Living it up in the Cook Islands

Living it up in the

Cook Islands ByRuby Harfield

Borders are open and manyretirees are making the most of the freedom by bookingoverseastravel.

Travelling is slightly more restricted but it is stilla greattimeto get away.

Retired Pukekohecouple Julie and Jeff Vanstone were excitedtobe abletotravel again and wenttothe Cook Islands in June.

Julie said travelling inretirement is wonderful becauseyou can choose when you wanttogo– notinthe school holidays orat busy times.

“The best time to traveltothe Cook Islands is in our winter as thetemperatures are comfortable,a balmy 27/28C and humidity is lower.

“We tendtostick closertohome these days travellingtovariousPacific Islands and Aussie.”

Covidrestrictionsmeant thecouple had to wear masks on their flight aswell as do two RAT testsonreturntoNewZealand (day1 and day 5).

“For our trip we also hadtofill in declarationformsfor NewZealand and the Cook Islands.....an absolute nightmare.

“The Cook Islands one wasrelatively short andeasy, but the New Zealand one went on and on andtook me severalattemptsto actuallyget correct.

“Iwas quite anxious about the whole thing but that’s just me.I don’t know how people got on who don’t owna computer.”

These challenges did not prevent the couple from havinga relaxing time away.

“We stayedatan Airbnb type of place called Muri Heights Villa on the southcoast of Muri.

“Itwas quite cheapand very spacious with a huge deck.

“We weren’t situated on thewater but about five minutes’ walktothe beach, night markets, a fewshops and verynice cafes.”

The night markethas local, cheapfood and is popular with visitors and locals.

“We atethere three nightsand itwas delicious every time.

“There is alsoa museum in Muri which is well wortha visit.

“On Saturdays there is ahuge marketin Avarua, (thecapital), which isa must do full of many souvenirsand foodstalls.”

The couple spent much of their time relaxing and swimmingatthe beach.

“We also bookeda lagoon cruise which was heaps of fun.

“The glass bottomed boattakes you outto an island but on theway there is a stop and a chance to snorkel thereeffor those whowant to.”

The island has many cultural events with singing, dancing,food andcoconutcollecting/ husking.

“The tripwas just fun, fun all theway,” Julie said.

“Jeffwent ona fishing charter which he enjoyed very much andcame home with a tuna whichwas distributed amongst several people near where we stayed and, ofcourse, Jeffhad sometoo butI am notpartialtotuna.”

They hireda carfor their trip whichwas reasonably priced but it’s also popularfor younger peopletohiremotor scooters and there’s a bus around the island.

“The best part of the trip wasgoing around the Island and being amongst the very friendlyIslanders whomakeyou feel so very welcome.” ABOVE:Winter is the perfect timetotravel as thetemperature is comfortable. BELOW Clockwisetop right:JulieVanstone loved herrecent holidaytothe Cook Islands | A cultural performance in Muri | A lagoon cruisewas a highlight of the trip | JeffVanstone enjoying himselfatthe beach. Photos/Supplied

DEVCICH.C O. NZ

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