أشياء تفعلها في جزر كوك

Rarotonga, the main island, is a green volcanic peak ringed by a lagoon and a single road that circles the coast. Avarua, the capital, is a small harbour town with a main street, a whitewashed church and a lively Saturday-morning market, and Muri Lagoon on the south-east side has shallow water and small islets.

Aitutaki, a short flight north, has one of the Pacific's most striking lagoons, a pale-blue triangle of shallow water dotted with motu islets such as One Foot Island. On Rarotonga, the Cross-Island Track climbs through forest to the Needle, a rock pinnacle. Atiu and Mangaia, further islands, hold limestone caves and raised coral cliffs and see few visitors.

Ika mata, raw fish marinated in lime and coconut cream, is the island classic, with rukau, steamed taro leaves, and Sunday feasts cooked in an earth oven called an umu. Drumming and fast hip-swaying dances are part of the islands' nights. The country is in free association with New Zealand. May to October is the cooler, drier time, and cyclone season runs from November to April.