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."