Cook Islands continued

Drums of our forefathers. Sounds inviting and it is! It is an ancestoral village high in the mountains where three days a week Ka'ara island nights takes place.  There are 2 such venues on offer, we picked the Island Paradise because of the historical site and the superior ratings in the list of activities. Their shuttle will pick you up at the hotel and  transport you to a place that was home to the original Maori people's historic land. The last part of the ride up is so steep that the driver must turn off the air-conditioning to make sure the van doesn't overheat. Once we arrived, we were treated to a history lesson about the mountain's fortress, the battles fought, the legacy of the natives, how they lived and the use of plants for medicine.  How they liked to boil their enemies and eat them....only the men were eaten.  It was believed that by eating you enemy you received his power, this making you stronger.  I am sure more than a few early European explorers suffered this fate.  You can still find, in the jungle not far from this mountain village, a large ummi (boiler), used by the early Maori to cook them.

Cool Island history books talk about the "VAKA" vessels that travelled the Pacific Ocean is search of other civilisations. The  Cooks Maori people, sailed during what is known as the great migration, to New Zealand.   Legend says that 14 Vaka left from Rorotunga in search of new land.  It is believed that 7 Vaka canoes survived the trip discovering and populating New Zealand.

Another "not to miss" activity is the Saturday market in the main town. Great display of local fruits and vegetables, artistic souvenirs and inexpensive sarongs (pareu).  Great place to eat that same day is Trader Jack's, right on the beach serving fresh fish and seafoods.

Once you have done everything on Rarotonga, then it is time to take a short 45 minute flight to Aitutaki.  The second most populated island boasting a population of 2000 people, the lifestyle here is really slow. Hard to believe you can get much slow without starting to move backwards..... lol.  Aitutaki might be familiar to those who are survivor fans as it was the location for Survivor Cook Islands.  A small group of island surrounded almost entirely by a corral atoll.  The outlying reef creates a lagoon which is 12 by 24 kms wide!!!  Offering some of the most crystal clear waters and white sand beaches you will ever see.  All of this without a single large scale hotel or building in sight.  Nature at its finest. Don't bring your dog here though, you will not be allowed to stay.  There are no dogs on the island.  Legend has it that the local Maori chief had a bad experience with a dog while fighting a rival tribe for ownership of the island.  Once victory was his, he banned dogs from Aitutaki.  The law is still in force today.

Snorkeling in this natural lagoon is fantastic.  The GT or Giant Trevally must like it too.  As they surrounded our group of swimmers  Mostly because they knew that the chef on board our vaka, for the day trip, would eventually feed them some scraps.  The fight for food was something to behold.

Overall, these beautiful islands gave us a restful relaxing visit.  The people are pleasant, happy and very proud of their island.  They are equally pleased to share it with visitors.  It might be one of the last natural tropical places on earth.  The Cook island people seem very happy to remain just as they are.  Money is not the motivation here, it is living that matters.  No one is rich, no one is poor.  The community helps each other.  Imagine!  John Lennon would have loved this!

Kia Orana

We are off to Australia with fond memories of the Cooks, one adventure finished....... the next one begins.  Life is good.