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Nuie

            After leaving Rarotonga in the Cook Islands we sailed to Nuie, an island nation with only 1700 residents. An independent nation, Nuie formerly was a territory of New Zealand, which still represents Nuie in foreign affairs and matters of defense. Although the government is Nuie’s largest employer, it fits nicely into one building. There may be a lesson here.

Nuie is affectionately called “The Rock”. It boasts many good hikes, such as the hike to sacred Togo Beach.

Ann & Pudge hiking to Togo.

The descent to Togo.

The cavern at Togo, formerly a sacred place for the Maoris.

A cyclone took many homes a decade ago. New houses were then constructed using cement blocks and steel roofs. Nuie has been unable to support her population, however, and the occupancy in the villages is about 40 per cent, leaving many of these structures vacant. Nuieans are quite a friendly lot, however and we met quite a wonderful local people.

Ann dancing with the mother of the members of the band.

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