Today we walked up to the local brewery Rarotonga Brewing. They have a range of ciders - mango, pineapple, passion fruit - as well as a couple of beers. All very refreshing and good to support a local industry.
After our walk we had a rest and then went for a snorkel on the lagoon. It really is fascinating, every type of fish and an amazing range of colours.
We then had to have another rest before being picked up to go to the Highland Paradise Cultural Show. This included a walk around to show us the Marae or sacred meeting place where the tribe used to meet to decide important issues and to celebrate events.
We then had a feast of a traditional umu which is the in-ground oven. Pork and chicken with taro and other vegetables. Of course it was all sensational.
They then had a traditional dancing and drums concert. Really good, and good to see the younger generation keeping the culture and history going.
There are two main tribes on the island and they used to have regular wars. Before the missionaries arrived they were cannibals with the men eating the flesh of their enemies’ warriors as it believe it gave them strength.
Cook IslandsArerenga Tepere21°13’12” S 159°49’49” W
Cook IslandsArerenga Tepere21°13’12” S 159°49’49” W