NIUE ISLAND.
Niue Island is a country in the South Pacific Ocean 2,400km northwest of New Zealand and within the triangle of Tonga, Samoa and Cook Islands.
The land area is 260 square km and its population predominantly polynesian is around 1400.
They commonly refer to the Island as the Rock. All Niueans are New Zealand citizens. 90-95% of Niuean people live in New Zealand.
The general formation of the island takes the shape of two terraces, the lower terrace being 28m above sea level and the upper terrace is about 69m above sea level.
The islands isolation and coral makeup creates an exciting rugged coastline and reef which provides swimming coves as opposed to the typical long stretches of sandy beaches so predominant elsewhere in polynesia. The island is dotted with caves and sheltered rocky coves.
The island has 14 villages which we will slowly explore over the week.
The residents enjoy dual citizenship, as a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand. We have already picked up that the locals are very respectful and friendly to the visitors.
Getting back to when we left NZ this morning, we got up at 5.30am , picked up at 6.45am to catch our flight NZ 784 at 9.25am.
We were sitting in the plane 10 mins early for take off to get the anouncement from the captain that a passenger hadn't turned up who checked in early this morning. We then had to wait while they took the bags off the plane making us 20 minutes late for take off. The captain made up time and we did the trip in 3 hours and five minutes. I think that it can take 3 hours 20 normally.It was 30 degrees when we landed.
We have gone back one day and having Friday all over again. We are exactly 24hours behind NZ.
The hotel is good but haven't really had a good look around yet. Very nice new room with airconditioning and a fan. Going down shortly for their fish and chip buffet tonight. Just come in from sitting on our deck having a drink. Very pleasant, we are in the new delux superior wing all on one level and our own balcony' looking over the ocean. We are several metres up from sea leval on a cliff edge.
As we landed it was overcast which we were expecting as we has seen the weather before we left NZ that there was going to be thunderstorms this afternoon. We only got a few spits on the windscreen of the car and by the time we were sitting on our deck at 5.00pm having a drink it was a beautiful evening. Sun out but partly cloudy. But staff here told us that the island is quite different around the different villages as it can be raining in one part and never get rain in another.
We picked up our car at the airport a Nissan something and will take a photo tomorrow. Never seen one like it previously. Is actually automatic with air conditioning which isn't costing us anything as part of our special package that had a car thrown in.
Just going down for fish and chip dinner. Will continue later.
Later: Back from dinner. No fish on the island so I had Chicken and Pete had beef. Funnily enough no fish available today!!! and it is a great fishinging island. Strange, and also they only have one cow on the island!!!! we were told.
We will learn more as we travel around.
The general formation of the island takes the shape of two terraces, the lower terrace being 28m above sea level and the upper terrace is about 69m above sea level.
The islands isolation and coral makeup creates an exciting rugged coastline and reef which provides swimming coves as opposed to the typical long stretches of sandy beaches so predominant elsewhere in polynesia. The island is dotted with caves and sheltered rocky coves.
The island has 14 villages which we will slowly explore over the week.
The residents enjoy dual citizenship, as a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand. We have already picked up that the locals are very respectful and friendly to the visitors.
Getting back to when we left NZ this morning, we got up at 5.30am , picked up at 6.45am to catch our flight NZ 784 at 9.25am.
We were sitting in the plane 10 mins early for take off to get the anouncement from the captain that a passenger hadn't turned up who checked in early this morning. We then had to wait while they took the bags off the plane making us 20 minutes late for take off. The captain made up time and we did the trip in 3 hours and five minutes. I think that it can take 3 hours 20 normally.It was 30 degrees when we landed.
We have gone back one day and having Friday all over again. We are exactly 24hours behind NZ.
The hotel is good but haven't really had a good look around yet. Very nice new room with airconditioning and a fan. Going down shortly for their fish and chip buffet tonight. Just come in from sitting on our deck having a drink. Very pleasant, we are in the new delux superior wing all on one level and our own balcony' looking over the ocean. We are several metres up from sea leval on a cliff edge.
As we landed it was overcast which we were expecting as we has seen the weather before we left NZ that there was going to be thunderstorms this afternoon. We only got a few spits on the windscreen of the car and by the time we were sitting on our deck at 5.00pm having a drink it was a beautiful evening. Sun out but partly cloudy. But staff here told us that the island is quite different around the different villages as it can be raining in one part and never get rain in another.
We picked up our car at the airport a Nissan something and will take a photo tomorrow. Never seen one like it previously. Is actually automatic with air conditioning which isn't costing us anything as part of our special package that had a car thrown in.
Just going down for fish and chip dinner. Will continue later.
Later: Back from dinner. No fish on the island so I had Chicken and Pete had beef. Funnily enough no fish available today!!! and it is a great fishinging island. Strange, and also they only have one cow on the island!!!! we were told.
We will learn more as we travel around.
Matavai hotel, our room
These coconuts were given to us on arrival at the hotel complete with straws to try the coconut milk. O.K. but couldn't drink it all.
View looking out from our room over our balcony
First evening, first drink. Sitting on our balcony
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