Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Hello Joe and Ais

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands

Hi ,I am Holly .I am Irish too!!! I worte to you about a month ago ,maybe you didn't get my email. Anyway I was gald to hear that you are enjoying Rarotonga. Hopefully we will be going next year. I lived on Aitutaki many years ago in 1989/90 and made lots of friends. When we visited Raro in 2000 one of my good friends was working in Food land Avarua. Could I ask you a big favour ????The next time you go into town could you ask in Foodland if PEKA PAREANGA still works and still lives in Matavera. If you get any news about his where abouts I would appreciate it LOADS!!! If he still works in foodland and you get to talk to him say Holly from Ireland says "Kia Orana" and that I send my love to all his family.
I hope this is not too much trouble.
Thanks alot.
Holly

I know a John Pareanga, who works at the BCI and lives at Matavera. He's currently playing soccer for the CI team at the South Pacific Games in Samoa... If he is related, or if you know him as well, I'd be happy to pass on your hellos as I know him well.. :-)

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No , I don't think John is related to him , but if he lives in Matavera he probably knows Peka. His wife is called Moeroa and they have a girl about 10 or 11, she is called Elisabeth. They may have more children now. Peka is 36 and he is missing his two front teeth...He lost them in a scooter accident when we lived in Aitutaki.
I hope you meet him or you get some news about where he lives now..He might be back in Aitutaki.
Thanks again ..
Another question..What is the beach and lagoon like at Backpackers? We are thinking of staying there next year for 3 days ( We have 2 girls 7 and 10 years old ). Another place which might be nice is Rau's Guesthouse at Titikaveka .. do you know the place ..I think the beach is good there!?
Meitaki maata jeaniej

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All the Pareanga's are related to each other. John should know Peka. Also, No'o Pareanga (if he is still alive) would know Peka. Most of the Pareanga's live in Matavera.

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PS--The beach at Rau's is very nice. It's across the road. Nice, quiet area.

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Thanks Raro.
You've helped me make up my mind...We'll stay at Rau's !! Jeaniej next time you see your friend John could you ask him about Peka and his family.Meitaki.. Ciao Holly

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Hi Holly---If you stay at Papa Raus, say hi to Atuatika from "Judge Elliot". Thanks!

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No problem !! It's a year away but I can't wait ! Thank you for all your info , Judge Elliot !! was that a nick name ... or maybe your are a Judge ...I know they like to give nicknames..Mine was "Big Banana" !!!! (I'm not that big but I eat lots of bananas!!!!)
Ciao Holly

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I was a judge in the US before I moved to the Cooks in 1995, and was still technically a judge when I was appointed Chairman of the Land Commission a few months after I arrived, so all the newspaper and TV stories at the time referred to me as "Judge Elliot" (that's my first name, actually, but that's how they refer to these types of positions down there) so everyone knows me as that. (I'm retired now)

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No probs - I'll have a chat with John when the team gets back on Sat/Sun.

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