Safety Tips in Cook Islands

While I was on Rarotonga there was a problem with the water quality in the lagoon near Titikaveka. Apparently some contaminated soil got washed into the lagoon and caused skin irritations.

Ask locals before going for a swim there.

That darned roundabout in Avarua about killed me on the scooter! Remember, you'll be driving on the left, and the moment you relax and think you're getting the hang of it, that's when you are in the most danger of screwing up.
Also, don't be in a hurry. Tourists on scooters wipe out all the time, especially Americans & Canadians, since we're used to the other side of the road.

DRIVING: Driving is on the left hand side of the road. This may be difficult to someone who is used to driving on the right side. There are no traffic lights, no stop signs. Watch out for' wild' dogs they can jump in front of you, While I was there, a older couple from Australia were sevelry injured when they swerved to avoid hitting 3 dogs. They were thrown from their scooter and had to be taken back to Australia by 2 doctors who had been sent out to pick them up. THIS PICTURE: Taken at The Fruits Beach
SWIMMING OR SNORKELING: Stay away from what are known as Passages. These are openings in the reef that allow access to the ocean. The water is very turbulent around this area and the ocean floor drops off to 12,000 ft all the way around the Island. And who knows what is swimming out there.

I want to tell you something good that happened. On the bus, my friendaccidently left a painting he had purchased. He reported it and about an hour later he got it back (as soon as the bus came around again.
There is very little crime in Rarotonga.

The only danger i can think of is that you will love this place so much that you will not want to leave and in fact you probably wont leave and you'll cause an international search for your safety when all along you'll be sitting there on the beach with a cocktail and a suntan!....shame!
A word of warning about Internet - things may have changed since i was there but Internet access is very expensive so if youre somewhere cheap before heading to the Cooks, do all your emailing before you get there,although once youre there, you'll be desperate to email everyone and tell them how great it is! The Post Office in Avarua was the cheapest place i found.
Another word of warning : When on Aitutaki, in fact, when on any of the islands....as in most tropical places, BEWARE OF FALLING COCONUTS!!!!!...more people die each year by falling coconuts than by shark attacks!!! you've been warned!
Picture : Wigmore's Waterfall on Rarotonga

There are quite some very venomous stonefish in Aitutaki lagoon near the Pacific Resort. Watch your steps and wear reef shoes!
For more info on stonefish have a look at the following website.