[skibumwa]

Hey all,

I am taking my 1st truly tropical vacation holiday from Wellington to the Cook Islands from 19/12 to 05/01 :bluebanana and need some advice. I know this is a tropical paradise and all, but do you have any advice for me on how best to celebrate Xmas and New Years eve? Any secret ideas, special islands or spots to share with me?

Cheers,

John

[Georgebulldog]

No advice but very jealous

[buzztalks]

Catch the bus on Rarotonga for island tour. Just stand by the road and flag it down. Depending on which side of the road you are you will require either 'Clockwise' or 'Anticlockwise'. No numbers....just the words!

Worth the fare for that alone.

[NZ Hopeful]

No advice but very jealous

Oh me too....but I'm jealous of you too (being in NZ!) :uhoh:exit

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

lend us a couple of grand and I'll scope it out for you in advance

;)

[skibumwa]

A couple grand eh? No worries I think I have that in my wallet :laugh :nice1 kidding! I'd pack you in my suitcase if I could, but they got a 25kg weight limit for checked bags now for coach class. :cool:

cheers,
John



lend us a couple of grand and I'll scope it out for you in advance

;)

[skibumwa]

What approximately is the fare for that ? Also should I be more cash dependent on the Cooks vs. how I live here as Visa card only guy?

Catch the bus on Rarotonga for island tour. Just stand by the road and flag it down. Depending on which side of the road you are you will require either 'Clockwise' or 'Anticlockwise'. No numbers....just the words!

Worth the fare for that alone.

[buzztalks]

What approximately is the fare for that ? Also should I be more cash dependent on the Cooks vs. how I live here as Visa card only guy?

if you're travelling to Rarotonga from NZ you shouldn't need to worry about the bus fare ;)

we used cash rather than cards, money talks when you're negotiating prices..

[skibumwa]

hehe I wish, I have 17 days in the Cooks and I stay at backpackers not posh ocean front private condos. I can afford this long trip, because I travel very frugal.

As for cash and haggling, I was told by a girl at work who was born in Roratonga, that haggling frowned upon there. Suggestions?
:cool:


if you're travelling to Rarotonga from NZ you shouldn't need to worry about the bus fare ;)

we used cash rather than cards, money talks when you're negotiating prices..

[spudulike]

When we were in the cooks (got married there 5 1/2 years ago) we got the bus round the Island once then hired a bicycle from the hotel and cycled around the Island other times. This was a much nicer option as we could get off when we spotted lovely scenic spots and have a wander/picnic etc. It doesn't take long to cycle round. There is an Island near Raratonga (can't remember what it's called but it begins with A :D ) and this has been highly recommended to visit by friends. You do need to fly there but it is apparently worth the journey.

As for Visa etc, they took it in restaurants as I recall but there are also a couple of cash machines on the Island to withdraw cash if needed.

Have a wonderful time, it's a great place!

L :)

[DMcG]

If you want to hire a car or a scooter - you need a Cook Islands driving license.
You can get these from the Police Station in the centre of town. If it's for a scooter - there's also a practical to sit where the police officer on duty drives around with a gaggle of tourists on scooters following him :laugh I think as long as you don't fall of, you pass :D

One of the most picturesque islands is Aitutaki - but it's quite expensive to get there - and not much to do apart from laze around - but then that's what Raro' is all about.

Dougie

[spudulike]

Aitutaki - I knew it began with A :yes That's the place that was recommended too us. We didn't go there as we had a round the world ticket and were working to a budget so not sure price of flights etc.

L :)

[IanW99]

Hey all,

I am taking my 1st truly tropical vacation holiday from Wellington to the Cook Islands from 19/12 to 05/01 :bluebanana and need some advice. I know this is a tropical paradise and all, but do you have any advice for me on how best to celebrate Xmas and New Years eve? Any secret ideas, special islands or spots to share with me?

Cheers,

John

I came across this today:-
Between October 2006 and 15 May 2007, 1383 cases of Dengue Fever were reported, a large number of which were on Raratonga. As at June 2007 the Dengue fever risk is said to be low. For more information on the disease, please consult the World Health Organisation's Dengue fact sheet (under ‘health topics’) at the following website: http://www.who.int/topics/dengue/en/

Don't know if this is a seasonal problem or a one off, but thought it was worth bringing to your attention. I hadn't even considered that there may be any problems visiting such a place (I don't even know if there are any other potential health issues) - sorry, not trying to ruin your vacation and assume that this isn't the sort of advice that you were looking for.

Ian

[Potato]

I came across this today:-


Don't know if this is a seasonal problem or a one off, but thought it was worth bringing to your attention. I hadn't even considered that there may be any problems visiting such a place (I don't even know if there are any other potential health issues) - sorry, not trying to ruin your vacation and assume that this isn't the sort of advice that you were looking for.

Ian

You can get Dengue all across the tropical South Pacific, even countries which are outside the Malaria belt.
Given that there's no vaccine or cure, I think just the normal stuff applies with regard to mosquitoes- wear long clothing when they're out biting, sleep under a mosquito net, avoid areas of stagnant water where they often hang out.

It probably is more seasonal. Late December will be the hot, humid and wet season so there will likely be more mosquitoes.

(I don't think advice like this ruins vacations, it's useful to be made aware of such risks)

[skibumwa]

Tell me, if I already have a NZ full car/motorcycle licence do I need to still do this crazy "follow the leader" scooter test? I ride a 150cc motorbike to work here in Welly in all weather, high winds and rain alike. I ask this also because NZ owns the Cooks from what I am told.

Yes I hear Aitutaki is beautiful indeed and I plan to get there to stay for a week.

thanks,
John



If you want to hire a car or a scooter - you need a Cook Islands driving license.
You can get these from the Police Station in the centre of town. If it's for a scooter - there's also a practical to sit where the police officer on duty drives around with a gaggle of tourists on scooters following him :laugh I think as long as you don't fall of, you pass :D

One of the most picturesque islands is Aitutaki - but it's quite expensive to get there - and not much to do apart from laze around - but then that's what Raro' is all about.

Dougie

[DMcG]

If you have a motorcycle category on your license I think you should be ok.
From what I remember, it's people with only basic driving licenses that need to do it.

Dougie

[skibumwa]

Sounds good! Now what makes me laugh about riding motorbikes in tropical places (eg. Malaysia) is seeing 3-4 people riding on one 125cc motorbike AND all are wearing jandles, and no helmets! :eek: :laugh

As if somehow the warm tropical weather makes them immune from getting hurt in accidents. :cheers:laugh