From the mountains, it was a pretty sight on the coasts and beaches of Rarotonga. The weather is beautiful, it really benefited during the day. I strongly advises you to do this tour with a local guide, you learn a lot about life in the Cook Islands.

A Plantation pineapple It is almost like in French Polynesia, except that we all speak English here.

Here you can see the magnificent mountain roads of Rarotonga. A tip, avoid drinking and driving, it might be dangerous …

This is the end of the day, we spent a really good time on this 4 * 4 with our guide.

One late afternoon in Rarotonga. The Cook Islands are only 1h30 flights from Tahiti (Papeete). We can also get there from New Zealand and Australia.

A new day for us, we will continue our favorite hobby: tan, beach. We see Titi in swimsuit from Toy Club.

Diving is very pleasant. The water is clear, fish are very numerous. The number of living is not very high, the fishermen take only what they need.

My impression is that they have no easy life.

Arnold left California, it is in Rarotonga for a holiday dreams (he lost weight?).

The day rolls into Edge Water, an incredible evening we will wait at the hotel … I take this opportunity to say that the staff was very attentive and friendly.

And here with the staff that it was the party until late into the night. It was the opportunity to speak Tahitian and Pacific Ocean. There is a lot of differences between the 2 languages.

Today, it’s almost finished. The holidays are on the end. Titi comes to the Tour of Rarotonga in common, there are over 30 km to go.

Last bathing before departure. You can see the coral just ahead. The lagoons are not very large in contrast to the islands of French Polynesia.

A photo before departure for Tahiti. It shows the couple the craziest that I know.

Before leaving, one last look at the Pacific Ocean, small nets and fishing boats of Rarotonga.

Beautiful view of the lagoon Rarotonga, with a small motu full of coconut.

Our plane is back there, it was a week. It’s short but it has allowed us to have fun and visit another Polynesia than we know already. It certainly come back, but this time on attempts to go see the other islands: Aitutaki, Mangaia and Atiu.

An aerial view of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.

We arrive in Papeete. A team of easytahiti is there to welcome us. This trip, I advice to everybody. It is past time execellent. Then the rates are very low in this part of Polynesia, and then there is a Maohi people as before, away from the disturbance and the world.

We thank the whole team of easyTahiti. Com for the organization of our holidays and all the staff of the Water Edge Hotel in Rarotonga. Maururu Cook Islands.

Brigitte, Thierry, Jeff and Maxime - July 2007

see part 1

By Thierry, Brigitte, Maxime and Jeff - They traveled with

easyTahiti.com for their vacations

For our holiday, we choose a island of Polynesia: Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. This location has enabled us to celebrate and have fun with people of all nationalities, and it offers a supply of quality at a price that defies any competition.

Our arrival at Rarotonga International Airport Cook Islands. We arrived by flight of the company Air Rarotonga chartered by the Tahitian airline : Air Tahiti

The staff of the hotel Edge Water was there to welcome us. We arrive at our room for a week.

few meters away, Ah … The pool! It’s perfect …

After taking our bedroom, one for Thierry and Brigitte and the other for Jeff and Maxime, we move directly to what will be our main activity for a week: a philosophical debate buttocks in the water …

Meanwhile there Brigitte, abandoned on the beach, picked up a cute trick to drink at the hotel bar

Under a coconut, Thierry so mad with his hibicus by ear.

This hotel is really lovely, tropical garden is very large and maintained, which gives a good playground.

Cindy, Claudia, Naomie and others can go get dressed, that Brigitte, known by the code name Bridget!

The first night we ate at the restaurant of the Edge Water. It was perfect. Then a dance group made the show. Their dancing resembled Tahitian dance, with of course a few peculiarities.

The second evening we went to town to be a restaurant and then released box night. Rarotonga is really an ideal place for this kind of vacation. Not only the general atmosphere, but also restaurants and bar opened boxes are very sympathetic. It is neither too hot nor too cold, it is really good! Here we see Max and Brigitte en route to a night of madness …

The next day, it is very hard for us. It is in a small restaurant. The owner is from New Zealand.

In the afternoon, one benefits from this breau time to go swimming. The water is slightly cooler. But that makes us good.

Then we made a tour around the island of Rarotonga. The Cook Islands are made up of several islands. The best known of these are: Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu and Mangaia. We were advised to visit Aitutaki, but will serve for a next time.

Here a church or a temple, I’m not remember.

The next day we start all day through the mountains of Rarotonga. We see here the 4*4 our guide. This trip worthwhile. A full day to discover the secrets of the islands.

Here, we will prepare a meal in the oven traditional Polynesian. It is composed of Uru, Fei, Taro, Poe etc.

This is the result, an excellent raw fish with everything that has baked, a real delicacy.

And all served on a banana leaf.

see part 2