The Cook Islands has won the highly acclaimed “Best in Travel” award for 2022 from leading travel brand Lonely Planet, which began publishing the popular Lonely Planet travel guide books nearly a half-century ago.

Lonely Planet’s founder, Tony Wheeler, once described the lagoon of Aitutaki as “the world’s most beautiful lagoon”. Now, the prestigious international award his brand built is recognising the broader Cook Islands as the number-one country to visit in 2022.

The main island is long, narrow, and fish-hook shaped, and is surrounded by a shallow aqua blue lagoon. Cruising into it, and out to the smaller surrounding islands, you are surrounded with the most vibrant blue water we had honestly ever seen. 

"I’m a very proud Manihikian and we are the only Island that grows the pearls from the lagoon, that’s why I want to use it in my work - to promote my island as well as my work” - Toka Toka Manihikian costume and fashion designer.

Manihiki is famously home to the black pearl farms of the Cook Islands and is the feature of Toka’s work - his costumes and fashion line are a canvas for the natural shells of the Pacific.

Black pearls, mother of pearl and motifs from Mother Nature make his pieces stand out in the world of Island fashion. 

The main motif of the shop however are the chaotic explosions of color that are the hand sewn bespoke tivaevae, lovingly made by mamas from across all of the pa enua.  Each piece of uniquely designed cloth takes hours of painstaking hand stich work, and can take months and sometimes years to finish. 

Often a community initiative with many women working on one piece, these special art pieces have been the pride of the Cook Islands for decades.

The funky new establishment which is located in Tupapa/Maraerenga, only 10 minutes walk from Avarua has a unique menu specialising in 'Build your own' sandwiches similar to Subway and a smoothie menu made from fruit growing on and around the island with hip hop inspired names.

The hip hop flavour also spills onto the Barber shop side with a massive mural dedicated to hip hop greats Tupac, Biggie, Snopp Dogg, Ice Cube & Eminem.  The shop is only one of three barber shops on the island and hopes to fill a gap in the market for local youth.

Born and raised in the northern group island of Tongareva (the traditional name for the island also known as Penrhyn), Nanave says weaving is an every day part of life there.

"When I was a young child I used to follow my grandmother to where her and other women on the island would gather to weave and I was inspired by it.

At about the age of 9 years old I asked my grandmother if she could teach me and from that time on I've been weaving" says Nanave who is 31 years old now.

Young couple, Stephen and Sabina Palmer, European bloggers are two of the fortunate 20 visitors still trapped in the idyllic Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

After countless attempts to get back to Europe, the couple have decided to count their blessings to be stranded in the Cook Islands who have zero covid cases so far. The couple have been doing activities like yoga, snorkelling, fishing and recently joined the remaining visitors on Rarotonga for a Cross Island trek and later for a BBQ to share their stories.  

Cook Islands Tourism contingent were invited to present and perform at the prestigious residency of Her Excellency, Jane Coobs - New Zealand Ambassador to France. A select group of French media and tour operators were also present at this gathering.