I had just finished working my 3rd ski season down in the New South Wales Snowy mountains in 1993 and had saved a few dollars so I thought I would spend up big on a bit of a round the world trip. I had the travel bug and was keen to work and ski with a friend in Europe. I got to ski a bit in Switzerland but the working conditions were not as good as I was used to and needed to be organised way in advance so I was just bumming around staying with friends and family before heading home to work again via Canada, America and the South Pacific.

I had done a couple of South Pacific cruises years earlier, to a few other Islands and was keen to check a few more out. After a couple of days on the French Polynesian main island of Tahiti, there was another short flight to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, before island hoping my way home to Brisbane via Auckland.
I had done a couple of South Pacific cruises years earlier, to a few other Islands and was keen to check a few more out. After a couple of days on the French Polynesian main island of Tahiti, there was another short flight to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, before island hoping my way home to Brisbane via Auckland.
I am pretty sure I was only there overnight, I caught a bus into town, found some cheap accommodation, did a bit of a walk around, got the one and only photo I have of the Island. I remember having a few beers a local bar near the backpackers with a local who claimed he was a prince. I just thought it was a joke, with the beers were doing most of the talking but I suppose on a small Island that is only 32 kilometers around, with a big mountain in the middle, which was divided was into 6 kingdoms, means everyone is might be some how connected to royalty.
I am pretty sure I was only there overnight, I caught a bus into town, found some cheap accommodation, did a bit of a walk around, got the one and only photo I have of the Island. I remember having a few beers a local bar near the backpackers with a local who claimed he was a prince. I just thought it was a joke, with the beers were doing most of the talking but I suppose on a small Island that is only 32 kilometers around, with a big mountain in the middle, which was divided was into 6 kingdoms, means everyone is might be some how connected to royalty.
Avarua the Capital of Cook Islands which are named after the British navigator Captain James Cook who explored to area in 1773 and 1777.
Avarua the Capital of Cook Islands which are named after the British navigator Captain James Cook who explored to area in 1773 and 1777.  
Lush Rarotonga Panorama, Photo by Bill Fairs on Unsplash
Lush Rarotonga Panorama,   Photo by Bill Fairs on Unsplash

  Thumb nail and Background Photo by Brooke Staz on Unsplash