A small Pacific nation of 15 Islands with Rarotonga as its biggest island The Cook Islands could be your next favourite winter getaway ( its mine actually ).

The Cook Islands are a protectorate of New Zealand while still being their own nation with culture, language of their own.

The international airport is on Rorotonga where you will be greeted by a array of smiles & wildlife!! Here its definitely island time all the time..

The island of Rorotonga is the largest approx 32 km around the lsland . Its easy to navigate either by car, motorbike, moped or for the fit bicycle . The island also has a bus going around the island either clockwise or anti clockwise. EASY .

Air New Zealand & Jetstar both fly into the Cook Islands. Air Rorotonga is the islands airline.

THE MUST DO LIST

Saturday is market day in town from approx 7am -!pm all the locals come. Here you can buy food, fruits , coconuts , flower crowns or head leis, plus a array of locally made handicrafts, sarongs etc. A great morning of colour, taste & meeting the locals.

Sunday is a day of worship. The islanders are quite religous & they especially appreciate tourists coming to a service.

Its really a lovely way to spend Sunday morning here, anyway shops are closed!! The choir sing like angels & after service they invite guests to morning tea. Here each week a different parish put on a lovely spread older aunties keenly watch to make sure their guests are trying everything!!! Its also a gesture to make a donation to the minister as well.

BEAUTIFUL MURI LAGOON

With crystal clear water, abundant fish life, spectacular scencery its a MUST DO !!

Go for a paddleboard , swim , snorkel everything is availble .

There are numerous little busniness that will hire a paddleboard to you, even a nighttime paddle session with lights underneath board!

Go across to Moto Koromiri for some great snorkelling get there before the tourist boats arrive & you will have the little island to yourself.

If you don’t want to paddle then go on Captain Tamas half day cruise, BarBQ . They have so much fun with guests, food entertainment, coconut tree climbing and of course dancing.

CATCH THE SUNRISE AT MURI

SUNSET ON OPPOSITE SIDE near the Rorotongian Hotel.

The fabulous thing is that you can always escape the wind depending on direction & what side of island to go to.

GO TO THE SCENIC LOOKOUT . HOSPITAL HILL LOOKOUT Just behind the hospital its a great place to get a 180* degree view of the island.

ONLY FOR THE ADVENTUROUS do the cross island walk to the needle. Te Rua Manga Not for the faint of heart or a fear of heights but apparently worth the climbing, bruises ……so Ive been told.

OTHER FANTASTIC THINGS.

Maybe fishing is on your list. Deep sea fishing there are a few charters that will take you in the morning for a 1/2 day fish. If you are lucky you might even see some whales, dolpfins & as well as catch the nights dinner.

Te Vara Nui Village.

Cultural village with history of Cook Islands & its people , show & buffet dinner. A MUST for 1st time visitor

MAIRE NUI GARDENS & CAFE

A beautiful display of garden plus a lovely cafe to enjoy a snack not too far from Muri.

HIRE A MOPED OR MOTORBIKE Take a ride around the island stopping at road ride stalls mostly based on a honesty system. Buy fresh fruit, sarongs. Drop by Rito Coconut products,

Look out for signs for vanilla, other products.

Mankini Black Pearls these are the best black pearls to buy , there are a couple of little stores around the island

FOOD RESTURANTS BARS

The great thing about Rarotonga is that you are not restricted to your hotel/resort when it comes to eating out.

Luckly there are many resturants all different in range & pricepoint for everyone.

A chilled night out is at the Muri Night Markets. Dine with locals under the coconut tress while listening to music .

Walk around the food trucks & there are many foods on offer. Mainly using fresh island produce. Curries, burgers, stirfrys. pizzas, BarBQ & of course coconuts. Open Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday & Sunday from 5pm. Remember cash only & you can BYO as well.

Trader Jacks is a fun resturant that locals & tourists enjoy. Sunset here is beautiful mid range prices & menu that will suit all tastes.

Vilis Burgers at Muri are great burgers worth waiting for them to prepare.

Tamarind House beautiful setting & lovely food for that treat night.

Hula Bar for a casual drink during the day & fun vibe into the evening.

On The Rocks OTR Bar another bar that has music into the night.

There are many resturants & bars in hotels/resorts that you are welcome, maybe enquire to bookings especially for dinner but most bars are on the beach & welcome you with the beautiful hospitality that the people are renowed for.

WHERE TO STAY

If you wish to wake up & watch the sunrise then the Muri Side is your option.

If you wish to enjoy more Sunsets then the Arerenga Area is for you.

Again there are many options suiting budgets & facilities.

Ive stayed at hotels as well as AIR BnB’s .

With that in mind look at the map of Rarotonga & see where the accomadation is to limit transport if you want.

I’m more than happy to help narrow down your results.

WORTH CONSIDERING

Little Polynesian Muri

Muri Beach Resort

Castaway Resort

Edgewater Resort

The Rarotongan

A remember the maximum height of hotels is approx 3 stories or height of coconut tress

ALSO TO KEEP IN MIND

Wifi will most likely cost you, so it may be a good idea to download some movies to watch if you wish. TV etc is limited to a few channels , however if you need this look for hotels that offer wifi/cable.

Most shops will be closed on Sunday there is a big supermarket in town where you can stock up on drinks, water , snacks & food again the prices will be more considering everything is imported

Currency is New Zealand dollar.

Power is 220 volts

Duty Free limit 2 litres

Speed limit is 50 km & 30 km in shopping & high pedestrian areas.

Best time to Visit May-September

LAST BY NO MEANS LEAST AITUTAKI ISLAND.

In 50 minutes you will arrive in absolute paradise.

Aitutaki and its lagoon is simply breathtaking unspoilt .

Whille on the Vaka Lagoon cruise i was brought to tears in awe of such beauty of aqua waters, a lagoon more like a fish tank that I was swimming in.

If you have the time have a few nights there.

Otherwise there is a day tour that will include flights & cruise on the Vaka Laggon cruise.

This place in my opinion is as beautiful as Tahiti without the higher price point.

Overwater bungalows to more afforable accomadation is here.

PLACES TO CONSIDER

Lux , private special. Aitutaki Laggon Private Island Resort

Aitutaki Village

Pacific Resort 5 star luxury

Kuru Club mid range

Ranginuis budget

I personally would recommend 3 nights to have here perhaps at the end of your stay leaving AITUTAKI for your afternoon flight home.

SO IF YOU WANT A WEEK AWAY & COME BACK TOTALLY RELAXED , TANNED & CHILLED THEN THE COOK ISLANDS MIGHT BE WORTH THE ADVENTURE.

I’ve been numerous times all have been different but all fabulous .

Yes its not the cheapest place nor is it the place to party party but thats what makes it special .

Yes you will be woken up by rosters crowing. Dogs, pigs crossing the road.

Beautiful people with a sense of family & sharing actually most families bury their loved ones in front of their homes.

Aunties laughing while riding mopeds to church.

Locals welcoming all with respect so respect & appreciate back

So AERE RA Goodbye till next adventure in escaping Winter