|
Atiu - The Island of Insects and Birds
See also "Atiu - The Warriors Island" A RAISED volcanic island in the Cook Islands southern group, Atiu is surrounded by a reef from which rise six-metre cliffs of fossilised coral -- makatea -- which form a mile-wide ring around the island, virtually a plateau. Erosion at the inner side of the ring has formed a dip of some 30 metres into fertile land which gradually rises again to a central flat-topped hill about 230 feet (70 m) above sea level where most human habitation is concentrated. The island stands some 14,500 feet (4500 m) above the ocean floor. Population is currently about 600.  Atiuans trace their ancestry from Tangaroa, the principal god of Atiu and universally recognised in Polynesia as tutelary God of the Sea. Atiu's area is about half that of Rarotonga. The low swampy land consists of taro plantations, marshes and a lake, Te Roto. This fertile area also grows bananas, citrus fruits, pawpaws, breadfruit and coconuts. The ancient name of the island was Enuamanu, meaning the island of insects and animals, although there is some dispute over whether 'animals' includes 'insects'. The Atiuans understand it as meaning there were no previous inhabitants. The Atiuans call themselves 'worms of Enuamanu' because they were born on Atiu and hope to be buried there.
Mangaia - Garden of the Cook Islands
 MANGAIA, the most southerly of the Cook Islands, is also the second largest. It has the distinction of being the oldest island in the Pacific. Analysis of its geology shows it dates from 18 million years ago which is probably why it arouses keen interest among geologists. Roughly circular in shape, it rises 15,600 feet (4750 m) above the ocean floor. It has a central volcanic plateau and, like many of the southern islands in the Cooks, it is surrounded by a 200-foot (60 m) high ring of cliffs of fossilised coral, makatea.
 Manahiki
A large atoll with a deep lagoon, which is intensively farmed for cultured black pearls. These treasures are becoming widely sought after throughout the world, being produced only in the Cook Islands and French Polynesia. Much of the population on the island is involved in pearl production in some form or another. Every dawn is the start of a busy day on the lagoon cleaning and caring for the black lipped oyster, diving or collecting spats (infant oysters).However, time is still found to make brilliant finely woven rito specially prepared coconut fibre hats, fans and shell adornments. These are often used with dramatic effect in costumes of traditional dancers of the island. Manuae
Manuae, 50 miles east of Aitutaki was once inhabited by contract workers employed on copra production. Declared now as a marine reserve, the island is occasionally visited by residents of Aitutaki who travel by small boat or aircraft. Mauke
Uncommercialised and with a relaxed pace of life, Mauke offers peace and seclusion 'off the beaten track'. Three villages, Areoa, Ngatiarua and Kimiangatau are close to the western coast of the island leaving the arable inland area for a variety of food crops and other farming activity. A rugged Makatea is evident around some sections of the coastline containing interesting water caves and forming secluded white sand coves. Mitiaro
The small tight-knit community shows it's pride in the neatness of the villages, Takaue and Arai. Much of the centre of the island is covered by the two brackish lakes; host to a plentiful supplies of itiki (eel), a local delicacy. The island also produces tiporo - a fragrant lime. Life in Mitiaro very much revolves around the village, the community activities include sports and handy crafts. Nassau
A small island in the satellite community of Pukapuka with a population of approximately 100 people. There being no airport, access is limited to inter-island ship from Rarotonga, a voyage of three days. Palmerston
The unique social fabric of this atoll arises from the last century when Englishman William Masters settled here with his two Rarotongan wives. The resulting small population now share the same surname and speak a local dialect, itself a mixture of Cook Island and English languages. Accessible only by sea, a few adventurous travellers visit the island each year to experience life on this remote outpost. Tongareva (Penrhyn)
The northernmost island of the Cook Islands. Tongareva has the largest lagoon area of the Cook Island's atolls measuring some 18 miles across with depths of up to 350 feet. Like it's nearest neighbour Manihiki, copra production (the drying of coconut flesh for vegetable oil extraction has now been replaced by pearl farming and shell products as a primary source of income. Pukapuka
Frisbie's "Island of Desire" Isolated insular and renowned for its unusual social customs, Pukapuka lies far to the north-west, nearly 800 miles from Rarotonga and 280 miles north-east of Samoa. Only recently opened up to air-services, the population have preserved innovative ways of sustaining a comfortable life almost oblivious to the outside world. A substantially different dialect, finely woven mat and a passion for Kirikiti (island cricket of Samoan origin) are some of the things that set Pukapuka aside from the rest of the Cook Islands. Rakahanga
Situated 25 miles northeast of neighboring Manihiki, Rakahanga is an atoll with a picturesque, almost totally enclosed lagoon. There is no airport and access is limited to a three hour ride by small craft from Manihiki or a three day voyage by inter-island ship from Rarotonga. A number of residents find regular work in the pearl industry on nearby Manihiki. Suwarrow
Suwarrow was for many years the home of a hermit, Tom Neale, who wrote of his life in a book An Island to oneself. Today a caretaker and his family live on the atoll for most of the year, their solitude disturbed only by the occasional visiting yacht. Suwarrow is now a conservation reserve. Takutea
Takutea, a sanctuary declared to protect the breeding site of a number of seabirds, lies 50 miles northeast of Atiu. Members of the Atiu community make regular trips to the island to monitor the sanctuaries condition.
|
