| sanduni14:42 UTC30 Mar 2007 | We've just returned from Aitutaki, and found it to be a true paradise of the pacific! Etu Moana is exactly what everyone has said... exlemplary in every way!!
we have thoroughly enjoyed the boat trips with Cathy and her sister Kopu, such lovley characters and made our trip so much fun. yes, it is more expensive tahn the other trips on offer, but worth every penny to have a boat to yourself and be taken to whichever island you want to visit and then have them to yourselves!! but do bare in mind that if your'e looking for a luxury boat trip... this is not!! it is a basic aluminium hull fishing boat with a yamaha 60hp which is good for snaking through those lagoon waters, but there is no shade and lunch is very basic (included in the price... bananas, pinepples, salad, sausages, bread and water). the whole trip us quite long.. picking you up from your hotel at 10 and then dropping you off at 4.30. You get to see the giant clams, catch fish and visit the Islands and snorkel and of course feed the fish!!
We tried to get over to Aitutaki Resort for a drink but the only way over the water by pontoon is to speak to the reception (via phone in the pontoon landing hut), to get permission!! we were declined as we were only coming for a drink... say you want to have lunch or dinner!!!
The marine centre is worth a visit, even if it is a few tanks with clams at varying stages of development. Ask Max to show you the Stone fish!!!
Restaurants...... well, we only liked Cafe Tupuna and ate dinner several times there. Every meal was delicious but we were unable to try the mud crab as it wasn't on the menu the nights we were there.
Te Vaka, very disappointing and mediocre restaurant food.
Pacific Resort for lunch. This was expensive compared to other places although the food ( when it eventually arrived!!) was good quality and well presented.
We hired a little car from Ranguini for the day just to have a look around the island. This was cheap enough and well worth the money to do a little bit of independent and inland driving.
Mosquitoes!!! whatever you do make sure you are covered day and night with insect repellent!!!!! most restaurants provide you with some if you forget yours but they are nasty and will make your stay a miserable one if you get caught off guard!!
Drink Aitu coffee whilst you are there and buy some coffee in the black packet(only) of unground beans. you can buy this from the nice man at the little airport shop.
The people were lovely and friendly.
Snorkelling-disappointing in both Islands. If you are a serious snorkeller and looking for corals and shoals of fish then Maldives; Red Sea and Great Barrier are your best bets, but when your'e on holiday and just looking around then you'll see some pretty fish....
Rarotonga;
Aquarius Motel; This place has only been open for 6 months and is literally a stones throw from the airport. For anyone looking for one nights stay; if your in transit... this is just so convenient. Its clean good showers and beds, and restaurant and pool.... and a ROCKY beach!!
Many places are closed on a sunday so if your'e looking for food, shops or on a late flight be warned!!! However, there are a few general stores open and resort shops, if you look for them and then you will need your own transport to get to them. The bus only runs clockwise and on the hour on a sunday. You can eat at many of the resorts if your'e stuck.
we stayed at Moana Sands Beach Hotel, which was expensive for what it is. Quite run down and needs a good sprusing up to charge those prices. Given that, the location is good on the Muri lagoon.
The Paw Paw Patch is not very nice!! Don't bother unless your'e desperate!!
Go to Sails... possibly the best meal we had on our whole trip (including NZ!!) The best Ika Mata that we had eaten.
Riding the bus was great fun as it went to every resort so it allows for a nice little snoop at the same time!
A special thanks to Shully for pointing us towards Etu Moana and to Raro for giving us invaluable information throughout our planning. We did visit your place Shangri-la on our walk back from the Pacific Resort... it looked really nice - we'll be there next time we come!!!
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| silvanocat22:25 UTC31 Mar 2007 | Thank you for posting your trip report. It's great to read reviews from just returned visitors.
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| shully22:18 UTC01 Apr 2007 | HI there!
So glad to hear you loved the Etu Moana! It's such a quiet, nice romantic spot eh? Thanks too for posting your trip report. Always great to hear about peoples adventures!
Oh, and that Ika Mata!!! My favorite food in the Cooks!
sunny regards,
shully
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| newfie4306:12 UTC02 Apr 2007 | Thanks for posting your report. It helps me relive the great time we had there as well. Agree with you with regard to the snorkeling, although it was better on Aitutaki than Rarotonga. And I have been enjoying my Aitu coffee for special occasions.
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