If This is Where They Held Survivor, I Hardly Feel Sorry for Them

Mar 30th, 2009 by Kristin

It’s no big secret that my abso-freakin-lutely favorite part of my entire two-week trip to the South Pacific was our side jaunt up to Aitutaki. Sadly, we were only there a grand total of two days, but I saw enough to know that I want to go back. Pronto.

From there, we took a day cruise on board the Titi-Ai-Tonga-Vaka through the lagoon and all the islets, and to say it was stunning simply doesn’t do it justice.

All of the isles pretty much looked the same—in fact, in my pictures I’m not entirely sure which is which!—but one of them, Exile Island, was the filming spot for the 2006 Survivor season. Now, I’ve never seen an episode of that show, but seriously, Survivor producers? Seriously? Like it’s so hard to survive in paradise with ample wild chickens squawking about and fish just off the coast to serve as food sources. If I were those who signed on to the current season in the Brazilian jungle, I’d want my money back.

Next we stopped and had lunch at what will forever be my most favored slice of Utopia: One Foot Island. (And to all of you who will inevitably say “it looks Photoshopped!” I didn’t touch any of these images. There was simply no need.)

And hey, look who I found milling about there. It’s everyone’s favorite nomad, Johnny Jet! We even dressed alike for the occasion. (If you don’t already get his newsletter, sign up for it; he’s awesome!)

There were so many sea cucumbers everywhere (see those black spots in the water?) and starfish, as well. I probably shouldn’t touch the wildlife, but I was never good at keeping my hands to myself.

Here he is up close (picture taken by Johnny):

It didn’t stop there. We may or may not have played football with the coconuts…

…and fondled the ubiquitous hermit crabs, as well. Oops!

Perhaps the coolest part of the whole experience is that when you reach One Foot Island, they open a little snackshop that doubles as a post office, where you can even get your passport branded with the “official” One Foot Island stamp. Well, no one told me this in advance, so I left my passport in my room. No bother, I bought a postcard—spoiler alert, SVV!—had it stamped for my beau and sent it by way of—what’s slower than snail?—mail. Hopefully, he will get it in the next 17 to 365 business days. (Note to all going to the Cooks: Keep your passport on you so you don’t miss out on fun opportunities like having U.S. Customs contain you every time you come back into the country for having a giant foot decorating one of the pages of your document of entry.)

The snorkeling everywhere was pretty awesome, and there were even a couple giant clams like in Australia.

There was a little fish feeding involved, too.

All in all, it was the perfect day and one of the odd times when I feel guilty that this? Is my job.

**All photos taken with my trusty Canon XTi, 17-85mm lens. Video with a Canon Elph SD870.

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Posted in South Pacific, The Travel Bug, Workin' Hard for the Money

23 Responses to “If This is Where They Held Survivor, I Hardly Feel Sorry for Them”

on 30 Mar 2009 at 10:49 am1Lori Barbely

Sigh. That was so the break from work I needed right about now. Great photos! And I love that you can’t ID which islands are which. We’ve, uh, had that problem.
on 30 Mar 2009 at 11:06 am2Rachel

Wow! It looks so lovely! I enjoy living vicariously through your travels
on 30 Mar 2009 at 11:09 am3SoniaBonia

I would not have been a very good “Survivor” as I would have died and gone to heaven.
on 30 Mar 2009 at 11:22 am4Kerri Anne

I adore your job, and reading! about it. Coveting your hermit crab fondling, I am, and planning a trip to Some Paradise, Somewhere with Chris soon and very soon. (Chris has never even seen Hawaii! For shame.)
on 30 Mar 2009 at 12:09 pm5Angella

Your posts give me wander lust. Seriously.
on 30 Mar 2009 at 12:50 pm6Anne & May

That blue starfish! I didn’t even know they came in that color. I need to get out more…like out of this cubicle…
on 30 Mar 2009 at 1:02 pm7NYer in NZ

Guilt be damned! You get rained on and stuck in airport delays, too, and it takes skill for people to live it through your eyes instead of dying inside with jealousy. There is a reason most people’s vacation slides don’t attract a mass following…
on 30 Mar 2009 at 1:07 pm8sensiblysassy

looks beautiful! The pictures were like a little get away for me…now back to work
on 30 Mar 2009 at 3:49 pm9slynnro

SIGH.
on 30 Mar 2009 at 4:09 pm10Moose

If I could jump into one of your pictures, I would. Would someone please figure out the technology on that for me? Thanks!
on 30 Mar 2009 at 5:42 pm11Susan

Where did you stay/would you recommend to stay while on the Cook Islands? My fiance and I are considering the Cook Islands as a possible honeymoon destination. Thanks!
on 30 Mar 2009 at 7:08 pm12Janet McKnight

So what is your job? Is there a position available? Where can I send my resume?
on 30 Mar 2009 at 7:09 pm13Gaelyn

Wow, and I thought my job was great. I love all the islands, One Foot best.
on 30 Mar 2009 at 7:20 pm14movin down the road

Nice. that is SOME starfish!!! After two days of rain, I am ready for that trip you were on!
on 30 Mar 2009 at 9:23 pm15Sara

The blues in the sky & water are breathtaking.
on 31 Mar 2009 at 3:56 am16Susan

The closest I have been to so much marine life was in an aquarium, that must have been amazing.
on 31 Mar 2009 at 5:30 am17Kath

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I am so jealous of you!
on 31 Mar 2009 at 5:34 am18ali

oh survivor….you make us think y’all are roughing it…but really? looks like paradise.
on 31 Mar 2009 at 10:56 am19Sarah Jackson

OMG, amazing… I’m only 102 days away from my first big solo trip to Australia. Your snorkeling video made me all kinds of psyched for The Great Barrier Reef!

Love your blog,
Sarah
on 31 Mar 2009 at 8:24 pm20Rhi

WAIT!? Hermit crabs actually live in Nature? Because I thought they only lived in Mall Kiosks with Professional Sports Teams Mascots painted on their shells?

(Your photos are lovely, by the way )
on 01 Apr 2009 at 8:17 am21jen laceda

Hey Kristin,
You could put me on any of those islands and starve me to death (need to lose some poundage) and I would have still stayed there FOREVER!
Jen
p.s. psst, i’m giving away stuff at my blog =]
on 01 Apr 2009 at 8:27 pm22k

God, that is gorgeous. What I wouldn’t give to be there right now!
on 02 Apr 2009 at 5:33 am23Jomama

Great post! It brings back wonderful memories of my wedding in Rarotonga and honeymoon on Aitutaki 8 years ago. My husband and I plan to return for our 10th anniversary. We went to one foot island and the survivor island too. We were so relaxed after two weeks in the Cooks. I highly recommend them.