Welcome to the secret of the Pacific ocean. Breathe in the fresh pure air. Wade into the cool, calm, blue lagoons and snorkel in the reefs. Let the untouched charm of these beautiful Cook Islands capture your spirit and hold your heart. The people will lift your soul, brighten your heart and put a big smile on your face.
Picture the most tranquil, entertaining and cultural experience and you are surrounded by exquisite lagoons with beautiful marine life and water and you have the most beautiful jewel of the South Pacific – the vast and unique Cook Islands.
They are a Gauguin palette of handsome Polynesians, craggy mountain peaks, dense jungles, turquoise lagoons fringed by reefs and some of the best white-sand beaches imaginable.
The 15 islands of the Cooks lie halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii in the South Pacific, scattered like fragrant frangipani petals floating across 2.2 million square kilometres of a seductive, sensual ocean. Boasting rare beauty, an idyllic climate, warm welcoming people with the widest white smiles and a pace of life unsurpassed for peace: the Cook Islands is an Island Paradise.
The beaches around the lagoon on Aitutaki scored second place. On the main island of Rarotonga, Titikaveka Beach ranked No.3 and Arorangi No.10. And there's a range of affordable accommodation at each.
Titikaveka stretches around the southeast corner of Rarotonga and is home to out-of-the-way boutique properties such as the elegant Little Polynesian Resort or self-contained villas at Royale Takitumu and Makayla Palms.
Coconut palms fringe the beach on the edge of the magnificent lagoon, where local fishermen wade waist-deep every day with spears and nets almost to the line of surf breaking on the outer reef.
Over on the west coast, it's much the same story at Arorangi, but there are also larger resorts such as the Edgewater, Sunset Resort and Crown Beach Resort, with arguably Rarotonga's finest dining at its Windjammer Restaurant.
While spas, sun and sand are reason enough to visit, Rarotonga is more than just a pretty face.
There are enough activities and cultural experiences to keep you entertained for well over a week. Almost every resort has its own island night with electrifying drum and dance routines.
The best cultural shows are at the award-winning Highland Paradise Cultural Centre, set in an ancient mountain village at Arorangi, and the over-water spectacular at Te Vara Nui at Muri Beach, on the east coast.
For a more intimate cultural experience, join one of the extraordinary progressive dinner tours, which take you into the private homes and lives of ordinary Rarotongans, like the "Coconut Irishman" Danny Kelly and his wife Jayne, who produce entrees that include lime-marinated raw fish, breadfruit, taro and pawpaw.
Main courses, usually based on seafood, pork and chicken, are presented at a hillside mansion owned by empty-nesters Pae and Kafo Tuteru, who are happy to detail how they met and fell in love.
Desserts come courtesy of Tom and Lorraine Marsters, as Tom recounts the womanising antics of his great-grandfather and Cook Islands legend William Marsters.
Take a walk with the extraordinary Pa Teuruaa, a 72-year-old guide who bounds up mountains steering walkers on half-day treks across the island. The former champion ironman turned alternative herbalist has sun-bleached dreadlocks, wears a red sarong, travels barefoot and swims 2km around the lagoon every day.
If it's Saturday, head for the Punanga Nui Markets in Avatiu before the tourist hordes arrive about 9am. You'll find good coffee, kebabs, freshly baked coconut buns, pawpaw smoothies and other Rarotongan breakfast goodies, clothing, fresh local produce and unusual souvenirs that include some beautiful handmade ukuleles.
On Sundays, don't miss church, especially the many Cook Islands Christian churches, where you'll not only be welcome but you'll also hear some of the most harmonious singing in the world.
Aitutaki lies about 200km north of Rarotonga, a gorgeous half-atoll. Air Rarotonga flies there and offers day trips but once you see it, you won't want to leave.
TripAdvisor has just released its travellers' choice survey of the top beach destinations for 2012. It ranks three Cook Islands beaches – Aitutaki, Titikaveka and Arorongi on Rarotonga and among the best 10 in the South Pacific, up against those of Tahiti and Australia.
Situated at the very centre of the Polynesian Triangle, the 15 islands that are the Cook Islands are scattered over some 2 million square kilometres in the Pacific. Bordered to the west by Tokelau, the Samoas and Niue and to the East by Tahiti and French Polynesia, they lie in the Tropic of Capricorn – latitude from 9-22 degrees.
History:
Ranging from low coral atolls to the majestic mountainous terrain of islands like Rarotonga, the history of the Cook Islands is as colourful as the variety of activities to be discovered by present day adventurers.
The Great Polynesian Migration (1500BC) was where this pioneering began. Recognised as some of the greatest navigators in history, the first Polynesian ancestors were guided by the stars and their skills on their double-hulled canoes – vakas – to land around 800AD. As legend has it, Chief Toi as part of the original migration, presided over the building of a grand coral road in Rarotonga which led through the inland swamps and is still in existence – some 1000 years later.
Born of the Sea
Cook Islanders are born of the sea. True Polynesians are known as the finest seafarers of the Pacific, voyaging across its huge waters searching for new lands and beginnings. Their bravery, skill and sheer strength far outpace those of the legendary adventurers from Portugal or Spain, the Dutch or the English.
The navigational proficiency of the first Polynesians is an intrinsic part of their gene pool. Not surprising considering their natural playground of the Pacific. The popularity of canoeing and paddling today reflect the times of the great vakas landing on the islands’ shores and as such are regarded as sports that are a rightful part of their inheritance.
Closely linked in culture and language to the Maori in New Zealand, the Maohi of French Polynesia, the Rapuni of Easter Island and the Kanaka Maoli of Hawaii – about 87% of Cook Islanders are Polynesian Cook Island Maori.
Although, those in the northernmost island of Pukapuka regard their heritage to be more connected to the Samoan people. And most of the Cook Islanders do have some other ancestry brought about by the European voyagers that have landed on the shores. For instance Palmerston, with its unique history and English genealogy, is English speaking thanks to William Marsters. Pukapuka has its own language which is similar to Samoan rather than Maori. Naturally, most of the inhabited islands have their own accent and dialect.
This vast country of magical and mystical Cook Islands is shrouded in traditions and legends handed down from generation to generation since the arrival of the Polynesians - believed to be around 800AD. The Northern Group of islanders are thought to be from Samoa and Tonga and the Southern Group largely from the Society Islands and the Marquesas; and are part of what was believed to be the last great wave of Polynesian migration from Asia, which began as far back as 1500BC.
It was also around 800 to 1000AD that Raiatea in the Society Islands became established as the centre of culture and religion in the Pacific and dispatched voyagers to Hawaii, the Tuamotu Archipelago and also the Cooks, to rule over the islands. It was they who brought the religion, cultural traditions, medicine and the language – which was Maori.
The People - Great Entertainers of the Pacific:
It is the natural charm of the Cook Island people that lures visitors in. Friendly, high-spirited and welcoming – they are the great entertainers of the Pacific and regarded as the best dancers and drummers in Polynesia. Festivals are an important part of the annual calendar, where the competition between the islands to produce the most outstanding performers is part of the national pride.
Constitution Day is remarkable, but the most exuberant of all is the Te Maeva Nui Festival at which a multiplicity of performances, including dancing, drumming, singing, float parades, competitions and other cultural and sports events occur. This festival draws in crowds of people from all the outer islands and the rest of the world.
Strong Family Bonds
The inherent traits of genuine care for others and love of family are apparent no matter the island background. The bond of family is vital and everyone is a part of a clan that is connected to the tribal chiefs (ariki).
Land and title inheritance also come from the same gene pool, which has influenced the way of life for centuries. Reunions, marriages, births and deaths are marked as special family occasions which ensure a continuation of the bloodlines.
Extended family is an integral part of the Cook Island existence with children often living with grandparents and nephews and nieces living with aunts and uncles. Adoption of family members is also widely encouraged. So knowing where you fit in the family tree is a vital part of being a member of a Cook Island dynasty.
Ariki Influence
The ariki who ruled in pre-European times are still regarded as the leaders and their titles earn them respect throughout the Cook Islands. As the first to adopt Christianity, it was their influence which encouraged the Cook Islanders to adopt the faith. It was also their approval which helped establish the British and New Zealand colonial rule.
Queen Makea’s popularity is legendary for introducing great export prices and cutting the national debt. It led to her becoming an ariki after which four of the five in Rarotonga were women. Even with the introduction of democracy and self rule, the traditional system is one that provides a strong safety net for the vagaries of political variances.
All of the inhabited outer islands have island councils – each with their own mayor – except Nassau which is governed by Pukapuka and Suwarrow which, with its caretaker-only status and also governed by Pukapuka, is not really counted as an inhabited island in this context.
Mataiapo
The Mataiapo is also a hereditary chiefly title and as heads of sub-tribes, they are subject to the ariki as far as the entire tribe is concerned and owe traditional allegiance. Otherwise they are largely independent as their own family group heads and assist the ariki in land matters and traditional ceremonies.
Traditionally they were appointed by the ariki in recognition of their ability and service as were the rangatira – also a sub-chief – and in ancient times were usually the brothers and sisters of the ariki.
People - Allure of the Islands
The Cook Islanders, like any true blooded Maori, enjoy pomp, splendour and big ceremonies with traditional customs and much feasting – an investiture is no exception.
Despite a strong exodus to New Zealand and Australia particularly, which has left a population of around 11,000, the Cook Islanders’ customs and traditions are an intrinsic part of daily life – making hospitality and a warm welcome a natural occurrence.
The beauty and charm of the Cook Islands themselves is matched by the friendliness of the people who think nothing at all of offering a lift, striking up a conversation on the beach or extending an invitation to dinner. Embedded in the culture, and consequently the people, this outgoing spirit is a celebration of the fact that something as uncomplicated as a warm smile is always there – underlining the allure of the Cook Islands.
Arts, Culture And Music Of Cook Islands
Art: Tivaevae is a widely accepted art in Cook Island . The art of appliqué-designed quilts that are beautifully designed with different patterns of flowers, plants, butterflies, and sea-life are wonderfully displayed on the wall. These quilts are used on special celebrations and festivals. The people even indulge in making wooden carving, woven hats and black pearl ornaments. The National Archive Museum exhibits the native works of Tivaevae in the exhibition that is held in the month of October.
Culture: The feature of individualism and uniqueness is what makes each island different from one another. A regular custom that is followed in the northern island is about gifting a newborn baby to relatives within the respected family.
Music: The native people indulge in singing and dancing that is practiced from past several generations. The native dancing is escorted with drumbeats that add a sensual touch, thereby describing the tales of history behind it. The kids learn this native dancing from a very young age.