This is the story of a love affair that began more than 20 years ago with a now out of print book. John W. McDermott's "How to Get Lost and Found in the Cook Islands" paints a picture of a paradise that few have heard of, let alone visited.
The 15 islands of the Cooks are hidden deep in the South Pacific, over 3000 kms (1,860 miles) from New Zealand and 16,200 kms (10,000 miles) from my home in the UK. Two are uninhabited, and one has only two residents - and even then, only for part of the year.
The Islands are scattered over an area the size of India. Nine are in the Southern Group including the capital, Rarotonga. The other six are in the Northern Group, among them one which is almost at the very centre of the South Pacific. The Southernmost Island, Mangaia, is 120 miles southeast of Rarotonga and just above the Tropic of Cancer. The Northern-most atoll of Penrhyn lies 750 miles north of Rarotonga at 9 degrees south of the equator.
My love affair with the islands has been "consummated" six times now - with , with further trips planned. My aim is to visit all 15 islands.
The Islands are scattered over an area the size of India. Nine are in the Southern Group including the capital, Rarotonga. The other six are in the Northern Group, among them one which is almost at the very centre of the South Pacific. The Southernmost Island, Mangaia, is 120 miles southeast of Rarotonga and just above the Tropic of Cancer. The Northern-most atoll of Penrhyn lies 750 miles north of Rarotonga at 9 degrees south of the equator.
My love affair with the islands has been "consummated" six times now - with , with further trips planned. My aim is to visit all 15 islands.
"You take pride in the human race when you are blessed with the friendship of the Polynesians in the Cook Islands."
From the Preface to "How to Get Lost and Found in the Cook Islands" Waikiki Publishing Company Inc, Honolulu, Hawaii
© John McDermott 1979
From the Preface to "How to Get Lost and Found in the Cook Islands" Waikiki Publishing Company Inc, Honolulu, Hawaii
© John McDermott 1979
Meitaki
(Thank you)
(Thank you)
Put simply...this website is my tribute to a place of outstanding beauty, warm and genuine people and a lifestyle that the rest of the world can only envy. The Cook Islands are a very special place on earth and truly deserve to be called "paradise".
I hope you'll explore them with me through this site...and maybe visit one day yourself.
THE COOK ISLANDS: A LOVE AFFAIR
How and why this website started
How and why this website started
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EXPLORE NEXT?
THE SOUTHERN GROUP ISLANDS THE NORTHERN GROUP TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
IF YOU'RE TAKING THE 1O MINUTE TOUR, CLICK ON THE RED BUTTON TO CONTINUE
OR TAILOR MAKE YOUR OWN TOUR USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
THE SOUTHERN GROUP ISLANDS THE NORTHERN GROUP TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
IF YOU'RE TAKING THE 1O MINUTE TOUR, CLICK ON THE RED BUTTON TO CONTINUE
OR TAILOR MAKE YOUR OWN TOUR USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
