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Other Attractions In Aitutaki

By on 2. March 2008 in Cook Island

 

"Island Night" at Samade on the Beach, Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands

“Island Night” at Samade on the Beach, Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands

After having been on the Cook Islands for more than two weeks, we thought we had to attend one of the typical “Island Nights”. The first one we wanted to go had been cancelled because there were not enough reservations. Our second attempt took us to “Samade on the Beach”, a very nice restaurant right on the lagoon. The buffet was superb, with lots of local traditional dishes. We truly enjoyed it! The dance performance was nice, especially since the dancers seemed to have lots of fun, laughing at the many mistakes they made. Nevertheless, it all seemed a little amateurish. Continue Reading →

Aitutaki – Romantic Travel Of Bygone Days

By on 1. March 2008 in Cook Island

 

Islanders fishing, Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands

Islanders fishing, Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands

Another Motu we stopped during the Lagoon Cruise is called Akaiami Island, which has an interesting aviation history. It was part of the line of defense against the Japanese in World War II and from 1951 to 1960, this vast lagoon was the stopover for the Tasman Empire Airways flying boats. Continue Reading →

Aitutaki – The Blue Lagoon Of The Pacific

By on 28. February 2008 in Cook Island

 

"Lagoon Cruise", Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands

“Lagoon Cruise”, Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands

Aitutaki’s biggest attraction is its lagoon, which we explored by boat, a “Lagoon Cruise”: We started off in torrential rain, but the weather improved soon and we missed none of the amazing views. Our boat passed a string of “Motus”, small uninhabited islets surrounded by turquoise water. On the way we, stopped to snorkel around a small reef that is the natural habitat of the very rare giant clams. Continue Reading →

Culinary Experiences On Aitutaki

By on 26. February 2008 in Cook Island
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Star Fruits on Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Our enthusiasm for this paradise was a bit dampened when we first set foot in the main store of the village. Except onions and potatoes, there was not fresh food whatsoever: everything is canned, packaged or deep frozen. The shop assistant recommended us another place, where we did find tomatoes and spring onions, but at the check out the kind lady luckily gave us a warning before we paid. Since those precious vegetables are flown in from New Zealand, they are very, very expensive: the tomatoes were 9 Euros per kilograms for instance! So we put most of the veggies back and limited ourselves to four tiny tomatoes and slowly started worrying about what we were going to eat the next seven days. Continue Reading →

Aitutaki: We Found Paradise…

By on 25. February 2008 in Cook Island

A Pricy One Though!

Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa ... shortly before a thunderstorm, Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands

Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa … shortly before a thunderstorm, Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands

Aitutaki is one of the world most beautiful lagoons surrounded by a triangular-shaped reef. Within the lagoon nestle three volcanic and twelve coral islands in the midst of crystal clear turquoise waters. Continue Reading →

Rarotonga – One Week Vacation On The Island Of Plenty!

By on 24. February 2008 in Cook Island
See Kayaking in Rarotonga, Cook Islands

See Kayaking in Rarotonga, Cook Islands

This has not been a very active week! For the first time, we spent eight nights in the same place, a real luxury. We both needed to rest and recharge our batteries before resuming further serious traveling like crossing New Zealand by car. So we turned very, very lazy and enjoyed doing very, very simple things. Continue Reading →

Discovering Rarotonga

By on 23. February 2008 in Cook Island
Gilles on a rented scooter in Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Gilles on a rented scooter in Rarotonga, Cook Islands

First thing, we decided to rent a scooter, a very wise decision as it turned out: it gave us a lot of freedom. But in order to rent one, you need a local category A driving license. Since we neither have a motorbike driving license nor a local / New Zealand one, we had to get one at the police department. After 10 minutes and paying 10 N.Z. dollars, Gilles was in possession of a local A & B driving license, with no one asking any questions. What a great souvenir! Then we rented a scooter from Budget, since the scooter for rent at the Vara’s Beachside Resort, are not covered by any insurance whatsoever! Continue Reading →

Scuba Diving In The Pacific

By on 22. February 2008 in Cook Island
Photo: Guillaume Fuenfrock, 5Rock Production, Fakarava, French Polynesia. We are just overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of fish we have seen...

Photo: Guillaume Fuenfrock, 5Rock Production, Fakarava, French Polynesia

After doing some unforgettable diving around Fakarava in French Polynesia, we were in such a swing that we could not resist the glossy brochures promoting diving around Rarotonga. So on the second day there we dropped by Cook Island Divers. Since the man we talked to was nice and knowledgeable, we booked a two tank dive for the following morning. Continue Reading →

Rarotonga – Paradise Almost Found!

By on 21. February 2008 in Cook Island
Driving around on Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Driving around on Rarotonga, Cook Islands

After a 2.5 hour flight from Papeete, we finally arrived on a Pacific island that met our expectations of the paradisiacal “South Seas”. Rarotonga, the main island, is mountainous with bizarre formations, full of lush vegetation, zillions of coconut trees and an equal amount of brightly red-flowered flame trees. Continue Reading →