Cook islands

Island time is more Luka´s than Katja´s time. Which is ok, no one is in a hurry. You can drive 50km/h max, pass that and you get a fine automaticallyJ, Luka knows he has a valid Cook Island driving license. Katja tried to adapt and ˝almost˝ managed to do nothing for a day or two J. It’s great vacation out of vacation. With an extra support that we got on our going away party (THANK YOU ALLJ), we decided to fly to Aitutaki – a piece of heaven on earth. 45 minutes north of the main island of Rarotonga. Less than 2000 people live here. It is everything we imagined paradise could be, white beaches, blue waters and a coral reef surrounding the island, making the sea easy to swim. And everyone is smiling and waving when you´re passing and they are not trying to sell you things on every corner… People still see and appreciate the little things, they have and take time for them. One evening the owner of the place we stayed at told us there is an event in town, fireworks. We hop on the back of his pickup and drive a few km. Seems like the half of island is there. They sit on pickup trucks and on the grass. The kids are screaming with anticipation. Fireworks go off 3 times. Less than what my uncle used to do for New Years for us kids. It lasts 3 minutes and both the kids and the adults are so happyJ. It makes us smile to know there are still places on earth that are so unspoilt. …. And last but not least this place is so romantic (Luka´s words) that he finally asked the question and we got engaged J))) yeyyyyy



Cook Islands' flag

first McDonalds 3000km

Muri Beach, Rarotonga, view from the hostel

only 2 bus lines: clockwise and anti-clockwise :))

our plane to Aitutaki

airport building

you get a lei as soon as you land

 sunset from our bungalow

same same but different

Luka got his Cook Islands driving license ...

and we went for a drive

Aitutaki lagoon

airstrip

ahhhh...

nice place for a coffee and cocktail

we went to check out the Pacific Resort in Aitutaki, fabulous

and we had to try this one :)

great to enjoy a sunset if you don´t have 500eur for a night

one of the many sunsets

engagement tahitian bracelet :))

fireworks

hills go up to 120 meters :)

place where we stayed

Luka decided there were too many coconuts around and we had them every day :)

voilà

and another one

Katja didn´t have a haircut for a looong time:)

before leaving we went for a snorkeling trip in Aitutaki lagoon

 locals

 back on Rarotonga they dropped us off in hangar because it was raining, Island hospitality

 on our favorite way of transport, hitchiking

with some nice views

on our last night we went to see our first rugby game, finals of Cook Islands