Leisure World residents Sandy Bush and Debbi Fudge take in the Cook Islands

by Debbi Fudge

LW contributor

Cook Islands is a nation of 15 islands in the South Pacific located 708 miles west of Tahiti. Considered by many as a paradise destination, these islands rank right up in the league of the best beaches in the world.

Leisure World resident Sandy Bush and I visited two of the islands, Rarotonga and Aitutaki. We arrived on Rarotonga. Every morning our outside breakfast venue overlooked the beach and the ocean. We marveled at the shades of blue ocean from a lightest blue to a vibrant turquoise to a darkest blue rolling toward us in gentle waves. Hypnotizing and simply stated, so very gorgeous.

Rarotonga has a 20-mile circumference. To move around the island we utilized the island bus that circles every hour Monday through Saturday from early morning to late evening. Occasionally we took a taxi. Additionally we pre-selected tours that included hotel pickup and drop off. Although we had resort accommodations, this trip we wanted our experiences to include much more than just what the resort offered.

Our tours started with a half day Rarotonga Island tour, taking us on back roads and including a coconut tree and coconut use show. We viewed up close Black Rock, a huge volcanic boulder on the edge of a lagoon, traditionally believed to be the departure point of spirits to the afterlife.

The Highland Cultural Center tour took us to Arorangi, a 600-year-old village, once home to high chief Tinomana Ariki’s tribe. We visited the small museum and watched an interesting historical video. This tour concluded with a very tasty local lunch.

We immensely enjoyed the Loka Lagoon Cruise tour. After boarding a glass bottom boat, we cruised some of the coastal area lagoons. The abundance of fish impressed us. Lunch with 30 dishes also impressed us. But what impressed us the most was the snorkeling. What clear water. What vibrantly colored and patterned fish. What sizes of fish from itty bitty to medium large. A giant clam close by to view.

We participated in a Umu Cultural Night. Dancers and drumming entertained us. The food dishes probably numbered over 100. If we weren’t familiar with the food name, Sandy and I each took a tablespoon serving to taste.

Our most enjoyed tour, really a fabulous tour, turned out to be a full day on Aitutaki Island on a snorkeling boat. After an early morning flight, driving across the island and boarding a catamaran, we snorkeled in a protected marine reserve. So many fish, we were astonished. We reboarded and then anchored at One Foot Island for another scrumptious local meal, and an entertainment show including eight different ways to style a sari scarf and more snorkeling. What a day!

An uplifting experience our second Sunday was attending a local Cook Islands Christian Church. The choir music lifted us practically to the heavens, and the minister’s message regarding our way of life to include being kind to everyone was strong. After the service, the congregation invited all guests to its Community Hall for light refreshments. Light refreshments turned out to be eight banquet tables loaded with local food.

The Saturday market ended up being the only shopping that fit into our schedule. Both of us left this Saturday market smiling ear-to-ear.

At the resort, our time schedule only enabled us to take a palm tree leaf basket and hat weaving class, and also a fresh flower headband weaving class.

For our evening meals, we boarded the island bus to the Muri Night Market, recommended local restaurants including Captain Jack’s, Tamarind House, Bluff House and Charlie’s, where we also danced. We walked to a close-by chicken restaurant where the smallest order was four thigh and leg pieces. We went to the Hula Club to dance, but the locals danced too differently from us, forming a circle with each person coming into the center and dancing alone, like a break dance performer at Times Square.

After Sandy and I boarded our return flight, settled into our seats, we looked at each other, and Sandy commented, “Great trip!”

Sandy Bush (l) and Debbi Fudge wove fresh flower head- bands during a class at their resort.

Debbi Fudge preparing to snorkel at Aitutaki.