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| Oceania |
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| Cook Islands |
| Rarotonga |
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| Rarotonga Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa hk With its jagged peaks and deep valleys, fertile slopes of red earth and sparkling aquamarine lagoon, Rartonga comes pretty close to the classic image of paradise. Raratonga was one of the last of the Cook Islands to be visited by European ships, but since its "discovery" it has always been a favorite of sailors and merchants. Many old South Sea hands consider it the most beautiful island in the Pacific. Countless travellers' tales, books, plays and films have created a vision of an archetype of heaven in the South Seas -- massed coconut palms, jungle-clad peaks, the boom of combers smashing on the reef, the crimson flamboyant trees and the beat of the drum dance. Amazingly enough it is all true. Casual chats with overseas visitors will often confirm their surprise that such a place exists. One feature remarked on by most visitors but almost unnoticed by Rarotongans is the number of tiny wild chickens which wander without hindrance wherever they choose. These fowl are too scrawny or quick to make serious contributions to cooking pots. Every morning before dawn and often in the middle of the night a chorus of cockerels starts up, with each rooster trying to outdo the other in staking their claims to territory and harems. Maybe the only bad side of Rarotonga is, as a picture on the right shows, the many stone beaches which are not quite accessible. But, it also has many beautiful sand beaches which are very accessible and very beautiful! Once there: The island is a rather small one, circumventing 32km, so it is easy to get around by bike or a motorcycle, both are readily available in main tourist areas. A nice way to start the discovery is to head towards East from Avarua. Try Tamarind House for their splendid breakfast (coconut pancakes with banana; French toast with syrup and bacon, good lattes,..). A good snorkeling spot is about 15km down the road by a little juice bar called "Fruits of Raro". They will guard your bag for free, but be aware - you might be tempted to try one of the delicious fruit smoothies that they prepare to charge yourself up for snorkeling! The waterfall at the South point of the island, that is from where the drinking water comes from, is way too over-rated. If you have extra time, you can hike/drive up to see it. The Waterfront restaurant on the West of the island offers the best sun-set views and by far the best dinners with superb ambiance. Be sure to be there already to watch the sunset, reserve a table and go down the beach to enjoy the sunset. _____Sights Edit This i The central mountainous region is unpopulated and its highest parts consist of cloud forest, an ecological wonderland. This area begins at about 1300 feet (400m) and contains many species of plants unique to the Cook Islands. These include the ascarina (kaiatea ko'u), the glossy tongue fern and the Rarotongan freycinetia (kiekie), a plant similar to pandanus (ara). Much valuable work has been done recently to conserve and protect native flora and fauna by the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Project. Funded by the Government and the South Pacific Regional Environment Program, its main aim is to educate people about the need for conservation. It is run by New Zealander Gerald McCormack and Swiss illustrator Judith Künzlé. They have published a comprehensive guide for hikers and eco-tourists: Rarotonga's Mountain Tracks and Plants. For visitors wishing to explore the interior on foot there is a guided cross-island walk led by the inimitable Pa. For the less energetic there is a three-hour four-wheel drive safari which takes one through the mountains and into the rain forests. Aerial scenery can be enjoyed with a 20 minute scenic flight from the airport at a cost of NZ$55 (US$26). Rarotonga's endangered flycatcher bird, the kakerori, is also protected by the Takitumu Conservation Area project which provides guided tours into the southern mountains. The revenue from these trips contributes towards the cost of keeping down the rats which prey on the tiny bird's eggs. Land on Rarotonga, as on most islands in the Cooks group, belongs to individuals and families and can only be leased, not sold as freehold. The downside to this is that when houses are not salable assets the result is often derelict homes deteriorating in the tropical climate, the rightful heirs unable to cash up, either lacking funds to rebuild or unwilling to leave the fleshpots of Auckland or Sydney. One of the main attractions of Rarotonga is that it is a real place, not a manufactured destination point for tourists. Real people live there and wrestle with all the problems that tiny countries face trying to cope with the modern world of instant communications and jet travel. It is an idyllic place for travellers seeking lost horizons and for those interested in the ways of Polynesia. _______Getting Around Edit This As well as the ubiquitous coconut palms, Rarotonga is home to many mature and beautiful tropical trees. Wandering down the back roads either on foot rented bicycle or motor scooter can be a rewarding experience. Poinciana, known locally as 'flamboyants', are an import from South America but look wonderful against the predominant greens and blues of Rarotonga. Massive old trees can be found in the quieter parts such as along the ancient Ara Metua, the Great Road of Toi, built about 1000 AD from coral slabs. There is a regular round-the-island bus service which runs in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. Several companies offer bicycle, motor scooters and automobiles for rent. Prices can range from about US$35 to US$25 per day for an automobile and US$15 to US$10 for a motor scooter. It is worth checking out some of the smaller operators. Many hotels and motels rent out bicycles and scooters. ______Things to do Edit This [Add Activity] Activities Edit This Snorkelling is a major tourist attraction the best place to go is 15km's from "The Fruits of Raro" type: Swimming World66 rating: [rate it] |