Wednesday, October 29, 2008

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.




Wednesday, October 15, 2008

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.





















Tuesday, October 7, 2008

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.