Pure Heaven..The Cook Islands
Written: Jun 06 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Tropical, Unspoiled, Relaxing, Friendly, Scenic,Laid back. Until the Survivor TV series starts, mostly unknown.
Cons: Far from the USA
The Bottom Line: Excellent choice of Destinations. Beautiful, Scenic, Relaxing, Tropical, Friendly, Perfect for couples who want to get away from it all. Not as developed as some places.
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| imn2fun2's Full Review: Rarotonga |
The Cook island.....A undiscovered, unspoiled paradise. If you happen to decide that you want a trip to paradise, do NOT overlook the Cook Islands.
Yes the Cook Islands are a long way from the United States but if your headed down to say Tahiti, why not go a little further for a place that has so much to offer. Rarotonga, which is the largest of the Cook Islands, is unlike any other tropical location I have visited (I have been to many). Raro (as you will learn to call it), is beginning to get more built up but this place is nothing like Tahiti, Bora Bora or Hawaii.
Rarotonga is a sleepy little island that has no stop signs, no traffic lights, no fast food restaurants, one TV station, and plenty of empty, beautiful white beaches. The water is crystal clear and the waves break on the reef which surrounds the island. This makes for magnificent views of waves crashing against the reef.
Rarotonga main mode of transportation is motor scooter though you can rent a car if you like. There is bus service that runs each way across the island in opposite directions at different times. The bus is very informal but takes you most places on the main road. Rarotonga really has two roads but most all businesses and condos/resorts are located on the main road. One needs to rent a scooter and go explore the back road. You really get a feel for how laid back Rarotonga is when you do that.
The Food on Raro is excellent, especially the fish and the fruits. Make sure though if you have a kitchenette that you go into town and pick up groceries before Sunday as everything will be closed then. You also will want to take in their market on Saturday. This is a small market but well worth going to see and shop.
The people are another great asset of the Cook Islands. Many are shy as tourism on the Cooks is not like neighboring Tahiti. People are just now getting used to the increase in tourism over the last say 10 years. This makes for a truly unspoiled island though signs of development are appearing more often.
I can go on and on about Rarotonga but let me say it this way.....GO to the Cook islands...Do not miss it if you wish to see a place that is a good combination of some development and natural tropical beauty. For those who have been to Hawaii, Hawaii it isn't. It is as beautiful as Hawaii but without all the high rises on Oahu and crowds on all the other islands. This however is not a place for someone who has to be busy all the time. The Cook Islands are all about forgetting what time it is.
Another place worth visiting is beautiful Aitutaki. This is even a more laid back place than Raro. The water is breath taking, even more beautiful than that on Rarotonga. There are several small plane flights daily from Raro to Aitutaki throughout the day. I suggest you grab the first flight and come back at sunset. Highly suggest a day trip over to Aitutaki!!! By all means, view a sunset.
Don Henley once wrote "call a place paradise and kiss it goodbye." Henley for sure wasn't thinking about the Cook Islands when he wrote that for the Cooks are paradise!
It is truly a perfect tropical destination for those who are looking to unstress and relax from the hustle of every day life. Email me for more specific inquires or photos.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May
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Epinions.com ID:
imn2fun2
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Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
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