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Cook Islands escape
  • Alphadog's Travels
  • Westella's Wanderings
3月 2025

Cook Islands escape

Trace and I are off for a relaxing week in the Cook Islands. Can’t wait!! もっと詳しく
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  • 旅行の開始
    2025年3月23日
    Cook Islands escape
    Beach at the back of the resort
    Beach with surf on outer reefRainbow! A couple of light passing showersBeach and reefOur resortOutrigger canoeFree range chickenSunset

    Step 1: Relax

    3月23日, クック諸島 ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    We are back travelling again. This time we are doing something a bit different and going on a tropical holiday to the Cook Islands. Usually we are in some big city or somewhere that involves moving around looking at amazing things not this time! We have a week of relaxation on a beautiful tropical island.

     The plane was a Jetstar A321 Neo and it was pretty full, we were lucky enough to be in row 3 so right up the front. The flight left Sydney at 10pm Sunday night and 6 hours later we arrived in Rarotonga … at 7am on Sunday morning. Don’t try and work that out.

    We were through the usual airport routine and into the transfer bus that took us to the Crown Beach Resort. Pretty flash. We have our own little walled-in compound with our own swimming pool. You can walk through the resort and onto the beach.

    The beach is a little rough to walk on as it has big chunks of coral in it but quite swim-able. The surf was breaking on the outer reef.

    It was a quiet day spent dozing and reading before the highlight of a Sunday - happy hour!    もっと詳しく

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  • Cook Islands escape
    Cat who visits at breakfast time
    Entrance to our villaPigTaro growingPiggery at Nate's placeMountains in the middle of the islandPineapplesNate and a drum he made. With a chainsawBananasNate talking about how important local people are honouredMessenger drum, used to advertise feasts and get togethersChiefs houseFirst churchBlack Rock, Rarotonga is volcanic unlike the other islandsReef and lagoonMain port, Rarotonga village behindLagoonHmmmmOur villa looking outVilla again

    Cook Islands culture

    3月24日, クック諸島 ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Today we did a cultural tour to learn about the locals and their way of life.

    Some background on the island. There are about 15000 people living on the main island Rarotonga, there are 15 islands in the group and all are inhabited except for two, the road around the main island takes about 45 minutes to drive, Rarotonga is ringed by a reef which harbours a lagoon, we are on the western side of the island which is the side that gets the most surf. There are a large number of people who identify as Cook Islanders living in New Zealand and Australia.

    Nate was our bus driver and took us around showing us different types of crops, what animals they kept, something of the history as well as how society works today.

    Of course the islands were inhabited for centuries but the first missionaries turned up around 1823 and the islands quickly became Christian. They were mostly farmers and fishermen growing crops like taro, arrowroot, coconuts, and sweet potato. Their animals were pigs, chickens, and some cows. They also made outrigger canoes to go fishing.

    Today not a lot has changed. Small plots of land growing crops and keeping animals. Nate talked about how they cook their festive feasts in a pit called a umu. They line the pit with various leaves and then put the food in and cover it. Leave for a few hours and it is ready. He also talked about how important local people were honoured by the locals.

    There are loads of chickens running loose on the island - and they are everywhere. Nate explained they are just wild so if someone wants a chicken to eat they just have to catch it.

    Nate showed us the first church on the island, the main town, the small hospital and even the prison! They have about 27 inmates all for alcohol related issues - drink driving and domestic violence in particular. China built a large sports arena for the islanders to use which caused a bit of a stir. They have regular inter-island festivals and Nate showed us the main hall where this happens. Each of the other islands has a hostel nearby where everyone stays.

    After the tour we were dropped in town and went for a bit of a walk before we caught the bus back to the hotel. There are two bus routes, one goes around the island clockwise and one goes anti-clockwise. The fare is a flat $5 which gets you all the way around. A note on currency the Cook Islands uses New Zealand currency and prices are pretty reasonable.

    Back at the hotel we went for a swim in the lagoon. Very warm but also very clear. We had to wear reef shoes as there are patches of rock and coral but it is mostly sand. After that we had a dip in our private pool before walking up to the local Italian restaurant for dinner. As you do.    もっと詳しく

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  • Cook Islands escape
    Free range chicken at breakfast
    Beach near resortBus terminal in the main part of townMountainsChurch and mountainsOutrigger canoeView from Trader JacksBus tripThe NeedleBeachTraceyOur resort from the waterHappy hour

    Day of rest

    3月25日, クック諸島 ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Today we didn’t have anything in particular planned so we had a bit of a sleep in then caught the public bus into the main village.

    We had a wandered around the village and then stopped for a pretty good seafood lunch at Trader Jacks which is right on the water. After that another bus trip back to the hotel to read a book and go for a swim.

    We borrowed some goggles and snorkels from the hotel and went for a swim around the reef. All kinds of different coloured corals and fish. I followed a small flounder as it was swimming about and trying to hide in the sand. Amazing!

    After or snorkelling we retired to our private pool for a cool down and some beers followed by dinner at the resort.    もっと詳しく

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  • Cook Islands escape
    A list of all the islands and their distance from Rarotonga
    View of the coastCoast againBefore the missionaries the tribes lived in the hillsMarae site, the more important you were the higher the level you were allowed to stand onMarae againMusic, they did everything from ABBA to ElvisGreat showVery energetic!Very traditional

    Umu feast

    3月26日, クック諸島 ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    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.

    A really good night.    もっと詳しく

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  • Cook Islands escape
    Beach at Avaarvaroa Passage
    Hermit crabTurtle time!TurtlesTurtleTurtle CafeTracey and turtleJames and turtleTurtleSwimming with turtlesEagle raysTurtleOz!View from Oz's place, the gap in the waves is the gap in the reefOz's pet chicken called Haha!Happy hourSunsetRoute back to our resort

    Turtles!

    3月27日, クック諸島

    We had booked a turtle tour before we left Sydney but the company wasn’t very responsive and ended up cancelling a couple of days before - but how lucky was that!

    The lady who works on reception at the hotel organised for us to go on a different one with a local called Oz. It was sensational!

    There are only 7 gaps in the reef that surrounds Rarotonga and his tour operates in one called Avaavaroa Passage. Most of the reef is about waist deep but in the passage it gets to 11 meters deep, this is where all the water in the waves pouring over the reef flows back out to sea. And this is a prime place to find green turtles.

    It was a late morning start as we had to wait until close to low tide so a leisurely breakfast and a 10 min taxi ride brought us to Oz’s place. Oz is a big Māori bloke will all the tats but also very friendly. Anyway he explained where we were going to go and gave us lessons on how to use the gear properly.

    Oz actually towed us out to the channel - he had a float and flippers so we hung onto the float and he towed us out. The first place was called Turtle Cafe and this is the western edge of the reef facing into the channel. There were fish everywhere and it wasn’t long before we came across our first turtle. At Turtle Cafe the turtles come to eat and hang out, they go down to the deeper reef to eat seaweed and then come up to the surface to breathe.

    There were lots of turtles and Oz was a fantastic guide. We also spotted eagle rays down deeper in the channel. There were also some good sized fish swimming around.

    Next stop was Turtle Beach on the eastern side of the channel. So called because it is a bit flatter and easier for kids to see the turtles from, once again it was stunning.

    Oz then towed us back to shore and gave us the 100 photos and videos he took of our tour.

    Given this is our last night we opted for dinner at a local establishment Oz suggested called On The Beach - another win! Really nice meal followed by a walk back to our resort along the beach at night. With hundreds of little crabs and bigger hermit crabs!

    A great day.    もっと詳しく

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  • Cook Islands escape
    Jugs have a side for ice to keep the beer cold
    Must be the only currency in the world with a willy on it!!Front of our hotel waiting for the airport transferSunrise! Our hotel was on the western side so didn't see many of these but we did get the sunsetsOur ride homeRarotonga from the airThe NeedleCloud capped mountainsNorthern side of RarotongaGoodbye to Rarotonga!Beautiful clouds over the Pacific

    Back to reality

    3月29日, クック諸島 ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    We were on a 9am Jetstar flight back to Sydney so up early to check out and get to the airport. One thing very noticeable at that hour was the number of roosters crowing in the morning - there was a constant racket!

    A few thoughts on the Cook Islands:

    - It was a fantastic holiday, friendly people, great accommodation, fantastic weather, lots to do or not do as required!
    - We both agreed we should have spent some time in Aitutaki, will do next time
    - Swimming with turtles with Oz was the highlight
    - Rarotonga is easy to get around on the public bus
    - Our hotel, the Crown Beach, was excellent. Nice to have our own compound and pool
    - Beers are cheap! About $5 in the hotel bar, $3.50 at the shop across the road
    - I like the way the jugs of beer have a section for ice in them as well
    - Definitely keen to come back!

    And that’s all for this trip, thanks for reading.

    Footnote - the flight back had to make an unexpected stop in Auckland. Seems the winds and weather have required the plane to have more fuel than it can carry from Rarotonga so we are having to make an unscheduled stop. It is an A321 Neo again.    もっと詳しく

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    旅行の終了
    2025年3月29日
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