Our Island for the next month

OUR HOME FOR THE NEXT MONTH.

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We arrive on the Island at 4.30 p.m. Cookham Time on the 15th of December.

Come and join us for Christmas!

Christmas is coming to Rarotonga.

It is December and Christmas is coming to the Cook Islands.

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Yes, by the time we arrive in mid December the Capital, Avarua is getting decked out for Christmas. With Father Christmas, sleigh and reindeer all strung out along the main drive are lit up at night.

The supermarket just off the main drive has a good show of goods for sale, especially for those who are celebrating big family reunions.

As I have mentioned earlier in my previous postings the Cook Islanders are very religious, due to the early influence of missionries who came and settled. No sport is played on a Sunday, and for those who have to work in the service industry, there is a service at 5:00 a.m.

St. Joseph's Cathedral is the largest of the many churches on the island, of which there are a great many. Some services are in the Maori tongue and some are in English, as all islanders are fully bi-lingual.





The Christmas manger scene is usually errected during the second week of December and made from local materials, mainly plaited palm fronds. The floral decorations are changed every day by local parisioners. I have been told that there is very strong competition among the ladies to be part of the daily redecorating team.

Some interesting factors of the Cooks.

Some interesting views of Rarotonga

This is a very interesting viewpoint in downtown Avarua around Christmas time when the local Flames Trees come into full blossom as if to put on a festive air. This picture is taken from Trader Jack's looking across the downtown roundabout.

Not with the looks of 10 Downing Street, but it is still a hive of activity in governing the Cook Islands.




Right next door to the Prime Minister is the Office of the Minister for Island Administration. No need for a car, he can walk across the yard to the PM's office.

This is the Cook Island Campus of the University of the South Pacific. Students from here go on to further their education and a degree in their chosen field, either in Auckland or Wellington.

Tucked away in a little valley is the Rarotonga electricity generating station, powered by diesel generators. There is talk that wind power is being considered as a power source, together with wave power, which would lower the dependancy on oil

This believe it or not is the way to milk a coconut. Again one has to be in the right place at the right time to witness this event.




When it rains it rains in the Cooks, Mind you they need it as they count on a generous rainfall for all their fresh water needs.

I'm a Senior Chav!

So I got bumped!

But, you can't keep an old "Senior CHAV" down. By the way I have just booked this same scooter for my holiday next month.

Cook Island Black Pearls

A three string Black Pearl necklace.

The Cook Islands are famous for their Black Pearl Industry, from the perfect size and colour and size. To the odd Baroque Black pearls that have a charm of their own.

In 1982 research began into the possibility of creating a similar cultured-pearl industry in the Cook Islands. The first commercial farms were set up on Manihiki atoll in 1989 and over two million cultured oysters are presently held there. By 1994 the Manihiki lagoon was thought to be approaching its maximum sustainable holding capacity and farms began to be established on Penrhyn atoll. Hundreds of thousands of oysters are presently held at the various farms, and the Penrhyn hatchery is constantly producing more.

To establish a farm, an investment of NZ$6,000 is required, and no return will be forthcoming for five years. Yes, that is correct it takes at least five years for a mature Oyster to develop from the hatchery to mature Oyster. There are currently over 30 farms with just 20 percent of them accounting for 80 percent of the oysters. The oysters are seeded once or twice a year by Chinese workers, and it takes 18 months to two years for the pearl to develop. Of course the Oyster is about three years old before it is big enough to be seeded. All harvested pearls are inspected by the Cook Island government inspectors.

Consider purchasing a loose pearl and having it mounted back home. If you think you might do this, check with your local jeweler before leaving for Rarotonga.

Half the fun is in the shopping, so be in no hurry to decide and don't let yourself be influenced by a driver or guide who is after a commission. The best way I found is to rent your own scooter, this way no guide is involved, the shop should pay the commission to you in the form of a discount (be sure to ask). It's preferable to buy pearls at a specialized outlet rather than a souvenir shop, and never buy a pearl from a person on the street. A reputable dealer will always give you an invoice or certificate verifying the authenticity of your pearl.

Odd shaped pearls can be picked up from a dealer for as little $5.00 NZ. These can be ideal for making up drop earings and pendants. Remember that all pearls are dissolvable, so if you want your pearls cleaned, let a professional do the job. Another thing to remember is that black pearls come in various shades and matching is a very speial and laborious task and is reflected in the price you pay.

Sunday in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands and in particular the island of Rarotonga are very religous with a great many church's of varying faiths dotted around the island. Above is one such church that is just down the road from the Muri Lagoon.

Here above is a Sunday service in full swing, With a mixed choir singing hymns in the Maori language. Though some services are held in English for the visitors.

This lady happens to be favourite housekeeper at Muri Beach, seen here with her grandson. Seen here in front of the church after the service. Take note that one of the Sunday services are held at 5:00 a.m. in the morning. This is so that those who work in the hotels and restaurants, before having to go to work.

Here you can see members of the Church Ladies Guild leaving the church to cross the road to prepare and serve a Sunday lunch for those in the congregation who would like to share in a Pot-luck-lunch. Note that every lady wears a hat. These hats are all homemade, and are in many cases decorated each Sunday with fresh flowers.



This flower grows wild in the hedgerows and in the island jungle and is called the "Bird of Paradise Flower" Like the hibiscus of which I am told there are some 37 varieties in the Cook Islands.

This has to be one of the most exotic flowers on the island grows in ponds, and that is the Lotus which is also native here as well.

Market Day, Flowers & Fruit.

Market Day in Avarua, the capital of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands is on a Saturday. This is not only for the tourist but, for the local islanders to pick up produce that they may not have in their gardens. Their are quite a few craft tables and stalls where even the local crafts men and women can pick up some of their supplies.

On the tables and benches above there is quite display of produce, which includes various types of locally made ketchup.

These local flowers you can find all over the island, local blooms which were growing wild and are now cultivated.

This time of the year of Christmas and New Year family graves are covered with fresh flowers every day.

This stall the specialty is the famous local "BLACK PEARLS", which are cultivated here within the Cook Islands.

Here is a view of one of the many small Banana Plantations. After the harvest has taken place, the plant is cut down and a new shoot is selected to grow in its place. Harvesting takes place about every nine months. Different Banana patches are due to fruit at on a regular basis to ensure year round cropping.

Island Night is something to see.

At the International airport, just before Christmas a lot of arriving flights are welcomed in true island tradition, with drums and dancers. Most Islanders, that live in New Zealand or Australia try and get home for the family reunions. You can see that by the time the aircraft has parked the dancers are out on the tarmac doing a traditional dance of welcome.

Most of the larger resorts and restraunts for one night of the week, put on with the evening meal an Island night of Maori dancing and drum music. These people are at their happiest when they are dancing and singing. They are very proud of their culture, and it is taught in the schools as part of the carriculum. The greeting in the local dialect is translated into English for the benefit of the visitors.

Muri Beachcomber and Muri Lagoon

This is the entrance sign to the Muri Beachcomber resort, which is about 20 minutes drive from the Airport Arrivals, the reception desk.

There are 14 bungalows like these which are beach side or very close to the beach as they built in a semicircle. Just a matter of walking across the well kept lawns and you are on the beach. There is also larger family units, just a short way back from the beach. This is a self catering resort, which provide you with fruit, juice, tea, coffee and UTH milk for your arrival. Each two bungalows share a gas bar-b-que stove for your cooking needs. Or there are many restaurants just a short walk along the beach where you can eat. There are one or two local shops nearby, or your take a bus into Avarua and shop at one of the Supermarkets.

The Muri Beach and Lagoon are very sandy and calm as the big Pacific Ocean rollers are broken up on the coral reef about a half mile from shore.

This is one of the three island that are within the lagoon itself, you can paddle out to them, but no one actualy lives on them.

Another view of the lagoon and its crystal clear waters, just ideal for the snorkel enthusiast to observe the fish at play.

Here is a closeup photograph of the surf breaking on the coral reef. The roar of which carries right to the shore and lulls you to sleep at night.

In this final picture you see people Kite Surfing. You can also rent wind surfing equipment or small sailing dingys. Very seldom is there no breeze at all.

Of course I have shown you Muri Beach and Lagoon. Of course there are many resorts on the island to suit your taste and requirements. The island government prefer that you have booked a place to stay on the island, as no tent or camping is allowed. You are allowed to stay up to 28 days, if longer, you have to apply for a special permit.

Rarotonga International Airport.

This is the scene that you may be lucky enough to see as you aircraft circles to land at the airport.

Guiding your aircraft captain in to make make a safe landing as they come in low over the ocean are the very well trained and experienced Air Traffic Controllers.

This is where you are met by your friendly Maori greeters with their garlands of flowers. Also your shuttle bus driver to take you to your resort destination

This is the Departures part of the Airport Terminal. The Arrivals part of the terminal is down in the distance in this picture. Before you leave the island you are required to pay a Departure Tax at the local WestPac bank, and they will give you a receipt which you hand in when you check in at the Departures counter.

Our Island in the Sun.

The island of Rarotonga. The Capital island of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific.

THE NATION of the Cook Islands comprises 15 islands spread over 850,000 square miles (2.2 million square kilometres) of ocean smack in the middle of the South Pacific between Tonga to the west and the Society Islands to the east. The Cook Islands consists of two main groups, one in the north and one in the south. The southern group is nine "high" islands mainly of volcanic origin although some are virtually atolls. The majority of the population lives in the southern group. The northern group comprises six true atolls.

Southern Group: Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manuae, Mauke, Mitiaro, Palmerston, Rarotonga,-- the capital island, and Takutea.

Northern Group:

Manihiki, Nassau, Tongareva, (Penrhyn), also known as Mangarongaro, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, Suwarrow.

Thirteen of the islands have inhabitant, resident communities on them. Two, Takutea and Nassau have no permanent residents.

The island group is self-governing as an island nation within the British Commonwealth. Instead of a Governor General, they have a Queens Representative Who carries out the duties of the Monarch in her absence. The External Affairs of the Islands are taken care of by New Zealand; also the Island currency has now switched to New Zealand dollars.

Rarotonga, is 32 kilometres or 19.88 miles around. You can get anywhere on the coastline by a local bus service, which travels in both directions. You just have to remember in which direction you want to travel as, one bus is called "CLOCKWISE" and the other one is called "ANTICLOCKWISE." Or if you want to be independant, then you can either rent a Scooter or a Car. British driving regulations are in force, so you drive on the lefthand side of the road. Speed limits on the roads are strictly enforced. You have to obtain a local drivers license from the police station in Avarua, the capital town. Scooter riders have to pass a short drivers test. The cost of the license is $10.00 NZ.

The yellow X on the south east of the island is Muri Beach and Muri Lagoon. More about this in another blog.

The native population is Maori, who speak several languages including English. If you want to score a hit with a Cook Islander, use their word of greeting "KIA ORANA."