Ashore, lifestyle is pretty much dictated by availability. Whether you're talking about building supplies or dietary choices or recreation or education; there's not too much available on an island like this. We were happy to bring school supplies and Bibles for the school. We were also able to help charge a walkie-talkie as our generator is probably in better repair than those on the island - not to mention the availability of fuel. People were literally begging for gasoline. The problem being that most people on the island are driving regular cars while in the Cook Islands they were driving scooters - with fuel being even less available here than in the Cooks. Additionally, we use an 8 horse engine on our dinghy because we don't like carrying lots of gasoline. We had taken on a little extra for the purpose bringing some here, but trying to drive a car on the amount of gas we use to drive our dinghy is a bit ridiculous!

This is a shot of Libby as we "tour" Niuatoputapu. The animals run free and the people fence in their yards to keep the pigs out!

We saw the same thing as we visited the Government offices. Here's Scott outside the immigration office and courthouse. Behind him is a style to keep the pigs away from the area of the government buildings.

I HAD to go inside because the sun was bothering me. These ladies couldn't have been more hospitable. We were sitting in the judgment area trying to get cool and the ladies were fanning me with their file folders! The immigration office is just behind my right shoulder.

This is a shot of Peter, the judge in the chambers.

There is a little resort at the end of the island, called the Palm Tree Island Resort. I include a shot of the interior of one of the fales because it's so distinctly different from any other fale we've seen in the islands (except maybe Rarotonga). These fales have all the conveniences (running water) and screened in porches.

The dining room was also screened in and we spent a very nice interlude with Laura, the owner. The decor was very inviting and we enjoyed reading her books of the area.

Since the resort is on an island you're required to walk (or Laura will bring a dinghy for your luggage, if you come to stay) across the shallows (right).

Returning, we allowed Scott to cross back the same way (with a little assistance!).

However, returning, Libby and I decided to go the longer more shallow way (right)! It was quite pretty too - with fewer mosquitoes.

You've seen that the island is pretty green - quite a contrast to many of the atolls in the Cooks. We saw horses and pigs running free and dining along the water's edge. I understand that the pigs eat small sea snakes, among other delicacies.

All the houses are fenced in to keep the pigs out.

This is the main dock next to the anchorage. You can see the entrance marks and also the island across the way. We wanted to approach at a certain time so as to not run into this island. The charts here are slightly off and we needed to have some good visibility. We're not sure what these coconuts are doing here. Maybe waiting for the infamous freighter.