solo traveling on rarotonga

Hi,

I am getting close to my trip to Raro and then NZ. I am staying at Rarotonga backpackers for 3 nights(M-W) by myself. I was just wondering if anyone has some advice for a solo traveler on what to do and what not to do while I'm there. Does anyone know of anything cool to do by my lonesome there, other then drinking on the beach(which I'm sure I will do plenty of). I'm a pretty active person and love the outdoors so I want to do the cross island trek but I was told not to do that alone. Does anyone know if the guided trips go up there everyday or only on the weekend? Also if I have enough time I want to go to a island night, any suggestions? Any comments on this would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Aaron

Pa does his Cross-Island hike a few days a week. Give him a call. It's good to do it with him if you can afford it, as he arranges all transport to and from your place, etc. Also, if you do it on your own, do NOT do it alone. It is easy to get lost on the downhill side, and then they have to send up the police and search patrols etc.

If you are doing it w/o a guide, do it with someone else, and get on the trail before about 11am. That way if you do get lost you have some time to backtrack and find the right route.

Try the Staircase in town for a drink. Friendly place.
You'll easily meet other people where you are staying, don't worry about it.

Ditto what Raro had to say about the cross island hike. I would also suggest the Tuesday night Crown Beach Resort for your Island Night. They have a great show, with the added attraction of some young dancers that are incredibly skilled. As I recall Crown Beach is not too far from Raro Backpackers location.

Have a great trip!

Papa Mike

Raro, PapaMike,

Thanks for the info. I will look into Pa's trips and some of the places you guys mentioned. I'm counting down the seconds now till I leave...

I can also vouch for the Staircase Bar being a great place... Go for the great dinner and show and then stay for drinks and dancing afterwards! I had a super time there.

when i stayed at rarotonga backpackers, i had no idea what was going on or what to do, but the people who run it were very helpful, knew the island pretty much inside out and gave us lots of information about what to do and where to go, prices, bus timetables etc. they also had a different night on a week, for example, one night was a bbq night where you got to meet the rest of the people staying in the hostel (very sociable) and another was a night out on a kind of pub crawl around the bars on the island, finishing a TJ's (dodgy club, but good music, good times and lots of stories to tell) with the rest of the people in the hostel. so if you are travelling alone, i wouldn't worry,you will meet people in the hostel in the same situation. good luck, you will enjoy it, it was amazing when i was there!!!