Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Fresh fish, fruit and Vegetables on Aitutaki Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands
hollybell 22:51 UTC 06 Oct 2007 | Hello, I would like to know if it is any easier to buy fresh fruit ,veg. and fish on Aitutaki. Do the shops sell any or are there any local markets? I know being a small Island Locals produce their own fruit and veg. and fish for their fish, and therefore they don't need to go out and buy it , but if anyone knows about how and where tourists can buy fresh products please let me know!! Thanks |
raro 09:39 UTC 07 Oct 2007 | Very little in the way of fresh veggies on Aitutaki, except perhaps for some taro, yams, etc. There are some bananas and papayas, and great mangoes a little before and after Christmas. Fresh fish---it all depends on what the guys catch that day. There is a little wharf in town (Arutanga), and a game fishing club, talk to the locals and see what has been running that week. In general, packaged food is about 20% higher on Aitutaki than on Rarotonga. | 1
hollybell 13:21 UTC 07 Oct 2007 | I guess making friends and asking the locals if we can buy some fresh fish,fruit and veg. is the best thing to do ! We love fresh food and I really hope we will be able to do this ! | 2
raro 15:02 UTC 07 Oct 2007 | Yes Holly, definitely a good idea. You have to realize that most locals grow veggies and fruit just for their own use, it is not an active, large marketplace on Aitutaki. One idea is to take a game fishing trip soon after arrival. They may let you keep a fish if you ask, but often all the catch will be sold to the restaurants. But it's a good way to meet some locals, and then you can inquire from them about buying fruit, veggies, etc. If you are not into fishing, head to the game fishing club for a beer, and ask after you've had a couple! | 3
hollybell 15:37 UTC 07 Oct 2007 | Sounds fun !!!!! Have you ever tasted the"home brew" that they make? !!!! | 4
islandboi321 22:17 UTC 07 Oct 2007 | As Raro has said, pickings are VERY slim at the Aitutaki market. You may have some options for some fresh fruit. 1. There is a fellow named Bill Schaan (Raro may well know him).. He's a local Swiss ex-pat living on Aitutaki and has a shop in the town. He also has a bit of an "experimental farm" where he is trying all kinds of tropical fruits. Ask anyone for Bill and they could point you in his direction and maybe he can get something for you. 2. There is a young fellow that does a thing called the "Aitutaki Walkabout" (you may well see the brochures where you are staying) I asked him, after his very interesting Aitutaki tour of the Marae, where one could get fresh fruit... He gave me some from his own plantation... Pomellos, Papaya, and Guava... As Raro has said, you need to talk to people who live there (Aitutakians are very friendly folks and they LOVE it when you take interest in their lives) 3. There is that restaurant on the west side of Aitutaki by the Matriki resort run by the Austrian-Canadian woman and her Aituatkian husband. I can't remember the name of the cafe they run. They have fresh fruit for sale or can get you some... Very expensive though. You are probably best just to ask where you stay at... I stayed at Tom's Cabin and had abundant Guavas and bananans to eat everyday that they had there. | 5
raro 05:28 UTC 08 Oct 2007 | Yes, it's Bill "Tschan", very nice guy. He can help you find whatever you need, just stop at his shop. | 6