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Cook Islands 2010 - Rarotonga |
bongofury
Grand Member (6 years) 
Joined: Oct 15, 2002
Posts: 1473
From: Ventura County
|  Posted: 2010-06-29 7:38 pm Permalink
We booked our trip in February 2 days before 5 cyclones hit the islands. Rarotonga had some damage but Aitutaki took the biggest hit (more pix on that island later). We returned to the Rarotonga Beach Bungalows with friends...highly recommended. New Zealand Air is great. They do not charge for baggage (unless over 50lbs-2 each allowed) or the free flowing booze. Personal screens on each seat for veiwing movies, tv, and music. I think they just raised the $750.00 rt to $835.00.....still a great deal.
There is a new terminal for arrivals with a duty free liquor shop that had Havana Club silver for $20.00 NZ (about $15.00 U.S.) and Havana Club Anejo for $22.00. I recommend buying it there before customs as I only saw Bacardi, Captain Morgan's, etc in the markets in town. We also brought a couple bottles of Zaya from the States.
Again the fish,fruits, and vegetables were excellent. This was a roadside stand 5 minute walk down the road
There is great art to be seen in galleries and hotels around the island
Lots of life in the lagoon
Noni fruit....lots of healing power. I rubbed some of this on a very bad rash/infection. Was completely gone in 5 days. We were told that the plant has 122 beneficial substances that when pasturized for import to the states leaves only 20% of them.
More to come...
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8252
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2010-06-29 11:13 pm Permalink
Very Nice,
thanks for posting Ron.
Jeff(btd)
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GROG
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Jun 21, 2006
Posts: 6173
From: Tujunga
| Posted: 2010-06-29 11:33 pm Permalink
Dammit! You forgot to take GROG!
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Hibiscus
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 22, 2008
Posts: 198
From: Boston-ish
| Posted: 2010-06-30 06:43 am Permalink
Great photos - thanks for posting! I went in '97 and really enjoyed it. The Aitutaki lagoon is one of the most beautiful, pristine lagoons I've ever seen.
Looking forward to seeing more!
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Sophista-tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 13, 2005
Posts: 1596
From: Seattle WA
| Posted: 2010-07-03 7:52 pm Permalink
More please its making me feel at home and peaceful
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bongofury
Grand Member (6 years)
Joined: Oct 15, 2002
Posts: 1473
From: Ventura County
| Posted: 2010-07-05 09:42 am Permalink
We were able to find more rum....
Winter in the South Pacific brought big waves to the outer reef . Daytime temp 82... night 72
Favorite dinner was the swordfish at the Windjammer....lunch at Pa's house after the nature walk, smoked tuna with loacl veggies
That was from the nature walk with 70 year old Pa....he also does the cross island trek... both recommended
Next stop Aitutaki....
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4WDtiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 03, 2004
Posts: 1729
From: Omao, Kauai
| Posted: 2010-07-05 10:13 am Permalink
Damn, that all looks exactly like the paradise in my head!
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Hibiscus
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 22, 2008
Posts: 198
From: Boston-ish
| Posted: 2010-07-05 7:13 pm Permalink
So glad to see Pa is still doing his thing! He's a cool guy.
Your pictures are fantastic - they bring back some lovely memories.
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2010-07-05 7:27 pm Permalink
Wow!
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cheekytiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 09, 2004
Posts: 1088
From: The Haole Hut, London, UK
| Posted: 2010-07-06 12:56 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2010-07-05 19:13, Hibiscus wrote:
So glad to see Pa is still doing his thing! He's a cool guy.
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I thought the same thing when I saw that photo.
Did any of you get to meet Piri "The Coconut King"?
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virani
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 17, 2003
Posts: 1434
From: Volcanic area of France
| Posted: 2010-07-06 01:33 am Permalink
awesome pictures. Thanks for sharing. That's one of the place I'd love to visit...
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bongofury
Grand Member (6 years)
Joined: Oct 15, 2002
Posts: 1473
From: Ventura County
| Posted: 2010-07-09 1:45 pm Permalink
Thanks all.....did not meet the coconut king......
Aitutaki
The lagoon here is huge! Will add some more next week.
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1961surf
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1894
From: Newport Beach, Ca .
| Posted: 2010-07-09 2:01 pm Permalink
Awesome pics Ron , looks like a dream trip .Thanks for sharing .
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theharry
Member
Joined: Jul 26, 2010
Posts: 1 | Posted: 2010-07-26 08:35 am Permalink
Thanks for posting these great pictures. Unfortunately I have never been there but I would love to visit this wonderful island. Hopefully I can realize this journey soon. I absolutely like the last picture with the tortoise on it. I would love to see such an animal in real life.
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Hibiscus
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 22, 2008
Posts: 198
From: Boston-ish
| Posted: 2010-07-26 1:19 pm Permalink
Whoa, fantastic shots! The Aitutaki lagoon is second only to Bora Bora's in my opinion. Gorgeous! Thanks for posting.
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