Eating in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 2012

We seemed to spend a lot of time this trip eating our way around the Island, and I took way too many photos to include in my other Rarotonga post, so here's the some of the meals we enjoyed on the Island this trip.

Sails
Located on Muri beach, we started with the Ika Mata (of course), I had the Trio of game fish for main and DH enjoyed the Strike fish on mash potatoes.

Trader Jacks
A perfect spot in town on the water. Another spot for the Ika Mata, for mains it was perch fillet and DH had the smoked marlin fish cakes.

Tamarind House
A love to have dinner here, but we tried lunch with the family this time and it was nice to be able to enjoy the stunning view. I had the Wahoo on a smoked salmon mash with Bearnaise, while DH had the fried parrot fish sandwich.

Flying Boat Fish & Chips
Great spot for fish and chips.

The Mooring
No pictures of the food here, but take my word for it the Spicy Tuna sandwich and the Mahi Mahi with lime mayo sandwich were great.

Vaima
This spot is very popular, make sure you book in advance (they have a board up if your driving past and want to make a booking). We started with the Ika Mata (surprised?), I had the seafood curry (which the only disappointment was that it contained beef, I was expecting fish) and DH enjoyed his Mahi Mahi with paw paw salsa.

Beach Pavilion Restaurant in the Sanctuary

The Ika Mata here was pretty good, with a bit of chili thrown in for a twist. We also shared the trio of game fish.

Cross Island Track, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Each time we've been to Rarotonga I've wanted to do the Cross Island track, but it's been hot and humid, or I haven't been fit enough so we've never done it. This time the weather was perfect (winter and a lovely 26C) and after the Inca Trail, I could no longer say I wasn't fit enough!

The Cross Island track is 7 km in total, from the harbour to the old Sheraton site. It's about a 40 minute, 2.25 km easy walk from the bus stop at the harbour to the car park where most people seem to start.

It's then a steep walk through the forest to the Needle. It took us about 75 minutes for 1.5 km, mainly due to the path being slippery and having to keep an eye out for tree roots and rocks.

The next stage for me was the most difficult, I am not the most sure footed person and it's a steep, but the view about 100 m is is pretty spectacular. It's a slow decent, with many steam crossings. It evens out at the end just before you get to Wigmore falls. This took us about 1 hr 45 min for 1.7 km, but we were going slow.

The final section is along the road from the falls, leading back to the main road. It was an easy 30 minutes for 1.3 km and comes out at the old Sheraton site. You can catch the bus from this point, but we took the easy 3 km walk back to the hotel (Sanctuary).

All said and done, it's a nice way to spend half a day. You spend a lot of your time eating, sleeping and swimming on Rarotonga (or we do!) so it's good to get out and do something else. Make sure you take some insect spray, water and let someone know where your going before you head out.

Mauke, Cook Islands, 2012

Mauke is one of the 15 Islands of the Cook Islands, and about a 50 minute flight from Rarotonga. There are only three flights a week so you have to plan your trip well. It's also an Island where you will find few if any other tourists. There are two main spots to stay, there are no restaurants on the Island (bring your food with you or pre-arrange with your hosts) and the local store is only open between 5 pm to 7 pm, but that's part of the appeal. You can truly get away from it all.

We visited with family, and therefore had a little bit of inside information into the Island, but our hosts at the Tiare Cottages also helped.

Stay
Tiare Cottages. We struck it lucky with the O'Kiva Cottage on the point and a bit more secluded.

 O'Kiva at The Point

 One of the cottages

 The cooking and dinning area

Eat
As I mentioned there are no restaurants, no cafes so you must bring it all with you or pre-arrange with your hosts before you arrive.

Do

• For such a small Island (18 km to travel around in the truck) there is a lot to see. 
• We actually spent a significant time just watching the waves.

• Vai Ou Caves, they were not easy to find but were easy to navigate once we got there
• We were lucky enough to see a whale at Arapaea Landing

• The view at Anaiti Cove, and I love the story of Kea, who's grave is here

• Te Oneroa is the a popular swimming beach and where I got the shot of the wave above, but it was way too rough to swim while we were there
• The Divided Church, with the spectacular colours

• The cave out to sea at Anaraura Beach
• The giant Banyan tree (not on any map)

• Sunset at "The Point" (on private land)

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 2012

Back in the Cook Islands, it's my fourth trip since getting married their in 2007, it's nice to have family in such a prime spot in the Pacific.

Stay
We stayed for one week at Sanctuary, which is next door to the Rarotongan, but for over 16s only. It was a great spot, we had a beachfront suite and the snorkeling in the area is spectacular.

Mind you, while not beach side, the view from my mother in laws backyard is pretty spectacular....

Eat
Fish and chips or Hamburgers at The Maori Cafe
Coco Late for great sandwiches and coffee
Trader Jacks for Ika Mata and fresh fish
Give Captain Andy's at The Rarotongan a miss
Stop for $2 ice cream cones at Wigmore's
Sails for a great view, good seafood and live music. I couldn't pass up the trio of game fish.

Vaima is very popular, we booked and they were lined up at 6pm when we arrived
Mooring Cafe for great fish sandwiches
Tamarind House, my favourite place to eat on the Island, we had lunch for the change and the big advantage is you can enjoy the view

Salsa, I had the steak sandwich which was great, but DH said the Ika Mata was the best he had all trip
Flying Boat Fish & Chips, a great spot on the water just out of town for fish and chips

If this makes you think we spent two weeks eating our way around the Island you would be right!


Drink
Aro'a beachside inn for sunset drinks

Little Polynesian is another good spot for drinks, and once again over 15s only

Do
Snorkeling in front of the Rarotongan

Do the Cross Island Track (post to come)

Saturday morning markets, near the wharf

Rarotonga, Cook Islands 2008

November 2008

It seems like so long ago, looking back at the photos and thinking 2008! But in reality it's not that long ago and was our second trip to the beautiful Cook Islands (we've now had three trips and one planned for 2012!).

Stay: Edgewater Resort

It's a little bit old, but when you plan on spending your days snorkeling, reading by the pool and visiting family they meet all the basic requirements. The restaurant's food is quite good too, and the local bus stops inside making it easy to get to other parts of the island.

Food:
Island Night at the Edgewater - great buffet and great entertainment.

Lunch at Cafe Salsa in town

Trader Jacks - a great place by the water to watch time pass.

Tamarind House - my favourite place to eat on the Island. Gorgeous location, great food and friendly service. The Salmon sashimi I had just melted in your mouth.

Kikau Hut - near the Edgewater (walking distance) a cute little place with live music. It's apparently changed hands since we were there in 2008, but food is meant to have improved, who would have thought it could?

To do:

The Saturday markets down by the water in town. Always a great place to grab some fresh produce, eat some Ika mata (raw fish) and see what the locals are up to.

Captain Tama Muri Beach Lagoon Cruise. Great day spent on the lagoon, including lunch on a near by Motu.

Snorkel and feed the fish near the hotel - just stunning