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Landing on Palmerston Island (during our July 2007 Cook Island's voyage)
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For those passengers arriving on the direct Air NZ flight from Los Angeles, you will only have a few hours on Rarotonga before we depart on our voyage about noon. All food will be supplied during the voyage Palmerston Atoll: This small atoll has a magnificent inner lagoon with easy access via a number of small passages along the western side. If you feel like exploring uninhabited motu and relaxing on a golden sandy beach then Palmerston offers a picture perfect opportunity For those keener on going below the waves we will aim for some scuba dives along the dropoff along the western shore. Palmerston is unique among the islands of the Pacific in its strong English traditions. This is reflected in almost all you will see and hear William Marsters settled on this then uninhabited island with his three Polynesian wives 140 years ago and it is his descendants who have occupied this atoll to this day. When you stay ashore local families will provide the accommodation and food - please pay them directly in cash - about $50US per person per day (for full board) is the norm Suwarrow National Park: At Suwarrow we plan to camp ashore on an uninhabited islet - sleeping under the stars on a sandy beach is also popular, as is evening beach BBQ's with the National Park Warden and his family. If you want to dive with manta rays and sharks, then you are in the right place. Go for it! Nassau Island: This small island is friendly in the extreme, we will probably be their only visitors for a couple of months, and they will be happy to give us a quick tour of their gardens and churches One of the stranger sights of the Pacific is the big island trader vessel, that is washed up high and dry among the coconut trees Some of the islanders will probably be hitching a ride with us to Pukapuka, and/or sending along some of their abundant taro as a gift for their relatives and friends on their big neighboring island Pukapuka Island: A lagoon tour is on order - not to mention a wander around their magical little island. You will quickly see why American author Robert Dean Frisbie fell in love with Pukapuka - he is not the only one, you will too - when you stay ashore, local families will provide accommodation and food - please pay them directly in cash - about $50US per person per day (for full board) is the norm Arrival in Apia: We will arrive at the Apia Marina on Monday morning - this will give us enough time to process passports etc, so that passengers can catch the direct flight back to Los angeles on Monday evening. You will be free to visit Samoa on Monday afternoon If a dose of civilization is on your wish list after two weeks at sea, then a visit to Aggie Grey's Hotel will be on order. If you want some local colour, then we recommend the Apia public market - it is large, cheap, and a lot of fun Diving: All of the islands on this voyage have excellent snorkeling and diving. We provide all equipment without additional charge (but a scuba licence is required for scuba diving) The two-week Suwarrow Expedition is a downwind voyage, this adds greatly to the comfort and pleasure of all onboard. We much appreciate passengers who help with the running of our vessel - this type of team work adds greatly to everyone's experience Price: US$3,400
For a map of the Cook Islands click here |
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Nassau Island taro patch
Cook Islands 
Pukapuka store sign (2007)
Camping on Suwarrow
Cook Islands 
Wrasse, Suwarrow
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