Milestones

Press, 11 September 1986, Page 28

Milestones

Compiled by

Les Bloxham

New Zealand currency is readily accepted at face value throughout the Cook Islands. Rarotonga has no fancy duty-free emporiums, but if you browse carefully through the shops you are bound to find a genuine bargain. The big advantage is that everything is priced in New Zealand dollars. By the way, don’t spend all your money before you leave. You will need to hand over $2O at the airport before the authorities will let you go. Hitch-hiking, tipping, and haggling over prices are frowned upon. So are revealingly brief bikinis, particularly if worn in the villages. * * * “Cook Islands time” means things could take a little longer to happen than back at home. Don’t fret; unwind and enjoy the relaxed pace of life.

Bowlers from Australia and New Zealand are expected to descend in force on Rarotonga next July. The annual bowling tournament has become a popular event and next year more than 200 are expected to attend. Avarua has the world’s biggest green (so they say), 12 rinks wide instead of the more usual eight. Mr Allan Hughes is organising a group tour for Christchurch players. The tournament will begin on July 16 and last for three weeks. * * * Avarua has a new night club and disco — the First Club run by Brett Porter. It’s close to the Hibiscus restaurant. *♦ ■ ♦ Don’t forget that the Cook Islands are on the other side of the dateline. You gain a day going there, and lose one on the way home. So if you’re

due back at work on a Monday morning and decide to fly home on the flights leaving Rarotonga on Sundays the boss is going to be upset because you will be running a day late. ♦ ♦ ♦ Sunday is sacred. Most of the islanders attend church and little work is

done. Visitors are always welcome at the services. The perfume factory at Avarua is well worth a visit. Perfumes are locally made from frangipani, other flowers and imported oils. They are attractively packaged and make ideal gifts to take home.