"Cook Island Soujourn" Top 5 Page for this destination Cook Islands by catalysta

Cook Islands Travel Guide: 442 reviews and 948 photos

Aroa Lagoon

The Cook Islands are a New Zealand protectorate, and the natives preserve their pristine beaches & lagoons with that NZ Green ethic. Tourism is their main industry, but they don't allow any of the huge resorts you'll see elsewhere, and "no building may be taller than the tallest palm tree" (figure 3 stories).

These people are intensely proud of their islands, and they welcome visitors whole-heartedly. While I was there, Canada 3000 went under, leaving me potentially stranded. Shoulda stayed!!! Unfortunately, New Zealand Air came to my rescue (sigh).

My All-Time Favorite Internet Cafe

The Internet Cafe

It never ceases to amaze me that I can send email postcards to friends up on the tundra of Alaska, while I'm sipping mai-tais on an island in the South Pacific.

Cool.

Dancing Trees

...echoing the movements of the native dancers...

Pros and Cons

Pros:User-friendly, beautiful, what's not to love?
Cons:I'm not there now. (Whaa!)
In a nutshell:It's still in my dreams...

Last visit to Cook Islands: Oct 2001
Intro Updated Oct 21, 2004
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Reviews (35)

Island Hopper Gives Great Links! Hotels (3)

For lots of specific information about other accommodations, take a look at the Island Hopper Vacations website (see... more travel advice

A More Leisurely Approach Transportation (5)

For the more adventurous & budget-minded who are determined to get to the outer islands by boat, you might check into... more travel advice

Explore The Outer Islands Transportation (5)

Air Rarotonga also flies to the Outer Islands. At this link on KiaOrana.com, just click on the name of an island to see... more travel advice

Day Trippers Transportation (5)

The flight to Aitutaki is approximately 45 minutes. If you don't wish to stay overnight, you can go for a day tour... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All The Most Romantic Island
Things to Do (4)
See All Island of Romance & Dreams....
Sports & Outdoors (4)
See All Shark Dive!!!
Favorites (2)
See All And of course a sunset cruise...
Shopping (4)
See All The Saturday Market

Restaurants (4)
See All Relax in a lush tropical garden
Warnings and Dangers (2)
See All Tropical Storm Warning!
Local Customs (2)
See All The Ideal Cabana Boyz
Tourist Traps (1)
Sarongs
Nightlife (1)
Drinkin' Down Under

Travelogues (5)

1 - 4 of 5

Comments (53)

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Mara_2 Jul 30, 2007 at 2:54 AM

WOW!!! I just know that I would love visiting these fantastic islands! Great tips and great photos! Thanks!
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tropictraveller Jul 20, 2007 at 7:32 PM

I agree ...this is one of the delights of Rarotonga...............a beautiful setting as well.........and what lovely people....they also have a luxury villa over the road on the beach...........now that is where I am staying next time....it is beautifull
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sprdak11 Apr 24, 2007 at 8:24 AM

Great travel page. Greetings :)
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easterntrekker Dec 29, 2006 at 6:20 PM

Happy New Years!! Ah The Cook Island are but a ditant memory as I look at our frozen backyard! All the best in 2007 and great travel adventures!
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RickinDutch Oct 12, 2006 at 3:07 PM

OK - I get it now Wendy! Stunning islands. I'll get to work on that CB school! Can't that hard to get licensed....
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Seabiscuit Sep 14, 2006 at 4:15 AM

Wendy- Brilliant pages on the Cook Islands. When I stop drooling, I'll be back. Jeff-
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kid-keith Aug 9, 2006 at 4:08 AM

i keep looking at these damn Islands, looks like heaven i`ll have to go there one day.
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ScubaCat Jun 15, 2006 at 7:30 PM

Oh, I forgot about that Lobster Diving! We gonna get the big ones, lol!
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Nemorino May 28, 2006 at 3:19 PM

Nice photos in your travelogues and tips. It must have been a long flight from Alaska, but it sounds like it was really worth it.
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icunme Apr 29, 2006 at 12:51 PM

Aitutaki Moon is just great - will return to see more (good tips, too) Ciao, Carol