Mauke The Cook Islands South Pacific Paradise
- An Experience not just a holiday destination

Experience Mauke, the garden island, your own tropical Paradise.

This year you could be married on any number of Pacific Islands; you could renew your vows; stay in a variety of accommodation including resorts that satisfy your every need. You could have contact with the outside world, or have no contact with the outside world, whatever your whim. You could be massaged and spa-ed until you don’t know whether you inhabit your own body or someone else’s. You could be moddled and coddled, and yet still feel there is an element missing. Or you could travel to Mauke, the garden island, your own tropical paradise.

Bike down to the airport in the quiet of early morning. On the way, check out the harbour to see the fishermen set off to catch tuna from their outriggers. Then keep riding past the early morning service at the CICC church in Kimiangatau village, past the Air Rarotonga board that still displays your name as one of the arrivals from yesterday, past the old hospital, and the deserted Julian Dashwood house, to the end of the airport where from July to September you may see humpback whales cruise by a few metres from the edge of the land.

This is a special place. You won’t need a spa - although a massage using local scented oils is available from Marama (who just happens to own Anamar video hire as well). You can hire a bike or scooter for a round island trip where you will be dazzled by the turquoise sea on one side and the lush tropical forest on the other. Take some fruit and water, or rely on the locals to hail you from their coconut grove with a drinking coconut and fresh fruit. Stop at Teoneroa beach (long white sand) where the locals picnic all through the Christmas and New Year break.

You will also stop at the stone marker which shows the way to Kea’s grave. Kea was the wife of Paikea, the ancestor of the Whale Rider. Later, talk to Kura at Tiare cottages who will explain the connection to the Whale Rider and tell you the story of the ghostly figures seen by travellers as they cycled past the stone marker. Spend some time on the long sandy beaches at this end of the island. Carry on further, stopping at sandy coves, watching dolphins play in the azure waters, and wonder why anyone would wish to go to a resort when they could experience this.

A trip inland is best experienced with a guide. There is the 100 room Motuanga water cave said at one time to allow access to the sea. It is eerie but magical. You can immerse yourself in the black waters of the cave pool, under the flickering light of the candles, listening to ancient stories. You will be taken to one of the largest Banyan trees in the Southern Hemisphere. There, you will walk among the acre of aerial roots eating chestnuts or payaya that you picked up on the way in. This tree is well known to international experts who travel from around the globe just to see it. Visit the ancient marae, still in use today for ceremonial occasions. Watch the school children jump from the ledges into the water at the bottom of V cave and marvel at their timing.

Arrive back at Tiare cottages for a barbeque or umu of fresh caught tuna. Or try raw tuna marinated in fresh lime with freshly grated and squeezed coconut cream (you will never want to eat tinned coconut cream ever again). Salads made from organically grown fruit, vegetables and herbs washed down with some bush beer. Exchange stories with travellers from around the world while listening to the endless rumbling of the Pacific ocean coming ashore on the reef.

You will need to stay for several days just to see it all. And once you’ve been to Mauke, you will want to return again and again. But you won’t want to tell your friends about this magic place. Some secrets are too special to share!

A visit to the Banyan Tree is included on the tour of the island. Researchers have estimated the tree covers one and a half acres. The aerial roots form their own architectural space. It’s like Notre Dame has come to Mauke.

Fishing trips can be organized with Clem. You will stand on the edge of the reef fishing in the deep waters of the Pacific.

Touring the island on bikes.

The children are not the only ones swimming in the harbour when it's hot. This baby turtle was brought down each day for his swim.

The Cook Islands celebrates the gaining of independence with the Constitution Celebrations during the last week in July and the first week of August each year. All the islands send dancing and singing teams to compete.

This image is of the Mauke team competing in the 2005 celebrations.

The dancers make their own costumes from natural fibres. The whole community is involved in the production of these dances and songs. The dancers make a huge commitment to practice as there is a lot of prestige to be gained by winning.
You may wish to spend some time in the Cook Islands for Constitution Celebrations. Add on a week in Mauke before or after the celebrations and you will have the perfect holiday.

Dancers are able to travel the world and perform. Joyce, from the island of Mauke has done this. She has been dancing in Texas for 18 months and came back to the Cook Islands to participate in the Miss Cook Island competition. Joyce was first runner up in the competition and she is the Cook Islands representative for the Miss South Pacific competition later in the year. She has been sponsored by Bergman Pearls, dressed by Annie Bonza and tutored by a supportive team.

Joyce and her team travelled to Mauke to perform her winning show for the people of the island. She took time out to speak to the students of Mauke College. Her talent, and commitment to the island of Mauke was appreciated by everyone on the island.

Joyce and her team saying goodbye to the people of Mauke. “Tiare and especially O’Kiva have exceeded all expectations. The setting had been described to us – we will have to give these people some lessons in the use of superlatives. The rest of the world just melts away. Tangata has been a marvellous host. Thanks Tangata for your extensive knowledge of the local flora and fauna, capped off by your tour. We still can’t get over the banyan tree. Dinners have been great, not just Kura’s cooking but talk and more talk. We could have stayed much longer.” August 2007 Jenny and Tony, Auckland

You too can enjoy Mauke hospitality
and the colours and flavour of the Cook Islands, book with us now
for a Pacific holiday you will savour.