Advertisement
Published: October 29th 2018
Edit Blog Post
Stewdate: 22-07-18
So I finally arrived in Rarotonga (Avarua), the largest of the Cook Islands after a 4 hour flight from Auckland with Air New Zealand, on a warm cloudy afternoon and realised it's still Sunday (the day I departed Adelaide!) after crossing the international dateline! A trip to Hawaii in 2011 was the only other time I had experienced this sensation, and I am still yet to fly right across the Pacific! The 20-minute transfer from Avarua gave me the opportunity to view about half (the eastern side) the island, with tropical forests and cloud-shrouded peaks inland (to the right-side of the road) and coastal views (to the left-side of the road), before arriving for a 3-night stay at the "
Pacific Resort Rarotonga" on Muri Beach. Although I was contemplating a retirement decision, I enjoyed the "happy hour" Red Lion Beer drinks and evening wahoo fish meal in the aptly-named Barefoot Bar & Beachfront Dining overlooking Muri Lagoon all accompanied by local musical entertainment.
Stewdate: 23-07-18
After sending in my retirement email notice (the lightbulb moment!), this was the time for my traditional "round the island in a day"! I joined local tour-guide & driver "John" (with a
few other guests) for the "
Rarotonga Island Discovery Tour" in an air-conditioned 'Raro Tours' coach, who gave an overview of the island (32km to circumnavigate) and an insight to the history, culture, traditions and people of the island. After a light refreshment and opportunity to purchase locally crafted gifts & souvenirs, John gave a demonstration of the Cook Islands Tree of Life (the coconut tree) and explained its many uses. The sightseeing tour continued on to a number of historical sites including one of the first limestone churches built on the island in the 1800s, the Garden of the Seven Canoes at Avana Passage, as well as Black Rock - a volcanic boulder on the edge of the lagoon, traditionally believed to be the departure point of spirits to Avaiki (the afterlife). We also glimpsed the Needle Lookout, which is a volcanic outcrop that marks the centre of the island and is one of its highest points. Plantations of taro, citrus, bananas, tapioca, papaya and other crops line the route of this scenic drive. An evening meal of whole flounder washed down with the local Matutu Mai brew in the nearby Sails Restaurant & Isobar can be justly recommended!
Stewdate: 24-07-18
Took the opportunity to meet Christine in the Barefoot Bar for a demonstration and display of the famous Cook Islands Black Pearls; these pearls are cultured and perfected by nature in the pristine lagoon of Manihiki (one of the more remote atolls of the Northern Cook Islands). Later in the morning, I walked along Muri Beach to join "
Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruise" departing for a tour of the inner lagoon of Rarotonga including snorkelling and glass bottom boat viewing of its coral and colourful reef fish. Landed at Koromiri Motu in the Muri Lagoon to enjoy an open fire BBQ "island style" fish lunch followed by entertainment from the tour guides including singing/music, coconut demonstration (tree climbing and husk breaking), pareu-tying and more local traditions before returning back to Muri Beach by mid-afternoon. My final evening in Rarotonga was spent at the highly-recommended "
Te Vara Nui Village" (Spectacular Over Water Night Show & Buffet Dinner) based on the "legend of Tongaiti".
Advertisement
Tot: 0.088s; Tpl: 0.009s; cc: 6; qc: 47; dbt: 0.0482s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb