"BIRCHY DOES RAROTONGA" a Rarotonga Travel Page by birchy99

It was like a trip to the past!! I'd heard that the Cook Islands were relatively undeveloped as far as big hotels and tourist facilities and that proved to be the case. There are no big high rises, no high pressure tour outlets; just low key, nice pleasant people who want you to enjoy their islands.
I stopped by here on the way back from Australia. I had heard from friends that is was a must see. I had accomodations at (can you believe the name?) Shangri-la resort. Well, it wasn't actually a resort, just a couple of modern cabins, but the location was excellent. On the best lagoon on the island. Good trade winds in the day and close to good restaurants at night.
I visited the main village center and did some shopping for black pearls and souvineers. Nothing is over developed. Transportation is by moped, rented for about $6 US a day. But you have to get a Cook Island drivers license for $5 US. So you circle the island (about 6 km) again and again dodging all kinds of vehicles and rain showers.
This is the place to unwind. No shopping other than black pearls. No big tourist traps other than Raro Night at the biggest resort. No traffic jams. If you can survive the landing on the short runway you will enjoy the solitude. I've also heard that a visit to the outer islands is even more relaxing.

To see the current weather and 10 day forecast for Rarotonga click here: Yahoo