The day started with breakfast at 7:00 in the morning. Denise reported her journal and Connie with the thought for the day

We left the hotel after breakfast and visited several schools. Our first stop was Apii Takitumu, a public preschool with Ana as the principal. She was gracious enough to take us around the school. The enrolment is 190 and the class hour runs from 8 to 2 p.m.
The second school was a public school with Tap as the principal. The students were from first to 7th grade.

Next we visited Apii Te Uki Ou, an independent preschool where June is the principal. She happens to be Taiana’s sister. She showed us the layout of the school and what her projects are.
We visited the library where we met the librarian and the staff. From the library we proceeded to St. Joseph School, a Catholic elementary school where Sister Celine is the principal. Before I forget ladies, if you want a good husband, pray to St. Joseph. He’ll answer your prayers.
Sister Celine is from India and she is the driving force at that school.

Taiana drove us around the orange plantation. Most of the fruits and crops raised here are also found in the Philippines.

Our last stop was The Red Cross quarters where Nikki was in charge. She wore a pareu and a set of black pearl earrings, necklace and ring. I was impressed by her elegance and her composure.

After the 3-hour drive, I’ve gathered lots of information about their system of government. Here in the Cook Islands, the retirees don’t receive entitlements such as Social Security, Pension or Disability.

Then it was getting late for lunch. We went to a restaurant and ordered chicken sandwiches and soda. Then we went back to the hotel where most of us took our siesta, Linda and Elaine went swimming and the rest had their dollars changed. It’s unfortunate the U.S. dollar has less value but what the heck! You can’t equate travel with money.

Out meeting with the principals was a sumptuous authentic Polynesian food prepared by Nikki. It turned out to be an unforgettable evening.
Lilia