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!

5 Must Do Tips for International Travelers

November 2013

Getting ready for a big trip aboard this holiday season? Although we can’t control certain bumps along the way, we can have our travel house in order long before we head to the airport. Here are some must do tips from travel veteran  Roseann Iovine of Outdoor Travel Adventures. 

1 – Passports and Visa
Be sure to check the expiration date on your passport. Most countries will not permit you to enter unless you have a full 6 months remaining on your passport. A good travel planner will ask for a copy of your passport and review the expiration dates, just in case you miss it. If you find you are lacking the validity you need; don’t panic there are rush services available to process new passports. See http://travel.state.gov/passport/hurry/hurry_831.html  You might also need a visa depending on the country;  www.travel.state.gov is an excellent resource.

2 – Health and Travel Medicine
Check with your doctor or you local travel medicine clinic to find out what is required (or suggested) in terms of inoculations or preventive medicine. The CDC website can help give you a current overview of any outbreaks or trends in the areas you are visiting. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/. We usually remind our customers to be current on Tetanus and Hep A vaccinations. For travel tummy I am a big fan of probiotics to give your body a little extra intestinal balance. Best to start taking probiotics around 10-14 days before you leave the US.
Side notes: Bring several healthy snacks in your hand baggage. Jetlag will have your meal times off and a snack can make all the difference; not to mention lack of food on board airlines. The long flights and entire travel process will deplete your body, so be sure you get plenty of rest the week before and days leading up to your trip. (Pack early so you aren’t up to 1am!)

3 – Luggage and Packing
These days luggage allowances are constantly being reduced. Review the airline’s website so you understand exactly how much you can carry on the plane and send as checked baggage. Often times you can pre pay extra baggage; which his a great idea so you don’t’ have extra hassles at the airport. Weigh your luggage before you go. The hand held luggage scales are perfect and pretty accurate. Check if your accommodation has laundry facilities or if you can have laundry done for a reasonable fee. Get a jump on your packing, usually about 10-14 days before the trip. That way you can weed out exactly what you need to bring. Give yourself time to visualize what you see yourself wearing and using. Be realistic!

4 – Finances
Call your credit card company and bank to let them know what countries you will visit. Obtaining local currency is easily done from ATM’s once you are abroad. The fees vary depending on your bank, however ATM’s are convenient and in some cases offer a better rate of exchange than the large currency exchange stands at airports.

5 – Communications/Connectivity/Electronics
Check with your cellular carrier on international plans to see if it’s worth adding to your account. If you plan to make several calls back to the US or use the phone during your trip; the plan makes sense. Apps such as Viber, Skype or Facetime, can also take care of those international calls or text messages at no cost. If you go this route be sure anyone you want to communicate with also has access to the program. Wireless may or may not be offered at your hotel for free or for a fee. Check in advance so you can consider your communication options.
Don’t forget to check to see what international adapters/plugs you need for your phone, camera and laptops.
Happy Travels!
Roseann Iovine

Outdoor Travel Adventures
            Life Enhancing Travel

Roseann Iovine has been planning international trips since 1985 and her company has a team of travel specialist that can take you to the far corners of the world.

 

5 Star Fiji Finish

Outrigger on the Lagoon • Fiji

and Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa

Blogging from Fiji - November 21, 2013

Michelle Barth, Adventure Consultant – Outdoor TravelAdventures

I finished my trip to Fiji on a 5 star note!

I visited the Coral Coast and stayed at the lovely Outrigger on the Lagoon• Fiji
resort on my final rounds in Nadi. The resort is as wonderful as ever, but adults guests will surely enjoy the  new Vahahvu pool area.

In Fiji, Vahahvu means "to relax",the new swimming pool, bistro and banquet pavilion.  Set among the lush gardens of the resort, it caters to adult guests with a 20-metre lap pool, 35-metre lagoon pool, sundeck, and swim-up bar.

Then it was on to the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa
Fantastic rooms, incredible Spa and of course this is the place to golf in Fiji.

Intercontinental Fiji Golf Rsort and Spa

Natadola Championship Golf Course

King Room at the Intercontinental

Village Visit from Blue Lagoon Cruises

Blogging from Fiji - November 20, 2013

Michelle Barth, Adventure Consultant – Outdoor Travel Adventures

Last night we had a special visit to the village of Tamusua. A yaqona ceremony, a guided walk around the village and a Fiji village style 'feast' prepared and cooked by the village women. The villagers shared stories about their culture and their home. Picture below - Kava ceremony at the local Village.  Yes, I know it looks (& tastes) like muddy water! It is from the Kava root.

'The roots of the kava plant are used to produce a drink with sedative and anesthetic properties. Kava is consumed throughout the Pacific Ocean cultures of Polynesia, including Hawaii, Vanuatu, Melanesia and some parts of Micronesia. Kava is sedating and is primarily consumed to relax without disrupting mental clarity. Its active ingredients are called kavalactones.' - Wikipedia



It's 80 degrees with now in Tamusua with clouds and sun. Totally great!