thanks Pinklady
I have asked for the review page to be set up and will come back on here with the link when it is. In the meantime tell us more about the islands please? Why did you decide to go there? Things to do, places to see etc.
I've added a review to the Crown Beach hotel review.
But it says singles holiday but it wasn't, can you change it please I don't seem to be able to.
But it says singles holiday but it wasn't, can you change it please I don't seem to be able to.
Oh thanks.
Flights from Gatwick, 17/06/05 - 16:40
Stop at Los Angeles and Papeete arrive Rarotonga - 18/06/05 06:00 local time.
It really is a long flight but the stops break it up a bit. The airports at Pepeete (Tahiti) and Rarotonga are like nothing I've seen before, you get greeted with music and a flower whatever time of day you arrive!
Crown beach is 10 mins from the airport, which isn't as bad as it sounds. So few planes you would never know.
The worst bit of the flight was the stop in Los Angeles, what a nightmare. Have to unlock all cases and fill in all the documents as you have to go out of the main doors to go up to the next level to get your connecting flight. Absolutely ridiculous!
Flights from Gatwick, 17/06/05 - 16:40
Stop at Los Angeles and Papeete arrive Rarotonga - 18/06/05 06:00 local time.
It really is a long flight but the stops break it up a bit. The airports at Pepeete (Tahiti) and Rarotonga are like nothing I've seen before, you get greeted with music and a flower whatever time of day you arrive!
Crown beach is 10 mins from the airport, which isn't as bad as it sounds. So few planes you would never know.
The worst bit of the flight was the stop in Los Angeles, what a nightmare. Have to unlock all cases and fill in all the documents as you have to go out of the main doors to go up to the next level to get your connecting flight. Absolutely ridiculous!
Forgot to say you don't just have to unlock your cases, you wait to collect them to take them to the connecting flights station, then you head out of the building to go up some stairs andback in. Crazy or what?!
This is my review of Rarotonga and Aitutaki in The Cook Islands.
.....................................................
In our opinion the Cook Islands are the most beautiful place in the world.
Rarotonga has 2 roads running around the outside of the island and mountains in the middle. A great combination of white beaches and fantastic views from the mountains. A experience neither of us will forget will be looking down from the mountain on top of a rainbow!
It's a relatively small island and it takes 45 mins to drive around it. There are quite a few places to stay and we had the chance to wander around 'The Rarotogan' resort & health spa, which we almost booked as our accommodation. We were so pleased at our lucky escape! This a huge resort which we thought too commercialised for the Island, but probably ideal for families. The complex appears to have everything you'd need but not a honeymoon destination by any means!
We stayed at the Crown Beach Resort which was beautiful !! See our review on the hotel review page - other destinations.
The pace of the island is one speed and that is slow, the people are so laid back and just enjoy life, what's the rush? They have got to be the friendliest people on the earth.
It definitely livens up on 'Island Night' most of the resorts on the island host these. They have a barbecue buffet and entertainment with Cook Island music and dancing - this night is an absolute must!
There is a lovely little restaurant in the Crown Beach Resort called the 'Windjammer' rack of lamb to die for! There are also plenty of restaurants in walking distance of Crown Beach. Our favourite was Kikau Hut, the owner was very friendly and remembered us when we went back a 2nd & 3rd time. We would advise booking if you don't go early.
Da Carlo's is a lovely Italian restaurant with Italian owners. More expensive than some of the others, but really good.
Albertos Steakhouse is a really nice place to eat too, tasty goulash and tender steaks. Hopsings, Chinese restaurant was good, we went for Sat night buffet. We also went to the Spaghetti House (had been advised it wasn't up to much, but a couple getting married the day after us said it was great), suffice to say we should have listened to the staff, we didn't enjoy it at all. With so many fantastic places to eat on the island, why waste your time here?
On the other side of the Island is Tamarind House and Sails, although open in the evening we went to both places for lunch and really recommend them both. Lovely food and fantastic views!!
Hire a scoot car, these are a real experience!!
Maire Nui Gardens and Cafe is open for lunch and is attached to beautiful botanical gardens.
It town there was a lovely little place called Cafe Salsa. Lovely food, we went back a 2nd time!
The market in town on Saturday's is worth a visit. Local crafts and produce. Jewellery, clothes etc.
We wanted to do the Mircolight flights but on the 2 occasions we had free time, there was too much wind on the 1st and too much low cloud and a bit of rain on the 2nd.
There are 2 buses, 1 goes anti-clockwise round the island the other clockwise. They stops outside the resorts and can take you into town. We hired a car for a few days which meant we could go wherever we wanted and not rely on the bus, which could get quite busy on Sat's particularly.
Snorkelling is absolutely fantastic and there is a great places on the island to do this. There are also at least 2 Dive Centres on the island, we didn't get a chance to go though.
Hiking trips are available as are pony treks.
A must is the day trip to Aitutaki, if you can't spend a night or so there then at least do the day trip. It's truly wonderful !!
You get picked up 1st thing and fly to Aitutaki, met with tour guide and go on a brightly coloured bus to your boat. Visiting someof the islands in the lagoon with great swimming and snorkelling opportunities. Barbecue lunch on board was gorgeous, beautiful tuna...yum! Snorkelling gear is provided and you can come face to face with puffer fish and see the giant clams.
It's the most beautiful place in the world, fantastic desert islands including Motu, where they filmed survivor.
.....................................................
In our opinion the Cook Islands are the most beautiful place in the world.
Rarotonga has 2 roads running around the outside of the island and mountains in the middle. A great combination of white beaches and fantastic views from the mountains. A experience neither of us will forget will be looking down from the mountain on top of a rainbow!
It's a relatively small island and it takes 45 mins to drive around it. There are quite a few places to stay and we had the chance to wander around 'The Rarotogan' resort & health spa, which we almost booked as our accommodation. We were so pleased at our lucky escape! This a huge resort which we thought too commercialised for the Island, but probably ideal for families. The complex appears to have everything you'd need but not a honeymoon destination by any means!
We stayed at the Crown Beach Resort which was beautiful !! See our review on the hotel review page - other destinations.
The pace of the island is one speed and that is slow, the people are so laid back and just enjoy life, what's the rush? They have got to be the friendliest people on the earth.
It definitely livens up on 'Island Night' most of the resorts on the island host these. They have a barbecue buffet and entertainment with Cook Island music and dancing - this night is an absolute must!
There is a lovely little restaurant in the Crown Beach Resort called the 'Windjammer' rack of lamb to die for! There are also plenty of restaurants in walking distance of Crown Beach. Our favourite was Kikau Hut, the owner was very friendly and remembered us when we went back a 2nd & 3rd time. We would advise booking if you don't go early.
Da Carlo's is a lovely Italian restaurant with Italian owners. More expensive than some of the others, but really good.
Albertos Steakhouse is a really nice place to eat too, tasty goulash and tender steaks. Hopsings, Chinese restaurant was good, we went for Sat night buffet. We also went to the Spaghetti House (had been advised it wasn't up to much, but a couple getting married the day after us said it was great), suffice to say we should have listened to the staff, we didn't enjoy it at all. With so many fantastic places to eat on the island, why waste your time here?
On the other side of the Island is Tamarind House and Sails, although open in the evening we went to both places for lunch and really recommend them both. Lovely food and fantastic views!!
Hire a scoot car, these are a real experience!!
Maire Nui Gardens and Cafe is open for lunch and is attached to beautiful botanical gardens.
It town there was a lovely little place called Cafe Salsa. Lovely food, we went back a 2nd time!
The market in town on Saturday's is worth a visit. Local crafts and produce. Jewellery, clothes etc.
We wanted to do the Mircolight flights but on the 2 occasions we had free time, there was too much wind on the 1st and too much low cloud and a bit of rain on the 2nd.
There are 2 buses, 1 goes anti-clockwise round the island the other clockwise. They stops outside the resorts and can take you into town. We hired a car for a few days which meant we could go wherever we wanted and not rely on the bus, which could get quite busy on Sat's particularly.
Snorkelling is absolutely fantastic and there is a great places on the island to do this. There are also at least 2 Dive Centres on the island, we didn't get a chance to go though.
Hiking trips are available as are pony treks.
A must is the day trip to Aitutaki, if you can't spend a night or so there then at least do the day trip. It's truly wonderful !!
You get picked up 1st thing and fly to Aitutaki, met with tour guide and go on a brightly coloured bus to your boat. Visiting someof the islands in the lagoon with great swimming and snorkelling opportunities. Barbecue lunch on board was gorgeous, beautiful tuna...yum! Snorkelling gear is provided and you can come face to face with puffer fish and see the giant clams.
It's the most beautiful place in the world, fantastic desert islands including Motu, where they filmed survivor.
sounds like paradise( especially as I'm reading it on a freezing cold morning!!)
It was paradise, it's the perfect word to describe it. We got married on the beach barefoot at sunset, we'll never forget it. Would love to go back.
I'm an artist and the views of Aitutaki particularly have given me so much inspiration for a new collection of paintings. I've got all the photos plastered all around my studio!!
I'm an artist and the views of Aitutaki particularly have given me so much inspiration for a new collection of paintings. I've got all the photos plastered all around my studio!!
Off to New Zealand for the third time, just love the place!! This time we are having a stay over in the Cook Islands staying at the Pacific resort in Rorotonga. Just wondering if anyone out there has been there and got any tips.
Hi Yellow belly. My daughter is hoping to stop off at the Cook Islands sometime on her honeymoon in New Zealand, so we'd appreciate some info too.
Hi all
The Cook Islands are 15 small island in the south seas just north of New Zealand Rorotonga is the main island I am told by friends it is one of the best places to visit in the south seas a web site to give you more info is
http://www.ck
hope this helps you find more about it.
The Cook Islands are 15 small island in the south seas just north of New Zealand Rorotonga is the main island I am told by friends it is one of the best places to visit in the south seas a web site to give you more info is
http://www.ck
hope this helps you find more about it.
Hi chubby! Thanks a million excellent website.
Rartonga is a great place to visit although not alot to do apart from enjoying the sun and relaxing. It has not yet been commercialised like a lot of other places so now would be a great time to visit.
It was a strange experience when we arrived at the airport as the lights for the run way are switched on and once off the plane everything is switched off again as there are only a couple of flights a week. The airport is like a bus shelter and once you have checked in you go accross the road to the local RSA mens club for a drink. I flew into Rarotonga from NZ and as you cross the date line we arrived before we left!! It is only about 3 hours from Auckland. The locals are very friendly and the hotels seemed fine, we rented a self catering apartment right on the beach. Loads of wild chickens running around!!
Happy holiday
Fionna
It was a strange experience when we arrived at the airport as the lights for the run way are switched on and once off the plane everything is switched off again as there are only a couple of flights a week. The airport is like a bus shelter and once you have checked in you go accross the road to the local RSA mens club for a drink. I flew into Rarotonga from NZ and as you cross the date line we arrived before we left!! It is only about 3 hours from Auckland. The locals are very friendly and the hotels seemed fine, we rented a self catering apartment right on the beach. Loads of wild chickens running around!!
Happy holiday
Fionna
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