Cook Islands Kukicast

Find out what KUKICAST is all about in this five minute introduction with clips from some of the first episodes.  And presenter, John Roberts tells of his passion for this Polynesian paradise in the South Pacific and how this podcast is his way of helping to share it.

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide

MY BOOK ABOUT THE ISLANDS
Whether you're planning a visit or just armchair travelling, you'll discover stories of buried treasure, ghostly fire, real-life Robinson Crusoes and the mafia, and a wealth of useful information. 'Around the Corner from Nowhere: The Cook Islands Rediscovered' is available as an ebook (https://getbook.at/Cook_Islands-ebook) or paperback (https://getbook.at/cookislandsbook) through Amazon. All profits are donated to dementia charities.

ABOUT ME
I'm a retired BBC radio and TV journalist and presenter who's been having a long distance love affair with the Cook Islands for nearly 40 years and I've featured in media worldwide as an acknowledged expert on this remote islands nation

CONTACT ME if you'd like to sponsor this podcast or just want to ask questions about the Cook Islands. Email kiaoranawebsiteauthor(at)cookislands.org.uk (Replace “at” with @)

WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES THE COOK ISLANDS SO SPECIAL? Karla Eggelton definitely knows because she’s lived there all her life and is uniquely placed to tell us as she’s Chief Executive of tourism. In this episode, she gives us a unique insight into the capital island of Rarotonga, its next most visited neighbour, the stunningly beautiful Aitutaki and some of the 13 other islands which make up this Polynesian paradise in the South Pacific. Among them are some of the most remote and unspoiled places on the planet.  

Karla explains how new flights are making the Cook Islands easier to get to. She also talks passionately of Cook Islands cultural values, including protecting the environment, caring for each other and how Islanders want to  share a love of their homeland  with the world. Get some tourist tips too in her answers to a fun quick fire quiz.

This is a must listen if you're thinking about a visit to the Cook Islands or just want to know more about a uniquely special little paradise.

The  copyright free music included in this episode is by the fantastic 'Koka Lagoon Boys' of the Cook Islands  (search for more them on YouTube) 

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide

MY BOOK ABOUT THE ISLANDS
Whether you're planning a visit or just armchair travelling, you'll discover stories of buried treasure, ghostly fire, real-life Robinson Crusoes and the mafia, and a wealth of useful information. 'Around the Corner from Nowhere: The Cook Islands Rediscovered' is available as an ebook (https://getbook.at/Cook_Islands-ebook) or paperback (https://getbook.at/cookislandsbook) through Amazon. All profits are donated to dementia charities.

ABOUT ME
I'm a retired BBC radio and TV journalist and presenter who's been having a long distance love affair with the Cook Islands for nearly 40 years and I've featured in media worldwide as an acknowledged expert on this remote islands nation

CONTACT ME if you'd like to sponsor this podcast or just want to ask questions about the Cook Islands. Email kiaoranawebsiteauthor(at)cookislands.org.uk (Replace “at” with @)

Trader Jacks near the harbour on Rarotonga is iconic. In this episode, Jack's daughter, Vanessa talks its colourful history and its legendary owner.  Sadly, Jack |Cooper died in June, 2022 but his legacy lives in his new book. Vanessa talks about that and shares some of the 40 years of trials and tribulations, hilarious stunts and downright unbelievable events recalled by a man who was dubbed “the Gordon Ramsey of the Rarotonga ecosphere”

Jacks' book, "40 years behind bars. A publican in paradise" can be ordered on line at https://40ybb.com.  Shipping is worldwide or if you're in Rarotonga you can buy a copy at Traders

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide

MY BOOK ABOUT THE ISLANDS
Whether you're planning a visit or just armchair travelling, you'll discover stories of buried treasure, ghostly fire, real-life Robinson Crusoes and the mafia, and a wealth of useful information. 'Around the Corner from Nowhere: The Cook Islands Rediscovered' is available as an ebook (https://getbook.at/Cook_Islands-ebook) or paperback (https://getbook.at/cookislandsbook) through Amazon. All profits are donated to dementia charities.

ABOUT ME
I'm a retired BBC radio and TV journalist and presenter who's been having a long distance love affair with the Cook Islands for nearly 40 years and I've featured in media worldwide as an acknowledged expert on this remote islands nation

CONTACT ME if you'd like to sponsor this podcast or just want to ask questions about the Cook Islands. Email kiaoranawebsiteauthor(at)cookislands.org.uk (Replace “at” with @)

24 year old Tom Robinson from Brisbane, Australia is on an 8,000 nautical miles voyage from Peru to Australia aiming to become the youngest person ever to row single-handed across the Pacific.   He's  spending 12 months a tiny boat he designed and built himself and making landfall along the way to resupply and explore th​e cultures of the South Pacific.  Tom ended up on Penrhyn (Tongareva) in the Cook Islands  by sheer chance after being blown off course and that's where I caught up with him. He gives a unique insight into this remote, unspoiled and rarely visited tropical paradise and explains why he wants his remarkable adventure to inspire others.

Tom shares more of his impressions and pictures of his time on Penrhyn on my website  at Penrhyn, Cook Islands - "a slice of paradise"

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide

MY BOOK ABOUT THE ISLANDS
Whether you're planning a visit or just armchair travelling, you'll discover stories of buried treasure, ghostly fire, real-life Robinson Crusoes and the mafia, and a wealth of useful information. 'Around the Corner from Nowhere: The Cook Islands Rediscovered' is available as an ebook (https://getbook.at/Cook_Islands-ebook) or paperback (https://getbook.at/cookislandsbook) through Amazon. All profits are donated to dementia charities.

ABOUT ME
I'm a retired BBC radio and TV journalist and presenter who's been having a long distance love affair with the Cook Islands for nearly 40 years and I've featured in media worldwide as an acknowledged expert on this remote islands nation

CONTACT ME if you'd like to sponsor this podcast or just want to ask questions about the Cook Islands. Email kiaoranawebsiteauthor(at)cookislands.org.uk (Replace “at” with @)