More on the Cook Islands

by Neil Woodburn on

Captain Cook sure picked a swell place to become his namesake.  The Cook Islands embrace every South Pacific cliché with such passion and
conviction that occasionally I had to pinch my well-tanned, daiquiri infused body to make sure it wasn’t all just
some wonderful dream.

I just returned home from my very first visit to these islands.  Having never been to Tahiti or Fiji, I
can’t compare the Cook Islands to their more popular South Pacific neighbors, but I can report that they are
indeed worth your time.

The islands offer that quintessential tropical getaway.  They are blessed with warm weather, pristine waters
and beaches, thick jungle interiors, and plenty of time for rest and relaxation.  There is also an abundance of
fresh mangoes, star fruit, coconuts and a variety of tropical fish on which to dine. 

I was told by my travel agent to expect “Hawaii 50 years
ago.”  This proved to be an apt description.  Tourism, although a major source of revenue on the
island, hasn’t managed to ruin it yet.  The atmosphere remains relaxed and laid back and the locals very
friendly.  Indeed, this was one of the easiest vacations I’ve ever been on.  Not even the language was
a problem as everyone spoke perfect English—albeit with a strong New Zealand accent.

Photo of the Day (1/21/2006)

by Erik Olsen on

Here I was actually looking for a diving picture to put up because I’ve got a serious need to
dive soon, and lo! I stumble upon this
photo by Pixel Letch
(nice name, dude). The shot is a beaut of a Manta gliding slowly through cerulean waters. Really cool, and I have to
say I am deeply envious that Mr. Letch got to see such a cool animal up close, let alone that he snapped this excellent
picture. Nice job.

Now We're Cookin'

by Neil Woodburn on

The Cook Islands have always been one of those destinations in the
world that are such a familiar name, yet I really had no idea where they were.  I ran across them recently when,
in the very late month of November, I began searching for a vacation spot to celebrate New Year’s. 
Everything in Costa Rica and Belize (my first choice) was booked and so I turned to one of my favorite magazines, Budget Travel, to find some last minute deals.

The Cook Islands, as it turns out, are in the South Pacific – a location I always considered too far and too
expensive to visit.  But this is simply not true.  I learned that Air
New Zealand can get you there on an easy overnight flight from LA and that accommodations are actually quite
affordable.  I ended up booking through South Sea Adventures
who hooked me and my girlfriend up with airfare and eight nights in a beach bungalow with breakfast included for
just over $2200 each.  This was a great deal considering I was flying Christmas night and returning just after New
Year’s.

So, please take a moment to sign on the next couple of days to read a series of posts about this fantastic
location.  You won’t regret it. 

Keyed Up

by Erik Olsen on

The one trip I ever took to the keys I made in a blood red Ford Mustang convertible. A couple of buddies and I
blew out of Miami and headed due South on the reckless whim that we’d be able to find a place to stay when we shoed up.
It wasn’t that  easy, and we ended up in a rather grungy hotel in a cheesy part of town in key West. Strike
that….cheesy part of town is too limiting. ALL of Key West is cheesy. But hey, cheesy can be OK. And Key West was
fine. It was warm, the beer was cold, and I ate my own weight in conch fritters.

Now all of this is a lead
up to the piece I read
this morning over at the Washington Post about the keys. Now the writer here is far more adventuresome than I was
those years ago. She does some diving, ruminates on the hundreds of tarpon hanging around a place called Robbie’s
Marina, and generally explores many of the lesser known keys…something I wanted to do, but simply had no time for.
She also checks out the dolphin shows and runs into a charming 70-pound loggerhead turtle named Bubblebutt. So she
covers an immense amount of round in just four days in the Keys, which kinda made my trip those years ago seem kinda
weak.

Roatan, Honduras

by Adrienne Wilson on

Here’s a piece of the Caribbean we don’t hear about too often, but with new once a week flights out of Miami and
Houston, the tiny island off the coast of Honduras should be attracting more visitors in no time. Charter planes bring
in the European tourists and a lot is being done around the island to make it more comfortable for travelers.  The
Miami Herald runs an article on Roatan,
Honduras a place people go for the ocean. The island is only 40-miles long and the waters surrounding it are perfect,
welcoming divers. Most beachfront hotels on the West Bay have scuba diving shops, offer lessons and an asosrtment of
other water activities. For culture seekers Roatan is the home of the Garifuna and their own dying language. The
Garifuna are made up of Arawak Indians from the Amazon Caribes from the Caribbean and escaped slaves. In the photo
natives of Punta Gorda re-enact their arrival on the island. Further information on culture and annual events can be
found at Roatan Online in addition anything else you’d want to know about
getting there.