There are few cars on the island and the speed limit is 25km/hour, so the way to get around the island is by foot or bike. There is no requirement to wear a seat belt in a car, but it is compulsory to wear a crash helmet on a bike. They have obviously had too many problems with people who haven't ridden a bike in decades. We headed down to the island bike hire and picked up a couple of bikes, the set off towards the airport once again.
The airport is at the narrowest point of the island. From there we were able to climb over a small sand dune to Blinky Beach which was full of nesting sooty terns. The main part of the sand dune was covered with lots of red, unsightly bunting - an attempt to discourage the terns from nesting on the flight path of departing planes.
From there we walked up Transit Hill where astronomers would have watched the transit of Venus across the sun in 1882 had it not been cloudy. At the top of the hill there is a time capsule under a stone which was buried at the time of the transit and is to be opened in May 2082.
From Transit Hill, you can see both sides of the island. The offshore Admiralty Islands are on the right of the photo.
We went on down the coast, past the golf course to Lovers Beach and swam in the sea. The long beach is sandy, but further down, we saw plenty of interesting rocks
and the usual collection of birds new to us, a purple swamphen
and a white faced heron
We returned to our cottage and were then given a lift by our host, Ginny, to the Golf club where our cottage neighbour, Gavin, was playing in a tournament.
It seems to be customary for the islanders to take their guests around by car whenever necessary. Ginny had suggested the Friday meal at the club and offered to take us there. It is standard practice for the restaurant to return their clients back to their accommodation.
Gavin was still playing when we arrived and we were in time to see him play the final hole. He came second in the tournament. Below he was just about to sink the really long putt which gave him his prize of a frozen chicken. As he had forgotten his camera he was really pleased to have a memento of his game on this picturesque course.
We ate barbecued local king fish for dinner, watched the sunset over the sea and chatted to other holiday makers
Then the restaurant returned us home in their bus.
Pat and John on tour