Grand Escapades
Travel Photography & Travel Experiences of Africa, South America, the Middle-East & Asia
Ranginui´s Retreat, Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands
We spent three weeks on the Cook Islands in February 2008 during our Round The World Trip: altogether 9 days on Rarotonga, 7 on Aitutaki and 5 on Atiu. The Cook Islands were definitely a highlight in our trip and finally we discovered some of those Pacific Islands that matched our ideas of the “South Seas”. Continue Reading →
View of a part of the lagoon from the plane, Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands
We spent three weeks on the Cook Islands in February 2008 during our Round The World Trip: altogether 9 days on Rarotonga, 7 on Aitutaki and 5 on Atiu. The Cook Islands were definitely a highlight in our trip and finally we discovered some of those Pacific Islands that matched our ideas of the “South Seas”.
Hard Life …, Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands
Yes, we all know that the Pacific islands are extremely expensive, not talking about cost for getting there. But the Cook Islands are an interesting option for traveling in this region, not only because of their beauty but also for the fact that you can travel on a reasonable budget and still enjoy yourself! Continue Reading →
View of Rarotonga, the main Island of the Cook Islands
Since we needed to bridge the time between our arrival from Atiu and the departure for Auckland / New Zealand at 03:40 am, we stayed these 15 hours at the “Aquarius”, a brand new accommodation right across from the airport. Continue Reading →
Coffee cherries, Atiu Island, Cook Islands
As already mentioned, we stayed at the Are Manuiri Guesthouse, a very good choice. This typical bungalow residence in the center of the village, very comfortable and cheap (33 Euros for a double room), offers a pleasant living room, kitchen-use and three bedrooms. And there are no mosquitoes there, a real pleasure after being under attack in Aitutaki! As everywhere on the Cook Islands roosters compete crowing against each other around 03:00 am, something we could not get used to. Continue Reading →
George Mateariki, or “Birdman George”, Atiu Island, Cook Islands
Weeks before we came to Atiu, we had heard and read about George Mateariki, or “Birdman George”, as he is called on the island. He was put in charge of various bird recovery programs, like the one for the almost extinguished Rarotonga Flycatcher. Continue Reading →
Beach where Captain Cook landed for the first time in the Cook Islands, in 1777, Atiu Island, Cook Islands
One morning we spent with Papa Paiere, a retired history teacher and local of Atiu who worked in Rarotonga for many years. After retiring, he returned to Atiu and is now sharing his knowledge with the very few tourists. And this is what we learned… Continue Reading →
Bush Pub on a very remote Pacific Island, Atiu, Cook Islands
Before we came to Atiu, we had read about the Tumunu ritual and immediately realized this was something we had to check out! Nowadays, the Tumunu is best described as a community meeting place, mainly for men, where issues are discussed and problems solved. It turned into an unforgettable evening. Continue Reading →
Legend says that in a battle between two tribes, one succeeded in trapping the other in a narrow spot in the Makatea. All the warriors from this tribe were killed and their bodies thrown in a cave. So many lives were lost that nobody at that time had a system to count them, Atiu Island, Cook Islands
Legend says that in a battle between two tribes, one succeeded in trapping the other in a narrow spot and killing all the warriors from this tribe and threw their bodies in a cave. So many lives were lost that nobody in those days had a system to count them. So the cave was given the name of a tree with supposedly 500 leaves, the highest number known, hence being called The Cave of 500 Leaves or Rimarau Cave. Continue Reading →
Cave, Atiu Island, Cook Islands
Atiu is known for its numerous limestone caves, but this one is probably unique in the world. We expected to walk, crawl through a series of caves until we would eventually see the famous Kopeka birds. Well, we were in for a big surprise! Continue Reading →