Things You May Not Know About the Cooks

English in spoken the Cook Islands. Although French Tahiti is a mere one hour flight away, English and Cook Islands Maori are the official languages of the Cook Islands The islands are self-governing in "free association" with New Zealand.; New Zealand retains primary responsibility for external affairs, with consultation with the Cook Islands government. Cook Islands nationals are citizens of New Zealand and can receive New Zealand government services, but the reverse is not true; New Zealand citizens are not Cook Islands nationals.

Bird Man of Atiu gives amazing day tours!

Coconuts Used in the Emergency Room? 

If you sit under a coconut tree, you may end up in the emergency room as falling nuts are a real concern. However, coconuts themselves were used during WW2 for sick and injured soldiers who were stationed there. It is said that coconut water is identical to human plasma and can be injected directly into the human bloodstream. The story has its origin from World War II where coconut water was given intravenously because saline solution was in short supply.

The Cooks have HUGE Crabs

The Coconut Crab is the largest land-living arthropod in the world and they live on the Cook Islands! They can grow to up to 1 metre (3 ft) in length from leg to leg. While coconut crabs can climb trees, and can eventually open a coconut collectively, coconuts are not a significant part of their diet. The diet of coconut crabs consists primarily of fleshy fruits, nuts and seeds.When they’re not eating fruit, coconut crabs munch on dead fish and rats and even attack land-crabs. The Coconut Crab is becoming scarce as they are hunted for their sweet tender crab meat and are a favorite by the locals. 

The odds of seeing one this big are slim, but yes - they do get this big! Creepy pic from Blog24.

You Need to Get a License

If you are staying in the Cooks for a week ore more and want to rent a car, you will need to get a Driver's License. There is no test, but you do need to go down to the police station in town, pay a small fee and then have your photo taken. The driver's license is good for one year and makes a great souvenir! Scooters also require a license and a quick lesson on the rules of the road - after-all they do drive on the LEFT side there!

Cooks at a Discount Although the currency valuations fluctuate, the U.S. dollar is currently .83 to one N.Z. dollar. Although things are usually more expensive on Islands overall, this discount is great and makes everything more affordable. Think cheaper souvenirs,  happy hour, fresh fruit, etc.!

Things to Do in the Cooks: Pa's Cross Island Trek

Pa is somewhat of a rock star on Rarotonga. Pa is well-known for his exciting cross Island treks, his knowledge of natural healing and even more famous for his real-life adventures. Pa has reportedly swam to each of the 15 islands within the Cook Islands archipelago.

Pa of Rarotonga

Visitors in the know will make it a priority to schedule a trek trip with Pa once they arrive. He has set days that he'll do the hike, but keep in mind that heavy rain cancels as the trails become a muddy mess. This hike isn't for small children or for those who act like small children. It's a rigorous 4+ hour hike but Pa makes sure to lead in the safest way possible. Do not attempt this trek by yourself, as it is literally solid jungle-scape up in the mountains and it's very easy to get lost or injured. 

Some parts of the trail are wide like this.

Pa picks up his trek group in the morning and parks at a trail-head. Before leaving, make sure you are wearing good hiking shoes. Flip flops are not OK. Spray yourself down with good quality mosquito spray (sorry, DEET is the best option) and make sure you are appropriately dressed.  It can be as much as 10 degrees cooler up in the mountains and rain can come at any time. Bring water for yourself and a small snack. Do pack lightly as Pa will scold you for a heavy backpack. In fact, if he sees big clunky packs, he'll take them from his guests and layer them on his back and arms like a sherpa. He doesn't want anyone to fall and insists on removing that risk. Luckily, even at 70+ years of age, Pa is as strong as a bull.


Other parts of the trail are wet, rocky and precarious. Pack good hiking shoes for your trip to the Cooks!

Pa is  also an informative guide. Not only does he lead you straight up the hill into the pure paradise, but he educates you on plant and animal life. He'll show you plants that you can eat, plants that bear strange looking seeds/flowers and plants that can be used as medicine. Are the mozzies starting to bite? No worries, he'll pick a wild Noni fruit and tell you to rub the stinky juice on your arms and legs. You'll smell like feet, but it does work.


Unusual tree with freakishly large pea-pod-like things hanging from it.

Pa will also tell tales of when the ancient Islanders celebrated victories during special ceremonies that often involved the cannibalistic practice of eating their enemies. Hey, we all have our past. Islanders also carved out statues of their animistic Gods and they were placed across the Island with the most impressive carvings at the very top of the mountain into a rocky cliff-side. Even today you can see the carved faces.


The Needle from a distance. 


Do you see the faces? 

When the missionaries came to the Cooks in the early 1800's they eventually converted the Islanders to Christianity. This helped create peace among the different Island kingdoms with the added benefit of not having to eat their enemies anymore.

As part of the newly found Christianity, Missionaries encouraged (forced) Islanders to get 'rid of false idols'. Tribal carvings and statues were removed all across the Islands. However, the Islanders refused to destroy the giant carved faces at the top of the mountain. No way, no how. In fact, as a precautionary measure, the ancients had situated huge boulders at the top of the mountain. Should the Missionaries decide to have the faces destroyed, the back-up plan was to run up the hill and push the boulders down onto the slow moving Missionaries.

On the way down the mountain, we spotted some local teens on the trail. They stopped Pa and asked about plants that would help with an illness. Pa quickly peppered them with questions and started pulling leaves from various trees barking out instructions for the boys. Pa doesn't just do tours - he's also the Island's natural healing guru, and as anyone will tell you - he's the real deal.

Be prepared to learn lots and yes, bring a small camera for the views from this hike are outstanding. You will cross the Island via the mountains and descend at a careful pace to the other side. At the bottom of the hill, a van will pick you up and return you to your hotel. Pa's enthusiasm and energy was just as prolific at the end of the hike as it was at the start. He left our group with a parting wish, "I am celebrating another birthday tomorrow. Please drink a glass of water and think of me. Water makes you strong - water is life!"

For an Island surrounded by beautiful ocean, it's easy to see that water IS life on the Cooks - and what a great life it is.

If you are limited on time and love adventure, this is a 'do not miss' activity!

Interested in package deals to the Cooks? Packages start at $1699 per person with air from LAX.
Call to speak to one of our travel consultants 1-800-554-9059 for best available airfare for your travel dates or request your dates for the resort and we will confirm air prices and total package price upon receipt of your request.

Submitted by  Meg Tyndall O'Hearn on behalf of OTA.

Cook Islands - Things To Do! Highland Paradise

Planning a trip to the Cook Islands but curious about what to do once there? In this new Cooks series, we will be highlighting fun and educational experiences that you should try to squeeze in during your restful days of lounging on the pristine beaches and swimming in turquoise waters!

 (Click here to view current packages)

Highland Paradise Sunset Island Night

Typically held on Wednesday and Friday nights, this cultural experience atHighland Paradise will blow your socks off (check the current schedule once there).

View from Highland Paradise

Located high up in the lush jungle hills of Rarotonga, the evening ticket price includes hosted round-trip transport, expert guides, village cultural immersion experiences, marae visit, a tapu lifting, warrior welcome, cocktail, underground oven (umu) feasting like you have never experienced and spectacular stage show telling the story of Cook Island ancient heritage through singing, dancing and drumming.

If you arrive early on the shuttle, make sure to take walk the grounds and take in the ancient ruins and grounds. Many of the areas within Highland Paradise are sacred or 'tapu', so please read the signs and be respectful as to where you walk!

Marae

Spots to check out:

- There are several marae at this location which are mostly stones terraces where ancient ceremonial rituals would take place. The 'sacrifice stone' as pictured below (yes, there was a period of time when the Cook Islanders did this) is a great place to go freak out the the kids. 

Sacrifice stone

The navigator rock - this rock points towards New Zealand. Cook Islanders were excellent navigators and would use the stars to sail between islands and over great spans of ocean.

New Zealand is that way!

Miracle Healing water - this is a little off the beaten path, but there is a stream that the ancient Islanders believed had healing powers. We tried to put some on our mosquito bites. Speaking of bug bites, this area is high up dense rain forest. There is spray you can use at Highland Paradise by the main check-in, but please be sure to spray yourself down before you leave for the evening. 

After you have enjoyed the grounds, settle in with a tropical cocktail or a local Cook's brew and get ready for the show. As you enjoy the lively entertainment, you will be able to enjoy hot umu (like underground BBQ) and many local side-dish favorites like fresh-was-swimming-in-the-water-a-few-hours-ago fish, taro root mash, taro leaves in coconut cream (like creamed spinach) and an enormous assortment of tropical fruits.

The Highland Paradise Sunset Island Night package may be added to your Cook Island Package here - http://bookings.otadventures.com/Activities/Highland-Paradise-Sunset-Island-Night

Cook Islands - A Must Do!

As I wrap up my Cook Islands trip it's really hard to imagine that in just 6 short days I visited over 25 hotels and accommodations and met with (and or experienced) over 50 local businesses or experiences.  I absolutely loved the Cooks as a destination. I was lucky enough to spend this week with some incredible colleagues from all over the world, who all share the same goal of selling travel dreams.

I have a fresh perspective of how my company should be selling the destination, and what locations and properties will work best for Americans. The Cooks really has it all! Families, honeymooners, anniversary or special occasion, or those just looking a Polynesian Islands experience full of adventure and relaxation.

If you are looking for the non commercial South Pacific experience, then the Cooks is the perfect place for you - no chain hotels or restaurants. For me the biggest surprise was the fact that the entire island or Rarotonga is one big resort, with many excellent local places to eat and a plethora of activities. What could be better than an excellent meal in a restaurant where you can have your toes in the sand at dinner? You can drive around the entire islands in about 45 minutes, so everything really is at your door step.

I plan to create a new list of top 10 places to eat in the Cooks, so stay tuned for that update as well as my picks for the best hotels, for families and romance.

It's going to be hard to get back in the office tomorrow and spend my time in front of a computer; versus taking in the islands, but the time has come. Time to get busy on updated on our cookislands-honeymoons.com website and also on adding some fun ideas to otadventures.com.

I can't wait to share all I have learned and experienced with my team and all of our clients!

Kia Orana - which means "May you live long". Enjoy my pictures from the last two days.

Farmers market which is held on Saturdays. One of the best I have seen anywhere!

Royal Takitumu Villas - This is for adults only. I highly recommend it!

Royal Takitumu Villas

 

Flying into Aitutaki

The crew of travel pros at Aitutaki Airport. Hats compliments of school children.

Kiteboarders at Muri Beach

Koka Lagoon Cruises - also seen below. This is a great half day tour out to snorkel and have fun experiencing local culture as well in Rarotonga,

Aitutaki Trip

Today Roseann took a quick 40 minute flight from Rarotonga to the remote and heavenly island of Aitutaki.
While there she enjoyed a Lagoon cruise and visits to the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and the Pacific Resort. Aitutaki offers great snorkeling and is truly paradise on earth. There are only 1600 people live there ..it's quite amazing. Enjoy these quick snaps from today!

Welcome to Aitutaki!

Aitutaki Lagoon Resort - Over water bungalow

Chess anyone? Aitutaki Lagoon Resort

Pacific Resort Aitutaki

Tourism to the Cooks

December 2, 2013

Another busy day here in the Cook Islands. We just completed Day 1 of the Tourism Conference called KOCI. (which means Kia Orana Cook Islands).

Guest speakers, panel discussions, and all that fun business jazz goes into the brain power of promoting a unique destinations such as the Cooks.

The venue today was the Highland Paradise Cultural Center, high in the hills with majestic views of the ocean.

View from the Highland Paradise Cultural Center

   

Here I am (top photo above) with the two ladies that are pictured in the Cook's Tourism ad (below). They work for the Cooks Tourism Bureau and are both a complete riot! I love them!

Marae are 'tapu' or ancient sites where Islanders used to have ceremonies & rituals.

Tourism Conference 

Tomorrow is the sought after day trip to Aitutaki, (know as heaven on earth) to those who have experienced it. Many say it rivals Bora Bora for sheer beauty and a remote tropical feel. Stay tuned!

Dinner tonight was at one of Rarotonga’s top restaurants Vaima. Tables right on the beach, excellent food. I highly recommend it!

The Cooks offers really unique dining options. It is all about getting out of your hotel and dining around. There are no chains restaurants or franchises here, so it is all one of a kind.

My Intro to the Cook Island

December 1, 2013

After a very comfortable 9 hour flight from LAX we landed in Rarotonga this morning.

Welcome to the Cooks! Kia Orana. What a fantastic welcome by the Cook Islands Tourism today.

A busy day for sure as we have 9 hotels to inspect including Muri Beach Club Hotel where we are staying.

The Cooks Islands are extremely unique. Unlike some of the other island nations I have visited, Cook Islands have a certain pride of their country and culture.

Today we traveled around the entire island visiting various styles of resorts. The main mode of transportation for islanders and visitors is scooters. (No helmets!) hmm. This afternoon we were treated to a beach party at Pacific Resort Rarotonga (a 4.5* resort on Muri Beach). I really liked the team of people who work for Pacific Resorts.

I tried paddle boarding for the first time against some pretty windy conditions . It was a fun experience which I can’t wait to try again on Muri Beach. Muri Beach seems to be the tourist beach of choice due to the shallow blue waters and ability to swim without much concern hitting  the coral reef.

Here is a quick review of the resorts visited today. I don’t have star ratings for all as it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint a rating on places that are self catering with kitchens etc.

Crown Beach 4.5* - wonderful resort. Steep beach, ideal Pool Suites for honeymoon. Sharp coral at times.

Manui 3.5*- small resort, local feel, steps to the beach. Very personalized service. Good walking distance to places to eat and drink. Drop your shoes when you check in, you probably won’t need them!

Sunset 3-3.5* – nice property with well appointment rooms. Sharp coral at times. Great location and ideal for those looking for a secluded beach and excellent sunsets.

Lagoon Breeze Villas - ideal for families or two couples traveling together. Across the street from a beautiful beach.

Rarotongan - large property, nice hotel style rooms, kids clubs. Ideal for travelers looking for a large property. Beautiful spa facility.

Sea Change Villas – lovely property for older families (with kids 12 and up) well appointment Villas across the street from the beach.

Muri Beach Comber – great option for guests looking for a self catering type of resort with kitchen close to beach.

Muri Beach Club Hotel – this is my home away from home for the entire stay. The resort is small and the rooms are hotel type, so not really a local feel. Nice pool, great beach. I have a soft spot for this property as they were our partner on the Living Social deal we did some time ago when we sold over 200 people to come to the Cooks. Staff are great.

Cook Island Resort Hotels & Rates - http://bookings.otadventures.com/Product/Category/Cook-Islands-Resorts

Roseann Arrives in the Cooks!

Roseann visited 8 hotels yesterday in Rarotonga. Whew! After a long day, her group was rewarded with a beach party and she even had enough energy to try paddle boarding! 

Roseann also made note of the adorable and sweet dogs that sometimes visit with tourists on the beaches. 

Here's a picture of a friendly golden retriever that lives at Muri Beach.

Unlike other Pacific Islands, the Cooks have an outstanding non-profit Vet Rescue and Humane Society group called the Esther Honey Foundation. Vets from all over the world come for several months at a time and spay/neuter strays, fix broken bones and remedy other illnesses. It's also a popular trip with young veterinarians because they get to soak up some fabulous Island sun! It is with their great work that Rarotonga's animals (both owned and strays) have a higher quality of life. The dogs are somewhat famous because they have taught themselves 'how to fish' - Read the Discovery Magazine article on them here.  

Roseann is busy again today visiting more great hotel locations and learning about the great activities on the Island.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Off to the Cook Islands

It could be said  that getting to LAX might be the hardest part of an international journey. Fortunately, I managed to have a smooth transition getting here from San Diego. Yes - I did forget this trip would be on the tail-end of the Thanksgiving holiday! However, thanks to an early start, average traffic and my new best friends at Wally Park, things are off to a good start.

The check-in lines were smooth at Air New Zealand and since my United Club membership is part of the Star Alliance (Air New Zealand), here I am in the Air New Zealand lounge. It is always amazing me how otherwise normal people feel the urge to stuff their pockets, bags and bellies with anything they can get for free in here. I wish I could share a video of some of the things I am seeing!

I am anxious to get the trip underway and board the flight to the Cook Islands. Air New Zealand flies a 767 just one a week from LAX to Rarotonga on Sundays, and back to LAX on Saturdays.

The flight is just a little over 9 hours but doesn't cross the date line.

I'm sure warm tropical weather and friendly people await. I will be busy at meetings while reviewing 30 hotels! But as they say, 'it's all in a days work'. More from the Cook Islands later this week.

Happy December!