Aitutaki is also the place that they shot the new Air New Zealand flight safety video so if you want to take a look here is the link - http://www.radiolive.co.nz/VIDEO-Safety-in-Paradise---Air-New-Zealands-latest-safety-video/tabid/439/articleID/40557/Default.aspx - you have to watch the radio bit first!! We were met by our guide for the day at the airport in Avarua who was lovely (he is also in the Air NZ video too, the last man in the canoe) On coming in to land, this was our view ..........
Boats can't get passed the reef on the island either, they dock outside then everything is brought in by small boats which makes it all a bit more time consuming but nicer to look at as there is no big harbour to contend with. We waved at the oldest inhabitant of the island a lady who is 102 and very revered. They also have the oldest church in the Cook Islands here, one which was built from coral by the Tahitians who came with the first missionary as they were the first to convert to Christianity here and they are very proud of their church.
The one thing they don't have on this island is dogs which you notice after ten minutes or so of being here. They decided years ago to ban them as they cause such a problem on the Mainland but they do have a few cats.
Our tour didn't take too long but we did see all of the main island in about half an hour. It was still drizzling on and off but stopped by 10am.
Aitutaki is most famous for its turquoise central lagoon, uninhabited islands and palm fringed beaches so that is where we headed for now. It has also been spared mass tourism which has to be a bonus for anyone who is lucky enough to come here.
We did visit the island where they did 'Survivor Cook Islands' if you watch the program - it's one of Derek's favourites. They filmed it in 2006 before we started watching it and this was the island where they had one of the camps.
When we got here people were walking on the sandbank but we were just a little too late. It is considered as one of Australasias leading beaches and now we know why. I could have stayed here all day and from here you can see all of the lagoon in front of you.
Relax and enjoy and I will see you back on Rarotonga tomorrow!!