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Thanks to Priority Lending and KNX Newsradio, we spent time in paradise! September 30 - October 8 we traveled to the Cook Islands. Where is that? Well, we had to look it up too.
We split our time between the Muri Beach Club hotel on Rarotonga and the Pacific Resort on Aitutaki, with more time spent in Aitutaki. It was paradise - truly. Of course now we're devoting all our time planning how to get back there on our own! |
Flying into Rarotonga we can see Muri Lagoon, where our hotel is located.
Welcome to the tiny airport
Our first view of the island from the airport
On the bus to the hotel
The view from our room at the Muri Beach Club Resort
A short boat ride to our welcome brunch on the motu. Our hotel is in the background.
Welcome brunch on the beach, toes in the water.
Hermit crabs in our table centerpieces. They were released back onto the beach after brunch.
Champagne in hand, toes in the sand
A walk after brunch along the motu beach. The reef at the edge of the lagoon is in the background.
A view of the hotel
The conch shell horn calls us to our welcome cocktail hour
A local band plays during cocktail hour
Our morning walk along Muri Beach
A signpost at a nearby resort tells us we're a long way from anywhere! 8551 km from Los Angeles.
Standing on Muri Beach
Standing on Muri Beach
A band welcomes us to dinner at Highland Paradise, a historical site in the hills of Rarotonga
The view from Highland Paradise
Sipping our welcome coconut drink at Highland Paradise
At Highland Paradise
The band playing for dinner at Highland Paradise
Dinner tables at Highland Paradise
Dance troupe at Highland Paradise
Little dancers at Highland Paradise
Fire dancers at Highland Paradise
Snorkeling in Muri Lagoon, just off of the beach in front of our hotel
Snorkeling in Muri Lagoon
Snorkeling in Muri Lagoon
Snorkeling in Muri Lagoon - sea cucumbers everywhere!
An outing to Avarua for shopping
On a tour around the island - all 22 miles around!
Chickens are everywhere, roaming wild. The sound of a rooster crow will always be the sound of the Cook Islands for us.
A taro patch
A view of The Needle, a Rarotonga landmark
Boarding the plane for our short flight to Aitutaki
Our first view of the lagoon and reef from the plane. One Foot Island is at this end of the lagoon.

The "Aitutaki International Airport". And we thought the one on Rarotonga was small!
The entry to the Pacific Resort - paradise on earth!
Enjoying the welcome drink with Gabriel in the lobby of the Pacific Resort
A view of the pool from the lobby
Our bungalow
Looking out onto our bungalow patio
The inside of our bungalow
The view from our patio
Looking down the beach from our bungalow
Our bungalow
Welcome sunset cruise to One Foot Island
On the sunset lagoon cruise
Drums welcoming us to One Foot Island
Sunset from One Foot Island
Walking into town to see what's there, and to check out the marina for fishing possibilities.
At the marina
Standing on the marina
Looking back at the Pacific Resort from the marina
Afternoon canoe race. We stayed on the beach - it looked like way too much work.
Canoe racers
Wes heads towards the finish line - the winner!
Cocktail hour
On the beach in front of the pool
Sunset from the hotel pool
On the snorkel and lunch cruise. Look at that water!
Lagoon cruise
Snorkeling on the lagoon reef. We could stand up practially everywhere we snorkeled.
Snorkeling - a million fish right off the edge of the boat
On the sandbar off of One Foot Island
On the sandbar off of One Foot Island
Toes in the sand
Sunset from our bungalow
Frans and Steve and their yellowfin tuna
Yellowfin tuna
While the guys fish, Christina enjoys a book by the pool
Frans and Steve enjoy a beer after a successful fishing trip
Fresh caught sashimi - mmmmmmm
Cocktail hour on our last night
Farewell dinner on the beach
Farewell dinner on the beach
Plenty of time for some scooter trips around the island before we have to leave. Driving on the opposite side of the road was interesting!
Playing cards to pass the time during our layover in Rarotonga
Taking a snooze on our way home - layover in Tahiti
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