Activities

What to do?

We hope to be able to do the following activities, if you would like to join in the fun, drop Neville an email as soon as possible so we can start booking nevski04@hotmail.com


Can you guess who's fish is bigger? (Nev and I in Fiji)

Wednesday 6 January:
For the Tane (men)
All you budding anglers - Deep Sea Fishing with our very own skipper "Junior" on board "Delano". A 40 ft launch with modern on board facilities, a private charter just for us (you guys)! If there are to many on the one boat, then two separate launches will be arranged on the same day at the same time, competition time! On "Vakatini", est cost for either boat is $100.

For the Vaine Manea (pretty ladies) and the children
Snorkeling on Captain Tama's Glass Bottom Boat, includes a BBQ lunch and salads. Departs 11am - 3.30pm at Muri Beach next to the Sailing Club, est cost $70. Here's an update (3/3/09) Just heard back from the Captain, est cost per adult $50, children 6-12yrs $25 and under 6 free, (depending on numbers), private charter.



Thursday 7 January:
Family and Friends - Drinks and Nibbles 6pm
Venue to be confirmed, but not far from Muri Beach

Friday 8 January:
For the Tane - Rarotonga Golf Club - tee-off for 10am - 2pm. No Jandals, Flip Flops or Boots. Golf shoes, runners and trainers are accepted. Sorry guys no singlets, tank tops, boob tubes or bikinis, T-Shirts and Polo's are standard est cost $45.

After this head for a cold beer at Trader Jacks in town, those of you not playing join the rest of the guys at approximately 2.30pm.
For the Vaine Manea - they say only the bride should be seen in white, this is your opportunity to stand out, all vaine manea coming along should wear white. That's right wear white!!!
Join me on my last night of being "Makea Teono" Time and location to be confirmed. For those of you who are a bit more adventurous, there is a Pub Crawl Bus on Friday night which goes around the Island and stops off at various locations, I think it starts at Trader Jacks and returns back to Traders. Speak to your accommodation hosts about this.... I think it costs about $30?

Saturday 9 January:
The big day! Head out to the markets Punanganui Market in the morning for breakfast or for that souvenir to take with you to remind you of the Cooks.

What Else Can You Do?

Rarotonga's Top 4 Attractions:
Raro Mountain Safari Tours http://www.rarosafaritours.co.ck/
High land Paradise Cultural Tour, Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruises and Drums of our Forefathers, Sunset Cultural Show and feast.

Paradise Sailing http://www.paradise-sailing.co.ck/
Raro Reef Sub http://www.raroreefsub.com/
The Dive Centre http://www.thedivecentre-rarotonga.com/
Pacific Divers Rarotonga http://www.pacificdivers.co.ck/
Cook Island Divers http://www.cookislanddivers.com/
Aqua sports: on Muri Beach, you can hire kayaks, snorkels and wind surfers.



Hire kayaks on Muri Beach and paddle out to Motu Koromiri










Walking the reef at low tide, wear shoes at all times and ask the locals where to go.










Nev outside Trader Jacks







Coconut Tours (Island Buggy Explorer http://www.coconuttours.co.ck/
Pa's Mountain Walk http://www.pasbungalows.co.ck/
Horse Treks
Island Nights: keep an eye on what's available on certain nights you want, they're all very good.

About Rarotonga

Kia Orana and Welcome to the Cook Islands

Make the most of your holiday! The islands of Rarotonga is the Cook Islands' largest and most populated island. The island is oval in shape, is approximately 32 km around and has a coastal road, which makes traveling around the island very easy. All the resorts are within about 10-15 minutes drive from the airport near Avarua (town ), however our wedding is on Muri Beach which is between Ngatagiia and Titikaveka, 25 minutes from the Airport.

The island is surrounded by a fringing reef, which makes great snorkeling and safe for swimming.

Flights:

Air New Zealand www.airnewzealand.co.nz

Is the only airline that operates a regular service to and from Rarotonga from Auckland.

Pacific Blue http://www.flypacificblue.com/

Also flies twice weekly from Auckland.

The actual flight time is approximately 4 hours from Auckland, and as Rarotonga is across the dateline it is a full day behind New Zealand. You therefore must give back the day gained on the retuning trip back into New Zealand. Airport taxes are included in your flight tickets out of Auckland, however there is a departure tax fee to pay. For adults $30, children age 2-12yrs $15 and infant (under 2yrs) exempt, this can be purchased at Westpac Avarua (town), or from the departure tax booth in the arrivals area at the airport of Rarotonga.

Getting Around:

Getting around Rarotonga is easy - the island is just 32km in circumference.

Drive on the left side of the road. Maximum speed is 30km/hr in town and 40km/hr in villages; 60km/hr outside populated areas. A Cook Islands driver's licence must be obtained from police headquarters in Avarua (town) for $20. A practical test is required for all intending motorbike drivers, this is an additional cost of approx $5, (this is really easy, just practice a little around your accommodation, head into town and you'll be fine). If you get caught driving without a Cook Islands driver's licence, you get fined $40 (they take the key off you and you have to walk back to the Police Station to pick up your key, or catch the next bus).... just kidding. Please remember to take your NZ licence with you.

Rentals:

Budget Rentals http://www.budjet.co.ck/

Our contact person in Rarotonga has advised us that she is able to reserve rental cars, vans, motor scooters and bicycles at a competitive price with a large booking. We will need to advise her the quantities we require, and if you would like your vehicle waiting for you on arrival into the Cook Island's at the airport this can be arranged, on departure you can leave it at the airport. There are 6 Budget hire locations on the island to pick up your vehicle. August/September is the final date we are to submit our request for rentals. Let us know what you would like and we'll source the information nevski04@hotmail.com or you can submit you request directly with them.

Look for specials on the side of the road when you travel around the island. Sometimes you can get a better deal.... but then again it's the peak season time of the year and vehicles may not be available?

As well as watching out for pedestrians on the road, also watch out for dogs who like the sound of your bike and may like to taste your shoe! It is not currently law in the Cooks, you do not have to wear a helmet or use your seat belt... but if you have an accident before the wedding, please stay out of the photos..... just kidding... please be careful it is very safe, just don't be stupid.

Polynesian Bike Hire Ltd: http://www.polybike.co.ck/

Island Car & Bike Hire: http://www.islandcarhire.co.ck/

BT Rentals: http://www.btrentacar.co.ck/

Avis Rental: email rentacar@avis.co.ck

Buses:

Buses are a low-cost way to travel to town, or to see the sights around the island. Cooks Buses will pick you up and drop you off anywhere on request. There is no button to push on the bus to let the driver know you want to get off, you must tell your driver when you pay the name of your accommodation and they will stop there for you. Buses depart from town from Cooks Corner Depot. There are no night buses on a Sunday.

Clockwise Bus: Departs Cook's Corner on the hour from 7am - 4pm, Monday to Saturday. Sunday 8am -12pm, 2pm - 4pm.

Anticlockwise Bus: Departs Cook's Corner at 25 minutes past the hour from 8.25am -4.30pm Monday to Friday and from 8.30am -12.30 Saturdays only.

Bus ticket costs: Adult one way is $4, return is $6. Child $2 one way, return $3. Family Day Pass: $25 (2 adults, 2 children) Day Pass $15 per person. 10 Concession Tickets $22.

Where to stay:

There are loads of places to stay on Rarotonga, ranging from large resorts, boutique style accommodation and self-contained cottages to motel-style budget rooms and shared backpacker type accommodation.

We'll start with where the wedding and reception will be:

Pacific Resort, Muri Beach see their website http://www.pacificresort.com/

If you would like to stay at the Pacific Resort, please contact Ani; and let her know that you are our wedding guests (Neville Cryer and Tiraa Teono-January 9, 2010). Ani is overseeing all bookings made.

Neville and I will be arriving into Rarotonga (hopefully on) December 31 2009, or early January 2010. We will be renting a holiday home which is a 10 minute walk to the resort, then on the night of the wedding staying at Pacific Resort, leaving the Resort and Rarotonga on Tuesday 12 January, 2010 to continue our travels and Honeymoon to the UK. I know the UK! It'll be cold, dark and wet there, that's ok, I need to see the other side of Neville. Hopefully, we'll end up somewhere in the sun on our way back to New Zealand; we'll see?

So back to accommodation options, firstly look around MURI BEACH:

Hotel and Resorts:
Muri Beach Club Hotel $349 http://www.muribeachclubhotel.com/
Muri Beach Resort $215 http://www.muribeachresort.com/

Te Vakaroa Villas $635 http://www.tevakaroavillas.com/

Self Catering:

Muri Beachcomber $235 http://www.beachcomber.co.ck/

Muri Beach Hideaway $180 http://www.muribeachhideaway.com/

Muri Beach Villa $895 http://www.muribeachvilla.com/

Holiday Rentals:
Dorothy's Muri Beach Bungalows $100 http://www.dorothysmuribeachbungalows.co.ck/

Muri Beach Cottages $165 http://www.muribeachcottages.com/

Muri Heights Villa $150 www.rentraro.com/muriheight

Muri Lagoon View Bungalows $ 89 http://www.murilagoonviewbungalows.com/

Muri Lagoon Villa $145 http://www.ck.murilagoon/

Muri Retreat $100 http://www.muriretreat.com/

Muri Shell Shop Bungalows $ 90 murishellas@hotmail.com

Guest House:

Rau's Guesthouse $ 48 http://www.rausguesthouse.co.ck/

Vara's Beach House $ 25 http://www.varas.co.ck/

Helpfult Websites to view:

www.holidayhomes.co.nz/for rent/rarotonga

www.beautifulcookislands.com

www.rentraro.com

Banking:

ANZ: Monday to Thursday 9am-3pm, Friday 9am-4pm

Westpac: Monday to Friday 9am-3pm, Saturday 9am to 12 noon

Climate:

Warm and sunny all year round. December to March, wet and warmer season, 26C-29C average temperature.

Currency:

The New Zealand Dollar, $NZ

Dress:

Informal, cool and comfortable, brief attire is not acceptable in town or villages, a respectable standard of dress is required for church services. Leave your expensive brands at home, a lightweight raincoat is a good idea for the showers on the Island.

Electricity:

Our guests from the United Kingdom and Europe will need adaptor plugs suited for New Zealand to use.

Entry Requirement:

A valid passport is a good start, proof of onward passage or return ticket, (those coming from the UK must take their travel documents, don't put them in your check-in luggage).

Local Time: 10 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.

Medical and Dental Services:

There are no poisonous animals or insects in the Cook Islands, but cover yourself with mosquito repellent to prevent unwanted red spots all over your body. Also take loads of sunblock and a hat, we don't want you turning up like a beetroot on the day. Medical and dental services are available 24 hours a day... it's called panadol!

Public Toilets/Bathrooms/Washrooms:

Toilet tissue is not provided, so carry your own supplies.

Safety:

The Cook Islands are safe but never leave your personal belongings unattended and ensure your accommodation is locked at all times.

Visitor Information:

The Visitors Information Centre is located in Avarua (town), next to the ANZ Bank and is open Monday to Friday 8am-4pm and Saturdays 9am to 12 noon. Just ask to speak to Aunty Nane and she will help you, you might remember seeing her at the airport?

Water:

Some people like to boil their water before drinking, it's up to you. Your accommodation will let you know if it is safe to drink. Bottled water is readily available from local shops.

Language:

Cook Island Maori is the main language you'll hear, especially if they're talking about you. But most people speak English and it is nice to be able to say a few basic words in Cook Island like,

Kia Orana - hello Aere ra - goodbye Meitaki - thank you (good) 'Ae - yes Kare - no

Tane - man Vaine - women Manea - pretty/handsome 'Ura - to dance

Kai - food Moni - money

The Big Day

Join us on the white sands of Rarotonga,

January 9, 2010

Pacific Resort Rarotonga

Muri Beach

4pm ceremony

Formal invitations to follow

Comfortable Cocktail Dress Code

The Engagement

He showed me rhythm and steps no-one else could ever have, he makes me laugh and asked for my hand!
She gave me a pareu, fed me raw fish and promised me a life on the sand!

Our Engagement Celebration
Neville & Tira'a
Saturday 9 February, 2008

Reef Bar, Mission Bay

The Proposal

It wasn't the kind of proposal I had imagined with Neville. After visiting a number of romatic tropical islands like Fiji, Samoa and Rarotonga (a couple of times now), you'd think it would have made it easier for him to get on one knee and pop the question? Nope!

He waited for the right moment (his moment), celebrating my birthday weekend in Sky City Grand Hotel. Over dinner at "Dine Restaurant" by Peter Gordon, Neville leaned across the table with a little card and a black box, the card read....... oops can't tell you.

And as you probably already know, you received sms texts and telephone calls from us with the great news!!!

About Neville

Well what can I say? I’m an Englishmen with good looks and a comical personality. My good friend Carl told me so much about New Zealand and said that I should give up the cold dark days of England and come here, that was 6 years ago; and the rest is history….so don’t ask!

About Tira'a

When I was a child, I had an accident in Rarotonga. I was flown to New Zealand for medical treatment and was taken in by my birth mother's sister, husband and children. I never left New Zealand to return back to the Cooks. The Makea family became my family, and this is where I am today. I am happy to say that I belong to two families.