A Cook Island Visit

A visit to the Cook Island of Rarotonga is perfect for anyone looking for peace, quiet, relaxation and a good time. The island of Rarotonga is only 32 klm's in circumference. The New Zealand dollar is the main currency and we found only a handful of people who did not speak English. The middle has mountains covered in lush vegetation. Sandy beaches circle the island. A coral reef also circles most of the island giving a perfect environment for snorkelling and swimming with the fishes. Our visit was in April of 2002. We are ... (more)

Getting around
This is the common way of getting around the Island. There are lots of rental...

Silent Lady
Take a sail on the Silent Lady. Available for day sails, whale...

A Cook Island Sunset
The sun sets about 6:30 in glorious style.

A Cook Island Sunset

Fishing God
This is in front of the Perfume Factory.

No Docks
This is how most boats are moored.

Beach
Few people, white sands and in the distance you can see the coral reef. The...

Rarotonga
A view of the island from our fishing boat.

Rarotonga
A view from the boat.

Rarotonga
The island consists of a mountainous area in the center with sandy beaches...

Waiting for a fish
We went for a 4 1/2 hour fishing trip with Pacific Marine Charters....

Rarotonga
The island from the boat.

Edgewater Resort
We stayed at the Edgewater Resort. This is a shot of it from the boat.

Edgewater Resort
Our resort from the boat.

Rarotonga
Very little of the island is actually inhabited.

Rarotonga
Land is passed down within the families. Outsiders can get a 60 year...

Rarotonga
You can just see the tower of the Rarotonga airport.

Rarotonga
They say that once every month the men get together and clean up the...

Rarotonga
Even cloudy days are great.

Rarotonga
There is a cross island trek which we didn't venture on this trip. It is...

Aboard Te Manu Ka Rere
The captain on the left and passenger on the right.

Te Manu Ka Rere
Back on the dock. The yellow boat is Pacific Marine Charters with a Reef-sub...

Catch of the day
We caught this Wahoo almost as soon as we had cast off. It was a lucky...

The Other Catch
A Yellow Finned Tuna.

Surf
Some very brave souls do surf here but it is a very short ride and one...

A close up
The hibicus grows everywhere there.

Edgewater Resort
A view from our hotel window.

Another sunset
Sunsets were amazing but all too quickly over.

Another sunset
The reef in the background with a couple of swimmers. The beaches were never...

Day's end
There is nothing so peaceful as the sound of the surf.

Another sunset

Surf
A bike is a fantastic way to travel the island. Lots of them are...

Clean beaches and clear water

Beach
There are quite a few protected beaches. Nothing may be removed from...

Logoon Cruizes
This takes people out a marine reserve for snorkelling.

Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes
Located on Muri Beach. Does a boat tour from Muri Beach to Tikioki. We...

Gravesite
On the island the people have a very high respect for the dead. You will find...

Black Rock
According to belief this is a leaping off point for souls of deceased...

Rooster
Roosters run wild.

Tree

Lush vegetation everywhere

A Rarotonga Residence
Most yards are quite large and houses quite modest.

Lush vegetation everywhere
Notice a small residence under the palm trees.

Gravesite
This is one of the public sites. Some are well kept while others are over grown.

A Rarotonga Residence

A Rarotonga Residence
Clothes hanging on the line and roosters running wild. Normal sites for the...

The Circle Highway
This road circles the entire island. Driving is on the left side and...

A Rarotonga Residence
I was told this home was featured in a house and home magazine. It...

Another tree
This tree every day showed more flowers than leaves.

Beach
This beach was more crushed corel than sand. Coarser but very nice.

Black Rock
The water is so warm and clear.

Black Rock

A Rarotonga Residence
This house was featured in a magazine I'm told.

Another tree

Black Rock Quarry
I never saw any activity there.

Black Rock

A typical road off the circle highway
Small roads lead off the main highway. We didn't find any that...

A Rarotonga Residence
A house is located way back in the vegetation.

Rarotonga
We saw lots of dogs which were all very well behaved. Also saw a few...

Gravesite
I think there were two elebrate graves under the roof.

A Rarotonga Residence

Flowers on the vines

A Rarotonga Store
Stores like this one are scattered all over the island.

Prime Minister's Residence
Snuggled in the back is the home of the Prime Minister.

Bike Fun
We have three different bikes on our two week stay and each one left...

Beach

Beach
You can walk to these islands in low tide.

Low tide

Avarua
The traffic circle. While we were there the islands first crosswalk was made.

The Circle Highway

Avarua
The shops consist of two or three streets, this being the main street.

Flowers on the vines
Yellow hibicus.

Avarua
A resting place in the center of town.

Rarotonga
We were taking a drive to the hospital which is I believe is one of...

Looking down from hospital road.

Hospital
The hospital site was made up of several different buildings.

Hospital

Looking down from hospital road.

Lush vegetation everywhere

A Rarotonga Residence
There is also a trek on horseback led by a guide. They say even if you have...

Rarotonga

Beach

A tree's beginning
In Canada we see signs saying watch for falling rock. On the island they say...

Circle Island Road

The Reef
The water is so clear. Dark spots are corel and snorkelling is terrific.

Beach
No matter what beach we went to, there was usually only a handful of people...

Beach
This proved to be a cloudy day but it rained only a couple of times...

Beach
We were told the night before we got there, the skies were lit up with sheet...

Gravesite

Lush vegetation everywhere

A Rarotonga Residence

Lush vegetation everywhere
Shortly before we arrived they had an outbreak of Dengue Fever carried by...

A Rarotonga Store

Beach

A Cook Island Sunset

article published 4/18/2002

Comments

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Hey!!i'd just like to say that it was really great that you posted these pics on the net...coz,i'm really HOMESICK!! THANKS like heaps guy..keep up the good work.
— rose, June 27, 2005

I'm Homesick
I spent my college years in Raro.Moved away to pursue my career.16 years later I have fallen in love with the place again thanks to your photo's.Why did I ever leave such a paradise.
— James Utia, January 14, 2004

Can't wait to get back!
Thanks for posting your terrific photos! We visited Raro for only one day this past March. We fell in love with the island and her people. We will be visiting again for the Tiare Festival next month. We will be taking a lot of photos to share with our fellow island dreamers. Check out our Raro photos at www.island-dreams.us. We're not trying to sell anything. We just like to share our photo memories like you have. Keep on island dreaming! Craig & Kathy from Oregon
— Craig & Kathy, October 18, 2003

Places to stay
Sorry Fran I really can't help you much as I have only been there once and stayed at the Edgewater. We would have preferred to be at the Rarotonga Beach Resort but would have certainly looked into some of the others before going again. We saw the grounds of one called the Takitumu Villas Phone 24682 which we were told was very nice. I think the magic of the island will be there no matter where you stay. Have a great time.

L. McDonagh
— Lorraine, July 17, 2003

Future visit
Husband and I are starting our early retirement round the world trip in Rarotonga, 1st Dec 2003. Spent ages looking at all the wonderful photos and places to stay. Still can't decide! HELP!! Fran Parmenter 16th July 2003
— Fran Parmenter, July 16, 2003

We honeymooned in Rarotonga last September. What a beautiful romantic place! Club Raro is a good place to stay if you want simplicity, peace and quiet- within walking distance of town.
— Karen Wadley, June 20, 2003

Edgewater Resort
The Edgewater Resort was quite nice however I would recommend the Rarotongan Beach Resort first. There are also many very nice self contained units available for rent which we would consider as well.
— L McDonagh, November 4, 2002

very nice pics. how was the edgewater resort? would you stay there again
— Jake, November 3, 2002

I really enjoyed your photos. We leave for the Cooks in three days, 8-17-02 to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I cannot wait to take photos of my own on Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
— Tara Robison, August 14, 2002

YOUR PHOTOS MAKE MY DREAM SEEM VERY CLOSE.THANK YOU! I HOPE SOME DAY I CAN SEE EVERYTHING WITH MY OWN EYES.KISSES FROM GREECE!!
— SUSAN, July 24, 2002

Hello, Thank you for all the photo's. Me and my fiance are going to Rarotonga next week :-) When we be back we will show our pictures on http://host.bip.net/thailand
— Jenny Grönlund, June 3, 2002

My dear friend...how talented you are! Thank you for sharing your holiday with all of us. The scenery is beautiful and I look forward to visiting myself one day. Keep trekking! Your friend, Viv
— Viv, April 22, 2002

I look forward to seeing all of your photos - you are so right - Rarotonga is a tranquil, peaceful place to be. We visited "Raro" and Aitutaki in '97 and found it very hard to leave! (photos of that trip are on this site too) Very nice sunset photos. Kia Orana! Judy
— Judy & Paul Wilcox, April 18, 2002

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