WHY THE COOK ISLANDS ARE SPECIAL

Rarotonga and the other Cook Islands are synonymous with white powdery beaches, azure blue lagoons, lush tropical flora and fauna, unrivalled fishing, diving and snorkelling spots, dazzling amber and maroon sunsets and clear starry nights - designed to make you believe that there really is paradise on earth.

Compared to many other tropical destinations, tourism is still young in the Cook Islands, keeping them pristine and unspoiled by large scale commercial development.  Instead of elaborate hotels, overpriced restaurants and traffic congestion, you will find this South Pacific destination filled with a vibrant culture of song and dance; unmatched hospitality; and beautiful, welcoming people who will greet you with Kia Orana (key-o-rah-na), meaning "Here is Life" wherever you go.

There are 15 islands that make up the Cook Islands scattered over some 2 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean (see South Pacific Map below). They lie in the centre of the Polynesian Triangle, east of the Kingdom of Tonga and the Samoas and west of Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia.

CULTURE

The Cook Islands culture is embodied in language and local protocols, but is most spectacularly enjoyed through the vibrant performance of song and dance. Cook Islanders are considered among the finest Polynesian singers and dancers in the world!  Unlike most Western dancers, Polynesians tell a story with their bodies that matches the words of the song. Cook Islands dancing is fast, frenzied and erotic, with hip swinging and suggestive gestures.

The Cook Islands offers a variety of cultural demonstrations and tours many of which are on offer in the Lagoon Holidays Holiday Packages.

THE PEOPLE

Cook Islanders are Polynesians. The northern islands were most probably settled around 800 AD by migrants from the west - Samoa and Tonga.  The southern group inhabitants are largely descended from voyagers from the Society Islands and the Marquesas.

When European contact was first made in the late 18th century the southern islands had thriving populations. Rarotonga supported about 8000. However, European diseases virtually wiped out the pure Rarotongans in the mid-19th century and reduced their number to fewer than 2000. Since then, periodic additions of outer islanders have built Rarotonga's population back to about 9000. The total population of all the islands is about 18,000. There are believed to be a further 37,000 Cook Islanders living in New Zealand and Australia.

The islanders are of the Maori race, very closely linked in culture and language to the Maori of New Zealand, the Maohi of French Polynesia, the Maori of Easter Island (known as Rapanui) and the Kanaka Maoli of Hawaii.

CLIMATE

The Cook islands enjoy a pleasantly warm and sunny climate all year round with relatively consistent sunshine hours and temperatures. June to August are the cooler months, whilst November to March marks the warmer season.  Tropical showers should be occassionally expected.  Severe weather is rare and very infrequent.

The drier months are regarded as April to November which have an average temperature of about 26°C.  December through to March is generally the warmer, more humid and damp season. During these months the temperature ranges between 22°C and 28°C.

Severe weather is rare and infrequent.