Northern Atolls Adventure

bung2820:38 UTC20 Jan 2008

yes...it's been long...far too long..

So many months have passed since our last stay in the Cooks

Last time we stayed for 8 weeks and got to spend
1 week on Atiu, another week on Aitutaki
and 2 days on Mangaia.

Next time, I've been thinking of including a trip to the Northern Group as well.

Has anyone of you done this before?
Air Raro - Northern Atolls Adventure

mikki

P.S. Raro, Crossie, LordB, PapaMike...All of you regs.....no...I haven't forgotten U !!!!!!!!

letterdude20:55 UTC20 Jan 2008

Janice has promised me (us!) a 3 month visit, once I retire in 2010. Puka Puka is on the agenda...for certain!

Warm regards,
Mark

bung2821:05 UTC20 Jan 2008

2010, eh?
you lucky bugger!!!

papamike00:56 UTC21 Jan 2008

Hi Mikki,

I, like you, have spotted the posting on Air Raro's web site. I have not talked to the airline, but will be heading down for six weeks in mid February to update my book. I will find out all I can first hand and get back to the rest of you. I surmise that they would need a minimum passenger requirement to make sense to the airline, so it may be just a "pipe dream." I am sure you are aware that there is some serious talk about a catamaran type, high speed ferry service in the Cook's, with the Chinese furnishing a suitable craft with REGULARLY SCHDULED service to all the outer islands. This makes far greater economic sense to me as a way to try and support a tourist industry in the outer islands. Significant changes in Raro, helmet laws, breathelizers, pending sales of Trader Jack's, Portofino, Sail's, now for the plug, all to be included in the upcoming 2nd Edition of the Handbook. (shameless self-promotion)

Papa Mike
Papa Mike's Cook Islands Handbook 2nd Edition

bung2805:07 UTC21 Jan 2008

yes....been following the 'development' in the cooks with great sadness
didn't like it in 04...even less in 06 ... I just hope I get to return before
the 'paradise' is forever lost...
(you know I'm not talking about helmet laws etc. now)

Looking forward to the 2nd Edition....

raro05:13 UTC21 Jan 2008

Hi Mikki--
Good to hear from you! How's the baby doing?

That Air Raro excursion is often planned, but I think it has actually gone only once, or maybe a couple of times at most, in the last several yrs. It is pretty expensive, and it needs a commitment of maybe 10 or so (I'm guessing on the exact number) to do it.

If it isn;t going, you can fly to Manihiki, but airfares went up about 60% a few months ago.

So, keep the Finnish funds coming in, and you'll be able to do one trip or the other, hopefully!

PS---I sold Shangri-La, and am traveling now for a while.

Northern Atolls Adventure Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands
bung2820:38 UTC20 Jan 2008	yes...it's been long...far too long.. So many months have passed since our last stay in the Cooks Last time we stayed for 8 weeks and got to spend 1 week on Atiu, another week on Aitutaki and 2 days on Mangaia. Next time, I've been thinking of including a trip to the Northern Group as well. Has anyone of you done this before? Air Raro - Northern Atolls Adventure mikki P.S. Raro, Crossie, LordB, PapaMike...All of you regs.....no...I haven't forgotten U !!!!!!!!
letterdude20:55 UTC20 Jan 2008	Janice has promised me (us!) a 3 month visit, once I retire in 2010. Puka Puka is on the agenda...for certain! Warm regards, Mark	1
bung2821:05 UTC20 Jan 2008	2010, eh? you lucky bugger!!!	2
papamike00:56 UTC21 Jan 2008	Hi Mikki, I, like you, have spotted the posting on Air Raro's web site. I have not talked to the airline, but will be heading down for six weeks in mid February to update my book. I will find out all I can first hand and get back to the rest of you. I surmise that they would need a minimum passenger requirement to make sense to the airline, so it may be just a "pipe dream." I am sure you are aware that there is some serious talk about a catamaran type, high speed ferry service in the Cook's, with the Chinese furnishing a suitable craft with REGULARLY SCHDULED service to all the outer islands. This makes far greater economic sense to me as a way to try and support a tourist industry in the outer islands. Significant changes in Raro, helmet laws, breathelizers, pending sales of Trader Jack's, Portofino, Sail's, now for the plug, all to be included in the upcoming 2nd Edition of the Handbook. (shameless self-promotion) Papa Mike Papa Mike's Cook Islands Handbook 2nd Edition	3
bung2805:07 UTC21 Jan 2008	yes....been following the 'development' in the cooks with great sadness didn't like it in 04...even less in 06 ... I just hope I get to return before the 'paradise' is forever lost... (you know I'm not talking about helmet laws etc. now) Looking forward to the 2nd Edition....	4
raro05:13 UTC21 Jan 2008	Hi Mikki-- Good to hear from you! How's the baby doing? That Air Raro excursion is often planned, but I think it has actually gone only once, or maybe a couple of times at most, in the last several yrs. It is pretty expensive, and it needs a commitment of maybe 10 or so (I'm guessing on the exact number) to do it. If it isn;t going, you can fly to Manihiki, but airfares went up about 60% a few months ago. So, keep the Finnish funds coming in, and you'll be able to do one trip or the other, hopefully! PS---I sold Shangri-La, and am traveling now for a while.	5