Two weeks ago I went on a day trip to Aitutaki in the Cook islands. So many people had raved about how beautiful it is, a South Pacific island paradise – swaying palms, soft white sand, beautiful lagoon, sparkling turquoise water – I was curious to experience this ‘little slice of heaven’, a cliche perhaps.
I booked my trip with Island Hopper Vacations and took the Vaka Cruise day tour of the lagoon and, as one man on the tour said, ‘it was beyond any description you could label it with’.
Everything flowed seamlessly from the moment I was picked up at 7 in the morning from my accommodation in Rarotonga, transported to the airport, then on the Air Rarotonga 40 minute flight, and a short bus ride around the island to our vaka on which we toured the lagoon.
The sun didn’t put in too much of an appearance, somehow it didn’t matter for us all…the beauty of the place, it was magical, stunning, it felt fresh, peaceful.
Stories
Our guide, Ali, was fun and full of stories, jokes, and his passion for Aitutaki was infectious! He shared the island’s history and some of its ways. We learned that children are brought up by grandparents who are not averse to a bit of tough love in teaching family to respect the land and people, to appreciate the little things in life, be thankful. There are no dogs on the island because 200 years ago, after an outbreak of rabies with many islanders getting very sick, a law was passed banning dogs and it’s never been changed. The island grapples with water rationing; we learned about the mahogany tree and of course coconuts, and were asked not to use sunscreen with oxybenzone which is harmful to the reef.
Lagoon tour
The lagoon tour had us visit Akaimi (famous for kite surfing) and Muritapu islands, and, having left a footprint on Tapuaetai or One Foot Island, awarded for having one of the best beaches in the world, we took a footprint home with us, a stamp in our passports. And what a wonderful story as to how One Foot Island got it’s name – how a parent saved the life of his child by concealing his footprints with his own, unconditional love.
Masks, snorkels and fins were provided, and life jackets were available for any nervous swimmers including children. The staff were at pains to encourage safety and had been trained in first aid. The lagoon was teeming with colourful tropical fish… and turtles.
Lunch
Lunch was a tropical buffet which included tuna, island fries made with arrowroot (a favourite!), various salads including pawpaw, and lots of fresh fruits. It was delicious. The staff were more than warm and friendly, they were fun and entertaining…and provided us with music.
While Aitutaki is definitely a romantic location (I have to admit that as a solo traveller I wished just a little that I was sharing this with a partner), the tour is great for couples, families with children, and singles, I believe it doesn’t matter. You can’t help but appreciate the beauty around you. I fell in love…with our beautiful planet!
And one of the lasting messages from Ali “without you there is no me, without me there is no us” – something to ponder.
A perfect day, you’ll never forget, absolutely brilliant, you will take home your own memories. I
I’m not sure about spending longer on Aitutaki..perhaps two or three days…
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