| Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 | |
Christmas and New Years 2008-09 in the Cooks!Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands | ||
Hi All, I am a Kiwi (well 1/2 at least as a New Zealand Perm Resident - LOL) and I am coming to The Cooks for 17 days from 19/12 - 04/01 for Xmas and New Years. Does anyone want a travel buddy or someone fun to pal around with. I am a fun well-traveled photographer so I'll be keen to explore new places by kayak, plane, hiking, scooter, etc? I am planning on staying in the Varas Backpackers on Roratonga for the first week and hiring a scooter. After that, I am unsure where to go and what island to hop to next. Does anyone have any good ideas for me for New Years? Anyway, get in touch with me if you want a fun travel mate. John | ||
I won't be there then, but here are some tips: Flights to and from most outer islands will be full from about Dec 15 to Jan 15, as CI'ers living in Austr. and NZ return home to visit relatives. So, you may not be able to get to the outer islands when you want, so be flexible. Not a lot of places to discover by kayak, RAR is basically just a round island with a lagoon 3/4 of the way around it. Maybe some of the islets on Aitutaki might be fun to visit by kayak, but other than that, not much kayaking in the usual sense of things. A kayak would be fun way up on Manihiki, but at NZ$1300 RT from RAR it's a bit expensive to get to these days. Be VERY careful with your photo gear. Petty theft is on the increase for these types of things. If you can lock it up at the place you ar staying, with your own lock, do so. Don't leave anything of value on the beach when you go snorkeling in the lagoon. As to travel mates, you'll meet lots of people if you're staying at Vara's and other backpacker places. also get a drink at the Staircase, good place to meet people. For unusual photo ops, go to the less-visited islands of Aitu, Mauke, Mitiaro or Mangaia, and go to the caves, inland taro swamps, etc. Read up on things via www.ck Have fun! | 1 | |