LAST EDITED ON 08-01-05 AT 05:55 AM (EST)Rarotonga is the capital of the nation of the Cook Islands. A quick look at the weekly public market, where it all happens ... and the buildings that are big enough to hold its government... 
1. I LOVE that this is the police national headquarters and they have bougainvillea growing over the sign.
2. This modest building is able to hold the country's Chamber of Commerce, Development Investment Fund, and the Small Business Enterprise Fund.
3. At the farmer's market, mom turns her back and boy and girl exchange a look.
4. The weekly market ... floral headdress is the traditional garb and is still worn except in church (which requires a Queen Elizabeth level of grandiose hat). Plenty of friendship to visitors in this happy place.
5. Cotton candy ... if it's a fair, it's there.
6. Almost as big as she is.
7. Rarotonga is the center for the black pearl market. Not a black market--black pearls, raised in the Northern Cook Islands.
8. Tangiroa is the original and still chief of the gods. Queen Elizabeth II was not amused when the Cook Island dollar coin featured her face and one side and an anatomically correct Tangiroa on the other. A fair amount are still circulating.
Head out of the capital "city" of Avarua (not one stop light) and explore the Raro lagoon, which is unbelievably uncrowded in comparison to Hawaiian beaches.
Unlike with Aitutaki, on the South side and at times on the east side (high tide) it's deep enough to swim and snorkel.
Raro lagoon isn't vividly turquoise, more of a shimmering silvery pastel blue, for a softer look. Because the lagoon is not so wide as Aitutaki, the waves crashing on the reef are close and booing, and the deep sapphire blue of the open ocean isn't far away.
waves breaking on the reef
white sand beach all to yourself
awesome mountain peaks
Sunset with coconuts
Kia Orana! 
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