Day 3 — Market Morning Mayhem & a Birthday to Remember
Date: November 15, 2025
Location: Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Some days start slowly.
Some days start with birds singing softly outside your window.
And some days start with me realizing—halfway into a 30‑minute drive—that I left all of my podcast microphones sitting neatly back in our beachfront room.
Welcome to Saturday in Rarotonga.
The Morning Plot Twist
We were headed to the famous Punanga Nui Market, the heart and soul of local Rarotongan life, when the sudden sinking feeling hit me. I turned to Kirsten and the kids and said the words no road‑tripping family ever wants to hear:
“Uh… we need to turn around.”
Cue the collective groan.
But, to their credit, the family took it well. We doubled back, grabbed the gear, and still made it to the market while the place was buzzing at full power.
And Rarotonga’s market doesn’t do anything halfway.
A Market Bursting with Life
The newly expanded market had opened just a few weeks earlier, and it was already packed. Locals were out early, loading up on produce, flowers, handmade crafts, hot sauces, ukuleles, smoothie bowls, woven bags, jewelry, and so many fresh coconuts you’d think hydration was a competitive sport.
The air smelled like grilled bananas and gardenias. Music drifted through the stalls. Every turn felt like a new sensory adventure.
But today wasn’t just any market day.
It was Kirsten’s birthday.
So when two sweet island women offered to teach Kirsten and Teyauna how to make their own Eis (flower crowns), it turned into a full-blown birthday treat. They sat together weaving vibrant blossoms into intricate designs, while Zak hovered nearby pretending not to be impressed—but somehow managing to sample every juice and smoothie bowl in a 15‑meter radius.
We grabbed fresh coconuts, smoothie bowls, and found a shady spot to watch the morning performances. The cultural stage was alive with dancers—tiny kids with enormous confidence—swishing grass skirts and smiling ear to ear. Even the musicians seemed to be having the time of their lives.
It was one of those “I wish we could stay longer” mornings.
Lunch with a View
From the market, we drove to Charlie’s Rarotonga, one of the island’s best-loved lagoon-front restaurants. Imagine eating a giant fresh‑caught fish sandwich while staring at water so blue it almost doesn’t seem real. That’s Charlie’s.
It was the perfect midday break—good food, gentle breezes, and a birthday girl glowing with tropical happiness (and a very photogenic flower crown).
A Relaxed Afternoon—Mostly
The afternoon was slow and peaceful.
Kirsten relaxed with her book.
Teyauna tackled schoolwork in the shade.
Zak played in the lagoon.
And I zipped around the island collecting drone footage—places like Black Rock, Avana, and the inland peaks glowing in the late afternoon sun.
As the day cooled, we headed to Kirsten’s birthday dinner at The Waterline Restaurant & Outrigger Beach Bar, one of the most charming beachfront restaurants on Rarotonga. The waves rolled in just a few meters from our table as we enjoyed a relaxed, delicious meal.
I had ordered a surprise pineapple‑coconut birthday cake ahead of time, and it arrived just as the sky shifted into a golden twilight. Kirsten’s smile lit up the table.
The Grand Finale: The Wrong Car Incident
After dinner, we walked into the dark gravel parking area where several cars were parked shoulder to shoulder.
We opened the doors, climbed in, buckled up…
And when I hit the button to start the car — nothing happened.
That’s when we realized, almost in the exact same second:
We were sitting in the wrong car. All four of us.
Cue frantic unbuckling, hushed giggles, and a synchronized evacuation performance that would’ve impressed Cirque du Soleil. We dove into our actual rental car and drove off into the night, laughing so hard that Zak nearly cried.
If the Cook Islands have taught us anything, it’s that even the most ordinary moments can turn into unforgettable stories.
And as birthday celebrations go, this one was absolutely perfect—messy, magical, and full of memories we’ll cherish for years.