Kent and I recently spent a week on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. Rarotonga is located in the South Pacific. 2 flights and 11 hours later and we arrived at the Muri Beach Club Hotel. What a great place to stay, with a spa like feel...we were barefoot & fancy-free literally! We rented a scooter, which is the best way to get around the island. We had fun exploring the high jagged peaks, deep valleys and waterfalls through the jungle on the Cross Island Track. The island is surrounded with white sandy beaches and an aquamarine lagoon, making it easy to enjoy our favorite things… snorkeling and kayaking. Rarotonga is very tourist friendly; the locals are genuine and helpful; always smiling. Dogs and chickens roam the island from the sea to the mountaintops, as we discovered on our adventures. The Island setting of Rarotonga has a feeling of tranquility.....unlike we've ever experienced. Life is different here.....in a good way!
 |
| Where we are headed.....Rarotonga in The Cook Islands |
 |
| Breakfast was served before we landed |
 |
| The sun is just peeking through the clouds as we begin our descent |
 |
| Our first glimpse of Rarotonga |
 |
| Air New Zealand 767-300......what a nice way to travel |
 |
| We don't feel as bad as we look.....really....even after 11 hours of flying |
 |
| Love the New Zealand terminology |
 |
| The drive to our hotel |
 |
| We have arrived.....looks like Scooter Land |
 |
| At the airport we received a lei and a water bottle |
 |
| Our room at the Muri Beach Club Hotel |
 |
| This is a beautiful hotel |
 |
| Another view of the pool and courtyard area |
 |
| Kent relaxing on the balcony |
 |
| The beach in front of our hotel |
 |
| Another view from our room |
 |
| Barefoot & fancy-free.....even at breakfast |
 |
| These green-skinned oranges were so sweet & tasty |
 |
| The beach at our hotel |
 |
| Tai's weather rock at Avana Point |
 |
| Dogs roam leash free on the island, it's fun to watch them look for fish |
 |
| We spent a lot of time in the water |
 |
| We walked the beaches |
 |
| Lesson One: How to start the scooter |
 |
| Lesson Two: You must pass a driving test |
 |
| It's official, Kent has his favorite souvenir....a one year NZ Drivers License |
 |
| Rarotonga is a Christian Island with lots of churches |
 |
| We enjoyed the white sandy beaches which fringe most of the island |
 |
| The coastal road.....you either go clockwise or anti-clockwise |
 |
| The downtown area of Avarua on the north end of Rarotonga |
 |
| Oh No, it's the Scooter Police |
 |
| Downtown shopping |
 |
| Beautiful tree outside of our favorite eatery Cafe Salsa |
 |
| Flowers on the tree |
 |
| One of the many schools |
 |
| A colorful storefront |
 |
| Chicken of the Sea......wow! |
 |
| $16 Chicken sandwich at Trader Jacks......yum! |
 |
| CICC church at Ngatangiia built of coral and lime |
 |
| Cemetery |
 |
| Ahoy there.....have you seen my snorkel? |
 |
| Blue stars were a treat to see while snorkeling |
 |
| Piccaso Triggerfish, they followed us while snorkeling |
 |
| That's one big fish! |
 |
| Convict Surgeonfish |
 |
| It was neat to see the full moon over the water |
 |
| The sign says it all.....it's a long way to anywhere |
 |
| Rarotonga is nice place |
 |
| While Kent was getting our scooter, the local dogs were doing their best....being lazy dogs! |
 |
| Looking back towards our hotel |
 |
| We had free use of the kayaks and we took advantage of it |
 |
| The water is so clear you can walk out in the lagoon for quite a ways |
 |
| We kayaked over to the nearest motu and walked around it |
 |
| The rugby team doing their exercises |
 |
| We spotted Lucy at our hotel, the only known Dalmatian on Rarotonga |
 |
| Kent talking to Ken Kingsbury, Lucy's owner |
 |
| The pedal boat Ken invented, Lucy loved the water |
 |
| Ken had us take out his Treddlecat, it was fun |
 |
| See how clear the water is as we peddle along |
 |
| Each evening we sat on the beach to see the moon rise |
 |
| This is how we clean the sand off our feet upon entering the hotel |
 |
| Map for the Cross-Island Track |
 |
| Wigmore's Waterfall.....the only place we saw mosquitos |
 |
| The beginning of the trail |
 |
| It was a trail of tree roots |
 |
| Into the jungle |
 |
| We crossed a few streams |
 |
| Pretty flowers scattered along the path |
 |
| Another waterfall along the trail |
 |
| Jungle flora |
 |
| Looking towards the coast from a high ridge |
 |
| A view of Te Rua Manga "The Needle" from a distance |
 |
| The closest we got on this trek |
 |
| The rope was necessary, the mud was quite slick |
 |
| Interesting tree |
 |
| More jungle flora |
 |
| They call this tramping, we call it hiking |
 |
| Pants were recommended.....a mistake, shorts are better |
 |
| Wigmore's Store.....after the hike we enjoyed a cold drink, yummy ice cream and hamburger from the fast food stand |
 |
| A romantic seaside wedding spot |
 |
| Kent and our "ride"......zoom, zoom! |
 |
| Early evening on Muri Beach |
 |
| The setting sun |
 |
| Punangua Nui Market is held every Saturday morning |
 |
| Lots of great fruit |
 |
| In the distance the 1916 wreck of the Maitai.. It carried a shipment of Model T's |
 |
| A closer look at the SS Maitai |
 |
| We completed the Cross-Island Track in two parts, this time we wore shorts |
 |
| Coconuts everywhere |
 |
| Bananas were plentiful and super sweet |
 |
| Pretty flora |
 |
| Mangoes |
 |
| Bird of Paradise |
 |
| Starfruit |
 |
| Time for a break, jungle tramping is different |
 |
| Climbing the trail of tree roots |
 |
| This curly stalk is a fern waiting to open |
 |
| Our first peek at The Needle from this section of trail |
 |
| Almost there |
 |
| Looking back towards the ocean |
 |
| The Needle up close and personal |
 |
| The flora is thick in the mountains |
 |
| These legs were made for tramping |
 |
| It's very important to stay hydrated |
 |
| The Guard Rooster, he appeared out of nowhere at the base of The Needle |
 |
| Heading back down the trail |
 |
| Kent come down from that tree |
 |
| Wow! Look at the size of this leaf! |
 |
| After a hard days play |
 |
| We took the kayak out again to check on the old shipwreck near our hotel |
 |
| Low tide |
 |
| Not much left and pieces scattered about |
 |
| Pretty flowers near our hotel |
 |
| Mementos from our trip |
