Post #539785 by bongofury on Tue, Jun 29, 2010 7:38 PM

We booked our trip in February 2 days before 5 cyclones hit the islands. Rarotonga had some damage but Aitutaki took the biggest hit (more pix on that island later). We returned to the Rarotonga Beach Bungalows with friends...highly recommended. New Zealand Air is great. They do not charge for baggage (unless over 50lbs-2 each allowed) or the free flowing booze. Personal screens on each seat for veiwing movies, tv, and music. I think they just raised the $750.00 rt to $835.00.....still a great deal.

There is a new terminal for arrivals with a duty free liquor shop that had Havana Club silver for $20.00 NZ (about $15.00 U.S.) and Havana Club Anejo for $22.00. I recommend buying it there before customs as I only saw Bacardi, Captain Morgan's, etc in the markets in town. We also brought a couple bottles of Zaya from the States.

Again the fish,fruits, and vegetables were excellent. This was a roadside stand 5 minute walk down the road

There is great art to be seen in galleries and hotels around the island

Lots of life in the lagoon

Noni fruit....lots of healing power. I rubbed some of this on a very bad rash/infection. Was completely gone in 5 days. We were told that the plant has 122 beneficial substances that when pasturized for import to the states leaves only 20% of them.

More to come...