TAKITUMU CONSERVATION AREA
The Takitumu Conservation Area is on Rarotonga’s south-eastern side and is managed by the traditional landowners of this district. A delightful amble into this area gets you in amongst lush tropical forest, including the Giant King Fern, giant taro, the Rarotonga orchid and rare ground orchid, wild guavas, wild hibiscus, and the prized sunset-coloured Pua Neinei (which grows only at the highest reaches and flowers mid-year). You also have the chance to see such native birds as the rare, chatty Rarotongan Flycatcher (or kakerori, which was successfully brought back from the brink of extinction), the Cook Islands Fruit Dove (kukupa), and the Rarotonga Starling (i’oi). At the top of your climb you are greeted by amazing panoramic views across the blue Pacific Ocean. The gentle walk requires only a moderate level of fitness. Do wear good walking shoes, and take sun protection, a drink and a mosquito repellent with you (the Takitumu guides swear by their homemade recipe of half Dettol antiseptic solution, half olive oil). Return transfers and Lunch are provided. Tours operate on Tuesday and Thursday and cost NZ$45 per person, and NZ$15 for children under 16 years. Other days by arrangement for groups of 6 people or more. Please contact Front Desk on “0” to make a booking, or phone / fax 29906, email kakerori@tca.co.ck
TAX
A Government Value Added Tax of 12.5% is included in all prices at the Resort. This tax is required by Cook Islands Law, and law also requires the tax to be included in all pricing (however beware that some suppliers of goods and services may not include VAT in their pricing, and add this on to your account).
TAXIS
Taxis are available 24 hours. Our Front Desk staff will gladly assist you to book your taxi and can also advise you of likely charges and any waiting times. Please dial “0”. Local taxi services around the island include:
A-B Cab Services & Tours PH: 71 782
Areiti Taxis & Tours PH: 23 012 / 55 752 (cellular)
Aroa Taxis PH: 28 144
A’s Taxis PH: 27 021
Doro’s Taxi PH: 52 355
JP Taxis PH: 26 572 / 55 107 (cellular)
Kia Orana Taxis PH: 20 203
MLT Taxis PH: 21 397
Muri Beach Taxis PH: 21 625
Parekura Taxis PH: 26 490 / 55 870
Raro Getaway Taxi Ltd PH: 25 599 / 56 521 (cellular)
See Plus Taxi Shuttle & Tours PH: 23 870 / 52 297 (cellular)
T. Lazaro Taxis & Tours PH: 20 529 / 28 928
T & A Transport PH: 26 490
Tiare Transport PH: 55 217 (cellular)
Travellers Tip! Taxi companies have been known to be unreliable on occasion and it may be wise to give yourself plenty of time in case of delays. Ensure you ask the driver what the charge will be before you board to avoid any nasty surprises. If you’re going out for dinner you may find the cab charge actually costs you more than your meals.
TELEPHONE SERVICES
Your state-of-the-art room phone offers you direct dial local and international call services (IDD), plus voicemail, automatic wake-up call, in-room internet and email data port connection services. To obtain an outside line, dial 9. To call another room, please dial the room number. For further details please refer to the pictorial features on your telephone. Country codes and information are listed in the front of the Cook Islands Telephone Directory, and for your convenience we provide a selected list of country codes here below. For any further assistance please contact the Operator, dial “0”.
Mobile Phones can be hired from Telecom Cook Islands in Rarotonga at a charge of NZ$5 per day. A credit card deposit is required and you need to go into Telecom’s Head Office in Avarua to complete the necessary form details. Mobile phone calls are charged at NZ$1.99 per minute for local calls and international call rates. Your own mobile phone can be used in the Cook Islands if it is digital. This can be connected upon arrival at a charge of NZ$25,plus call charges as outlined above.
Travellers Tip! Telecommunications charges in the Cook Islands are likely to be much higher than you are used to at home due to our small size, distance from almost anywhere, and the fact that there is only one telephone company allowed to operate here. In addition there is also a hotel surcharge. Special “capped call” rates as advertised on local television etc. do not apply to Resort telephones. For further information on call charges, please do not hesitate to contact our Front Desk staff on “0”.
Please note that billing commences (by Telecom Cook Islands) 4 seconds after an overseas connection has been made, irrespective of whether the caller gets to talk to anyone or not. A charge will incur from this time forward until the receiver is replaced.
International Direct Dial Country Codes
Country Country Code Country Country Code
Alaska 1907 Italy 39
Argentina 54 Netherlands 31
Australia 61 New Caledonia 687
Belgium 32 New Zealand 64
Brazil 55 Norway 47
Canada 1 Russia 7
Chile 56 Samoa (American) 684
Denmark 45 Samoa (Western) 685
Fiji 679 Singapore 65
Finland 358 South Africa 27
France 33 Spain 34
French Polynesia 689 Sweden 46
Germany 49 Switzerland 41
Great Britain 44 Tahiti 689
Hawaii 1808 Tonga 676
Hong Kong 852 USA 1
Ireland 353 Vanuatu 678
TELEVISION
A satellite television and DVD player are in your guestroom. The following satellite channels are available in your room: Cartoon Network, CNN and Turner Classic Movies, plus the Resort offers guests another 12 channels with complimentary in-house movies and entertainment, and you can also view images of The Rarotongan and sister resort The Aitutaki Lagoon Resort & Spa on channel 6. The local Cook Islands Television channel is also available; this includes Australia Network during the morning, religious programming and local programming. Cook Islands Local News is on at 7pm Monday to Friday, and at 8.30pm TVNZ’s One News plays nightly. You can also hire a wide selection of DVD movies through the Front Desk.
There’s also a big screen satellite TV/DVD in the poolside Games Lounge. Most of the major sports events covered by Television New Zealand, such as rugby, league, netball, cricket and golf, are aired on local television – contact Cook Islands Television on 29 460 for further information.
TENNIS
Tennis is available at The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa with complimentary racquets and balls available from the Activities Hut. Dial 8061.
THE GAMES ROOM & BOARDGAMES
The Games Room is equipped with a Guest Library, table tennis, table soccer, pool table, darts and giant chess for your enjoyment. A selection of board games are also available for your enjoyment from the Activities Hut. Please note all items borrowed must be returned to the Activities Hut by 9am the following morning. A fee of NZ$5 per item is charged to your room for late delivery and cost price per item is charged for non-return. Contact the Activities Hut on 8061 for further information.
TIME ZONES
As the Cook Islands is located across the dateline from New Zealand and Australia, it’s a day behind. New Zealand and Fiji are 22 hours ahead of the Cook Islands, Australia is 19 hours ahead, and the USA and Canada are 3 hours ahead. Please note that these times are approximate only and do not factor in summertime ‘daylight saving’. The international time zone is GMT –10, so the Cook Islands are in the same time zone as Hawaii. As the Cook Islands is among the last places on Earth to see the sun set on each day, we were among the last to farewell the old Millennium!
TIPPING
A number of Cook Islands Government publications over the years have suggested that tipping is offensive to Cook Islanders. Today this is far from true, as there is nothing more rewarding than having your efforts and hard work acknowledged. If the service you have received has been outstanding and you feel that our Resort staff (from any department) deserve to have that recognised, please feel free to reward them with a tip; 10% might be a general guideline. It will be much appreciated and gratefully received, particularly as it is not expected nor obligatory. If on the other hand the service you have received has not met your expectations, please contact the Duty Manager on “0”.
TOURS
Aroa Pony Trek – Treks operate Monday to Friday with 2 to 2.5 hour morning rides departing at 10am and afternoon rides at 3pm. Rides go down the beach, inland up to Papua (Wigmore’s) Waterfall for a swim, then back again along the beach. Cost is NZ$60 per person; children under 12 are NZ$30. Bookings are essential; call 21 415 for more information.
4WD Raro Mountain Safari Tour – If hard trekking is not your idea of a holiday, but you’re still curious to experience Rarotonga’s lush rainforest interior and highlights, the 4WD Raro Mountain Safari Tour is for you. This is Rarotonga’s most popular tour for good reason. Enjoy the experienced, colourful guides as they share with you their local knowledge, good humour and ‘tall tales and true’. Tours depart Monday to Friday both morning and afternoon, as well as Sunday afternoons. Morning tours include a fabulous beach BBQ lunch with refreshments. Tours cost NZ$65 per adult and half price for children. Phone 23 629 or 55 639 (cellular). Includes resort transfers.
Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruize – Operates Monday to Saturday, 11am to 3.30pm. Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruize takes you out onto Muri Lagoon in a glass bottom cruiser, and you can snorkel over the side of the boat. Beach BBQ lunch and refreshments are provided. The glass bottom provides the very young or those unable to snorkel with good views of reef fish. Phone 27 350, 20 810 or 55 002 (cellular).
Circle Island Tour – a great way to orientate yourself around the island and learn about Cook Islands history and culture. The tour includes a light lunch, coconut demonstration, and a short shopping break. Cost is NZ$45 per person. Phone 25 325 or 25 324 for more information.
Cook Islands Cultural Village – A guided tour of the Cultural Village runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting at 10am. The tour includes live demonstrations of many aspects of Cook Islands culture including Maori medicinal plants, ancient fishing techniques, weaving, coconut husking, woodcarving, traditional fire making, cooking, costume making, dancing and music. The tour includes a delicious lunch in the traditional island style, and drum dance entertainment, and concludes at approximately 1.30pm. Cost is NZ$56 per person and includes Lunch and Show. Transfers can be arranged for an extra NZ$4 per person. Phone 21 314 for more information.
Discovery Nature Walk – Discover the lush rainforest interior and gain some insights into the fascinating ancestral lore of herbal medicines (my favourite is the Shampoo Plant!) as Pa takes you on a guided and informative nature walk. Tours operate Tuesday and Thursday, and cost NZ$55 per adult and NZ$25 for children aged 5-12 years. Children under 5 are free of charge. Phone 21 079.
Pa’s Mountain Walk – For those keen on some hard yards and adventure, Pa’s Mountain Walk or Cross Island Trek is your answer! This is a strenuous hike, which requires a good standard of fitness. For bookings phone 21 079
Piri Puruto III – Meet the Cook Islands’ Coconut King, Piri Puruto III, and watch as he demonstrates traditional fire lighting techniques and uncanny ability to scale tall coconut palms! Bookings essential, phone 20309.
TOUR & RENT-A-CAR DESK
Don’t miss some of Rarotonga’s exciting adventures and attractions, such as the 4WD Raro Mountain Safari Tour, a guided cross-island trek with the famous Pa, the Cultural Village, Circle Island Historical Tour, Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruize by glass bottom boat, A-riki Art & Culture Tour, Highland Paradise gardens and marae, and guided tours of the Takitumu Conservation Area where you can see and hear one of the world’s rarest birds, the Kakerori (Rarotongan flycatcher). To find out more and make bookings, please dial “0”.
