6637 TP Pacific Brochure v10 7/30/03 5:14 PM Page 34 The Cook Islands pread over an area equal to Penihyn twenty-five percent of the S Rakahanga USA the fifteen islands that make Manihiki up the Cook Island Nation offer Pukapuka everything you expect from your South Pacific paradise. Nassau N The Polynesians were the first to settle in the islands in 1500BC, they were conquered two centuries later by a joint force from the islands of Tahiti and Samoa. Captain Cook Suwarrow sighted the Manuae atoll in 1773 and returned again in 1777 to discover the islands of Palmerston, Takutea, Mangaia and Atiu. Aitutaki and Rarotonga were both discovered by Captain Bligh in 1789, the year of the ‘Mutiny on The Bounty’, although the discovery of Rarotonga is officially credited to Captain Goodenough in 1814. Cook Islands Rarotonga Island Rarotonga, is the main island, being home of the international airport and seat of government. Rarotonga is hour’s flight from Rarotonga. known as a high island and was formed from a long- Manuae, Takutea and 34 dormant underwater volcano. On Rarotonga you can join a Palmerston Islands are atolls Palmerston 35 mountain trek across the island (there is no road!) or and accessible only by sea, and Aitutaki explore the marine life in the reef. Or you can take an are rarely visited by tourists. Manuae island tour and visit the neat villages and picturesque Mitiaro beaches that are spread around the island. The variety of restaurants is Takutea Atiu Mauke Aitutaki Islands extensive, from cuisine gourmet eating to the island style cafes – the Aitutaki is located 300 miles to the north of Rarotonga choice is yours, but a traditional feast Rarotonga Where to stay in and features spectacular lagoons, that were created Umukai, cooked in underground ovens, is a Mangaia when the volcano’s central peak fell into the sea. The special experience. Shopping ranges from duty the Cook Islands island is well worth a visit for its natural beauty and free everything to island made souvenirs for that really tranquillity. Day trips by air can include an island tour and special gift or memento, and of course, there are always Although there is a large selection of accommodation to choose from in the Cook Islands, the range of quality is in our opinion lagoon cruise. Lunch is included and prepared while you cultured black pearls for that extra special gift. limited. Based on a UK grading comparison there are currently no relax, explore the coral or hand feed the fish. As a special The Cook Islands will leave you wanting more, so a return four star hotel/resort in the Cook Islands. There are a number of treat, take a trip to one of the uninhabited motus for that visit is assured. hotels that rate as an overall four star experience and some of the genuine feeling of ‘alone’. individual room categories can be rated as four star, but the Atoll Islands Our Thoughts hotel’s general facilities may not live up to a European four star The Cook Islanders are very friendly and welcoming. The conscious of maintaining the balance with nature that rating. We recommend that you consider your choice of hotel very The Northern islands of Pukapuka, Rakahanga, Penrhyn islands offer one of the best value destinations in the they have banned certain noise pollutants such as water carefully as in many cases your expectation will be greater than and Suwarrow are 700 miles from Rarotonga. These palm Pacific. The island’s tourism development has been mainly jetskis! Getting around the island is mainly by scooter. A the hotels ability to delivery. clad motus are surrounded by crystal clear lagoon waters geared to the requirement of vacationers from New drive around the island using the only coastal road will Accommodation is available on a number of the Cook Island’s which are usually teaming with tropical fish that most of Zealand and Australia, which has resulted in a good take less than an hour, and guess what – there are no southern group of islands, but currently only Rarotonga and Aitutaki have a range of hotels that will accommodate all tastes. us have only seen in books or aquariums! You might even mixture of three star accommodation which are all well traffic lights! Aitutaki island is still very underdeveloped. The accommodation on the other islands are very basic and in come across a pearl oyster. appointed and provide good value. On the main island of Although there are a number of accommodation options some cases very, very basic. The five remaining outer islands, which are accessible by Rarotonga there is a wide range of dining options very they are all very small. The Cook Islands offer a very low Many of the hotels are designed for self-catering, this is because air, step you back in time. Explore the caves of Atiu, visit well priced. The hotels we offer on the main island all key and relaxed environment plus they offer great value the Cook Island’s main visitor market is New Zealand, and New have beaches but they tend to be a little small. The island for your money, and are a perfect location in which to get Mangaia, probably the oldest of the Pacific Islands, taste Zealanders are big on self catering holidays. However do not be the Itiki (eel), the delicacy of the flat island of Mitiaro and offers a very quiet and restful environment. They are so away from it all. put off by this as most hotels have a restaurant on site or there is see the distinct interior of the Oliveta Church at one close by. Kimiangatau village on Mauke. Through thousands of The hotels and resorts we have included in this brochure are just a years of geological development, Aitu, Mauke, Mitiaro small selection of what is available, so if you have a specific property and Mangaia are now islands with central hills LOCAL CURRENCY LOCAL TIME VISA DEPARTURE TAX in mind that we have not included please give call us, as we will be surrounded by rings of dead coral. These islands have happy to book any hotel of your choice in the Cook Islands. New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) GMT –10 No visa required for a stay of up to 31 days. NZ$ 25 small reef holes for bathing and sea caves for exploring, Wherever you elect to stay you can be assured that your visit to as well as the usual idyllic beaches. These islands are an the Cook Islands will be a happy and memorable one. The Cook Islands 6637 TP Pacific Brochure v10 7/30/03 5:15 PM Page 36 The Pacific Resort The Edgewater & Villas Resort This first class resort is located on Muri Lagoon, set Plus in magnificent well kept tropical gardens including a picturesque meandering stream surrounded by waving The Edgewater Resort is the largest hotel on the island of palms. The resort fronts onto Muri beach – Rarotonga’s finest, Raratonga, located just 5 minutes from the airport on the south and is sheltered by several offshore islands, making this an ideal west side of the island. location for windsurfing, snorkelling or other water activities most Set amidst tropical gardens fronted by the lagoon and a white of which are free. And for the less active you can relax on the sand beach, the Edgewater Resort’s two and three story beach or around the freshwater swimming pool. 36 accommodation provides garden view, fan-cooled The resort’s two restaurants overlook the beach and lagoon 37 or air-conditioned, sea view rooms. All feature refrigerator, affording great views to go with the fine cuisine. The balcony, TV/VCR and tea/coffee making facilities. In addition to accommodation consists of 61 intimate, beautifully designed one the main accommodation the hotel offers some of the best and two bed suites and villas. Each suite is fan cooled plus most superior rooms to be found on Rarotonga, with twenty seven rooms also offer air-conditioning. All offer a spacious lounge area, new Beachfront deluxe suites and nine VIP deluxe suites, with separate bathroom, a full kitchen and a patio with garden or beach their own jacuzzis. views. The two storey, two bed villas have extra luxuries, including The resort features bars, two restaurants, a large swimming TV/video, hi-fi system and washing machine. The garden units are pool, tennis and squash courts. There is a golf course nearby near the pool, set well back from the lagoon while the beach-front and a full range of watersports are available. Island picnics are rooms are adjacent to the restaurant. All accommodation has its an alternative for those wishing a more relaxed stay! own patio/balcony In the evening you can enjoy Island Cocktail Parties or one of the resort’s regular cultural shows. For our current prices and booking conditions please refer to the price insert supplied with this brochure For tailor made holiday prices, please call our reservations centre on 01293 567722 Rarotonga 6637 TP Pacific Brochure v10 7/30/03 5:15 PM Page 38 Rarotongan Sunset Lagoon Lodges & Villas The Rarotongan Sunset is an intimate, friendly self catering hotel If you are looking for a self-catering experience for your stay in with 20 units. Situated on a white sandy beach, The Rarotongan the Cook Islands, then you will not be disappointed with the Sunset hotel is located on the north west coast of Rarotonga. Lagoon Lodges and Villas. Situated 5 miles form the airport on the Southwest corner of the island just across from the beach, the The accommodation comprises of 11 intimate garden studios and resort is set in lush tropical gardens that include two swimming 9 beachfront units, all beautifully furnished with its own kitchen, pools and tennis courts.