Still in the Cooks but the talent has turned up for the next three days so the shoot moves from landscapes and tourist attractions to tourists enjoying the destination and engaging with the locals. Here’s one just in that I quite like:
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In the evening hours of my assignment here in the Cooks, the gift book I’m planning on the destination is taking shape (a compilation of the best of the images captured). I have weighed up doing a Pocket Guide (40 short stories, illustrations and 100 photographs) rather than a gift book but it appears the market is a lot more likely to be receptive to the later. Pity, as I’ve met some interesting characters and pieced together some stories that would make good reading. Still, pictures it is and there is an abundance of them here which, collected, should make a reasonable publication. A few quick tips for those visiting: Neil and Janet’s roadside cafe about 10 minutes out of town going clockwise. Neil’s a serious barista -roasts his own blend of exotic beans – and his coffee shop bakes perfect croissants Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Koka Lagoon Tours, I can’t speak more highly about. Perfectly paced, a taste of all the lagoon has to offer, great ukulele playing, entertaining cultural insights and arrives on the island an hour before the crowd. Oh, and a fish recipe that is to die for (which I was told could happen if I persisted in trying to find out the recipe). Two more: Meana and Loui’s Island Living shop which – apart from being so cute – is a hub of locally made products and Kay George’s Art Gallery – simply ’cause I love her work. So far, the food everywhere’s been great. As I said earlier, the Tamarind Restaurant for Sunday breakfast and Waterline Restaurant for a sunset dinner. And, possibly, the biggest tip I can offer: don’t come here for a week, rent a house and stay for at least two, make sure you include a couple of days in Aitutaki, and explore Rarotonga either on a small motorbike or in one of the cute little soft tops you can rent. Did I mention the Saturday markets (below)?
no comments I’m having a day off from shooting the Cook Islands. Its been a long few weeks but we have some nice images “in the can” and we’ll be shooting talent next week so I’m taking a break. The Cook Islands is my sort of relaxing, South Pacific holiday. This morning, I got up around seven and sauntered around the island (below) in my hire car, exploring it for interesting nooks and crannies. I took a local’s recommendation and pulled in at the Tamarind Restaurant overlooking the reef where I had a superb eggs benny with bacon, pawpaw and corn fritters (sorry Hon). Open verandah, swaying palm trees framing the view, light breeze, piano music in the background, excellent service and a Latte to finish. Perfect.
I’ve since drifted back to a house I’ve rented and, when I’m finished adding this entry, I’ll don togs, wander out onto the reef and probably come back for a siesta before heading off to visit a few art galleries this afternoon.To finish the day, I’ll be catching up with a few friends I’ve made since I’ve been here (though given there’ll be ukuleles playing and I’ll be singing, the friendships may well be short lived, he adds).
……..of course, stage two of my Sunday saunter, assumes I’m able to resist the call of my cameras which, remarkably, managed to find their way to the back seat of my car as I left this morning.
Nice place. Highly recommended.
 no comments Have just spent the afternoon on board the support boat for an outrigger canoe race around Rarotonga. Six guys paddling a massive canoe around the island switching – three at a time – when a few of the paddlers get exhausted. Again, normally, I’d follow the boat out and return after capturing a few snaps but I had the luxury of following the crews around the island over three hours and gathering a range of finer images. This one (follows) I quite like.
no comments I’ve just returned from five days in Mangaia – a small island in the Cooks. Normally, a small island like this wouldn’t warrant more than a two day stopover, grab-what-pictures-you can, and head back to the main drawcards of Raratonga and Aitutaki but I’ve had the luxury of a few extra days to capture some warmer, more personable shots of the island and its friendly residents. Here’s a few of the pictures:
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