We're back from our vacation from our vacation. The flight back from Atiu was uneventful, and we are back in Rarotonga, which seems like a huge metropolis compared to Atiu island. So to recap Atiu - 3 days is simply not enough time to visit this island. So, I've told you about our spooky cave visit with the human bones.
The next day, our guide Marshal from Atiu Tours, picked us up for the Kopeka bird tour. We drove for a bit, and then parked on the side of the road. He did warn us that it would be a strenuous hike, so we had some good trekker shoes on. In the surrounding areas of the Island, it is made of jaggety sharp heaps of coral, otherwise known as makatea. You do NOT want to fall on the makatea. He gave each of us each local ironwood hiking sticks, and we walked another 30 minutes over the rough terrain until we finally reached a huge gaping hole in the ground. We climbed down a 20 foot ladder, to the cave floor. Marshall gave us our head lamps and away we went.
The caves here were unlike the burial caves, as the ceilings were very tall and there were  stalagtite and stalagmite formations, covered with shimmery white crystals. We finally reached the opening to a vast dark cave; home to the Kopeka bird. This bird is not only indigenous to this island, but this is the only place in the world where you would find this rare bird.
Following Marshall, we started to go deeper into the cave, when we started to hear 'clicking' noises. This bird uses echo-location, much like a bat, but it is definitely a beautiful little black and gray bird. I have a photo - Brian snapped a great one using the Flash. (Sorry little Kopeka bird, haha).  The Kopeka fly outside the caves for about 13-14 hours a day, eating, while never landing. Finally, the bird needs absolute and complete darkness to sleep. So, the Kopeka then flies deep into the cave, and clicks it's way around until it finds it's tiny nest that is about 4 inches wide.
When we arrived, it was time for the Kopeka to get up and head out for the day. We stood in the cave, and the curious Kopeka would click their way over to Marshall's flashlight beam before taking off into the daylight.
The next morning (Friday), we got up early again to join Birdman George on his eco-tour. George took us to various areas to show us which plants were native, which ones were introduced and why (the good and the bad), and even showed us how to make medicine from plants. He finished our tour by taking us to a beautiful beach, and serving us all fresh island fruits on palm leave mats - which is just whipped up in a few minutes. He also took off his shoes, and shimmmied up a 30+ foot coconut tree and threw down seven 'drinks', or seven green coconuts. He whacked the tops off with a machete, and wa-la, refreshing coco juice for all.
 The coconut aka the nu, aka the copra, is the life of the islands, and has so many uses. From food, cream, oil, to even being a life-saving IV drip if needed. The fluid in a young green coconut is sterile, and was used as a IV bag 'drip' to injured Japanese soldiers during WWII.

Arriving home that afternoon, Breegan and I were up for a rest. However, Brian was determined to go fishing. Andrew, who also works at the Atiu Villas, was kind enough to take Brian out reef fishing. He not only caught a huge drummer fish, but he ate the raw liver from it as well! Andrew gutted the fish on the reef, and handed Brian the raw liver and said to eat it - 'It's good for you!" Being a manly man, Brian wolfed it down.
After fishing, Andrew took Brian out to a Tumunu. A Tumunu is where the local men sit around, usually in a shed or hut, and drink 'bush beer', typically made from barley, hops, sugar, oranges or other seasonal fruits. They take a drink and then pass it around, while chatting about the day and local gossip. Typically women do not attend - and I used this as an excuse not to go. The real reason was sharing a cup with a bunch of people during their flu season, was not really my idea of fun.
Needless to say, Brian showed up mere minutes before dinner was served looking a little wobbly. I asked him how many times he drank and passed the cup, and he wouldn't tell me. I do know it was over 12 times. He also said he ate his 2nd liver of the day (as to not offend anyone), as the men passed around a plate of cooked innards to share as well. Yum! Anyway, he woke up this morning intact, and no worse for wear.