Cook Islands South Pacific
“I wish I could tell you about the South Pacific. The way it actually was. The endless ocean. The infinite specks of coral. Coconut palms nodding gracefully toward the ocean. Reefs upon which waves broke into spray, and inner lagoons, lovely beyond description. “― James A. Michener
As I watched the airplane come in over the water to land at the Rarotonga International Airport, I had to remind myself that in the grand scheme of things the South Pacific is actually closer to Los Angeles than most places in Europe. I don’t know why it took me so long to make my way here and then too I had to club it with Australia and New Zealand, but my appetite is now whetted, and you might find me exploring more of these Pacific Islands.
Be warned though the islands move to a different pace and it’s truly more about relaxation and rejuvenation and enjoying all the bounty of the clear waters, teeming fish, white sandy beaches and the crystalline colors of the water.
For this first foray I decided to cruise the Society and Cook Islands. At the Cook Islands the ship has to stop outside the Coral Reef and there is no way to anchor so the ship actually is in constant motion as the tender takes passengers to the shore.
The waves were high, and it was like an e-ride in Disneyland to board the tender and to deboard when you were back at the ship. On one such foray, I was next in line to disembark when the waves suddenly had us rocking and the poor seaman was clutching at my arm to keep me stationary.
I loved watching the early mornings as the ship navigated from open sea towards the island DuJour. Watching the green specs and the volcanic rock formations come in wreathed in clouds was a fantastic experience. One day I saw dolphins dancing along the side and of course there were birds that I didn’t necessarily recognize.
The islands are simple, people seemed to be happy and colorful. Most of the people live on these family lands, their dead buried right by their houses for the most part. Money doesn’t mean much to these people who are happy living on their ancestral lands, farming and fishing and living a happy life.
Christianity is the prevailing religion. All the various denominations are present, and sometimes almost impressive brick and mortar churches mark the islands. On one island one of the tour guides told us that they were 99% Christian and 1% other, the other being a Muslim transplant who had moved to the island.
Bright colorful tie dye sarongs sway on lines in the wind. In India, the process is laborious with little seeds or beads tied into the fabric to form the patterns. Here they just fold and knot and dip in the vegetable dyes they use and voila in the space of a few minutes they have a sarong.
An introduction to the many and varied fruits in season during this time of the year. The land is so fertile that one gentleman told us that if you eat a mango and toss the seed into the ground, within a month you’ll have green shoots which will eventually turn into a tree. We passed trees laden with bananas, mangoes, papayas. I treated myself to papaya and mango every morning at breakfast.
While in New Zealand I had heard the story of how the Māori people came on 7 canoes to settle the country. While the people did not originate here in the Cook Islands, they stopped here to rest and provision. A memorial marks the site that represents each of the seven canoes. How wonderful when the history carries across multiple countries giving it more depth.
The islands are surrounded by a coral reef that protects them from the roughness of the ocean. The lagoons are shallow, beautiful and calm. The water is warm. What a wonderful experience to just wade into the water and bask in the sand.
The water is so crystal clear that you can step into the water from any beach and put on goggles and put your head down and you’ll find underwater beauty. The colors are phenomenal. I did not have an underwater camera, so this picture is not mine.
These islands are all volcanic in nature and continue to contract and expand.
At every island we got to experience their local dances. What a wonderful experience it’s been. French Polynesia here I come.