For the past seven newsletters, I have reviewed my thoughts from 2012 - 2013 in regards to life in South Korea covering culture, history, food, and many more. At the present time, I will leave the topic of South Korea and return at a later date and compare South Korea presently and see if there are any changes from 2012 - 2013.
In the next editions of the newsletter, I will discuss where I’m going, the history, culture, food, places to see, and what I’m looking to do there.
A number of readers have asked or wondered about this place I’m heading to. Due to its isolation and very small size, I suspect 99% of people have never heard of it or any idea where it could be.
The Cook Islands are a group of islands located in the central Pacific about four hours from New Zealand, six hours from Australia, three and a half hours from Fiji, six hours and twenty minutes to Hawaii, two hours to Tahiti, and finally about ten hours to Los Angeles. In summary, it’s located in the middle of nowhere which seems perfect during this day and age.
The northern and southern groups of islands are below.
The Cook Islands comprise only fifteen islands ranging in size from the capital Rarotonga which is represented in the first picture above measuring roughly 70 square kilometers to the coral atolls of the north whereby some can only measure 1 square kilometer. From Mangaia at the bottom to Penrhyn far to the north it covers a vast distance of the blue ocean. A small total population of about 20,000 and surrounded by bigger island chains of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Tahiti, it’s quite easy to miss on a map even for early explorers.
The Atoll of Pukapuka is located in the far north with a population of about 400.
In comparison to other Pacific nations like Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti there are few islands. However, the economic zone of the Cook Islands is huge. It covers about 1,960,027 square kilometers of ocean.1 In comparison that’s similar in size to Alaska which measures about 1.718 million km² of land.2 As a result, endless blue ocean and eternal sunshine can make one forget about how far away and isolated you are from everything. Fifteen islands located in this expanse can make you feel like there is nothing else in the world.
One of the gems of the Cook Islands is Aitutaki (ai·too·taa·kee). After Rarotonga the second most popular and visited island in the country. A lovely 50-minute flight from Rarotonga it’s famous for its crystal blue waters and tranquility it is usually ranked in the top beaches and islands in the world. One of its famous visitors was Captain Bligh in 1789 before the infamous mutiny on the Bounty. If you ever venture to this part of the world I definitely recommend a visit. You won’t regret it.
Where did the inhabitants of the Cook Islands come from? Some theories are they were originally part of the great migration out of Asia that spanned islands across the pacific. Most likely beginning in Taiwan. This journey surely must rank as one of the great migrations in history. Covering vast distances using stars, sun, tides, wind shifts, and clouds. These people managed to navigate the pacific, inhabit numerous islands, and finally landed in New Zealand.
It is commonly held that the ancestors of Polynesians originated in the area around Taiwan and then moved south and east. They mixed with Melanesian peoples already living in Near Oceania, and over time the culture known as Lapita developed. Lapita people eventually settled Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, where the Polynesian culture emerged. Late in the first millennium Polynesians sailed east into French Polynesia. They then migrated to the Marquesas, Hawaii, Easter Island and New Zealand between 1200 and 1300 CE. 3
How did they travel? The ancestors of Polynesians used giant double-hull and triple-hull canoes or Vaka that allowed them the space to store provisions inside. Researchers believe they might have originally traveled using oral stories and traditions passed down through generations. This allowed them to seek out islands and settle then repeat the process across the great ocean. Quite a feat without maps or using a compass.
A modern interpretation of what the vessels may have looked like.
What would make these people leave their homes and decide to move great distances into the unknown? Discussions relate to possible food shortages, changes in climate, and events related to war. However, the passage of time and lost stories that were passed down now make it almost impossible to uncover the reasons for the migration.
The people of the Cook Islands are known as Maori. Closely linked to Tahitian Mā'ohi, Hawaiian Māoli, and New Zealand Maori, also possibly the Rapa Nui of Easter Island. Very similar cultures and languages sometimes like brothers and sisters. An example of language similarities could be the simple phrase “hello”. In New Zealand Maori is “Kia Ora.” Cook Islands Maori “Kia Orana.” On Easter Island, it’s demonstrated as 'Iorana! Finally, in Tahiti “Ia Ora na” – pronounced yo-rah-nah. There are slight differences between the groups as regards pronunciation and phonetics but it is possible to be able to communicate between the groups to an extent.
Mata and I were newbie esl teachers in South Korea at the same time.