Paul Tombleson

The Neighbors

Flying out of Auckland to Rarotonga I had the window seat on a full flight. Beside me is my brother Trevor or as he is known locally “Whatever Treva” from his popular radio show of mostly classic 60’s-70’s music on Sunday afternoons’.

The flight goes quickly as Treva catches me up on events from the Earthquake damage in Christchurch to family events and goings on. But the real treat was the 2 lbs of spiced fried curd he brought along to supplement our Hindu ordered meals. Needless to say the curd won!

Treva reveals in detail that on his resent trip to Christchurch, which he describes the damage as worst that anyone can imagine… he was in the bathroom at his daughter’s house when an aftershock struck shaking him to his core. “That’s some movement you had their Trev”, I say!

Locals enjoying the Cool Sea Breeze

Landing in Rarotonga the heat and humidity hit you as you disembark onto the tarmac for the brief walk into the new customs and immigration hall. At this point let me say it is never a dull moment with Treva and going through customs is no exception. The good news is the extra slabs of curd Treva brought with him made it through without a hitch… without going into further details as my blog doesn’t have enough room for the rest of his story, needless to say it is an adventure and was the hot topic of conversation in my family for days. “The best laid plans of mice and men,” brother.

Its great to catch up with my sister and her family and of course with my dad who turns 87 in July and I note has slowed just slightly since last I saw him. For one to be as sprightly as he is even at 70 would be a blessing for sure! Although, I note he is a little more forthright now with his opinions than I remember… Go dad, you earned it!

End of the Rainbow... Rarotonga

I’m staying at a private bungalow owned by a friend of Trev’s a couple of hundred yards down the coast from his place and right on the shore line. The sound of crashing surf on the reef is pleasantly thunderous and supplemented by the syncopated lapping of waves on the coral beach below my balcony. All I need now is a rainstorm to fall on the bungalows tin roof  to round out a tropical rhythm section.

I awake to a rainbow as I open the sliding balcony doors on my first morning here.  An unexpected breakfast to feed my soul and make me ponder…