parents are from the Cook Islands they decided to visit their families and find their roots.
As there is far more Cook Islanders living abroad in New Zealand and Australia as in the
islands, you´ll meet the "local visitors" that check out the standard of life very often.
Visitors who came to the Cook Islands get a 31 days tourism visa by entering the country at
the airport. This first visa can be extended to 6 month at the Immigration office in Avarua.
Before leaving the country you´ll have to pay a 30 NZD departure fee. You can do that at
Westpac Bank in town (which is recommended) or cue for a moment at the airport counter.
Concerning food and eating. Please be aware that nearly everything you eat or get served
came as airfreight or seafreight from New Zealand. For example a liter of regular orange juice
cost around 3 NZD. A liter of fuel costs more then 2 NZ Dollars. There is no cheap life on a
remote pacific island. - You´ll save money by buying localy grown vegetables and fruits.
at CITC Supermarket close to Avatiu Harbour. There are also little shops in every village where
you can buy forgotten items and these little things like chocolate, beer and chips. On Sundays
you´ll not be able to buy alcohol because the Cooks are a christian country. But you´ll love it.
653 metres high. About 80% of the island is mountain land. There is only a few tracks for pede-
strians going up into the mountains where you´ll find untouched wildernes and rainforests.
