Rarotonga/Atiutaki/'Atiu in September... Recommendations/budget?

Hi, folks.

I'm visiting the Cook Islands (as a solo woman traveller) in September 2015, staying on Rarotonga for a few days either side of trips to Aitutaki and 'Atiu. My interests include wildlife, local culture and music... and I plan to do plenty of snorkelling/kayaking/swimming as well as generally checking out the local ambience. I'm not on a massive budget but this is the trip of a lifetime for me, so I want to make the most of my time in the Cooks!

On Raro I'll be staying at Aremango Guesthouse in Muri (which I've heard good things about), and I'd like to get out on some trips and excursions while I'm there. Things I've heard recommended to try out include the cross-island walk and Takitumu Conservation Area.

On Aitutaki I'm staying at Vaikoa and Maritriki, for about 14 days altogether. Snorkelling, kayaking and making trips out to the motu are on my wishlist; also checking out singing in the churches one Sunday (amongst my other work I teach singing and run a community choir).

'Atiu I've yet to sort accommodation but I'm there for 3 days. I've heard that the guided cave and bird tours are good to go on while here.

So: I'd appreciate any suggestions for good excursions/activities in these 3 places, plus recs for eateries. (I plan to be mostly self catering but it'd be nice to have the odd evening meal out somewhere as a treat.) I don't intend to hire cars while I'm there - prefer to walk/cycle (or use the bus while on Raro) wherever possible.

I wondered about going along to one of the 'island nights' - some people recommend the Cook Islands Cultural Village or Te Vara Nui Village island nights. I'm not into doing the mega touristy thing, but it would be fun to check out a show at some point. I'd prefer to go to one which is representative of and respectful to (as far as possible) local culture.

Appreciative of all helpful suggestions... Thanks!

Namaste :-)

I enjoyed Aremango last winter when I was in rarotonga, the free bikes are handy and the local bus service is really good to get around. I went to a show near Avarua ( it was upstairs, I think called Staircase?)
It was run by local children and parents as a fund raiser, it included a meal and drinks were available to purchase.
I loved the kids and although it may be slightly less professional than some of the others ( not that I can compare) I thought it was great, good atmosphere, good value ( only about $25 from memory) and it felt good knowing you are helping the children with their dreams to travel and perform.

oh and you wil discover this when you get to Aremango, the night market at Muri has great local and internationalfood stalls at good prices, I had the nicest fish there ( moon fish?) with paw paw salad.

Ah, that sounds great... I'll check out that show, see if I can find it. It would be good to contribute to local projects. (I know that as a tourist you are feeding some cash into the local economy, but not quite the same thing.) The market sounds good too, thanks for the rec.

I like the idea of Aremango's free bikes (and the buses). A friend stayed on Raro a few years ago and she said she and her husband cycled everywhere - one day they cycled all the way round the island, which she said was easily do-able.

One question: do you recall if Aremango had a safe or secure lock-up where you could leave valuables (e.g. passport etc)? I've asked Brendon at Aremango via email but he hasn't indicated yes or no. I don't particularly want to cart stuff like that around with me when I'm exploring on the island.

Yes I enjoyed the bikes, roads were terrible and bikes a bit klunky but great option.
I had a single room and dispersed any valuables I wasn't taking with me around various places in my room.
I always do this in the hope that if an opportunists chances by the impact won't be too painful.
I take two credit cards kept in seperate places, and have my day to day money with me plus a hidden stash.
I always empty my bag - makes it easier to find what I need and obviouse I don't have much of value....it has worked so far , even in open fales......touch wood. But I go by a philosophy an old traveller once told me - don't take anything you would cry over if it was lost or stolen. I don't take a huge amount of cash, just top up at ATM s ( worth paying a fee for peace of mind)

Cool beans, that all sounds fine and is very helpful advice - thanks!

I plan to take more than one credit / debit card for using at ATMs where possible, it's just that some of the places will only take cash so I'm wondering about how best to do this. I take your point about just getting cash out at ATMs as and when needed rather than carting a wad of notes around with me being a sensible strategy.

As for valuables, I'm not planning to bring much... Just a decent compact digital camera and some spare memory cards, mostly. I'm even thinking of not bothering to bring my smartphone, as coverage isn't the best in places where I'm going so it seems a bit redundant (plus it's just a nice thought being 'offline' while I'm travelling). I was thinking of borrowing my sister's Kindle but frankly even that seems like a faff (the whole having to charge up gadgets regularly thing), I'll prob just cram a few books into my backpack for night-time reading. Daytimes I hope to be having too much fun exploring and getting to know folks, rather than wanting to read!

Thanks again for your helpful advice, much appreciated. :o)

I actually have a very old Nokia pre paid phone I take travelling- it doesn't do Internet, it s worth nothing- all the young ones laugh at it, no one would want to steal it , the battery lasts nearly a week cause nothing is going in the background to drain it like on my smart phone.
but it gives a number family can text me on if there is any emergency. It goes to roaming when I arrive but only family know the number so it doesn't cost anything unless I send or recieve a text .....if I'm staying a while in a country I sometimes buy a local sim for local calls if I want to arrange accommodation etc, they normally only cost about $10...

I took my iPad one year thinking it would be handy for reading books , keeping in touch etc but found carrying it, charging it, trying to read on the beach etc worrying about it getting stolen it was just a waste of space.
I take two books and swap where possible. Aremango has a book library and there is a second hand stall near the market in Avarua, plus books to borrow ( if you join) and for sale at the library - which I thought was worth a visit for the museum side of it

Yeah, I was thinking about just taking an old mobile phone with me and getting a local SIM, might not be a bad idea. And the book thing for sure, bring just a few with me and swap as much as possible while I'm there sounds the best plan. I'll try to check out the library/museum, someone else had recommended that as well. I always take a journal to write in as well. The whole charging up and taking care of gadgets like Kindles or whatever is just too much of a faff, can't be doing with any of that!

Thanks again for the tips, folks. :o)

Really hope you enjoy your trip, I love the Islands and spend about two months there a year escaping winter in NZ. Just 3 more weeks till I head off this winter.....Samoa and Fiji a month each this year.I was a month each in Samoa and Rarotonga last year and I am looking forward to a trip back to the Cooks some time ( hopefully with a bigger budget so I can get out to the islands, the plane fare is a budget killer...) I'm sure you will love it.

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