| Page Views: 7,703 Last Visit to Cook Islands: June, 2003 | RAROTONGA & AITUTAKI by FletteMette - last update: Jun 13, 2006 |
| One Foot Island, Aitutaki |
The Cook Islands, sighted by captain Cook in 1770, consist of fifteen small islands spread over a vast area in the middle of the south Pacific - between Tonga and Samoa to the west and Tahiti and French Polynesia to the east. Early Polynesian settlers discovered these islands by sailing raro (down) and tonga (south) - hence the main island's name.
The Cooks are divided into two distinct groups: In the southern group there are nine mainly volcanic islands, among them Rarotonga which is the capital island. The northern group is made up of six sparsely populated atolls. (Low coral islands)
Most of the around 21 000 inhabitants live in the Southern group, and Rarotonga is by far the most populous island of the Cooks, with around half of these inhabitants. The town of Avarua, on Rarotonga, is the commercial and administrative centre of the Cook Islands - which are self-governing in free association with New Zealand. The Cooks are fully responsible for internal affairs, NZ for external affairs and defense - in consultation with the Cook Islands.
The international airport is on Rarotonga - and most tourists only visit this island. Raro is almost circular in shape - and only 32 km in circumference, so getting around is easy - rent a bike or scooter, and explore the two main roads on Raro. Go hiking through the lush green rainforest in the island's mountainous centre, before enjoying the white beaches and the warm, shark-free, turquoise waters of the lagoon... Aaaah lovely.... :o) |
|  | Kia Orana! Even the Rarotongan number plates are friendly;o)
Kia Orana can be used as a greeting or a goodbye - it simply means "may you live long" - and everyone you meet in the Cooks will greet you with "Kia Orana!" and a big smile.. :o) |
|  | Paradise... (Yes, Jonathan, really!!!;o) I had for years been dreaming of going to the Cook Islands, so when I finally got to visit these beautiful islands my expectations were sky high - and I was certainly not disappointed...! :o)
White powdery beaches, clear turquoise lagoon with millions of colourful tropical fish, coral reefs, swaying palms, flowers everywhere, friendly & welcoming locals...if this is not a true tropical paradise, what is? |
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| Pros: | "Fantastic lagoon, amazing snorkelling, perfect beaches..." | | Cons: | "....hmm...can't think of any..." | | In A Nutshell: | "Tropical paradise! Can someone buy me a ticket back, please?:o)" |
FletteMette's Cook Islands Travel Tips
Comments for FletteMette about Cook Islands | | | | |
janetanne Mon Jun 29, 2009 13:32 UTC Wonderful photos of your snorkeling experience. Greetings from wet and cold Michigan! Janet | Fullmoonfever Thu Sep 18, 2008 13:58 UTC Did you meet Captain Cook? | hunterV Tue Jul 1, 2008 15:36 UTC Hello, Mette! thanks for your wonderful tips and pictures. | marcbrazil Wed Oct 31, 2007 21:54 UTC wow wow wow...i am writing about ILHA GRANDE and I think it is a paradise, now after reading your places, I am mad to see YOUR PARADISE! Cook Island is something else!!! |
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