Rarotonga Return Offers New Opportunity to Sketch Tropical Beauty
Day 29, 2025 Grand World Voyage
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025; Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
The elements came together today for a lovely opportunity to paint ashore. I found a stone seat in the shade of the visitor’s gazebo to sketch, ink and paint a view of Avarua on the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. As I worked, the parade of fellow passengers returning to our tender port changed, but I mostly tuned it out to concentrate. Two hours later, I had a painting that I mostly like, but my favorite part was just losing myself in the process.
Surprisingly, Holland America didn’t offer any tours today in Rarotonga, unlike during my last visit here in 2020 when we had our choice of a 4×4 safari tour, an island tour, a cruise through the lagoon or a day at a beach resort. Elaine and I opted for the latter.
I hadn’t planned well so didn’t take advantage of the private tours that some passengers arranged. Tendering at this port can be a challenge, so I waited for the crowds to go ashore first, and therefore missed the sudden strong rain storm.
We were fortunate that it being a Saturday, the market near the tender dock was open, offering everything from fabric, jewelry, T-shirts, artwork and fruit juices. This market obviously is designed for tourists, and by late morning most of the shoppers I saw were not from the ship.
The Cook Islands are loosely associated with New Zealand, from which many tourists come. More than one fellow passenger commented that they could enjoy a week on this island mostly surrounded by a coral reef.
I only had a few hours, and just after noon many market booths began to close, so I returned to the tender pier to settle down into painting.
I’m still trying to find my painting style – not quite quick sketchbook painting but also not more formal watercolor when I’m painting on scene with limited brushes and paints. To be honest, I much more enjoy getting lost in the process than the final product. And that’s okay with me.
A few days ago, our watercolor instructor Deb Arts gave me invaluable advice about the dozen watercolors I painted during my recent Mediterranean cruise. It’s always nice to hear compliments, but what I really wanted — and Deb provided — was expert advice on why some of my paintings weren’t as pleasing. There’s so much to learn, about color selection, values from lights to darks, and simplifying detailed scenes. I’ve gone back to tweak some earlier paintings; others would simply need a new start. But regardless, I have my memories of painting in those wonderful locations.
A group of South Pacific Cultural Ambassadors have come on board, including the popular Kainoa Dela Cruz who has joined Holland America cruises for 17 years of cruising in this area. He spoke a couple of days ago about the migration from Asia throughout Polynesia, and that is why this popular group of cultural ambassadors joins many Holland America cruises to Hawaii and the South Pacific.
They are offering dance and ukulele lessons, jewelry and lei making classes and lectures about the area.
On sea days our cruise and travel director Kimberly continues her popular coffee chats in the morning and cocktails with Kimberly in the evenings. Yesterday Mollie, the tech expert, talked about the transition from the onboard Microsoft classes pre-pandemic to the current tech for travelers series.
We’ve gotten some confusing communications about our Indonesian ports of Bali and Kamoda. I think a notice went out, perhaps prematurely, to some passengers about an itinerary change. That required another notice to everyone to disregard the previous communication (if received) and wait for an update. I know the captain is monitoring weather systems two weeks or more in advance, and I’m just fine with going with the flow. Those who arranged private tours will need to make adjustments if it comes to that.
Once again, we are graced with a beautiful South Pacific sunset.
