4 NIGHTS

Our Pacific Island adventure begins with a flight from Sydney to Rarotonga, the largest of the 15 islands that make up the nation of the Cook Islands. We gain a day due to crossing the International Date Line and get to experience Friday all over again!

Friday morning we drop by a local Primary School to meet the children; feel free to bring educational material such as pens, pencils, erasers, colouring in books to donate to the school. Warm smiles from eager and curious students are a great way to start our day.

Our home for the next five days will be the Edgewater Resort, which is nestled amongst 6 acres of tropical gardens, bordered by a white sandy beach and overlooking a beautiful lagoon. Relax and soak up the warmth before a brief resort orientation this afternoon.

Tonight, we will have a wonderful introduction to traditional Polynesian culture at Highland Paradise’s Sunset Show & Feast – ‘Ka’ara – Drums of our Forefathers’. Set high up in the rugged mountains of Rarotonga this location is the former village settlement of Ariki (High Chief) Tinomana, abandoned in the 1830’s after the tribe’s conversion to Christianity.

This cultural extravaganza includes a village tour, marae tapu lifting, traditional umu feast (underground oven) and cultural show with music and dancing. All the dancers, musicians, chefs, and guides are all descendants of Tinomana and are proud to be part of the extended family which brings this mountain village back to life.
Friday nights are fun to attend as they feature a special number by the littlest tribe members.

Overnight: Edgewater Resort & Spa

After breakfast we are off to the Punanga Nui Cultural Markets, the “place to be” on a Saturday morning. Here we will have the opportunity to mingle with the locals, enjoy island food, and take in the fun atmosphere of the many stalls as well as music and a live show.

With so many different island products and crafts for sale – from black pearls and wooden carvings to handmade quilts & vibrant sarongs to the fragrant Ei Katu (floral head garlands) – you are sure to find a wonderful souvenir.

This afternoon we will explore further with a Circle Island Discovery Tour; an excellent introduction to the Cook Islands, this tour provides information on the country’s history and culture, stopping along the way at fascinating historical and ceremonial sites.

Enjoy Island Night and a umuaki feast at our Resort.

Overnight: Edgewater Resort & Spa

Christianity came to the South Pacific through the tireless work of John Williams of the London Missionary Society. First travelling to the Society Islands (Tahiti) in 1817, Williams converted locals to the Christian faith before taking these new Tahitian Missionaries with him to the Cook Islands in 1823 (and on to Samoa and Vanuatu in later years). It was Papeiha, a Tahitian missionary, who stayed behind on Rarotonga and helped convert the local islanders to the Gospel.

This morning, we will experience one of the highlights of Cook Islands visit when we attend worship at the historic Arorangi Christian Church; Aro-Rangi means “peeping to the sky” and in 1823 this is what the Puaikura chief Tinomana re-named both his tribe and village to represent his belief of God in Heaven and acceptance of His Word.

Visitors are warmly welcomed to these uplifting church services where the locals “raise the roof” with their beautiful singing.
After the service we will join church members for morning tea and fellowship. In the centre of the church graveyard is the burial place of Papehia, located near the monument honouring the memory of his mentor Rev. John Williams. Another black granite monument was erected in 1974 by Papehia’s descendants to commemorates his important missionary work in the Cook Islands.

After church we have an afternoon at leisure before a BBQ Dinner under the Stars at our resort – a delightful way to end our Sunday!

Overnight: Edgewater Resort & Spa

Explore the world-famous Muri Lagoon on a glass bottom boat; cruise around this protected lagoon to the inner reef area to view the many varieties of tropical marine life and maybe even join them for a swim. A sumptuous BBQ lunch is provided today along with lots of fun!

We visit the Te Ara – Museum of Cultural Enterprise for an in-depth insight into the Cook Island’s cultural and environmental past, present and future. The Museum Gift Shop also sells a range of island made products to support local growers, artists, designers and crafters.

A Progressive Dinner is one of the most unique cultural dining experiences in the Cook Islands and a great way to meet the locals. We will visit three local homes, enjoying a different course at each home, all accompanied by a small string band – a night of delicious food, authentic island music and fun entertainment.

Overnight: Edgewater Resort & Spa

2 NIGHTS

Make the most of our last morning in this beautiful location before we say “Aere Ra e Kia Manuia” to the “Cooks” and fly to Tahiti. Tahiti is the highest and largest island in the Society Islands, part of the archipelago that makes up French Polynesia, whose capital city is Papeete.

Tahiti is the economic, cultural, and political centre of French Polynesia and is also famed as one of the most beautiful places in the world. Formed from volcanic activity the island is lush and mountainous with surrounding coral reefs of turquoise waters and white sand beaches.

Abel Tasman was the first European in Tahiti 1643 and in 1769 Captain James Cook stayed three months to observe the transit of Venus (after which he famously navigated the East Coast of Australia). These early Europeans were amazed by the island’s beauty and the warm welcome they received from the local people, and you are sure to be just as impressed.

Overnight: Te Moana Resort, Papeete

Today we will explore the natural wonders of Tahiti as we learn of its history.
Our day tour will include the Town Hall, Tahiti Pearl Museum and the black sand beach of Pointe Venus, known to be the historic landing site of many explorers such as Captain Cook and Captain Bligh. Said to be the spot from which Captain Cook watched the planet Venus cross in front of the sun.

We also visit the dramatic Faarumai Waterfalls, a delightfully cool and relaxing spot, accessed by a short walk through a forest of chestnut trees and tropical vegetation. Not far away is the impressive Arahoho Blowhole, where waves from the ocean crash through a gap in the rocks, creating a spectacular burst. We enjoy lunch at the famous Gauguin Restaurant before we take in a glorious view across Matavai Bay to Papeete and Moorea at the Taharaa lookout.

Throughout the day we will learn about local culture and rituals and also visit the marae of Arahurahu, one of the best preserved ancient Polynesian temples on the island.

Overnight: Te Moana Resort, Papeete

2 NIGHTS

This morning you have the option to spend some time at leisure and wander around the centre of Papeete before our midday ferry to Moorea.

You may wish to visit the famed Marché de Papeete, considered the best market in the entire South Pacific. This 7000 sq metre covered market is really the beating heart of Papeete and is a must-see for visitors and locals alike.

Enjoy a scenic ferry trip to Tahiti’s “sister island” of Moorea, the epitome of a tropical paradise. Moorea’s scenery is truly striking as it has eight sharp verdant peaks that rise from its translucent lagoon, twin bays that misshape the triangular island and it is surrounded by turquoise waters. Moorea may be Tahiti’s ‘little sister’, but she steals the spotlight every time!

Our 5-Star resort has direct beachfront and sits on the edge of the crystal-clear lagoon that is framed by jagged green mountains. Wow!

Overnight: Sofitel Kia Ora, Moorea Beach

🔵 Optional Upgrade available to Overwater Bungalow

Enjoy a tour of this stunning island and glory in God’s Creation.
We’ll drive past coffee plantations and pineapple fields en route to Belvedere Lookout, which offers a panoramic view of the northern half of the island. Surrounded by jagged mountains and views of lush tropical forest below we will look across the huge Mount Rotui separating the island’s two central bays, Opunohu Bay and Cook’s Bay. We then head to the village of Papetoai — once the seat of the dynasty of Pomare I, the premiere king of Tahiti who unified the region in the 18th century. It was here that the conversion to Christianity began, and the village is home to the oldest European building in use in the South Pacific, an octagonal church established by the London Missionary Society in 1822. We also pay our respects at the nearby tomb of the first missionaries to French Polynesia. We will also stop at the village of Maatea, where homes are draped in colourful flowers, and learn about day-to-day life of the islanders of Moorea.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure at our resort before coming together for a Group Dinner.

Overnight: Sofitel Kia Ora, Moorea Beach

An afternoon ferry back to Papeete and transfer to our resort makes a day to relax.
In the evening we will attend the wonderful Heiva cultural festival. Heiva comes from the Tahitian words hei and va, meaning “to assemble” and “community places” and this national gathering is a month-long celebration that showcases the very best of the Polynesian culture.

Overnight: Te Moana Resort, Papeete

In 1797 the London Missionary Society (LMS) sent 29 missionaries to Tahiti; at first their teachings were not well received as no one would dare to get baptised as a Christian ahead of the ariʽi, or chiefs, who also held religious authority. When the chief Pomare II was baptised in 1819 the effect was immediate and within five years, virtually all the inhabitants of the Society Islands, the western Tuamotu Archipelago, and half of the Austral Islands professed Christianity.

This morning, we worship at Paofai Protestant Church, built on the site of a bamboo chapel that Rev William Crook established after he arrived with LMS in 1816., A later church was built in 1869 and called Siloama (from Siloe, the pool in Jerusalem where Jesus healed a blind man) but in 1908 was judged too small and was rebuilt to hold 1800 worshippers.

Today we will join locals dressed in their Sunday best, ladies showing off with their tropical hats and men sporting flower shirts, for a worship service. Be prepared for a whole lot of beautiful singing!

Tonight, we come together for our final Group Dinner and give thanks for this wonderful holiday, the warm Christian fellowship shared, and friendships made.

Overnight: Te Moana Resort, Papeete

An early morning flight to Australia has us “time travelling” as we jump forward a day crossing the international date line.

We arrive mid-morning in Australia feeling blessed by the incredible experiences we have shared with like-minded people.