My Review / Suggestions

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

We have thoroughly enjoyed your incredible photographs and trip advice.! We hope you will continue!

 

We are staying pre-cruise at the IC Tahiti - stayed there 10 years ago and can't wait to go back. Last time we didn't leave the resort because we enjoyed it so much. Any recommendations on "must do" for Tahiti?

 

Again, tremendous thanks for your wonderful contributions!

 

Must do? ..... Hum .... I would say the interior of Tahiti to view the waterfalls and to take a dip. The roulottes by the waterfront. The museum down by the Meridien. The Marche. Those would be the top 4 in my book.

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

So let us continue ..... I can go on for months but it takes a lot of time to do this so I only want to spend the time if people are enjoying and benefiting ;)

 

As you come ashore on Aitutaki everything is within walking distance. If you walk up the road to the intersection you can see the largest store on the island, a few churches and the post office. You will also past the Blue Nun Cafe on you walk up the street, a great place to grab a cup of coffee. As I mentioned if your not going on a lagoon tour Aitutaki is a great island to rent a scooter and enjoy the scenery. This is one of the safest islands for scooter travel.

 

Before I share the lagoon I'll give some hints for places to visit on the island. There might be a representative as you get off the tender for bike and scooter rental, if not you can make with Aquila Rentals via their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/AquilaRentals/

 

 

One you have wheels there are plenty of places to enjoy. Some good snorkeling can be found at the very end of the runway at the airport.

 

 

You can park along the side of the road and then enjoy some solid snorkeling. It can be shallow here so you may need to benture out a bit. Also there is a fun place to grab a beer along the way to the airport. Crusher's Bar ... this is the place to be during the evening. A great memory from out first trip to Aitutaki in 2000.

 

As your scootering around a stop at the 'lookout' location is a must. The views from up here are fantastic. You can see everything including all the motus and the PG sitting out in the ocean.

 

 

As you continue around the island there is a few other must sees .... In the map below you can see where the arrow points. This is a wonderful picture opportunity location as it's one of the largest Banyan trees I've ever seen and the road goes right through it. Also in themap is an area I've circled ... this is where Survivor had their tribal council when the season of Survivor Cook Islands was on many years ago.

 

 

As you enjoy your run around Aitutaki make sure you stop and talk with locals, English is spoken by all. Stop at a fruit stand along the way and grab a banana or stop at the some little shops and by some souviners that are made locally. Inexpensive black pearls are found on Aitutaki for those that are not looking for the perfect one but want some to take home to give away.

 

Almost ready for the lagoon and an incredible one at that ;)

[doug52]

TBK, looking forward to your lagoon pictures and commentary of Aitutaki. We signed up for Teking Lagoon tour, and I don't mind a controversial host so I look forward to meeting and hopefully having him as our guide.;) Just have to remember to bring our own water bottles and some cash for beers:D:D based on other reviews.

 

And, one question about Teking's tour that you may be able to answer. Does he provide a lunch that is representative of the motu lunches like Marc on Huahine or Patrick on Bora Bora? In other words, would his lagoon tour and lunch be adequate or should I plan on a lagoon tour with lunch on either Ranuii or Patrick on Bora Bora's lagoon tour in order to get the full Polynesian experience? I will at least be dong one of those lagoon tours on Bora Bora, just not sure whether I should spring for the additional expense of another motu luncheon versus eating lunch on the ship.

 

Thanks for putting this thread all together, we are following along daily even when I don't post on every comment or picture.

 

Doug

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

TBK, looking forward to your lagoon pictures and commentary of Aitutaki. We signed up for Teking Lagoon tour, and I don't mind a controversial host so I look forward to meeting and hopefully having him as our guide.;) Just have to remember to bring our own water bottles and some cash for beers:D:D based on other reviews.

 

And, one question about Teking's tour that you may be able to answer. Does he provide a lunch that is representative of the motu lunches like Marc on Huahine or Patrick on Bora Bora? In other words, would his lagoon tour and lunch be adequate or should I plan on a lagoon tour with lunch on either Ranuii or Patrick on Bora Bora's lagoon tour in order to get the full Polynesian experience? I will at least be dong one of those lagoon tours on Bora Bora, just not sure whether I should spring for the additional expense of another motu luncheon versus eating lunch on the ship.

 

Thanks for putting this thread all together, we are following along daily even when I don't post on every comment or picture.

 

Doug

 

Teking does a good job but there is no way to know if you will be in his boat though he will always be the captain of one of the boats. Teking is fine, just a bit macho at times which isn't a big deal to me but some gals my find it a bit offensive. Remember your in a different culture where men play a more dominate macho roll.

 

Lunch on the motu Teking style ... BBQ'd fish, BBQ'd chicken, fried bananas, bangers, fried taro chips (yum) and a assortment of salads plus coconut cake for desert.

 

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-tL5zGQK/0/42bf1bfd/X2/BBQ%20grill%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

 

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-bxpnpDD/0/6e2d4503/X2/Lunch%20on%20the%20motu%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

 

No ground oven but very tasty and the setting is very nice in a covered picnic area on Motu Maina.

 

[doug52]

TBK, thanks for the response and the pictures. So, it looks like we would miss out on the preparation and having a poisson cru from your description? And, does he have any demos on getting and opening coconuts like I have seen on other motu picnics? By way of contrast, I think I have read that Patrick's motu picnic has the poisson cru and various demos, correct?

 

The meats and fruits look fine, not overly concerned about the lack of the suckling pig with Teking. From what I remember reading, you don't get much anyway on Patrick's tour.

 

Thinking I should bite the bullet and spend the extra to do both a motu picnic on Bora Bora and Aitutaki to get both experiences.

 

Thanks again,

 

Doug

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

TBK, thanks for the response and the pictures. So, it looks like we would miss out on the preparation and having a poisson cru from your description? And, does he have any demos on getting and opening coconuts like I have seen on other motu picnics? By way of contrast, I think I have read that Patrick's motu picnic has the poisson cru and various demos, correct?

 

The meats and fruits look fine, not overly concerned about the lack of the suckling pig with Teking. From what I remember reading, you don't get much anyway on Patrick's tour.

 

Thinking I should bite the bullet and spend the extra to do both a motu picnic on Bora Bora and Aitutaki to get both experiences.

 

Thanks again,

 

Doug

 

We did not have any demonstrations the last two times with Teking. Personalty the food is better with Teking than Patrick but you do miss out on ground oven, suckling pig and possible lobster with Patrick. Last time I went with Patrick I had him stop at a resort and a friend of mine was the head chef so he went in and supplied us with a few pounds of French butter for the lobster, can't have lobster without drawn butter ;)

 

The best demonstrations have been with Marc on Huahine. The Poisson Cru demo was great with Marc.

[okiebaugh]

Thanks for the great info! I am reading along even though I don't comment too often. We are doing the Cooks itinerary in January and love seeing the pictures you are posting!

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

So lets get out onto the lagoon!

 

Aitutaki is sometimes referred to as the poor mans Bora Bora. The only thing missing the the giant backdrop of Otemanu. The lagoon itself is every bit as stunning as Bora Bora ... all the different hues of green / blue are there. The major Cook Island are south of the Society Islands thus the weather does change a bit more. December - March in the Cook's isn't as humid as the Society Islands but May - October is a bit more cold.

 

Most vendors that provide a lunch BBQ do so at One Foot Island. Though this is a very pretty setting be aware that the snorkeling is not good. Yes the giant clams can be viewed and it's a good place to splash in the water, the actual snorkeling is so so. Picture taking is superb at this location, post card perfect!

 

I've included the links so you can take a better peek ;)

 

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-MHmtWHV/0/6eb3c00e/X2/one%20foot%20island2%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

 

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-NG7ckSc/0/ca00b0af/X2/one%20foot%20square%20picture%20full%20size%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

 

 

All sorts of interesting things to do along the beach from finding hermit crabs ....

 

 

to coconuts .....

 

 

Walking toward the reef in the distance is fun and a way to walk off your lunch.

[SWFLAOK]

So now we've just been there and done that, and are on our sea day back to Bora Bora. Since we live in South Florida year round, we actually found it a little chilly in the Cook Islands.

 

We did the PG excursion with the Lagoon Cruise and Beach Break at Atutaki. It ended up being with Bishops and we were picked up right next to the dock where the tender came in. We have 2 large escorted groups on board the PG for this cruise, and one smaller one. Unfortunately for us, we were on a large slow boat with the largest escorted group; 30 French Canadians who all spoke English (they all laughed when the ship's host joked in English) but found it unacceptable that everything wasn't repeated in French as it is in French Polynesia. So, the ship's host had to repeat everything he had already said in English (which everyone in the Cook Islands speaks fluently), allowing the French Canadian's escort to repeat it after him. Pretty boring for the rest of us (there were 60 total on our boat). There were 2 other boats with people on the same tour. from the PG. One had a smaller escorted group of elderly Japanese tourists, and the other had 5 couples who ended up on a small power boat. Our big boat went directly to One Foot Island, then to the sandbar (where there were almost a dozen boats with snorkelers), then to the dock. As experienced snorkelers, we found no worthwhile snorkeling. It was mostly just a slow boat ride at 7 to 8 knots, and pretty dull. We both fell asleep on the way from One Foot to the sandbar. There were only 4 picnic tables available on One Foot Island which seated only 32 people at a time from our total group of 80 to 90 people from 3 boats. There are no bathrooms on One Foot Island so plan accordingly. The small fast power boat with 5 couples were lucky enough to have stopped at numerous spots on their way to One Foot and back, and one spot had good snorkeling. If we go to Atutaki again, we'll explore the island, but Bishop's small boat trip booked separately would be good.

 

On Rarotonga, we took the PG Muri Lagoon Excursion, which was Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruise. We had a rather long bus trip to our dropoff point on 2 buses, with 3 boats headed out to the snorkeling spot and then back to the motu. The snorkeling was much better, the boats had glass bottoms so there were some fish swimming by, and there were mooring balls spaced apart so boats weren't on top of each other for snorkeling. We only had fruit on the motu, but we had an entertaining guide who climbed a coconut tree, opened the coconuts and passed around samples of water. Poisson cru is a French Polynesian dish. The Cook Island's version is Iki Mata, but we were only told about it on our excursion, and didn't have any. Checking out Captain Tamu's when we got back and waited for the bus, it seemed like a cheaper and longer cruise if you went on your own, with a full lunch on the motu. There were 2 decent bathrooms on the motu.

 

Tendering from both of the Cook Islands was slow due to the large swells in unprotected waters, but the PG crew on the tender, on the docking platform and on the ship are expert at this.

 

If you want to shop for small items, or explore the islands on your own, you will want to have New Zealand dollars, and you will want to get them ahead of time. US dollars were accepted on One Foot Island, - 5 US dollars for a Heineken, and 4 for a soda, but not for small purchases at some other locations on Atutaki. There were no New Zealand dollars available on the PG before our second stop in the Cook Islands. The bars and restaurants near Captain Tamu's on Muri Beach do not take US dollars. We didn't bring a credit card on our snorkeling trip so we don't know if that would have worked.

 

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I hope this current information is helpful to those getting ready to go to the Cook Islands. I don't take great pictures like TBK. As shown in TBK's previous post, there are tons of hermit crabs on One Foot Island with a wide variety of shells. The big jacks swim right up to you in the clear shallow water at both One Foot and the sand bar, and everyone enjoyed seeing them, even if we screamed a little when they sneaked up on us.

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

You pretty much re-affirm what I've said about Muri Beach / lagoon tour and One Foot Island. And as I said the weather is a bit less humid than the Society Islands this time of year ;)

 

Last July on Aitutaki we booked a fast boat for the 6 of us ....... had a great time though the weather was bit wet on the return to the dock. We exchanged money at an ATM in Avarua on Rarotonga.

 

Edited December 8, 2017 by Tahitianbigkahuna

[FlightMedic555]

More than a little wet on the return. That's me hiding with my goggles on as we were getting drenched. But we had a great time.:D

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

More than a little wet on the return. That's me hiding with my goggles on as we were getting drenched. But we had a great time.:D

 

Yes we did .... thanks for the invite :)

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

So lets continue .... should push us over the 10,000 marker and onward to 20,000 we will go ...

 

The lagoon of Aitutaki is massive and ever-changing in color, very similar to Bora Bora and a few of the FP atolls. Snorkeling in certain areas is good, coral can be good in areas and bleached out in other areas but the guides know where to take you and a little prompting on what your hoping for isn't a bad idea.

 

Here we have someone familiar on this forum ... Honeymoon island/motu is in the background.

 

I've included the links to view in high resolution.

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-F6TRRfQ/0/d2aa21f6/X2/Aitutaki%20lagoon6%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

 

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-d2NDSVN/0/5e3e98dc/X2/Aitutaki%20lagoon7%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

 

 

Here a group of about 30 from the PG are enjoying the snorkeling ...

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-8Hg6fH2/0/32cc4b54/X2/Aitutaki%20lagoon10%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

 

 

If you go with Teking you will be dropped off on Honeymoon Island and then you walk across the sand and through the water to the motu on theright where you will enjoy lunch.

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-BmX7pxF/0/07af5daa/X2/Aitutaki%20lagoon12%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

 

 

Walking across the sand/beach your entertained by the kite surfers, what fun!

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-CKjbmhL/0/1ba9a614/X2/Aitutaki%20lagoon15%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

 

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-jjCm62z/0/c7ae15fa/X2/Aitutaki%20lagoon16%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

[aerobee]

I understand the Cook Islands are generally cooler than Polynesia.

 

I imagine the sun is warm enough, but what about water temperature. Is the water cooler than, say, Hawaii season-by-season? (Remembering that May is Fall and November is Spring.)

[longhorn5]

I just Love all the postcard looking pictures! We are less than a month away from our trip and we check in daily for updates as we make final preparations. We booked a snorkel tour and Motu lunch with Teking for our day in Aitutaki and I think we won’t be disappointed.

 

Thank you for the great info on Rarotonga. Based on the detail you provided we feel we can rent a car and explore on our own and see the most of the island.

 

Looking forward to your next posts!!!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Love these pix too, but perhaps new people with serious questions could post new threads? Please? I tend to not look at this thread, and interesting questions get buried in it, whilst the main forum looks empty!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Can you tell me what April/May is like weatherwise too?? So enjoying your journey, feel like we’re part of it already and we have to wait till 2019. But what fantastic reading and what a thrill to have such great info for our planning ahead, something that doesn’t happen with such detail for our other trips. You’re a wonderful storyteller and we’re just loving it.

 

Hi, we're Wendy and David too, from Canada.

 

If you're talking about the Society Islands (Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc.), April can be muggy and hot. We've done late May several times and it was lovely.

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

I understand the Cook Islands are generally cooler than Polynesia.

 

I imagine the sun is warm enough, but what about water temperature. Is the water cooler than, say, Hawaii season-by-season? (Remembering that May is Fall and November is Spring.)

 

From December - March the weather is similar though the Cooks may be slightly less rainy and the water temp not as warm, I would say similar to Hawaii. May - October the weather is cooler in the Cooks and the water temp cooler.

 

The water temp in the Cooks during their summer would be low 80's whereas in the Society Island I would say closer to 90, I'm talking in the lagoons. We've actually taken a pool thermometer to Bora Bora and had the water temp at 91 degrees :0

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

I just Love all the postcard looking pictures! We are less than a month away from our trip and we check in daily for updates as we make final preparations. We booked a snorkel tour and Motu lunch with Teking for our day in Aitutaki and I think we won’t be disappointed.

 

Thank you for the great info on Rarotonga. Based on the detail you provided we feel we can rent a car and explore on our own and see the most of the island.

 

Looking forward to your next posts!!!

 

Thanks Karen ... nice to know people are enjoying and learning some stuff for their big trip ;)

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

Lets continue on ....

 

Finally you start the walk across the water between Honey Moon Island and Maina Island ... your now hungry for lunch ...

 

 

You are greeted by mama birds doing what mama birds do. They don't move as you walk past ....

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-t47hQZ5/0/a55c9b53/X2/bird%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

 

 

The cooks are busy preparing the feast ... I've shared these pictures before but to keep the post complete I'll share again ...

 

 

The salad table is ready to consume ...

 

 

You walk around the motu to take it all in ...

 

 

As suspected the motu is a haven for more post card photos ...

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-3sndVhz/0/c664d7c5/X2/motu4%20%281%20of%201%29-X2.jpg

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

Well I waited a week but there really isn't much going on the forum so lets continue .....

 

The lagoon is stunning as you already have scene but the scene under the water is amazing ....

 

Video ..

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-JbdbNnK/0/89f19dc9/960/video%20fish%20instagram-960.mp4

 

 

Above water the 'show' was equally amazing ... I've included the higher resolution links if you want to take a closeup view ...

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-CvK6kBG/0/3c949e10/X3/big%20fish1%20%281%20of%201%29-X3.jpg

 

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-cL2GNqN/0/9d10b433/X3/big%20fish2%20%281%20of%201%29-X3.jpg

 

 

A few departing shots as we said farewell ...

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-KZXRsM4/0/c0511083/X3/motu3%20%281%20of%201%29-X3.jpg

 

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/South-Pacific-Photography/i-cVN6hKC/0/671498e0/X3/on%20the%20lagoon%20-%20fruit%20hanging%20%281%20of%201%29-X3.jpg

 

Several more islands to get to ;)

Edited December 15, 2017 by Tahitianbigkahuna

[macbest]

Really helpful post. Been following along since the beginning. Your experience with the islands are super helpful. We are heading back for our 6th trip in January. Everyone always asks us why we keep going back. Your pictures explain it better than I can say. Thanks again for the ride!

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

Really helpful post. Been following along since the beginning. Your experience with the islands are super helpful. We are heading back for our 6th trip in January. Everyone always asks us why we keep going back. Your pictures explain it better than I can say. Thanks again for the ride!

 

Thanks Wayne ..... Bora Bora coming up next ;)

[macbest]

Thanks Wayne ..... Bora Bora coming up next ;)

If you have done the Marina platform private dinner on the PG, I’d love to hear about that and all the details. I signed up for that on next months cruise while in Bora Bora and am going to surprise my wife.

[Tahitianbigkahuna]

If you have done the Marina platform private dinner on the PG, I’d love to hear about that and all the details. I signed up for that on next months cruise while in Bora Bora and am going to surprise my wife.

 

I have not .... but maybe Emdee will add her take on this as I believe she has done so and I'm sure there are a few others ;)