Aitutaki Madness

February 4, 2013 by · 15 Comments

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I think it’s finally starting to sink in that in two weeks i’m going to be on holidays, surrounded by beautiful water and scenery. Part of me thinks I should be more excited,though I guess, for me, I am excited. I don’t really allow myself to get excited anymore. I think once I touch down in Aitutaki, it will finally hit me. I know that’s when it really did when I went to New Zealand.

I’m worried about how I will go without constant internet access. While most days I don’t turn my laptop on until the afternoon, I always have my ipad on me, always connected. I think if I was with a boyfriend/partner it wouldn’t be as much of an issue, but I’m going with my Sister, her fiance & my nephew. I often use the internet as a way to ‘unwind & relax’. Hopefully the whole ‘being on an island paradise’ will be enough of relax me.

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I’m also worried about sunburn. I will be slip, slop, slapping very regularly, but even when I did that New Years Day a few years ago, I ended up with 2nd degree burns (picture). I burn easily and pretty instantly. I’ll be trying my very best not to get burnt, but if you have any suggestions, let me know!

I figured I should start writing my packing list, I already have the basics of everything I want to take in my head, but it’s always better to write things out. I am forgetful. I still need to buy snorkel & goggles. I’m considering buying a waterproof camera. Trying to decide if 4 swimming costumes is enough for 2 weeks on an island.

Have I missed anything? What else should I pack?

Apart from packing list, photos were found on my sisters pinterest.

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  • http://twitter.com/Ilaeria Jennifer Doherty

    Ohhhhh, I’m so jealous! The Cook Islands are so beautiful. I went when I was eleven, although we didn’t make it over to Aitutaki – we just stayed on Rarotonga. You can just walk out in the water and stick your head under and you’re surrounded by fish. Because the Cook Islands have such a close relationship with NZ (and use NZ currency etc), it’s quite common for Kiwis to holiday there, but hardly any Aussies go and most haven’t even heard of the place. Make sure you have a sarong or kaftan and more than one swimsuit, and take plenty of sunscreen!

  • Sarah

    It looks so beautiful. I bet you will have an amazing time. You deserve it!

    Everybody always told me to take less than you think you need. I disagreed with that but ended up with way more than I needed anyway.

    Enjoy the sun without getting burnt seems to be my best advice:)

  • Sophie

    Wow, I’m sufficiently jealous! Looks amazing. Hoping to see photos on your blog when you get back!

    I burn easily too. My advice isn’t much out of the ordinary of slip, slop, slap: wear a hat (my scalp always gets burned otherwise, and you can’t put sunblock in your hair!), sunblock before you get outside and reapply every hour or so just to be safe. Beach umbrellas are worth the effort. Bring a t-shirt or dress cover up in case you suspect you’re getting to much sun, you can chuck it on. Also, take after sun lotion and aloe vera spray just in case. That vanilla scented aloe vera spray by BananaBoat is devine to spritz on, with or without burn.

  • http://justmeleah.blogspot.co.uk/ Just Me Leah

    Oh lawd, I can’t wait to see your photos when you come back. I need to live vicariously through you! Pinterest is as close to this idyll as I’ll ever get :P

  • Kathryn OHalloran

    You are thinking of taking dye with you? I’d be too scared it’d spill all though my luggage. I’d just pack some head scarves and sun hat.

  • http://rachelindisguise.blogspot.com/ Rachel

    That place looks so amazing! I second the aloe vera suggestion! Even if you do get sunburnt it’s a lifesaver. I got really badly burnt once on my forehead, which puffed up, blistered etc and cold aloe straight from the fridge fixed it up really quickly!

  • http://extralargeaslife.com/ Natalie Mulford

    I already have an after sun aloe vera spray to take! I forgot to add it to the list, but it’s sitting next to my sunscreen so I remember. I’ve never used it before, but I noticed it at the shops a few weeks back and bought some!

  • http://extralargeaslife.com/ Natalie Mulford

    I was thinking that too, but I’m a little worried how my hair will take the water. When the dye fades on my hair, I no longer have the protection from the colour, and my hair gets more dry and brittle from the blonde. Though i’m thinking if I dye my hair a few days before I leave it should be fine. And I’m def packing scarves and hats!

  • http://extralargeaslife.com/ Natalie Mulford

    It still feels a bit surreal that i’ll be going somewhere so pretty. I’m usually more a country or rainforest person, so it will be interesting to see if the beauty can convert me into a beach person.

  • http://extralargeaslife.com/ Natalie Mulford

    I’ll be hopefully taking LOTS of photos!

    I’ve got some after sun spray, it’s aloe vera and banana boat, but I don’t know if it’s vanila as I haven’t tried it yet. I’ll be certainly doing all the above!

  • http://extralargeaslife.com/ Natalie Mulford

    I certainly hope I have a great time. It still doesn’t feel real yet.
    My sister keeps telling me the same, that i’ll basically just live in my swimmers most of the times. I’ve already decided i’m not taking any jewellery or make up.

  • http://extralargeaslife.com/ Natalie Mulford

    We stop at Raro on the flights, staying in a hotel for a few hours on the way back too. I’d never heard of Aitutaki until my sister mentioned it, and she now tries to go every year. She’s been wanting me to go for a couple of years now, so I finally gave in and said yes. I have a sarong, but my sister said it’s best to buy them there, that they have heaps of pretty ones at great prices. I have a couple of kaftans and LOTS of sunscreen :p

  • JJ

    Looks beautiful.Lucky you!

    I wear a rash if I’m going to be out swimming for a while. Sea orbit make some really good ones which look nice and fit me well and are reasonably priced if you’re looking for one. Stops sunburn on the shoulders,back and most of the neck (I burn easily too). An XL fits me well (I’m about a size 18) but they’re pretty stretchy so would probably fit a size up and down from there too. Link to one of the ones they sell- http://www.seaorbit.com.au/product_details.php?prodID=54
    (I don’t work for them I promise, I just love these tops, have been using them for years). Have fun

  • JJ

    Whoops sorry “rashie”

  • SpijkerKat

    Aitutaki is Amazing, we went there for honeymoon.

    My biggest recommendation is to take bug spray!! The mosquitos loved me!

    And spare AA batteries if your camera takes them :)

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