Welcome to Mana

ALOHA MANA

Your Home away from Home

Please enjoy our little historic home as if it were your own.

A Guide to help you enjoy Aloha Mana and Rarotonga.

Activities   Take advantage of the many activities our little island has to offer: Cultural Village, Safari Tour, Horseback Riding, Diving, Microlight flights, Island Nights, the Saturday Market and more. A day-trip up to Aitutaki Lagoon is a must!

Air Conditioning   Normally there is sufficient cooling breeze from the sea, and with window and doors open you should find it very pleasant indeed.
There may however be times when you need to use the Air Conditioner.
Due to the extremely high price of electricity here, it is necessary to charge a fee for its use.
The Remote control is available from the Manager on payment of the set fee of $40 per week or part thereof.

Animals   There are some friendly beasts (dogs, cats, etc.) around. They love being loved, but please do not let them in the home in case future guests are allergic.

Art   Raro has a lively artists’ community…and some wonderful art. We urge you to visit the various galleries and shops…and to purchase the art, black pearls, carvings and handicrafts …supporting variety and artists in our little economy.

Babysitting   Child care can be arranged, day or night. Just phone the manager.

Banking  There are two banks in town, ANZ and Westpac. There are cash machines: at the banks in town, at the airport, and down the road at Wigmore’s.

Beach  We have a lovely and very private beach just across the road. Beach chairs, snorkeling gear and other amenities are provided in the storage closet under the punea on the verandah. Please make sure they are rinsed after each use. A red kayak and paddles are also available free for your usage. Using the outdoor shower by the access road keeps the sand down in the house.

Books, CDs, art and other personal items have been left by the owner, who visits occasionally. Should anything break or become misplaced, kindly bring it to the managers’ attention.

Bugs One of the challenges of living in the tropics is the abundance of nature...and critters. Mokos are harmless little lizards. Mosquitoes come round from time to time, tho more rare on our side of the island. Use body spray or burn a coil in a central area with windows/doors open if you need to.

Church  Coming from an active missionary life, the Cook Islanders celebrate God, family and community at their churches on Sunday mornings. We encourage a visit…simply for the song if nothing else. They sing like angels.

Departure   Please call our Manager to arrange your departure and return of keys. Airport transfers are paid with your booking.

Dining Our Restaurant Guide is provided in the home to assist you. Raro has wonderful food in all price ranges, and I’m sure you’ll be happy with the value for price.

Diving There are several dive shops and dive instructors on the island, the closest being at the Rarotongan Resort…or down in Muri. Our guests say the best is Cook Island Divers.

Hiking Walking along the beach, the road or up in the hills is a pleasure, and friendly smiles welcome your adventure. We recommend bare feet on the beach and good walking shoes and mozzie repellant in the bush.

Internet There are cyber cafes around the island, the nearest just ½ a km. west at Palm Grove. Just ask at their office.

Kayak   Our red kayak is kept alongside the house. The paddle is stored under the punea on the verandah…with the other watersports equipment. Please return to alongside the house if a storm comes up and before you leave.

Keys   It is your responsibility to get your keys to the Manager prior to departure. Any lost keys will require complete re-keying of the home.

Laundry Please do not overfill the machine…and make sure the sink drain is clear. If you’re really on holiday, Snowbird Laundry is in Arorangi and will usually have you things back in a day…if not on the same day.

Massage Vacations are all about indulgence, and the Cook Islands are no exception. So do your body good and call Karen for a wonderful massage out on the verandah with birdsongs and seabreezes. Phone: 50296, and she'll bring around her table, oil and lovely hands.

Safety We recommend locking the home when leaving and during the night…mostly for your peace of mind. There is a locked safe inside the house for your valuables.

Sailing   Karen is an active member of the Rarotonga Sailing Club, so if you love to sail…or just want to enjoy a wonderful Saturday afternoon watching the races and hanging out with some great people, give our Rear Commodore, Lydia Sijp, a call at 24005 and head down to Muri and Sails. The club has optimists, sunbursts, lasers and vakas. You can sometimes crew with the regulars. For hire boats see Nautica or the Pacific Resort on Muri.

click here for more RSC sailing

Shopping  Wigmore’s (shop, petrol station, bank machine) just a kilometre down the road (right, when facing the sea) which has most things you’ll need, including wonderful wines, fresh vegetables and fruits, bread, fresh fish and island dishes. There are two larger grocery stores in town: CITC and Foodland as well as a few specialty shops. Don’t forget gifts and pareus from one of the many island shops in Avarua or around the island. And don't miss the Saturday Market in town!

Smoking We don’t mind your smoking, but the next guests might. Kindly smoke outside on the verandah or deck, and use and empty the ashtrays.

Spa Tub  1) turn on central switch behind towel rack on East wall. 2) Fill tub above the jets. 3) If using jacuzzi, use very little bubble bath! 4) immerse, then activate on left hand panel. Closest to you (as you lie in the tub) is the main jet control. One push ~ a red light ~ indicates hot jets, push again (green light) for no heat jets. The second set does the jets from underneath. The dial on the right of tub activates the back and neck massagers, once jets are activated. Lay back and enjoy, varying the intensity of the back massage. 5) Empty tub, leaving panel on until the air hoses blow out (after empty), sanitizing the jets…then 6) turn off switch on wall.

Telephone  The telephone is for local calls only. The number here is 21800. To call overseas, you will need to place the call in town or use a phone card, purchased at Telecom in town.

Trash   Rubbish pickup is on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Kindly place your trash in the rubber bin in the front by the main road early or the night before.  

Vehicles  Cars and scooters are available from Budget Rentals, located nearby at the Rarotongan Resort…or in town. We think Richard at Island Car gives the best rates at 22632. A regular bus service makes travel around the island quite simple, leaving every half hour, and a timetable is at the home.

Video and DVD   D&D Rentals, just past Wigmore’s has DVDs and Videos for hire. A TV (with DVD or video player) is available for NZ$85 per week.

Water   Although the water on Raro is suitable for drinking, we prefer bottled or boiled water.  We have solar heated water, and it is usually super hot. If not, please call Manager.

Watersports   Snorkel gear, masks, games, a good torch and other items are stored beneath the punea on the verandah. Please rinse equipment after use in the outdoor shower, allow to dry, and replace after use.

Weddings  What a lovely memory…being married on this beautiful island. (or one of the motus). Our manager can arrange for weddings or repeating of vows.