T
he Cook Islands is an inde-
pendent nation in ‘free as-
sociation’ with former colo-
nial authority New Zealand, which
still takes responsibility for foreign
relations a nd defence.
The nation, with a population
of around 17,500, is made up of 15
inhabited islands that were settled
some 1500 years ago by people
from what is now French Polynesia.
The country is studded with many
resorts and is a popular holiday
destination because of its stunning
lagoons and warm tropical days,particularly among New Zealand-
ers. The country uses New Zealand
currency, except for one oddity – $3
banknotes which are much prized
by tourists as souvenirs.
There are two bus routes on
the main island of Rarotonga and
both pass through the tiny capital
of Avarua.
No n eed for a map or timetable –
the buses run either clockwise or
anti-clockwise, according to large
signs displayed in the bus wind-
screen, and take less than an hour
to circumnavigate the island.Cook Islands
ANNUAL VISITORS LAST YEAR: UPWARDS OF 120,000