| Hi Folks, we often receive the same questions from
travellers wanting to stay with us so we have the answers right
here, thus saving you from those anxiety attacks:
| Q: | What happens
if you don't find me at the airport? |
| A: |
Don't worry, we meet every flight that we have got bookings
on, in fact, every Air
New Zealand and Pacific Blue flight arriving in Rarotonga. The Airport
Terminal is so small that there is no way that we miss you
or you miss us. After leaving customs there is just one door
and right there you will be met by a Lady who will ask you
whereabouts you are going to stay. She will then show you
where we are waiting for you which is also only 5 meters away! Kia orana and welcome to Rarotonga!
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| Q: | Do i have
to give you my credit card details or pay in advance? |
| A: | Yes and No, whilst we do
not require to pay for your stay in advance we do require credit
card details to secure your booking. If you do not show up or
change your plans without adIf you decide to stay longer, please
let us know as soon as possible so we can hold your bed. We
accept Visa and Master Cards. If you do not show up or want to cancel your stay we require 2 weeks notice of cancellation otherwise nights will automatically be deducted from your credit card. (refer to CANCELLATION POLICY in BOOKING reference). |
| Q: | Do i need
to have a booking prior to arrival in the Cook Islands? |
| A: | Immigration Policy requires you to have arranged accomodation
prior to arrival, so it always pays to book in advance before
you arrive in order to avoid possible delays at immigration.
At the moment you will not be asked for a print of your booking,
just state Vara's as your acommodation on the
arrival form. |
| Q: | Do you
provide linen? |
| A: |
Yes, we do provide linen and pillows but no towels.
Towels are complimentary in the studios. We also have towles
for hire. |
| Q: | Will
i find everything i need while staying with you? |
| A: |
Yes, you will find everything from shops, cafes, restaurants, and ATM machines. Just remember we are a small island so most places close around 9pm but open first thing in the morning |
| Q: | Are there
any dangers or dont's? |
| A: |
Beware of the sun which can burn you within minutes, especially
when snorkelling, and watch your weight.
Theft and muggings
are not a big problem here really, but we do recommend our
safe storage at our office for your valuables. Skimpy clothing
anywhere else than on the beach can cause offence and topless
is also somewhat frowned upon. The missionaries did a good
job here!
Coconuts do fall from trees, so always look
up first and make sure none of them are looming high above
you before taking a nap or sunbath. Getting hit by one will
certainly spoil your trip!
While snorkelling take care not
to venture out in too shallow areas or you will have to step
on coral, if you don't wear shoes they might cut you and if
you do wear them you will damge them. Colourful Triggerfishes
in the lagoon sometimes protect their nests with an astonishing
zeal and will attack anything that gets near it, however,
they will only collide with you and are too small to really
hurt you.
Dogs are generally very friendly and dogs that bark
don't bite anyway.
If you rent a car or a moped, always drive
very carefully, we don't have fences here so everyone including children, chickens, dogs and cats move around freely and often cross
the road withut looking. |
| Q: | Is there
anything to do apart from sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling? |
| A: |
Yes, Coconut Tours is a MUST! You have to do a land tour on the island and do go past Coconut Tours with their famous tours.
On Tuesday, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays there
are massive feasts with endless supplies of traditional polynesian
food followed by one of the best dancing shows anywhere in
the pacific held in some of the resort hotels. On Thursdays
there is a more budget oriented event held at the "Staircase"
(the dancing is equelly good) and we do organise return trips
to there.
Friday is the big partying day but Saturday is catching up
now too. There are nightbuses into town, where all the action
takes place and back and we also organise pub crawls. The
heart of a Cook Island Party IS the dance floor. For those
seeking solitude, Muri beach is always quiet and safe at night
and stargazing can take you even further away from the hustle
and bustle of the modern world - welcome to Polynesia.
Good Restaurants are scattered all around the island, The
nearby Flametree Restaurant as well as the Ambala Cafe are
regognised by conoisseurs from all over the world, yet they
are not really expensive for what they habe to offer!
You can also spend a full day doing the cross island walk,
a very rewarding hike taking in all the rugged and lush mountain
scenery inland.
We can also get you into touch with local fishing operators,
see here and Rarotonga IS
an ideal place to learn how to dive, visibility is often well
over 30 mtrs (90 ft.) and the shallow lagoon lends itself
perfectly to getting acquinted with the scuba gear so you
don't have to do it in a booring pool.
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