Plan on a little island time...
Whether you are planning on a leisurely stay at Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook Islands, or looking for an adventure on the outer islands, all offer an unrivalled tropical paradise with an intoxicating blend of adventure and relaxation.
Time stands still in this idyllic place, where you might as well leave your watch in your pocket and enjoy every minute of your stay. The Cook Islands are geared towards your pleasure, with plenty to see and do.
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Arriving and finding your way
The airport is small by international standards, but still has everything you expect and the locals are, as the Cook islands trade on, very friendly indeed. So much so, the local ukelele specialist is standing there (yes, even at 2am!) welcoming you with a lusty version of whatever it was that my sleep fuddled mind now can't remember.
Because only one international plane lands at a time, it's a quick turnaround and out the gates to whatever transport you've organised and on to the accommodation. Let me give you a word of advice here. Make sure that not only have you booked your accommodation, but that you have also booked a 'day room' rate if you do arrive at such an ungodly hour. There are tourists who have been caught out by not doing this and what it means is that you arrive at your destination at 3am to find that you have to sleep on the beach because you are not expected till 10am which is normally check in time. In which case, pray for fine weather.
If you have booked through a travel agent, you may get lucky in terms of finding alternative accommodation at their cost because it is their responsibility to make sure you are catered to, but if you book directly online, on your own head be it if you don't take this into account.
Rarotonga is an unusual place, everything runs to island time here and you find within 24 hours, so too are you. The island is easily navigable, with a ring road that runs all the way round it, so if you accidentally go past your destination, don't worry, you'll get there eventually by continually following the road round again! Although by the end of the first week it does feel a bit like you are navigating a giant roundabout.
While narrow and following the coast, there are other roads which run parallel to it and closer to the mountains. One in particular has an amazing history, the Are Matua, which is the old road of Toi, it was originally built - and paved! - around 1200 years ago by the famous chief of the same name, using flat basalt rock. The road was built wide enough that two warriors could trot side-by-side down it. While it did not go all the way round (stream crossings and other geographical oddities made it impossible) it still is one of the oldest paved roads built in the Southern Hemisphere. The road is still in evidence in many areas.
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Getting around
The one aspect you will get used to, if you don't become a statistic yourself, is that most of the transport on the island is scooter or motorbike. You can hire cars and there is a very good public transport system, but by and large everyone who lives on the island owns a bike and this is by far the most preferred mode of transport.
The speed limit is 40kms an hour and it does make sense - you are not required by law to wear a helmet or protective clothing on these and the natives can take risks when shooting out of their respective driveways, so it does pay to have eyes in the side of your head as well. Even babies get hauled along this way, tied to Mum or Dad via a brightly coloured pareu (sarong).
And don't forget to watch out for the dogs. In fact, this is the only place I've seen that at regular intervals along the road you will see the sign "dog crossing". Do bring your drivers licence because you will need it to hire a car and the Cook Islands do prefer you to pay $10 for a Cook Islands license, which last 12 months.
Many tourists get a license simply for the souvenir value. For something absolutely different, try a Scootcar - which is a three wheel motorcycle/golf cart which is capable of good road speed. There is room for two, side by side and you can be covered if it rains. They are a little on the expensive side to hire at around $50 a day, but for a day's fun, it's well worth the investment. A laidback place
Rarotonga has stunning lagoons edged by pristine white beaches and living coral reefs, making swimming and snorkelling safe and enjoyable. Inland areas have a dramatic rugged profile with a lush rainforest cover, small plantations tucked away in hidden valleys and colourful village gardens of vibrant tropical flora.
The Cook Islands are tidy, neat and very unspoiled. The unpolluted natural environment is important to the Islanders and they take great pride in showing off their slice of tropical heaven.
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