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."