Pacific Island Paradises

– 8 – www.paradises.com Avarua Muri Titikaveka MANIHIKI AITUTAKI ATIU MANUAE RAKAHANGA PENRHYN NASSAU PUKAPUKA SUWARROW MITIARO MAUKE MANGAIA RAROTONGA Muri Arorangi RAROTONGA PALMERSTON ATOLL The Cook Islands lie in the centre of the Polynesian triangle flanked to the west by Tonga and Samoa and to the east by Tahiti and French Polynesia—now easily reached from Australia on Air New Zealand's direct service from Sydney (6 hours) or via Auckland with Air New Zealand Pacific Blue (Virgin Australia) and Jetstar. The group is made up of 15 islands, scattered over two million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean. They fall into two distinct groups—the Southern and Northern Groups. The Southern Group comprises nine islands including the capital, Avarua in Rarotonga, where the majority of the population resides. Domestic travel to the outer islands is provided by Air Rarotonga and six of the nine islands are accessible by regular air services. The more remote Northern Group has six islands, three of which— Manihiki, Penrhyn and Pukupuka—are accessible by air. Capital and major centres Vibrant and lively, Rarotonga is a hive of activity and its circular shape is dominated by high mountain peaks from which lush rainforests cascade to the palm-fringed shore. All visitors are welcomed at the Rarotonga International Airport with the warm local greeting Kia Orana (Greetings—may you live on) and a fragrant flower garland or "ei". Avarua is the main town on Rarotonga and has a great selection of retail shops, cafés, restaurants and internet cafés located around the island for your convenience. From Rarotonga you can visit the 'Sister Islands' such as Aitutaki, famous for its spectacular white sand beaches and azure lagoons. The island is only a 40-minute flight away on Air Rarotonga, with several flights daily. Atiu, northeast of Rarotonga, offers untouched beaches and coral reefs riddled with caves. Mangaia is surrounded by a narrow fringing reef backed by the formidable cliffs of makatea (raised coral) that reach heights of up to 60 metres. Mauke has caves located in the cliffs of the coral reef and Mitiaro offers subterranean pools and freshwater lakes that are full of itiki (freshwater eels), a local delicacy. The people Cook Islanders are of Polynesian descent, and are called Cook Island Maori. They are culturally and linguistically similar to Tahitians and New Zealand Maori and are an open, friendly people, happy to share their lifestyle. Nature The Cook Islands host a diverse range of flora and fauna. There is an assortment of native ferns and flowers and about a dozen varieties of land and sea birds. Marine turtles can be found in some of the outer islands and humpback whales can be sighted from July through to October. A protective reef encircles the islands. The lagoons play host to a variety of vivid and interesting coral and marine life. The Cook Islands have an interesting range C O O K I S L A N D S

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