Cook Islands

We spent 2 weeks in April 2013 in the relaxed Cook Islands - a little bit of paradise in the South Pacific.  Turquoise lagoons, mutos (small islands), tropical fish, taro, goats, pigs, spectacular jungle covered volcanic peaks, coral atolls and dodgy vehicle rentals!   

The Cook Islands are an island country in the South Pacific comprising of 15  islands - Rarotonga being the largest. The country has free association with NZ providing Citizenship.   There are 14,000 people in Rarotonga but a much larger population in the North Island of NZ as stated in wikipeadia!  As one local said their most valuable export is their children as families are split between the two nations enabling them to access education and better opportunities. From what we experienced the Cook Islanders really value family and greetings and farewells which are frequent are entangled in layers of fresh flower leis and garlands. 

A typical house on Rarotonga

Aitutaki Lagoon

The central island volcanic peaks.

The fluro baby clams

Hamock fun on Aitutaki

Walking to 'The Needle' Raro.

A local Aitu Islander being welcomed home at the airport wearing fresh leis beautiful!

The Aitu bakery oven makes some nice buns!