The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are set in the South Pacific Ocean. They lie in the tropics between about 9 and 22 degrees south, 155 and 165 degrees west. There are 15 main islands with a total land area of about 241 square kilometres spread over 2 million square kilometres of sea. The distances between the islands are vast. To get from the main island of Rarotonga in the south to the northern most island requires a four hour flight. Total population is only about 14,000 although over 80,000 Cook Islanders live overseas, mainly in New Zealand but with a sizable number in Australia. Originally settled by Polynesians about 1500 years ago, the southern group islands were named the Hervey Islands by Cook in 1773. A Russian cartographer labelled the group in honour of Cook in the 1820’s. They became a British protectorate in 1888, were annexed by New Zealand in 1901 and became independent within the Commonwealth in 1965.

We have just spent 12 days there. Here are a few photos to give a general flavour of the place. More details will follow in entries for the three islands we visited –
Rarotonga
Mangaia
Aitutaki.

The Cooks are a wonderful place to eat and drink, with local produce of tropical fruit and vegetables, abundant fish and meat both local and imported.

The lifestyle is relaxed

visitors are welcomed and made to feel at home,

every one wears a flower in their hair

and there is lots of wildlife.

We got about by plane, scooter and bicycle.

The scenery is varied, from tropical beaches

to dramatic landscapes

and interesting buildings.