Wow! What's happened?

I can't believe that interest in the Cook Islands has died down, to this extent! Is it the time of year, or has everyone decided to go somewhere else, now that "Survivor" has moved on to Fiji?

For that matter, where are a couple of the "old regulars" - Shully & islandboi? Raro...what's going on there, buddy?

Hey to everyone,
Mark

Hi Mark,

From memory, Greg has spent this part of the year somewhere in the Sth Pacific over the last couple of years.
Perhaps he's out there now somewhere, making copious notes for his next trip report......

Rob

Hi Mark

Its too damn hot here at the moment. Besides I bought a Keeler and have been sailing the Gulf

Cheers Buddy
Ian

Perhaps Raro is overseas recovering his sanity (necessary for most ex pats). Hopefully he has not succumbed to the latest outbreak of dengue which seems to be getting worse. The authorities have decided to do an island clean-up of properties prior to spraying the whole island. There certainly seems to be controversy in the newspapers as to the type of spray proposed to be used - ie that the one proposed is extremely toxic to everything, not only the mossies.

Yes, a month ago or so Greg was counting the days left till his departure to the Pacific - maybe he has gone somewhere more remote than Samoa this time, and can't get online. Frankly, I can imagine better things to do in the region than surfing the net.

Hey here I am!
Just hanging out over on Trip Advisor. Plenty of folks over there going to the Cooks! I just sent a couple over who stayed at the Etu Moana and the Raro Beach Bungalows.
I've never seen a happier couple. The pics of them in the lagoon in Aitutaki should be on a honeymoon brochure. happy happy joy joy.
Seems like the Cooks are actually pretty booked up these days with lots more people from LAX going since Air NZ has started up the non-stop flights again.

Hope all is well!

sunny regards,
shully

The non-stop flights haven't actually started LAX-RAR yet... don't start until the beginning of April. Actually, things here in Raro are relatively quiet at the moment. Many of the resorts have low bookings, but are fairly booked through much of April. Businesses are certainly feeling the pinch of a quiet Feb/Mar. The weather is quite cyclonic here this morning - howling winds and pouring rain. I feel so sorry for people who are only around for a short stay as we have had constant rain for nearly a week! Hopefully, this will pass in the next couple of days. As agingaquarian mentions, dengue is causing a few problems and yes, there has been a bit of controversy surrounding the proposed spray campaign. The tutaka (property inspections) are continuing this week and the spraying will be carried out once the rain stops. My son has dengue at the moment, and while it is a mild strain on the island compared to previous years, it is certainly not much fun.

It isn't all doom and gloom, though. Cooks Islands is a beautiful place to visit and those of us lucky enough to stay here a while count our many blessings constantly!

#6 jeaniej - hope your son is better very soon. Dengue is not something I ever want to experience.

Thanks agingaquarian. After 5 days of fevers, aches and vomiting, he's now at the incredibly itchy rash, with continuing aches, stage! Apparently, he's on the way back up - although he is still to be convinced that he is actually getting better. Poor thing. I'm with you - it's certainly nothing I'm wanting to experience. I appreciate your well wishes and will pass them on to him.

OK!

It's comforting to know that there's still folks out there! The participants to sites - such as this one - can change so often.

shully - I know where you've been hanging out, missy! In addition to "tripadvisor", you've probably been enjoying the scenery and accommodation at the world's most exclusive South Pacific locales. (It sucks to be you! :-P)

rager! - Hey buddy! I heard about your boat. The lovely Janice & I are completely envious! We're still trying to figure out the economic means to get back to NZ ( and attempt Niue), so that we can, once again, impose upon your truly wonderful hospitality. I trust you and Di are well...

jeaniej - I suspect that you were NOT anticipating such an outbreak when you decided on your extended stay! I can only imagine how this is impacting on tourism, not to mention the fact that Cook Islanders - as I perceived them - would be quite uncomfortable if their islands became associated with any type of tropical disease to the outside world. I know that it's to be expected, from time-to-time, but for the uninformed, it would seem quite frightening. Kind of like expecting to be attacked by polar bear, upon arrival in Vancouver!

Keep checking in, y'all! You never know when paths might cross...

Warmest regards,
Mark

I keep checking in to read a trip report from IslandBoi. Guess he's still having fun. We took a quick trip to Australia last month. Loved the winetasting and Kangaroo Island.

I check in here from time to time.

Not that active on the boards currently. Post mostly on Tripadvisor, but even there I've cut back a bit.

Ken

Dengue fever maybe??