It Will Never Be Waikiki
by Ray & Cecile Schutter- March 2002

    15 years has passed since our last visit to the Cooks Islands, but lucky for us, not much as changed. They still are "Heaven on Earth". The Islands lie south of Hawaii, in the same time zone, but that’s the only thing they have in common. The 15 tiny Cook Islands cover over 2 million square kilometers of the South Pacific. The nearest neighbors are Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand. It’s a 10 hour flight from Los Angeles.
    The most populous of the islands is Rarotonga, a lush volcanic island with an encompassing reef and lagoon, and home to some 10,000 residents. But there is nothing primitive about the place, just a lot more simpler life style. Lovely hotels or self catering accommodations, excellent restaurants, easy transportation, and even internet cafes will satisfy all travelers except the very picky. Visitors to the Cooks will discover not only a wonderful climate and beautiful landscape, but a friendly and generous people, and a relaxed pace of life. The Cook Islands is truly "a special place, a special people, a special magic".
    So Why Go There? It’s what the words "the South Pacific" conjures up in the imagination, that is for real on these islands. The old culture stems from the Polynesian arrival in the islands around 800AD. The culture lives on in the vibrant performance of song and dance. Cook Islanders are considered among the finest Polynesian singers and dancers and awards come often in international contests. Cook Islands dancing is fast and frenzied, with hip-swinging and amorous gestures. The musicians keep the rhythm on hollowed-out slit drums called pate, and all participants wear colorful costumes made from flowers, shells, bark cloth and feathers. 
    Cook Islanders are proud of their heritage and sense of community, and this is reflected in their everyday friendliness and generosity. The original tribes provide basic family lineages, and own all the land which is assigned to families for their use. Many island households include grandparents and cousins.
    The relatively high standard of living has meant an end to the days of the grass hut, and many tourists are surprised to see modern houses with solar hot water panels dominating the landscape. Yet DISH TV is rare, and to find CNN on your hotel TV, you need to be up at 6:00am. Cook Islanders have long lived in close harmony with their environment and the islands are regarded as some of the cleanest in the Pacific. Today, special projects have been initiated to help conserve flora and fauna. Many of the islands are volcanic hills surrounded by a jagged limestone palisade, which is what remains of an uplifted reef after erosion. Rarotonga has a beautiful center hill and worth taking a trek across with "Pa" the local mountain guide.
    Almost two decades since tourism discovered the Cooks, these beautiful islands still remain unspoilt, offering an experience of ease and tranquility. There is certainly more visitor accommodation than in the past, offering a refreshing choice of places to stay set among natural surroundings. There are also more restaurants, allowing for a veritable smorgasbord of restaurants to choose from, which are also frequented by the locals. More shops, offering a wide range of goods, although there is no pressure to buy.
    Next time you’re ready to enjoy a new culture, but still want a beautiful beach, take the time to seek out the Cook Islands, you won’t regret it.
    Trips can be arranged by West University Travel, 3622 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005. 713-665-4767. Ask for Ray or Cecile Schutter.