TRANSPORT
Island Bike and Car Rental have a good rate, telephone 22632 and ask for Malo, tell her you are staying at Aloha Mana and would appreciate their special rate for either a scooter or car. You will be required to have a Cook Island driving license. These are obtained ($20 a year at present) at the police station in central Avarua, take your current country license with you. If you decide to book in advance of arrival let the property manager Jeff know.

The Island Bus comes by the cottage every forty minutes or so, one goes clockwise and one anti clockwise, from the Aloha Mana cottage the distance is not too different either way from Avarua.

Air Rarotonga can fly you to Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia and other islands in the group. Air Rarotonga also offers sightseeing twenty minute scenic flights Tel 22 888.

ACTIVITIES
Golfers are welcome at the Rarotonga Golf Club, a nine-hole course with alternate back nine tees. The course is challenging and enjoyable to play. There are wireless mast obstructions on some holes that after a while you don’t notice. The 19th is a happy and enjoyable one, regular competitions and good food available. The course is closed on Sundays like all sporting clubs on the island. There are two half sets of golf clubs, balls and tees for the use of guests at Aloha Mana.

The Bowling Club tel 26277 also makes visitors very welcome.

Walks There are very interesting inland guided walks available. If you are looking for nice walks from the Aloha Mana then either way out of the bungalow is pleasant, we often walk as far as we can and then come back on the island bus. Another morning walk suggestion. Take the first inland road before you get to Palm Grove, go to the top, turn either left or right and you will eventually come back on the highway. This walk is particularly interesting as you walk past taro, banana, tomato and other plantations as well as some interesting island homes.

Takitimu Conservation area is close by, 2k Muri way just past the Queens Representatives House. Tel 29906 and arrange for a guide. Explore 155 hectares of upland forest; see rare birdlife and plant species.  

Sunday Church Enjoy the 10.a.m. Cook Islands church service 3 k’s Muri side. The service is just lovely and the singing will entrance you. Afterwards join the congregation for refreshments, sandwiches and fruit slices. Catholic and other denominations are close by.

Tangaroa Tours operate from beside Wigmores store. They offer a 3 1/2 hour tour of the hinterland, up the mountains, travel the ancient roads in four-wheel drive vehicles, and finish the adventure with a traditional Umu feast Tel 22200.

Dive Rarotonga Awarded PADI excellence certificate, fun dives and Instruction courses Tel 21 873

Deep Sea Fishing A number of fishing vessels are available. Sports fishing boats moor at the Avatiu wharf and offer all day charters including gear, refreshments and lunch.

EATING OUT
There is a huge selection of restaurants, we do say however, when asked, that the ‘best restaurant’ is home at the Aloha Mana. Yes there is an excellent weber gas barbeque at the house.

SUPPLIES
Wigmores Store and petrol station is just half a kilometer away Arorangi side and carries most things you require. Their vegetables and salad fixings are mostly grown on Mr Wigmores plantations and are always very fresh. Some of the major grocery items might be less expensive in the Avarua supermarkets but overall Wigmores is pretty good, it is a happy store, they also sell the best cone ice creams on the island. Most days at Wigmores they sell take away local foods, curry and roti parcels, cooked taro, poke, rukau, chicken salads, island puddings, island donuts, filled rolls, pies and more. Wigmores also has an ATM machine, phone cards and an International telephone. Also dotted around the island most days you will pass by vendors selling local fruit, vegetables and fresh coconut juice called Nu.