DESTINATION + Cook Islands
Cook Islands
A culture shaped by the marriage of Polynesia & Europe
The beauty and charm of the Cook Islands is matched only by the friendliness of the people. Here among island friends, you will find the hospitality warm and spontaneous, the music and dancing exuberant, the mood relaxed.
I
magine 15 islands in the heart of the South Pacific spread over an area the size of India with a population no bigger than a small country town of 13,200 people. If travel is about meeting new people and being exposed to different cultures, the Cook Islands is where you will find the heart of the Pacific. These unique and friendly Polynesians have their own language and enjoy a vigorous and diverse culture. The Cooks are largely unspoiled by tourism. They offer a rare opportunity for people from the cities of the world to experience a different type of vacation. There are no high-rise hotels and very little hype. Ideal for travellers seeking more than the usual clichĂŠs associated with the South Seas, each island has its unique qualities
and offers the visitor a special experience. Fly into the capital of Rarotonga and you can circumnavigate the island easily in a day. You could happily spend your entire holiday here enjoying the quiet life. However if you visit no other island I would suggest at least a short day trip up to Aitutaki. This magnificent and remote island is what dreams are made of. It is a triangular-shaped atoll rising 4000 metres up from the floor of the Pacific Ocean. Life on Aitutaki moves at a wonderfully relaxed tempo which is why it is such a popular destination for visitors who fly in from Rarotonga. The lagoon can be enjoyed in a leisurely fashion in traditional outrigger canoes by paddling just off the beach. Or try a more sophisticated
launch favoured by anglers who know its reputation for saltwater fly fishing for the fighting bonefish. The motu are wonderful landing places for day cruises. The favourite islets are Akaiami and One Foot Island. Come to the Cooks – the heart of the Pacific.