Manihiki Magic - The Tuesday Attraction

Arrival to Manihiki

Tuesdays are exciting days for Manihiki. Well, to be precise, every second Tuesday! That's when the flight from Rarotonga arrives. That means entertainment, new people on the island but also mail, papa'a bread (white bread that the "tourists" eat!) and much needed supplies from the capital.

People make their way to MHX Airport mainly by bike, but some also walk or catch a ride on the quad bike's trailer. Located in the northern village of Tukao, passengers and crowd also come on the boat from the western village of Tauhunu. We usually start walking in the morning sun (plane arrives around 10.30am) and end up catching a ride with the quad.

People sit on banks made of coconut tree trunks, being aware of course not to be under a bunch of coconuts that might fall (more people die of coconut falls than of shark attacks!). People catch up, talk about everything and nothing. They carry beautifully colourful head and neck eis (flower crown and necklaces). The smell is overpowering - the typical smell of the islands. During school holiday, the kids can't stay still. They run around, super excited to see the plane. They come for a quick chat or a cuddle, always asking to carry baby Moana. They sit with us for a minute and continue to play until the real entertainment starts. 

MHX - Manihiki Airport and its comfortable handmade seats.

The game is to spot the aircraft first! A tiny dot in the sky that grows bigger by the second. The runway isn't fenced, but everyone knows how to behave. The children jump up and down, screaming "plane, plane"!

The plane comes closer and closer. It gets louder. Wings try to stay balanced but for the nervous flyer they are nowhere close to being horizontal! As it is a tiny aircraft, it of course easily moves up and down with the wind.

The landing on the coral runway is smooth, kids scream and wave. The tractor gets ready to collect luggage and cargo. Occasionally this task is delegated to the quad bike when the council tractor is used on the island for another project. The plane parks on its usual spot and passengers disembark. The crowd makes its way to the passengers arriving, hug, kiss and proudly offer their flowers.
The Famous Red Tractor


Time now for the crew on land to unload the plane and refuel. The pilots come out for a stretch and hide underneath the bird to look for shade and some relaxing island time! 

It takes less than an hour to unload, check and reload. Now it's time for goodbyes or see-you-next-times. As easy as the plane arrived, doors close, propellers start and off it goes again. Time for the last waves and air kisses. The engine vrooms again and off it goes! The plane takes up speed on this not-so-smooth and kinda-green runway. But it works, and it is great to watch! 

Where are the hostess??? 

Kia Kite and Kia Manuia!
See you in two weeks Bandit!
Check out our Instagram - Azure Coconut

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