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Kia Orana! - Welcome !
The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands with a total
population of approximately 18000, scattered over 2 million
sq kilometers of the Pacific Ocean. They lie in the centre
of the Polynesian Triangle, flanked to the west by The
Kingdom of Tonga and the Samoas and to the east by Tahiti
and the islands of French Polynesia
Rarotonga is the vibrant centre of the Cook Islands.
Circular and only 32 km in circumference, it is dominated by
high mountain peaks from which lush rain forests cascade to
a palm-fringed shore. The island is almost completely
encircled by a reef, which harbors a lagoon of clear
turquoise waters and many inviting white sand beaches.
Beyond the reef, the indigo blue of the ocean provides a
vivid contrast and a bountiful supply of fish
Aitutaki - A visit to the Cook Islands is not
complete without seeing the beautiful island of Aitutaki,
which is less than an hours flight from Rarotonga. The
breathtaking allure of its crystal clear turquoise waters
and sparkling white beaches is an essential ingredient in
any Cook Island holiday. This is a place of unsurpassed
natural beauty and tranquility, providing a simple tonic to
sooth away the pressures of the outside world. |
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Tips |
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* Canadian's require a valid passport up to 6 months. A return airline ticket.
Sufficient funds to cover their planned
* Capital city: Avarua
* Language: Maori
and English
* Currency: New Zealand Dollar
* Electricity: Hotels use 110V or 220V, converter
required
* Goods to buy: Black pearls, coconut soaps, vanilla beans,
shell leis, wood carvings, woven hats, fabric, monoi oil, tiare |
Atiu - The island of birds and legends - is the third
largest in the group, forming part of the Southern section
of the Cook Islands. Atiu is a small volcanic island, with
central elevated flat-topped mass of volcanic rock
surrounded by a raised coral limestone reef called a Makatea.
The makatea runs around the island ranging in width from
anywhere between 50 to 100 metres. Low cliffs, 3 to 6 metres
high surround the island, but there are many recesses in
which small sandy coves are found
Mangaia - To experience Mangaia is to feel the true
warmth of the people, past and present. Mangaia is the
southernmost and the second largest of the Cook Islands. The
oldest island of the group, renowned for it's 'ei pupu'
(shell leis). It lies approximately 176km south east of
Rarotonga
Mauke - Non-commercial and with a relaxed pace of
life, Mauke offers peace and seclusion 'off the beaten
track'. Three villages - Areora, Ngatiarua and Kimiangatau
are close to the western coast of the island, leaving the
arable inland area for a variety of food crops and other
farming activity
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