Discover Paradise: Top 7 Fun Facts About the Cook Islands You Can't Miss

1. Volcanic Blockbuster Islands

Did you hear about the blockbuster sequel set in the Pacific, "Volcano: The Aftermath"? Turns out, nature beat us to the punch: The Cook Islands are a dazzling archipelago made up of 15 islands formed by now-extinct volcanoes, complete with six atolls in the north, four uplifted coral islands in the south, and a starring role by the mountainous volcanic island Rarotonga. Researchers have dug deep into the geology of these islands and uncovered fascinating aspects, such as basaltic volcanics and recycled basaltic magma reservoirs that are over 500 million years old.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. NZ's Island Buddy System

Imagine the Cook Islands as a lovable sitcom neighbor: They confidently handle their own affairs but always count on their trusty buddy New Zealand next door for back-up: In a unique arrangement, the Cook Islands governs itself and manages its own foreign affairs, while New Zealand steps in for all things defense and security, making sure their island buddies stay safe without the need for their own armed forces.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

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=> Fun Facts about Tahiti

3. Celestial GPS and Double-Hulled Canoes

As swift as Moana sailing through the ancient waves, the Cook Islanders discovered their paradise of Rarotonga thanks to some celestial GPS and a double-hulled canoe: The Cook Islands' history dates back to about 800 AD, when Polynesian seafarers from Tupua'i, French Polynesia, landed on Rarotonga, guided by the stars and navigating in their impressive vessels. Cook Islanders have preserved their rich Polynesian heritage and blended it with their Christian faith, sharing a close cultural and linguistic bond with other Polynesians like the Maori and Kanaka Maoli.
Source => cookislands.travel

4. Boo-levard of Broken Dreams and Customs

In the Cook Islands, they put the "boo" in "Boo-levard of Broken Dreams": the locals primarily practice Christianity but still hold a small belief in pesky spirits who cause several ailments. Aside from the intriguing supernatural aspect, Cook Islanders have their unique customs, such as preparing one big feast by a village for the entire population during Christmas, Pukapukan women skillfully plaiting pandanus, and music and chanting playing a significant role in daily life. Prior to Christianity, they even believed that treatment for sickness involved chatting with the gods through a seer. So, if you ever wondered what it's like to stroll along the heavenly potholes, Cook Islanders have the answer!
Source => everyculture.com

5. Triangular Coin Currency Craze

Why did the triangular coin cross the road? To break the mold in the Cook Islands' currency game: The Cook Islands Triangle, a .999 pure silver coin first introduced in 1977, boasts a unique triangular shape, featuring designs such as the nation's coat of arms, while the islands happily use the New Zealand dollar and round up to the nearest 10 cents, making cents-less transactions.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Island-Time Bus Routes

Who needs GPS when you're on "island time"? Rarotonga's got you covered with their easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy bus system: The Public Bus Service on Rarotonga has only two routes, Clockwise and Anti-Clockwise, running on the Circular Main Road. With the TransportMe Passenger App, travelers can track buses in real-time and easily navigate the island, so you can focus on soaking up those good vibes and sunshine.
Source => cookislandsbus.com

7. Small But Mighty Rugby Champs

They say size doesn't matter, and the Cook Islands rugby league team seems determined to prove that the little guy can still pack a punch on the field: With four Rugby League World Cup appearances under their belts, the small Pacific nation has also nabbed the 1995 Emerging Nations tournament win, and battled their way to the Pacific Cup final in 2009, producing a number of pro athletes in the process.
Source => en.wikipedia.org