Meitaki Rarotonga!

Meitaki Rarotonga from Flash Mob!

As you are aware we just arrived back yesterday after 9 days in the paradise that is, Rarotonga.As a business, Flash Mob Entertainment we were there to perform our photo booth duties for a lovely Taranaki couple's wedding reception. They are regulars of ours and especially wanted our own, unique photo booth and service at their wedding so how could we refuse? 23 degrees is cold over there and we were running low on firewood for the winter too.

Hamish and I also took it as opportunity to have our late honeymoon and 2nd wedding anniversary so here we would like to acknowledge the amazing service we received from our Cook Island cuzzies.

Also would like to acknowledge Bartercard New Zealand who we are members of for making our lives so much more easier either having some amazing Bartercard members in Rarotonga we could utilise.

The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa was our home for the entire time and we could not have asked for better. From arranging transfers from the airport, the beautiful room, cocktails, amazing food, arrival gifts, accommodating our masses of heavy luggage (photo booth), cocktails, activities and water sports, cocktails and the amazing staff on hand in every department. This was our base and it was absolutely an amazing stay. I wish I could have taken advantage of the spa, but there's always next time and there WILL be a next time! **Takes Bartercard for accommodation**

Te Vara Nui Village, Te Vara Nui Weddings was the venue for the wedding and it was breathtaking! A huge thank you to Mirjam for helping to coordinate the logistics for our booth to be there and allowing us to be a part of your amazing team for the night. An amazing setting and the added bonus of the over water cultural show really topped off the night, recommended venue.

Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes was a major highlight to our trip. For someone like me who has a phobia of fish I was the last one back on the boat from snorkeling as I marvelled at the huge eels and fish and giant clams in the water. Hilarious staff and shows and the beach bbq lunch was to DIE for. I had the chicken and Hamish had the fish and we both agree it was the top meal our entire trip. A great way to spend 4-5 hours in a day and they even pick you up and drop you off from your accommodation for free. **Takes Bartercard for this trip**

Highland Paradise Cultural Centre was amazing. Again we were picked up and dropped off for free and learning the history and stories of this genuine historical site was amazing. And the fact that this tribe have such close ties to Taranaki itself was so interesting. Their version of a marae was so different to ours too. Thank you for welcoming us onto your marae and hosting us for an amazing umu buffet dinner and cultural show that took us through the ages of Cook Islanders. I would recommend all visitors to visit this attraction and support the community in preserving and sharing their history to everyone. **Takes Bartercard for dinner/show**

Whatever! Bar And Grill, Rarotonga ended up being our local in our final few days when we were less busy. Really affordable and delicious food on a beach bach-style deck with gorgeous views. Such a great place to watch the sunset and relax after hitting the Punanga Nui Market Rarotonga and having a wee shop on Avarua. The staff are super friendly and awesome. **Takes Bartercard for food & bev**

Other honourable mentions include the local clockwise and anticlockwise bus services, we had some awesome drivers we chatted with on our trips.

Polynesian Rental Cars & Bikes, Rarotonga, Cook Islands who we hired our scooter off (Ok I only drove it once for one terrifying journey before I gave up and took it back!)

Cook Islands Tours Ltd for our airport transfers, loved getting the fresh flower lei on arrival and shell lei as we left **Takes Bartercard**

All of the stall holders at the Saturday morning and Muri Night Markets.

And of course all of the locals for unlimited smiles and Kia Orana's wherever we went.

Rarotonga is definitely a must-see destination and we sure as hell wouldn't mind some more Flash Mob photo booth wedding bookings over there.

Stay Flash Rarotonga! We will be back!