Cook Islands

We left a very turbulent New Zealand (weatherwise!!) and took a flight to our first of the South Pacific Islands - Rarotonga. Funny time difference here. We left NZ on the 4th of April on a 10pm flight and arrived here on the 4th in the morning, so we gained a day. 

We had an incredible introduction to the Cook Islands as we got off the plane we were greeted with the beautiful 'Kia Orana' (Hello) above the doorway into the airport and then to make it even more special at the baggage claim an old man with yukulele was playing and singing island songs. Just as romantic as it sounds! 

We arrived to our hostel very early in the morning. A great backpackers guesthouse right on the beach with pool, hammocks and huts. We were fortunate enough to arrive just in time for sunrise. We knew we were going to enjoy it here! 

The first few days we took to orientating ourselves to our surroundings for the next three weeks. Taking the bus into the town to get our groceries, finding nice spots for swimming/snorkelling and finding out what to do while here.

The weather wasnt great our first day (we had a good bit of rain while in the south pacific - did not reaslised they got so much rain but also explains why its so lush!) so we took a walk to the town, along the way we found a lovely bakery and more importantly a fantastic Local Brewery ' Rarotonga Brewery. The guys make it behind the bar and only serve it in jugs or flagoons (stainless steel type milk bottles but carry like 5l) they dont use plastic/glass bottles and dont bottle the beer to keep fown on waste. You can go in with your own water bottle and have it filled!! The beer tastes delicious too. Needless to say we spent a good bit of time here. Taking a jug down to the beach and chilling out on a bench under a coconut tree. 

We contintued our walk into the town not realising it was 8km, followed the whole way by two dogs. Wild dogs everywhere here and they latch onto people to prtotect themselves from packs of dogs when they are outside of their territory. We inititally thought they were just being cute until a whole pack ran at us and the two dogs ran between our legs, offering us up! 

Another popular thing for tourists to do here is to visit Sunday mass. We later learnt not for the mass itself or the beautiful singing but instead for the huge feast they serve afterwards and invite all tourists along to. Its one way of getting people to mass! We went our first Sunday there with a few doctors who were staying at our hostel on placement here. It was a beautiful ceremony and all the men and women dress so beautifully, the women in colourful dress and hats and then men in their Sunday bests. We were indeed treated to a beautiful dinner afterwards. 

We rented bikes for a week and it was a great way to get around the island, its small enough, just 32km around and flat roads. 

We cycled to Muri beach and were told at low tide you could walk over to the island closest within the lagoon. The current was quite strong but we made our way over. As we arrived a big Rarotongan man in traditional dress (skirt) ushered us over to a table full of food and told us to help ourselves, tons of beautiful food, Yellowfin tuna steaks, papaya salad, fried banana, all locally sourced fresh food. While we ate our grub a bunch of Raro men where playing traditional music playing drums made from coconut trees. Was so amazing! 

The snorkelling here is incredible and we snorkeled most days. Taking equipment from the hostel. Saw such incredible fish. 

We also discovered a great Fish and Chip shack (pics below) 'Pacific' they would batter whatever fish was caught that day. Always delicious! 

Met some great people in the hostel, in particular an American guy. He arrived early one morning when everyone in the hostel was feeling quite deflated as the weather was crap (tropical depression!!) and took out his guitar and start olaying some belters! Everyones spirits were instantly up. He was an interesting charater and has travelled all around the world busking. The type of guy who when talking about a European town will call it in the language of its inhabitants. He had a great card game with him called the 'Backpacker' and we played it while the weather was bad.

When the weather improved we took a small plane called a '' to a small island off Rarotonga called Aitutaki. The smallest plane i have ever been in, I think it sat 20. There was no door in between you and the pilot. We sat up front to get the best view coming into the island and also keeping an eye on the pilot ;) 

It was the most stunning entrance and although tired from an early flight we were soon awake! The airport was more like a big house! We were greeted off the runway by our host 'Greta' with Leis for around our neck. Was incredible! 

She brought us to her guesthouse. Beautiful blue and white house with 6 bedrooms, kitchen, tv, the lot. Noone else was staying there so we had the place to ourselves! She also left us a bowl of local fruit to enjoy! 

The day we arrived there was a volleyball tournament on just across from where we were staying. Local teams, men and women. We sat and enjoyed that for a while. Then made our way to 'The Pacific Resort' to take advantage of their pool, beach and kayaks! 

We rented bikes while we were here too and made our way to the tip of the island and enjoyed walking around the beautiful beaches and resorts. 

We were advised to take 'Tekings Tour' while here which was a lagoon cruise. They took us around the lagoon to the best coral reef to snorkel. Equipped with decent gear, he took us out. He pulled up to our first stop and threw some raw fish into the sea, with that an army of HUGE fish jumped out of the water to fight over it. From the boat these things looked nothing short of baby sharks, fins and all. Terrified but too far out now to back out we jumped in and WOW. The coral here was out of this world and the array of fish was incredible. The big fellas while at first pretty scary looking were not bothered by us and had big dopey faces. While out we also saw an Eagle Ray. Such an enjoyable day out on the reef. So hypnotic following the fish through the reef and so calming. 

We were then brought to Honeymoon Island and One Foot island where they stamped our passports. We were treated to a lovely feast for lunch. All local fish, fruit, vegetables and plenty of rounds!! 

On our last night our hosts invited us to a local golf tournament that was help bi weekly to raise money for the local rugby team to travel to Rarotonga for their games. 

It was such a funny expereince. Myself and Daniel have never played before and so were a little nervous. Didnt last long as we were picked up and the two of them in the front were drinking cans of bourbon and cola and smoking some sort of herb! They were dressed in shorts covered in paint, so clearly no dress etiquette! The clubhouse was a small shack and the course was more like an old pitch and putt course. It was so relaxed and everyone had fun with it. We drank our way around the course with them and stayed till midnight dancing with the locals! 

We made our way back to Raro the next morning and made our way that evening to the Easter Marke were we enjoyed some local food and a culture show of dancing and singing. 

While in Raro we attended a local Rugby game (Rugby League) against two local teams, bit of bad blood as the stronger team had nicked players from the underdogs and these players were considered traitors, so we anticipated some bad blood and a few digs. The med students were ready to attend!

Aorangi Bears vs Bulldogs

As we were staying with Aorangi our loyalty naturally lay with them (albeit the Underdogs). It was a tight game but the Bulldogs got there in the end. 

We eventually tackled the Cross Island Trek on one of our last days, the infaous walk was said to be rough, steep, jagged rocks and sheer drop cliffs. We breeed through it ;P 

Ah no, it was up and down and alot of pulling out of trees like Tarzan but the reward at the end, the waterfall was refreshing and welcoming! 

And so came our last day in Rarotonga, this was the longest we had stayed in one place so we felt an affinity to it. It was like home in a way, People were so lovely and always happy to share (even though they dont have much) I was getting some food in the supermarket one day and i didnt have enough cash with me, the man behind me offered to pay what was owed, insisted! Such an amazing gesture and when i thanked him he replied 'Welcome to the Cooks!'

People are happy here, there s a great sense of community and families extend throughout the village with everyone being responsible for each other, many people call each other uncle/auntie. 

We thoroughlly enjoyed our time here and reckon it was our favourite stop to date. Incredible welcome to the South Pacific. 

Next we head to Tonga for a few weeks. Its up against some tough competition.