SEE FOR YOURSELF
The Islands on Video
There's no substitute for visting the Islands in person, but here's the next best thing...a chance for you to see for yourself some aspects of Islands' life captured on video.

The first four are from my own travels in the Cook Islands, and more will follow soon.   You can choose how you want to watch these, and there's also an option to download to your computer or iPod.   I've also included on this page two excellent videos from a site visitor from Germany.
INTRODUCTION TO THE CAPITAL ISLAND OF RAROTONGA
This is an introduction to the capital island of Rarotonga, set to the Welcome Song from Te Arekarioi Nui, performed by the Cook Islands National Arts Theatre. The video was shot in the early part of 2006 and is just over 4 minutes 10 seconds long.

CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO VIEW THIS...

1.  Watch the video on YouTube (opens in new window or tab)

2.  Watch the video on Google Video (opens in new window or tab)
You can also download the video to your PC or iPod from this site

3.  Go to a new page on this site where you can watch the video using its own player


MAGICAL MAUKE: CASTING A SPELL THAT LASTS A LIFETIME
Mauke is one of Rarotonga's nearest neighbours, and one of the most unspoiled places on the planet.    Discover some of the many secrets that, to me, make this a magical place.  The video was shot in Spring, 2006 and is 3 minutes 35 seconds long.

CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO VIEW THIS...

1.  Watch the video on YouTube (opens in new window or tab)

2.  Watch the video on Google Video  (opens in new window or tab)
You can also download the video to your PC or iPod from this site

3.  Go to a new page on this site where you can watch the video using its own player


AITUTAKI: YOUR OWN BLUE LAGOON
Aitutaki is listed in some books as one of the 50 places everyone should see before they die.  And its stunning, turquoise blue lagoon is certainly to die for.   This video shows you some of the island and takes you on a tour round that lagoon.  It's 4 minutes 25 seconds long.

CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO VIEW THIS...

1.  Watch the video on YouTube (opens in new window or tab)

2.  Watch the video on Google Video  (opens in new window or tab)
You can also download the video to your PC or iPod from this site

3.  Go to a new page on this site where you can watch the video using its own player


MANGAIA: GRANDFATHER OF THE PACIFIC
At 18 million years old, Mangaia is the oldest island in the Pacific.  It's not your typical tropical island...it's rocky, surrounded by razor sharp fossilised coral and there's no palm fringed lagoon.  But it is still a place of great beauty and fantatically friendly people, as this video shows. It was shot in November, 2007 and is 5 minutes x second long.

CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO VIEW THIS...

1.  Watch the video on YouTube (opens in new window or tab)

2.  Watch the video on Google Video  (opens in new window or tab)
You can also download the video to your PC or iPod from this site
Muri Beach view
FROM MY OWN TRAVELS
 
Sunset over Rarotonga
SUNSET OVER RAROTONGA
Armin Metschies wrote to me from Germany telling me about his "amazing experience" of visiting Rarotonga.  During the trip, he captured  the amazing sunset on the capital island which he's kindly let me share with you.   In his words (and I hope he'll forgive my German translation here) "you sit in the sand, smell the sea, hear the waves and watch the sun play with the clouds".   Click here to open the video in a new window.
CONSTITUTION CELEBRATIONS
Armin also filmed the parade through the streets of Rarotonga which opened last year's constitution celebrations -  more correctly called Te Maeva Nui (which means "the major, or most important celebration").  Despite the rain, I think he's captured something of the essence of the Cook Islands people or as he put it in a message to me "a unique demonstration of pure joy about life".  Click here to open the video in a new window or tab (6 minutes 3 seconds long).   And click here to find out more about the story behind the celebrations.
Te Maeva Nui
MORE VIDEOS
A selection reflecting various aspects of Islands' life
Video graphic
Click here to return to title page
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