"Raro", as the Kiwis call it, is a pretty staple vacation spot. While we were there it felt like a mini-version of New Zealand, island style. Currency is the NZD with a few random Cook Island coins thrown in there (one was shaped like a triangle!).
We stayed in a bach down the road from the Palm Grove Resort and the situation was absolutely perfect. Our house was nice and quiet for nap time but we were able to use the resort's facilities and breakfast. The beach was absolutely gorgeous and the snorkeling was AMAZING. The water was crystal clear and the sand was white and fine. The entire island is surrounded by a coral reef so there's a lagoon around the entire island that is calm and ideal for snorkeling with colorful coral and fish. There's a GoPro video I put together of our kayaking and snorkeling at the end of the post. We went to several different beaches around the island and I think the snorkeling right outside our resort was the best.
 |
| Our 'huge' grocery run- island import prices! Apples were $7 NZD/kilo. |
 |
| Lance made us the famous Mai Tais he perfected on our honeymoon in Hawaii. |
 |
| Relaxing with a drink during nap time |
 |
| On our island tour by Tik-e Tours- basically went around the island in a souped-up golf cart |
 |
| James was a big fan of the breakfasts at the resort, especially since he could watch the chickens and chicks run under his feet and snatch up his dropped food. |
 |
| Chickens everywhere, just like Hawaii |
We biked about 30 minutes to Muri Beach and forded the reef to get to the other side of the small island. We were told there was a resident sea turtle, but snorkeling failed to turn up any sightings. I will see a sea turtle in person in the wild before I die, I swear it.
It's a very small island and the whole thing can be driven around in about 45 minutes. We were continually envious of the couples zipping by on scooters while we were sweating away on pushbikes (what they call bicycles).
We got a babysitter for 2 hours one of the days so Lance and I could bike to get a smoothie and snorkel together at a beach cafe down the road. I really wanted to have a fresh fish sandwich before we left but they ran out right before we got there. Sad day.
During our Tik-e Tour we went to a coconut oil maker, Rito, and he showed us how to open a coconut. I was taking a shower the next day when I heard these loud banging sounds outside the window. I go outside to see Lance pounding away on a coconut from the backyard.
 |
| Lance wore his dad's shirt from their trip to Hawaii in 1984 |
Our rocking snorkeling video
This was an amazingly relaxing vacation. We all love the beach (especially James) so we were able to do things we enjoy while spending time with each other. We highly recommend the Cook Islands as a vacation spot if you're ever living in New Zealand.
