Life in The Cook Islands - Vol 33
This week I describe my activities in The Cook Islands since leaving South Korea in 2022 - Vol 33
안녕하세요, Kia Orana, Welcome
In my previous newsletter, I discussed that after 21 years in South Korea, I boarded my Korean Air flight on a one-way ticket home. I got to enjoy the benefits of a business class ticket and the amazing things that came with it.
It’s been about 9 months since I settled on what we call “The Rock”. It’s quite a change from the hyperfast and hectic lifestyle of South Korea. It actually takes a little time to adjust. You can’t get things on call 24 hours a day like before but then again you get fresh air, beaches, and lots of fruit. Also, sunshine never seems to end.
It’s easy to get lost in the casual lifestyle here. It’s always warm, the beach is about 50 meters from the front door. The birdsong is refreshing after years of traffic and activity. You can enjoy it forever or you can try new things. After 21 years of working in classrooms and boardrooms, there is a hunger to try as many new challenges as possible. After monitoring the situation and life here I have entered into a number of areas.
WHAT IS T - REX CHICKEN?
A number of projects are underway while I’m here in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
The first of these is setting up a Chicken Rotisserie truck with Korean sauces. Readers that have visited South Korea will be very familiar with this concept. These trucks are in a lot of neighborhoods, especially in the evening. I have named my company T- Rex chicken. It’s a small truck with a green dinosaur as a symbol. T-Rex or Tyrannosaurus Rex represents an apex predator, a no holds barred symbol of domination and destruction during the dinosaur period. It’s an apt name for this new venture. Also, a cousin that passed away had this nickname and we always talked about making this kind of business. In many ways, it’s in honor of him that I made it to this stage. Strangely, a number of people have asked if I’m selling dinosaur meat but that’s a story for another time.
The concept revolves around whole chickens stuffed with rice spinning on the rotisserie. This concept along with many others is a hit in South Korea. I’ve seen it in Paris and Tahitians tell me it’s huge in Tahiti too. From a personal view, I lost count of how many times I bought those chickens on the way home while living in South Korea.
I’m a firm believer that “Success leaves clues”. Look carefully at a successful product or lifestyle. What makes it successful? What clues can you see that enable it to be a hit? Take those successful pieces and also adapt some parts to suit your local market.
Example of Korean truck rotisserie - Images courtesy of Google.
Example of truck rotisserie in Paris - Images courtesy of Google.
Taking this established concept, I will also make some adaptions for the local market. I will provide 2 kinds of Korean hot sauce and look to fill the drip tray with Taro, Breadfruit, Sweet potato, and anything I can get my hands on. These chips cooking in the dripping fat are something else! As soon as I mentioned this aspect to people here there is this glaze in their eyes.
Currently, there are some Korean foods on the island but they are produced by people that have never been to South Korea or have Korean ties. They lack the authenticity or validity of the product. There is a market just waiting to be involved in a number of Korean foods that could be sold and Korea has a wide variety of foods that many people would never have tried before. Also, I am yet to see rotisserie chicken in the country unless it’s hiding somewhere.^^
Currently, I have the truck signage complete and one huge oven that will be used for big orders and functions. Just waiting for a second oven to arrive so I can bracket it to the truck and hit the road. This should arrive in the next few weeks weather permitting.
Truck & oven number 1 - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
Please feel free to follow me on the T Rex Facebook page as I build up support before the launch. I also will do a Youtube stream as we build up to launching. Looking to start before April 1st at the latest with a week prior for testing the market and doing free samples. So if you are on “The Rock” get amongst the free samples!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090164622835
COOK ISLANDS RUGBY LEAGUE
As a sports fan, I can watch sports for hours. These days it’s usually on in the background while I’m working on something. Sometimes it’s a replacement for music. It could be any sport but usually not golf.^^ I have a particular interest in rugby league. Played it as a youngster and follow the game every season. Since arriving in Rarotonga I am very fortunate to meet the rugby league community. These are passionate people that love the game and want to see it continually develop. It’s actually the national sport of the Cook Islands.
After attending a board meeting, I find myself in charge of media & publications. This role allows me to watch a bunch of games every week and try to increase awareness of the game through social media. Strangely, I’m also on the CITV sports news every Wednesday night reviewing and previewing the upcoming games. Essentially becoming the face of the game. It’s a great opportunity to step out of my shell and develop new skills including presenting, editing, script preparation, etc. These skills are invaluable as I look further ahead to launching a podcast and weekly show based on rugby league. If possible I’m looking to get it onto Pacifica TV which has a reach across the Pacific and also onto Youtube which will allow teaming up with other rugby league influencers and presenters around the world. Essentially promoting local and international games and viewpoints. The local market in particular needs a format to generate more reach and this could be the right angle.
Another great joy from this position is every Saturday morning I get involved in the junior skills clinic that runs from 9 am - 11 am. It’s awesome to teach the youngsters basic skills and also you get to reflect that you were that age once upon a time.
You can catch me every Wednesday night on CITV sports.
CITV presenting - Images courtesy of CITV sports & Coconuts & Kimchi.
COCONUTS & KIMCHI YOUTUBE SERIES
Many subscribers have been waiting for the launch of these articles into a Youtube format. It’s my pleasure to announce that I finally completed 2 pilot episodes. It’s currently undergoing editing, grabbing drone shots, and making it presentable. One series will be about life in South Korea while the other series is focused on life in the Cook Islands. I will keep you updated as to when it will be launched but it should be soon. Don’t forget to follow the link below and subscribe to the Youtube channel and you will be one of the first to see the content when it’s uploaded.
Editing stage for pilot episodes - Images courtesy of Coconuts & Kimchi.
Overall, it’s quite a change of pace being on “The Rock” but it’s exciting times. A number of other ventures are also underway at different stages but those will be for discussion at another time.
Enjoy the sunrise and the sunset!
“Feed your focus, starve your distractions.”
Coming soon I will be launching a Youtube channel showing life in South Korea and my new home, The Cook Islands. Feel free to subscribe and get the videos as they are released.
Feel free to follow my adventures on Twitter. I’m not a prolific tweeter but now and again you might see some gems.
I’m relatively new to the Instagram world but follow along for a more visual aspect of Coconuts & Kimchi.
Those rotisseries are big in Mexico too. Probably all over Latin America as well I imagine.