Rarotonga Overview

The Cook Islands consists of 15 islands in the South Pacific that are self governing and are also in free association with New Zealand. They are not members of the UN, but are members of most other international bodies and organizations.
Rarotonga is the largest and main island of the country. The international airport and national capital area located here. My visit is limited to here.
The 1st picture is the view from my balcony. This is typical for most of the island with sand beaches and lush vegetation.
The 2nd picture is the main port with the local fishing harbor in the foreground and the commercial/cargo port to the rear.
The Cook Islands are a parliamentary democracy. The 3rd picture is the parliament building. I doubt that there is another country whose legislature is housed in a former hostel.
The 4th picture is simply a look at inland portion of the island. It is mountainous with no roads crossing the street interior. There are hiking trails across.
The Cook Islands has been a part of the British world for well over 100 years, but they are not full members of the Commonwealth. Yet, the relationship remains strong as evidenced by the presence of a King's Representative whose facilities are in the 5th picture.
The 6th picture is Muri Beach. Muri is "tourist central" here.
The 7th and 8th pictures go together. The 7th picture is an historical monument of 7 stones remembering the 7 vaka or canoes that made the migration to New Zealand in about 1350 CE. These are said to be the ancestors of the New Zealand Maori. The 8th picture looks out from the monument across the bay and through the passage through the reef that the migrants passed through.
The 9th picture is the national Library and Museum. Behind them is the center where cultural events take place. The area is surrounded by hostels for each island of the country where those folks stay, especially for the 10 day celebration each year of their self governing status.
The last picture is the headquarters of the Cook Islands Christian Church, the denomination descended from the London Missionary Society's work here. This year they are marking the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the LMS.Read more