PACIFIC RESORT: Rarotonga

The crew and my fams on Muri Beach, Rarotonga

My family and I had our 'every five years' holiday recently in Rarotonga.  Yep I know that is sad, too much work to do ya'll!

Met a lot of cool people and it has to be said Rarotonga has some of the most nicest people I have met in all my travels (Bangkok was similar actually, must be that warm weather and good food!).

Muri Lagoon

One of our mates (thanks Shannon) managed to hook us up a glass bottom boat trip out on the lagoon in Muri. As you can tell from the pictures the water is spectacular - snorkelling in Muri was by far the dopest thing that I have ever done. I mean look at this water! And really with all those airlines competing all the time there are really cheap airfares to get to a place that takes the same amount of time it takes to drive to Taupo from Auckland! The Pacific is our back yard people!

Our boys really enjoyed the snorkelling, my in-laws thought it was 'brilliant' and neither of them got into the water, my wife took pictures and wondered why she isn't home more often!?

Rarotonga is a holiday destination, so that is what you do when you get there... We did try and do some work which we did a little but internet was slow (well for the 50-150 daily emails we receive) and honestly it was really important for us to chill for the time we were there.

I came back from Rarotonga after playing at Rehab ( its a night club, not a rehabilitation centre...or is it??) in August. I was supposed to be in Rarotonga longer but missed my flight from Hawaii (long story) so ended up cutting my time in Rarotonga short.

Feeding the fish, Muri Lagoon

This time I got to stay at Pacific Resort (thanks D). Special mention has to go to the staff - the food was outstanding. Ya know, one thing when you travel and work, its imperative that you find good food.  Everything I ordered tasted good! The Pacific Burger, the island fries, the Smoked Marlin and Pawpaw, there is nothing lacking here.

Anyway before I start rambling on about the food and losing focus - definitely check out Pacific Resort Rarotonga if you are travelling those ways and without a doubt check out their Aitutaki boutique resort if you head that way too.  Perhaps a future update will be from there!  Kaps.

RAROTONGA: I went to Rehab in...

Yes, yes, not what you think people! We played at the Rehab Nite Club in Avarua, Rarotonga on Wednesday night.  On the day of the gig we went up to the radio station 88FM and ran a competition for a double pass, a collection of all my video clips and my Dominant Species Album with four remixes from Tiki, Katalyst, Forty One and The Nextmen. 

Instead of your usual question about a song or an album, the challenge was put out to the people for the first person who could get to the station with some pe'epe'e (freshly made coconut cream), pisupo (corn beef), rukau (taro leaves) and taro. Two people made it up to the station - it came in handy after the Afterhours at Scotty's.  Thank you so much for the food, it was a mean feed!

Big ups also to Scotty at Rehab and all the people who sold tickets and braved a windy rainy night to make it to the club, we appreciate the support immensely and look forward to coming back soon!

Also to the Pacific Resort - man I would come back to Rarotonga just to have the 'island fries' on the menu ya'll - you got me addicted to them! I cannot say enough about the quality of the food here - that Pacific Burger and Smoked Marlin with Paw Paw... didn't have much luck keeping the kilos' off on this trip either!  - big ups to Greg, Marcus and the staff at Pacific Resort - Fa'afetai Lava - we will be back!

Whaddup to Tini and the crew at The Roadhouse - thank you for making us feel like we are home when we rock into your place - the Roadhouse have a mean $5 burger meal plus there is a gallery in the space that you should definitely check out supporting some of the local artists including one of the brothers Papa Ataera. The brother works in pastels depicting the history of our people and challenging your understanding of Cook Islands culture and people. We are also proud to have the brother on-board the travelling Hip-Hop Lives Here exhibition. We love Rarotonga ya'll! Peace.

RAROTONGA: Back from the brink...

Back from a family holiday with my wife and sons in Rarotonga...

Papa Mike Tavioni

We were on holiday but couldn't help but look into a bit of work while there.
Like all countries throughout the world - there are social issues that  need to be addressed and solutions investigated. We (both my wife and I) would like to be part of the solution to assist our Pacific Nations to disseminate information through music and workshops.

We have been doing this for awhile in other countries but not so much in the Pacific.  So our focus now includes our Pacific Nations - and about time - our bad! To say the least there is now more work to do - but that is all good with us.

Props out to Kevin and Papa Mike and the work that they are carrying out currently - brothers we will back to lend a hand. Thank you for taking out the time to meet with us.

GDub at 88FM Rarotonga

Props also out to the peeps that looked after us - Tini and the whanau at The Roadhouse, much love for the hospitality, REHAB - looking forward to kicking it at your spot D, 88FM - thanks for your time GDub, we will be back soon, Pacific Resort Rarotonga for the day trip, that was quite possibly one of the dopest experiences of all our travels - peeps check the Lagoon Cruises - they rock and the kids had a ball!

Snorkelling at the Pacific Resort Rarotonga

Right now we are back on the grind as usual, finishing this album and embracing our NZ winter. Be back at you soon with the next release - Superhuman featuring the Mint Chicks, shot on location in Krung Thep (Bangkok) and edited by super talented Macedonian Aleksander. Peace!