SEE FOR YOURSELF
The Islands on Video
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 films have been compiled from recordings of my own travels and detailed research into some of the more remote islands I've yet to visit. If you want an overview of the whole of this islands' nation, there's a two part video tour. Or there are more detailed guides to the capital island of Rarotonga and its nearest neighbours.
You can choose how you want to watch these videos, 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.
The films have been compiled from recordings of my own travels and detailed research into some of the more remote islands I've yet to visit. If you want an overview of the whole of this islands' nation, there's a two part video tour. Or there are more detailed guides to the capital island of Rarotonga and its nearest neighbours.
You can choose how you want to watch these videos, 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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EXPLORE NEXT?
A SOUTHERN GROUP ISLAND A NORTHERN GROUP ISLAND TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR
OR TAILOR MAKE YOUR OWN TOUR USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
A SOUTHERN GROUP ISLAND A NORTHERN GROUP ISLAND TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR
OR TAILOR MAKE YOUR OWN TOUR USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE COOK ISLANDS
This is a two part guide to all 15 of the islands that make up the country. Part one will take you on a whirlwind tour of eight of the nine islands in the Southern Group, including the capital island of Rarotonga and its nearest neighbour, Aitutaki.
Watch Part One
Part two rounds off the Southern Group with a visit to Palmerston - an island where an Englishman founded a dynasty with his four Polynesian wives. The film then moves on to explore the six islands in the Northern Group where visitors are a rarity and life has remained unchanged for decades. Some say these islands are the stuff of dreams.
Watch Part Two
This is a two part guide to all 15 of the islands that make up the country. Part one will take you on a whirlwind tour of eight of the nine islands in the Southern Group, including the capital island of Rarotonga and its nearest neighbour, Aitutaki.
Watch Part One
Part two rounds off the Southern Group with a visit to Palmerston - an island where an Englishman founded a dynasty with his four Polynesian wives. The film then moves on to explore the six islands in the Northern Group where visitors are a rarity and life has remained unchanged for decades. Some say these islands are the stuff of dreams.
Watch Part Two
TAKE A TOUR OF ALL 15 ISLANDS
GET AN INSIGHT INTO INDIVIDUAL ISLANDS