DESTINATION INFORMATION
Aitutaki ranks behind Rarotonga in the visitor contest, and it lacks the sheer physical beauty of its larger neighbour, but it has charms all its own. For a start, it sits at one corner of a triangular lagoon dotted with lovely motu (small islands). And it's historically interesting, with a number of impressive marae (pre-European religious meeting grounds) that are open to visitors. Aitutaki also has one of the best 'island nights' dance and music performances in the Cook Islands.
Over 90% of the population of the Cook Islands are polynesian, with small minorities of Europeans and Chinese. The local tongue is Cook Islands Maori, closely related to New Zealand Maori and to the Polynesian languages of Tahiti and Hawaii, though English is spoken as a second language by virtually everyone.
The main activities on the islands are lagoon cruises and island tours, scuba diving and snorkelling, deep sea fishing and cycling.
Cook Islanders retain much of their culture and this is passed down from generation to generation. There are restored sites, maraes and also a museum to see. Other culture is kept alive with dance and song and these can be seen at the Cultural Village or at the special Island Nights at the main hotels.
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