Rarotonga

**cold comfort** · 2nd August 2009, 16:28

Overpriced junkyard with barren reef and cockroach infested accommodation. Unless you stay top-end, in which case you may as well be anywhere. It rained most of the time too. The main island is as good as it gets if the weather is good and you don't want any excitement- ideal for a book and snorkelling. The scootering was fun (first time ever pillioned the wife). p.s That should have read Aitutaki (u next to i on the keyboard)

**Blackbird** · 2nd August 2009, 16:40

Originally Posted by cold comfort

overpriced junkyard with barren reef and cockroach infested accommodation. Unless you stay top-end, in which case you may as well be anywhere. The main island is as good as it gets if the weather is good and you don't want any excitement- ideal for a book and snorkelling

Haven't been to Aututaki so can't comment. Dunno what your "top end" criteria is, but Mrs B picked up a package through House of Travel in March. 5 nights at the Manuia Beach Resort, including $200 advance on meals, 2 days of scooter hire, half day orientation tour, 4x4 trip into the highlands for $1250 each inc air fares. The beach huts were great, not sterile and we only scratched the surface of things to do. Not looking to argue as everyone has their opinions but a bland statement like yours doesn't tell the whole story.

**cold comfort** · 4th August 2009, 13:21

Thats the problem with brevity-it lends itself to comments such as "bland" My point was merely that,IMHO for the extra $$, Aitutaki is overated and over priced. Keisha Castle-Hughes did some grandstanding on behalf of climate change and Greenpeace there recently with respect to the dying/barren reef. (Wether this is a natural event or climate change is speculative, and the lack of fish could easily be due to overfishing). The land environment showed a distinct lack of conservation looking, in many respects, like a municipal tip.
As you state, good deals are to be had in Rarotonga. My experience on the main island was (as i hoped i said) nothing but positive. We enjoyed the time, had fun and purchased a great piece of artwork from a local artist. My advice would be to not waste money on going further for little return. I have been fortunate to experience a number of island holidays and Aitutaki just did not cut it. My wife and i plan to go to Vanuatau this yr and,as certified divers, are really looking forward to it!

**Blackbird** · 4th August 2009, 13:31

Originally Posted by cold comfort

My wife and i plan to go to Vanuatau this yr and,as certified divers, are really looking forward to it!

Did Vanuatu the year before last and loved it! My wife and I have taken turns for most of our married life to organise a secret destination to celebrate our anniversary and keep it a secret for as long as possible (normally airport check-in if going overseas, haha). Port Vila is pretty run down but still has a certain charm. However, we stayed just out of town in some lagoon bungalows run by a couple of Kiwis and it was great. Heaps to do there too. Pretty primitive in some areas which adds to the interest. We visited a tribe in the Highlands that only gave up ritual cannibalism a couple of decades ago

**Maha** · 4th August 2009, 13:37

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Just got back from 6 days in Rarotonga and absolutely loved it. You can be as lazy or as busy as you want, we mainly went for the latter. Hired a scooter (Yamaha Cygnus X)for peanuts and we went exploring all over the island. In 40 plus years of riding, it's the first time I've ridden a scooter and it was huge fun. Note the Cook Islands helmet - cap turned backwards! Didn't feel safe with sandals though and went for better shoes. Went 4WD exploring in the backroads and there are also beach buggys and quads for hire. The Sachs Madass with matching plate was cool, but not for hire unfortunately. Lovely people, lovely place to chill in the NZ winter.

Behind you, in pic two, the blue place? did you get a feed there at all?

Oh, and did you see this place? (pic below) its on the road behind the Airport...

**CookMySock** · 4th August 2009, 13:40

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Did Vanuatu the year before last and loved it! My wife and I have taken turns for most of our married life to organise a secret destination to celebrate our anniversary and keep it a secret for as long as possible (normally airport check-in if going overseas, haha). Port Vila is pretty run down but still has a certain charm. However, we stayed just out of town in some lagoon bungalows run by a couple of Kiwis and it was great. Heaps to do there too. Pretty primitive in some areas which adds to the interest. We visited a tribe in the Highlands that only gave up ritual cannibalism a couple of decades ago

I spent a week in Vanuatu a few years back, and I damn near went straight back to stay. I got an offer to come back and live and work for six months, and it was pretty hard not to take it. The place is cheerful, dirty, run down, and the young ladies are verrry friendly, and the weed is cheap or free.

Steve

**Blackbird** · 4th August 2009, 13:41

Originally Posted by Maha

Behind you, in pic two, the blue place? did you get a feed there at all?

Oh, and did you see this place? (pic below) its on the road behind the Airport...

No, we stayed on the other side of the island and only lunched a couple of times on the eastern side. We swam right in front of it though.

Hahaha - didn't see that - nice one!

**portokiwi** · 4th August 2009, 16:03

Yes been there a few times.... Lived there for a few months lol.
Might try out Fiji next time.
Dept tax has shot up

pics from there

**portokiwi** · 4th August 2009, 16:08

and some more

**cold comfort** · 12th September 2009, 20:00

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Did Vanuatu the year before last and loved it! My wife and I have taken turns for most of our married life to organise a secret destination to celebrate our anniversary and keep it a secret for as long as possible (normally airport check-in if going overseas, haha). Port Vila is pretty run down but still has a certain charm. However, we stayed just out of town in some lagoon bungalows run by a couple of Kiwis and it was great. Heaps to do there too. Pretty primitive in some areas which adds to the interest. We visited a tribe in the Highlands that only gave up ritual cannibalism a couple of decades ago

Just got back from Santo-redeye flights and EXPENSIVE but a great time. (Will never wish i spent the money on plumbing instead). Nice people, excellent food at Coral Quays (best ribeye steak ever) Best wreck diving i've done and saw a bit of the island. (Extortionate demands by a billigerent taxi driver in Vila only down side). The Aussies do better with direct flights from Brisbane, and a better exchnge rate.
My wife is keen on the "secret destination" idea too so its her turn next!

**Blackbird** · 12th September 2009, 22:56

Originally Posted by cold comfort

Just got back from Santo-redeye flights and EXPENSIVE but a great time. (Will never wish i spent the money on plumbing instead). Nice people, excellent food at Coral Quays (best ribeye steak ever) Best wreck diving i've done and saw a bit of the island. (Extortionate demands by a billigerent taxi driver in Vila only down side). The Aussies do better with direct flights from Brisbane, and a better exchnge rate.
My wife is keen on the "secret destination" idea too so its her turn next!

Good on you

I've never been disappointed with any of the choices that either my wife or I have made because you end up making your own fun. However, the closest we came was Norfolk Island. Lovely people but after 5 days, you're really scratching for something new to do, even if you enjoy chilling out. It wasn't even good fishing at the time we went. Err... they do say it's for the newly wed or the nearly dead, so if you're somewhere in between; probably best avoided.

**cold comfort** · 21st September 2009, 10:48

Haha -yeah i had heard that expression b4 we went. The departure lounge was full of blue rinses and zimmer frames. Though "wot the hell have we done!". However, as you say, we made our own fun. Went SCUBA diving, walks, out to the island bird sancuary/ breeding colony,collecting eggs with the locals (they take the first laying to keep the numbers down), good food, and of course my wife's great company. My daughter went with her unadventurous mother and step-plonker and absolutely HATED it. Just what they deserved, boredom and a sulky teenager! Whats with the "for sale" on the bike?

**Blackbird** · 21st September 2009, 10:57

Originally Posted by cold comfort

The departure lounge was full of blue rinses and zimmer frames. Though "wot the hell have we done!". Whats with the "for sale" on the bike?

+1, hahaha, just like you, my heart sank when I saw all the walking sticks and wheelchairs!

Your query on the bike: In my 60's now. Although I don't need a stick or zimmer frame

, the 'bird's a bit tall and I'm starting to notice the weight when manoeuving at low speed or parking. Going for a Street Triple in a few weeks - fits me perfectly - feet flat, 60kg lighter than the 'bird. Probably more suited to everyday riding in the Coromandel too.