Listopedia: The Cook Islands Bucket List

I’ve fallen in love with a brand new country – one I never thought would be on my “most recommended” list but it’s made its way right to the top – the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands doesn’t reside there because of its aqua blue waters. It doesn’t even reside there because of the palm trees, amazing cocktails or incredible snorkeling. No, this place has made its way onto my must-experience list purely through its spirit.

It was the moment we got on the plane that I knew this trip would be different. Each seat was full of travellers flying home to Rarotonga to see their families for Christmas. The festive spirit was in the air and smiling faces, big hugs and sparkling headdresses were all around.

The Cook Islands is a country of many hidden treasures, so I’m sharing my absolute favourites to inspire you for your own tropical honeymoon adventure.

Attend Church on Sunday

It’s not often I recommend going to church on a holiday. But church in the Cook Islands is something special. The Ngatangiia Cook Islands Christian Church, open to the public on Sundays, welcomed us with open arms on our first Sunday in Rarotonga. We took our place at the back of the church and watched as the congregation began filling the pews. They were dressed in beautiful floral printed dresses and straw woven hats awaiting the service to commence in Cook Islands Maori.

Our limited knowledge of the local language meant that we had to guess what was happening as the service got underway – we didn’t need to know the words to be floored by what happened next. The front rows burst into song, the back rows joined in and soon the different “parts” sung joyously and with heart – the harmony was perfect and I couldn’t help but get a lump in my throat.

As is the Cook Islands spirit, the pastor invited visitors to stand – we, along with a handful of others, were invited to sing a carol in English. I must admit I shook in my boots. But as we finished the first verse, the entire congregation stood and joined with us for the chorus. It was one of those moments that perfectly summed up the welcoming joy we hadn’t stopped feeling since our feet touched the ground.

Our church visit ended with a delicious morning tea held next door. Two ladies sought us out and pulled us in to a buffet filled with local tropical fruits, home baked cakes and encouraged us pull up a chair with plenty of smiling faces eager to meet us and hear our story.