Rarotonga – The Cook Islands
I found my travel journal from my 6 weeks in the Cook Islands. We staying on Rarotonga and Mangaia islands. I transcribed all my rambling into one long post. If you want to read it you can do so here. This is meant to be a shorter read.
Getting There
We began our adventure around 4 in the morning because we needed to leave Vancouver Island. We caught the first ferry to Vancouver and went to the airport.
There are no direct flights to Rarotonga from Vancouver, so our first stage was getting to Los Angeles. At LAX we had some plane troubles and were delayed by just over an hour before we were finally able to take a bus to a new plane stashed quite far from the terminal.
To travel the distance Air New Zealand must use a large plane despite the low number of passengers. This meant the plane was mostly empty and we could talk to each other without disturbing other passengers. It also meant that we could find a row of empty seats and lay down to sleep for must of the flight because it was after midnight on a day that had begun at 4 am.
The Hotel
We stayed at the Paradise Inn. This was a small 14 room hotel right on the beach. We occupied 12 of the rooms. So for most of the time, we were staying there we had the hotel to ourselves. This, again, kept us from disturbing other guests.
The hotel is a rectangular building that has 7 rooms down each side. Each room has a double bed or two twins on the first floor. There is also a kitchenette and a bathroom on the first floor. This was nice because then we could do our own cooking. The rooms also have a second-floor loft with a double bed. We were all rooming two or three two a room but there was lots of space with the loft.
Past the rooms, near the beach is a large common room. This space has couches and chairs. It also has a larger communal kitchen space. There is a bar. The space opens to a beach patio where we can sit and relax and lookout over the water.
We were very comfortable at the hotel and treated very well by the owner. It was a home away from home for us.
Studying
The opportunity to go on a field school happens every year at Vancouver Island University. That year the Cook Islands was one of the field schools options. We were getting the opportunity to do some cultural anthropology immersed in a group of people with a long and interesting history.
The local campus of the University of the South Pacific let us use their classrooms as ours. We had some lectures there. However, much of our learning took place on the land and with the local people. The ability to meet people in their homes and places of work was amazing. We were invited to ceremonies we would normally not get to see.
Beaches
The Cook Islands are small islands so nice beaches are common. On Rarotonga, Muri Beach is where the tourist’s head. While we were there we would see cruise boats take people there for the say. And it’s worth it. Is a nice swimming spot and there aren’t too many corals or sea anemones to step on.
If you want an equally beautiful and relaxing spot without the cruise ship full of people, you can head to Aroa beach or Titikaveka beach. Both beaches are great for snorkelling and sunbathing.
Getting Around
Rarotonga has ring road that is about 32km long. Not something you would comfortably want to walk on vacation. We rented bicycles, a common method of travel. They were great for long jaunts all the way around the island to explore different towns and beaches. The bikes were also useful when headed into town for groceries.
There are also two buses on the island. One drive the ring road clockwise, the other drives the road counterclockwise. On top of that, there are a few taxis in the towns, mostly near the airport and large hotels. You could also stick out your thumb and get a ride from a local or rent your own vehicle while you are there.
The Needle
Rarotonga has a 10km cross-island hike that goes from north to south. We began on the north side of the island and hiked towards the south side. The hike is designed to take a few hours and goes over the mountain in the middle of the island. Near the top, you can take a side path and get to Te Rua Manga, The Needle.
At higher elevations, the hike has lovely views. But sections of the hike are more like a climb and can be quite steep. Some places use roots and branches as handholds.
When you near the end of the hike on the south side there is a waterfall you can stop and swim at. This will help you clean off some of the mud and sweat from the hike. The area can be full of mosquitoes, so bring repellent. Also, be sure to bring plenty of water and some snacks on the hike. It took us about 4 hours to finish the hike because we took a few wrong turns and had a few rest stops.
Around Town
If your looking for something more relaxing then you can go into Avarua District and visit the national museum. Muri Beach has night markets with food trucks and local goods. On Saturdays check out the weekly Punanga Nui Market for local crafts and foods. Remember the markets are cash only. Towns have shops that may take credit cards.
Being an island there are plenty of activities to do on the water. Try a vaka. Go kayaking or paddleboarding. You can snorkel or scuba dive. There are lagoon rides and boat cruises that can be taken. Whatever you do be sure to relax and enjoy your time in such a beautiful place.
