Wafer-thin cays and farflung atolls, blue lagoons and superb reef snorkeling, white-sand verdant volcanic mountains, a slow pace and friendly people-what’s not to like about the Cook lslands? Lascivious dancing and beer bashes in the bush have survived years of missionary zeal. Rarotonga, the gorgeous main island, has been a Maori hang-out at least 1500 years and it’s easy to why. Get yourself stranded on an outer island and hope your return-trip freighter doesn’t come back any time soon.

April to November (the dry season)

Hiking the, craggy mountains of Rarotonga Taking a dip in the turquoise of Aitutski Dancing and feasting the night away at an ‘island night’ theme party on Rarotonga or Aitutaki Whale-watching from any of the main islands Spelunking the caves of’ Atiu, Ma’ uke, Mitiaro and Mangaia Photographing the island from Rangimotia, the highest point on Mangaia

Read An lsland to Oneself, the account of hermit Tom Neale, who lived on Suwarrow Atoll

Listen to Drums, Songs and Chants of the Cook lslands, a sampler of local music

Watch The Other Side of Heaven, a delinghtful coming-of-age tale was mostly filmed on Rarotonga

Eat island fare such as ika mata (raw fish in coconut sauce) or anga kuru akaki ia (stuffed breadfruit)

Drink at a tumunu (or bush beer-drinking session), akin to the ancient Polynesian kava-drinking ceremonies in Fiji or Samon

Kia orana! (may you live long!)-a greeting

Saucy traditional dancing; pandanus-thatched roofs; rich Maori culture; deserted atolls ripe for diving; breadfruit served at every meal at every; tax haven for well-tanned fat cats

The stunning black pearl jewellery for sale; soulful Christian hymns sung in churches everywhere

Beneath a Western veneer, layers of Cook lslands culture survive. Every native Cook lalander is part of a family clan, and is connected to the ancient system of chiefs. Rarotonga’s six ariki clans on the original land divisions from when Maori first arrived on the island many centuries ago.