Adventure #236

a r o t o n g a
t o n g a
RAROTONGA:
BIKING THE ISLAND
Biking allows you to explore the many secluded beaches the island has to offer.
It’s hot, it’s sticky, it’s sunny, did I say it’s
hot.
“Let’s ride around the island” she said.
She could see by the look on my face that
all the planets were not aligned for a 35km
bike ride.
Trying to up its appeal, she added “we’ll get
E-bikes”
An hour later we are standing outside
Ride Raro. Sandy, not the beach but the
delightful in-store person, ran us through
the ‘how too’. We have E-bikes and pretty
much understand how they work but we
listened intently to the briefing. Seats and
helmet adjusted we peddled away not
really knowing what to expect.
As with most travel the closer you can get
to the local community the more enriching
it is.
Did I say it was hot?
It was hot, as the sun beat down, we
started our trip to circumnavigate the island
of Rarotonga.
We started off at Ride Raro base just near
the city market, the word CITY conjures
up a range of metropolis images, but think
in terms of a few cars, a few stressed
chickens and a man with an arm full of
coconuts biking up the middle of the road.
I would not normally suggest anyone ride on
the road, but in Rarotonga it’s like riding on
the footpath, possibly a little bumpier in parts.
The first thing that strikes you on a bike
as opposed to car, a taxi, or a bus, is the
smell, every second tree is a frangipani,
there are pungent tropical scents from
flowers to ripe mangos, lunches being
cooked over BBQ’s and smoke for a
hundred fires.
DID I say it was Hot!
Within half an hour we came to a public
white sand beach. Across the road was
a store selling beer, the sun beat down,
the water called to us, and the beer tasted
amazing. We rested the bikes against a
banyan tree, laid on the white sand beach,
swam in the sea and never saw another
living soul.
3,400KMS
Distance from New Zealand
4HOURS
By air from Auckland
21.2292°S.
159.7763°W.
GPS Location
17,500
Population
Stopping at Club Raro on our way round
the island for a wee cocktail!
A bike gives you a degree of
independence, and an E-bike makes
it easy, it’s like a vesper with big
wheels, you can go anywhere you
want, and we did. We swam, laid in
the sun then dried off and headed
inland.
There is a main road that runs
around the island, but there is a
secondary road behind it. It’s a
little rough, but you get an insight
into island life; people wave, dogs
look – no one barks, chickens are
everywhere, its lush and green and
the air is thick, there is little breeze
yet it’s still comfortable. Nothing
is flash, some of the houses are
ramshackle, but there is washing
everywhere, and the garden and
lawns are perfect.
Every other house has its own
cemetery, their own memorial, many
are nicer than the homes, most are
beautifully kept, whitewashed with
beautiful gardens and fresh cut
flower in vases.
I think that self-biking is the best way
to see Rarotonga, its flat, it safe,
there are beaches, and markets and
stores and restaurants and bars.
As with all roads you need to be a
little careful but the local are used to
seeing tourists.
We had only hired the bike for
the day but we could have kept it
overnight if needed. However, biking
at night in Rarotonga is not highly
recommended due to the lack of
lights and footpaths.
Exploring the inland trails
Memorials to lost
loveones graces many
home
Club Raro on the north-eastern
shores of Rarotonga
Paradise
"“Kia Orana” is
the greeting used
to say “hello”.The
literal translation
is actually “May
you live a long and
fulfilling life.”
COOK ISLANDS
Rarotonga, is the largest island in the
southern group of the Cook Islands.
The island is volcanic in origin and
has a rugged interior rising to 652
metres at Te Manga (which you can
walk up). Surrounding its mountainous
core is a plain, a raised fringing coral
reef covered with sediment. The
island itself is fringed by a protective
coral reef.
Best time of year / seasons:
Overall, the shoulder months of April, May,
September, and October are a great time
to visit as the weather in these months
is usually the perfect balance of warm
temperatures and dry skies. During July to
October bring the humpback whales.
Accommodation:
Accommodation varies from 5 star hotels, to
back-packers, homestays and everything in
between. We based ourselves at Club Raro;
with comfortable rooms, an amazing
reef side setting, great service, an awesome
restaurant and bar, close to everything and
priced not to break your bank balance.
Adventure activities:
• Diving
• Fishing
• Surfing
• Any water-based sport
• Boating
• Biking
• Hiking
Locals Tip:
• Eat and go shopping at Punanga Nui
Market & Muri Night Markets
• If you want to rent a car or a scooter you
will have to purchase a local licence, but
the local bus service is good.
• Always eat the fresh fish.
• Climb Te Rua Manga (The Needle)
Biking the island allows you to find your own piece of paradise
84//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#236 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ//85