THE COOK ISLANDS
Capital:Rarotonga
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Area:67.2
km2
KIA
ORANA
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Welcome to Rarotonga
capital of this friendly little corner of the Pacific known
as The Cook islands. Rarotonga island itself is quite
small, just 32 kilometers around the perimeter, 25 minutes
to circumnavigate, which means all services/amenities are
only 20 minutes away. The islanders are Polynesian,
naturally friendly, openly welcoming visitors to their
shores....all speak English & Polynesian. "Raro" has
cinemas, banks, variety stores, supermarkets, the famous
Cook Islands "Black Pearl". Saturday morning brings the
"Patunga" Street Market, stalls featuring local art,
crafts, cooking & performances with local artists.
Dining out is low to medium priced with an assortment of
different restaurants to choose from. Three favorites where
"The Spaghetti House", "Alberto's Steak House", "Hopsing's
Chinese Restaurant" all on the western side of the
island...... Rarotonga has many resorts, hotels, motels,
guest houses & self catering homes to choose from for
a"home away from home" stay. Hire Cars are everywhere and
there is a great bus that operates every half hour in both
directions around the island.
The
weather, depending on the time of year you visit, can be
very humid but the saving grace is a cooling breeze which
blows in from the southeast each day around 2pm. Nights are
mild and warm with occasional light rain or a thunderstorm,
which usually lasts around one hour, then all is fine
again. A holiday in the Cook Islands can range from a cross
island hike to a 4wd safari tour, reef walking , reef
fishing , pony island treks ,sea kyaking ,windsurfing
,scenic flights ,scuba diving , a visit to a Cultural
Village or a short flight to Rarotonga's sister island
known as "Aitutaki" or just laze in the sun and surf. Air
New Zealand flies to the Cook Islands which are 7hrs flying
from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane on the east coast of
Australia. So, immerse yourself in another
culture...another time.
KIA
MANUIA!
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May good fortune shine on you.
The
Coat of Arms of Cook Islands
The
Cook Islands $10 note
Cook Islands
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