E51ANQ Cook Islands. From DXNews.com

Frank, DJ5NQ is currently active again as E51AMQ from Rarotonga Island, IOTA OC – 013, Cook Islands.
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DXCC country – South Cook Islands.

Cook Islands

Cook Islands… Imagination draws a poor English traveler, crowds of unrestrained natives, lack of civilization. You can dispel stereotypes only by visiting one of 15 small islands, 240 square meters of tropical paradise.

Debunking the myths

The Cook Islands are nestled near New Zealand, next door to American Samoa Niue, Kiribati and French Polynesia. The territory really got its name in honor of the famous James Cook, and it was invented by the Russian explorer Ivan Kruzenstern. Speaking of Cook. It is proved that he was not eaten by any aborigines. He was killed on one of the Hawaiian islands.

The independent state is in a loose confederation with New Zealand. Local authorities have all the necessary powers and sovereignty, but some state issues are decided by the larger neighbor.

The most populous island of the archipelago – Rarotonga is in the southern group and occupies the largest area. The state capital Avarua is located on the northern coast. The main financial component of the Cook Islands budget is the tourist sphere. But many locals are engaged in agriculture and export rich crops to the nearest countries.

On the pristine bosoms of Cook land…

Today the Cook Islands are not the most popular tourist destination. And this fact positively affects the preservation of natural and cultural attractions. Many travelers who once visited one of the fifteen islands of the archipelago, remain impressed by the splendor of untouched nature, the elegance of the relief, from the meeting with rare representatives of local flora and fauna.

The volcanic origin of the islands is reflected in their relief line – coastal rocks, mountainous terrain with extensive cave systems, many reefs and lagoons. The most striking representative of the plant world is the coconut palm – a tree at first glance common for tropical latitudes. But only here palm trees amaze with their size, luxurious and lush crown, giant fruits. Among exotic plants here you can also find pandanus and bougainvillea, unrivaled mimosa and casurianas, hibiscus.

The fauna of the archipelago meets the European with usual species of animals – pigs and cats, dogs and rodents, crustaceans. What is really impressive is the number of rare species of birds. Many of them live only on this archipelago – frigates and phaetons, reed warblers and puffins, nimble terns.

Cook Islands Cultural Heritage – from legend to reality

Polynesians, the local population of the islands, are very proud of their land, carefully protecting the few architectural monuments that have survived to our time. Each building, separate pieces of unusual terrain are shrouded in legends passed down from generation to generation.

Thus, the first attraction you will be offered to see in the capital of the Kuk state is Seven & One Coconut Tree, a unique group of seven palm trees. What makes this natural phenomenon exotic is that these trees were not planted artificially. Nature placed them in such a perfectly even circle. Legend says that all seven palms grew from the seed of a single coconut, which the gods planted for the joy of all people. That is why every tourist who stands in this magical circle finds endless happiness and grace.

Architectural delights on the archipelago are relatively few. They include the Christian church in Avarua, erected in 1853, and the cemetery formed in its vicinity. The second most important object is the ethnographic museum in the village of Arorangi with the preserved ancient buildings of the islanders-missionaries.

The main attraction of the Cook Islands is the unspoiled nature. Tourists are recommended to visit the waterfall Winggmore, mountain Rua Manga, coffee factory on the island of Atiu. Also many people will be interested to search for treasure – a chest with a huge amount of gold in Suvorova Atoll. According to legend, in the middle of the 19th century, the commander of one of the expeditions here buried the riches received in battles. But nobody has managed to find them so far.

For tourists

Cook Islands is a land of originality, interesting, with many traditions and customs incomprehensible for Europeans. Therefore, planning a trip to this archipelago, it is desirable to at least partially study the local rules of behavior.

So, the first problem you may encounter is currency exchange. On the islands you can pay with only two types of money – Kuki or New Zealand dollar. The first one is not convertible outside the state, so it is pointless to take it out. Difficulties sometimes arise with currency exchange, as there are practically no exchange offices, and financial transactions can be made only in official banks, which are also few.

Interesting rules concern tips – leaving them in local restaurants or stores is considered a sign of bad taste. Just like haggling in the market – it is useless and insulting to the sellers.

E51ANQ. Where is Rarotonga Island located. Map.