shoes before you put them on and shake your socks or any other clothes that may have been on the ground. You don’t want any surprises!

The Garden.
Each of the units is surrounded by its own tropical garden with an abundance of pawpaw and banana trees. Please feel free to pick the fruit otherwise it gets fed to the pig. Shona has also planted herbs for your use and there is also an abundance of chilly trees. The garden has a variety of local plants and is a great delight to visitors.


The Whales.
The season is from July to October and the sea passage opposite our property is a great place to see them. They are often sighted playing there. The whales come quite close to shore and can be heard from the units. They do make quite a bit of noise!