What beautiful islands there are in the world! Especially in the South Pacific, the land of many of the Jack London stories I read as a child. Here, in this part of the world, are, for example, the Islas Cook.
It is a small group of islands near New Zealand of green and turquoise landscapes, warm waters and Polynesian culture. Did we discover them?
Islas Cook
As we said, it is a archipelago of 15 islands covering a total area of 240 square kilometers. The Cook Islands are associated with New Zealand, this country deals with its defense and international affairs, although for some time now they are more independent. The international airport and the largest population are on the island of Rarotonga and are islands that live off the fruit export, offshore banking, pearl farming and tourism.
They are called Cook after a British navigator, the famous James Cook, who first arrived in 1773, although the name was given to him in the following century. The first inhabitants were Polynesians from Tahiti But it took the Europeans a bit to arrive and settle because many were killed by the natives. It was not until the 20s of the XNUMXth century that some Christians had better luck, although during that century the islands became a very popular stop for whalers since they were supplied with water, food and wood.
In 1888 the British transformed them into a protectorate, before the fear that France would occupy them since it was already in Tahiti. By 1900 the islands were annexed by the British Empire, as an extension of the New Zealand colonies. After the Second War, in 1949, British citizens of the Cook Islands became citizens of New Zealand.
The Cook Islands are then in the South Pacific Ocean, between American Samoa and French Polynesia. What a beautiful site! They are divided into different groups, those of the south, those of the north and the coral atolls. They were formed by volcanic activity and the northern islands are the oldest group. The climate is tropical and from March to December they are on the cyclone path.
The truth is that they are islands far from everything and that threatens their economy since they depend a lot on the outside. In addition, the weather does not help either since they are subject to many inclement weather. Since the '90s things have improved a bit because they have become tax havens.
Tourism in the Cook Islands
You arrive to the islands by plane by Air New Zeland, Virgin Australia or Jetstar. There are many flights from Auckland and from Australia via the New Zealand capital. You can also arrive from Los Angeles or from other cities served by the New Zealand airline. Then, from island to island you can take boats or plane via Air Rarotonga.
The island with the international airport is the entrance to the Cook: Rarotonga Island. It is only 32 kilometers in circumference and can be traveled quickly in 40 minutes by car. Still, it has beautiful and diverse landscapes and concentrates a good number of restaurants, accommodations and activities.
Another beautiful island is Aitutaki, el Heaven on earth. It is only 50 minutes from Rarotonga, it is shaped like a triangle and it's a coral reef with internal turquoise lagoon studded with smaller islets. It is the second most visited island of the Cooks and is usually honeymoon destination.
You can go kayaking, sunbathe on fine white sand beaches, kite surf, go fishing, snorkel and scuba diving, ride a scooter or bike or stay directly here and have everything close at hand for longer.
atiu it is an island that is more than eight million years old. Is a jungle and tropical island half the size of Rarotonga. Here is nature, not civilization. Just a couple of cafes in its five centrally located villages. Organic coffee is grown and there is a super calm vibe.
How do you get there? On a 45 minute flight from Rarotonga or Aitutaki. From the first island there are three flights per week, Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays. From the second there are also three flights but on Friday, Monday and Wednesday via Air Rarotonga.
caress It is an island that must be 18 million years old, so it is the oldest island in the Pacific. It is the second largest Cook Island and is only a 40 minute flight from Rarotonga. It is of an overwhelming natural beauty, with fossilized coral cliffs, green vegetation, beaches with crystal clear waters, fascinating caves, beautiful sunsets, the remains of a 1904 shipwreck and colorful local markets.
La Mauke island, "Where my heart rests," is a garden island where flowers and orchards abound. Here you have to visit the Marine Cave on the east coast, through whose roofs the sun filters and gives blue sparkles to the water. It is only accessible at low tide. There are also the remains of a shipwreck, the Te Kou Maru, a ship that sank in 2010.
La Mitiaro island it is a beautiful and unique island, with natural pools and caves undergrounds. Once this little island was a volcano but it sank into the sea and became a coral atoll. This geological formation has given it a beautiful and ideal relief to explore. It is inhabited by 200 people, very warm, you arrive by plane and in general you can hire a package of accommodation and excursions.
These are the best known islands of the Cook Islands, but of course there are other islands: Rakahanga, Manihiki, Pukapuka, Palmerston, Penrhyn, Takutea, Nassau, Suwarrow, Manuae... are the calls outer islands, attractive, wilder and remote and unspoiled. There are eight islands in total, seven within the southern group and seven more that are in the north. There are local flights that arrive at some and other ships arrive.
They are less frequented islands so if you want to feel good away from the madding crowd you have to get here, to the distant South Pacific Ocean. Finally, the accommodation in the Cook IslandsFor tourism, it is varied and most are located on the water's edge. There are resorts, luxury villas, hotels, rental house. You can travel as a family, to houses with kitchens and everything, or as a couple to luxurious resorts.