ПОЛЕЗНЫЕ ССЫЛКИVISITORS BUREAU,
GOVERNMENT SITE The Cook Islands are directly south of the Hawaiian Islands. Approximately 1 hour’s flight from Tahiti and in the same time zone as Hawaii. The Cook Islands are made up of 15 islands scattered over 2.5 million square miles of ocean. The two main islands visited are Rarotonga and Aitutaki, however all but two are accessible by air, and are frequented by visitors.The Cook Islands lie on the Tropic of Capricorn, latitude 9 to 22 degrees south.
The first settlers to the Cook Islands were Polynesians who arrived about 800AD from Raiatea, in what is now French Polynesia. They came in great double hulled canoes, navigating by using familiar stars and wave movements and temperature. These colonizers were believed to have been the last wave of the Polynesian Migration from Asia that began in 1500BC.
There is no written record of early Cook Islands history, but oral narratives in song and dance form passed from generation to generation include such names as TANGIIA and KARIKA, who arrived in the 13th Century and joined forces to conquer the earlier inhabitants of Rarotonga.
Pukapuka in the north was the first island discovered by Europeans, sighted by the Spaniard Captain ALVARO de MENDANA on August 20, 1595. Another Spaniard, Captain PEDRO FERNANDEZ de QUIROS on March 2, 1606, stopped for provisions at Rakahanga.
The Cook Islands group was named in honour of explorer Captain James Cook, who discovered some of the islands some 150 years later. Today, the Cook Islands is a self-governing democracy.
The total population for the Cook Islands is approximately 19,500, with Rarotonga the largest island being the most inhabited with an estimated population of 9,500.
Cook Islands Maori is the local language, however everyone speaks English.
Although the dress code is informal, we do ask that brief attire not be worn when visiting town or villages. Nude or topless sunbathing will cause offence. A light sweater may come in handy for the cooler evenings during July and August.
240 voltage, the same as Australia and New Zealand, many hotels have 110 volt electric shavers facilities. In some cases, a two pin adapter may be required.
International Telephone, Facsimile, E-mail, Internet connections and services are available 24 hours from the telecommunications office (Telecom Cook Islands) in the main township of Avarua. Most accommodation properties have IDD facilities.
Sumptuous international buffets, traditional island feast and romantic candlelit dinners make dining in the Cooks a feast for the senses.
Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook islands, is 20 km around. There are over 20 restaurants and bars on the island, so one can never be too far away from a restaurant or bar. Most accommodation facilities are within walking distance of the nearest restaurant. Dining ranges from International Cuisine - Chinese, Italian, Indian and Continental - to our mouthwatering local delicacies. Ingredients used in most restaurants are imported from New Zealand.
The traditional Cook islands feast, known as an "umukai" is a must for everyone. Meat and vegetables wrapped in leaves then cooked in an underground oven, known as an "umu", is the traditional way of cooking in the Cook Islands. The feast is not complete without pulsating drums, warrior dances, and the graceful sensous movements of the local maidens in an enthralling traditional performance.
Some favourite local dishes include:
Taro - tuber vegetable
Kumara - sweet potato
Eke - octopus
Rakau - taro leaves, a spinach like vegetable
Poke - tropical fruit (pawpaw, banana or pumpkin) boiled, then baked with coconut cream
Ika Mata - raw fish marinated with lemon and coconut cream
Coconuts grow all year round, and the cream from coconut grated flesh is used to accompany most island dishes.
Overall, dining in the Cook islands is of a very high standard, in a relaxed friendly ambience.
Visitors marvel at the local arts, black jewelry, crafts and colorful clothing found at bargain prices throughout the Cook Islands. Wood carvings and needlework are generally on every visitor's shopping list. You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing the quality is high, and you won't have to bargain over the price. (It is not an accepted practice in the South Pacific.)
The main shopping area in the Cook Islands is located in Avarua, the local township on the northern side of Rarotonga.
Avarua is the center of commercial activity in the Cook Islands. Most government departments and businesses are located here.
The major duty-free stores, restaurants and hotels accept such credit cards as Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Diners Club. There are several duty free shops in Rarotonga with all large shops offering an array of goods at competitive prices.
There is a variety of small, local nightclubs, bars and discos, on Rarotonga and the hours drive around the island, will provide many fun moments, enjoying the rich Polynesian love of song and dance. Accessibility is the key to enjoying the diversity of style and budget available. There's something for everyone.
Driving: Driving is on the left hand side of the road. Drivers of all vehicles are required to have a current Cook Islands Drivers Licence available from the Police Station in Avarua on presentation of your own licence. Cost NZ$10.00.
Transport: A public bus service operates around Rarotonga from 8:00am until 4:30pm weekdays and until noon on Saturdays. Services are twice an hour and pick up from all hotels and downtown. There is no bus service on Sundays. Vehicles, mopeds and bicycles are also available for hire.
There are a wide variety of local attractions and sightseeing adventures for all. A few highly recommended tours available in Rarotonga are:
Half Day Circle Island Tour visits significant points of interest including ancient sites, agriculture, religious, industry, political and ecological and is a great way to see Rarotonga.
Lagoon Cruise with BBQ Lunch on a glass bottom boat on Muri lagoon and visit a small island offshore for a beach lunch. Enjoy snorkelling with tropical fish all in the safety of the lagoon.
Cultural Village Tour is an enriching experience which enables the visitors to interact and observe the values, beliefs, history and skills of the Cook Islanders at a local village. This tour includes dances, songs and a traditional Rarotongan lunch.
Pa's Trek - for the physically fit and active. Why not climb to the highest point "The Needle - Te Rua Manga" 1355 feet straight up through dense tropical rainforest and trek across the island, enjoying the spectacular views enroute, with a local guide who is a wealth of knowledge regarding the flora, fauna and history of Rarotonga, culminating in a swim in the magnificent waterhole underneath the flow of a tropical waterfall, ending with a beautiful fresh lunch.
Cook's Brewery Tour - a must for the beer connoisseur
The Perfume Factory has a large variety of soaps, shampoos, moisturisers or sample their Coffee-Ara, Coffee-Coconut-Ara or Passionfruit Ara liqueurs made from local coffee beans and fruit.
