Aloha Mana
Takitimu, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Circa
1880 a small schooner sailed from northern Europe,
with young William Vander Vleck, a Dutch trader, bound for the Society Islands.
He sought a passage through the new Americas, through Tahiti and on to the Spice
Islands. But heavy storms besieged the captain and his crew, and missing the
Society Islands, they ran aground on a coral reef and were shipwrecked. Nearly
three days later, tired, dehydrated and nearly hopeless, William alone washed
ashore.
He
was warmly welcomed by the Takitimu of the Hervey Islands [now known as the Cook Islands], befriended and given
shelter. Before long, he became betrothed to a niece of Queen Makea Takau, who,
in 1880, gifted him a small plot of land by the seaside. William built the home,
using as a main girder the mast of the schooner, which just months before had
saved his life.
He
and Tatia lived a long and happy life on the sunny shores of Avaavaroa. William
became active in the trading of copra, cotton and coffee from these islands, but
he never traveled on to the Spice Islands, ever grateful to the fates that
interceded and brought him to his island home.
~
The home is
now an occasional
haven for modern day adventurers who appreciate the value of a place to relax & take time out to heal the ravages wrought by daily life.
We
all
find ourselves shipwrecked from time to time. Like William, may you
take refuge here, enjoying this home, the magic of aloha . . . and the special paradise that is Rarotonga.
We
have assembled
a few things and our restaurant guide to assist in your enjoyment of this
historic home and extraordinary island. Have a wonderful holiday, and please
sign our guest book.
Come
back soon…and often
Kia Orana and Aloha
