I’m going to The Cook Islands, it really is an island. Okay, I know I’m not the only one who thinks Jersey Shore quotes are hilarious.
In a few days, we are heading off to the Cook Islands to celebrate my husbands 30th birthday! I’m obsessed with the Maori culture, food, and music so this trip really is a dream come true.
Let’s rewind to how we decided on the Cook Islands. Last fall, we were on a boat tour throughout the Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand and the 9 other women also on the boat all worked for Air New Zealand. These nine Australian women talked nonstop about the airline and it was that afternoon that I became obsessed with booking a long haul Air New Zealand flight. The rest of the trip I couldn’t stop talking about our future trip on Air New Zealand to Tahiti, well turns out Tahiti is EXPENSIVE! So that dream was crushed.
We returned home from New Zealand on Black Friday and on Cyber Monday Air New Zealand was having a great sale on flights to the Cook Islands, our flights to The Cook Islands were booked that evening.
There is one flight a week from the United States to the Cook Islands, so the island already feels pretty dang exotic. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will want to pack my cat up and call this island home, but we shall see.

We will be splitting our time on the islands between Rarotonga and Aitutaki. I can’t wait to swim in the ocean all day and enjoy an Island Night in the evening. I am excited to eat exotic fruits and a seafood and pork, is there any other south pacific delicacy that we must try while visiting?
Am I going to be singing the entire Moana soundtrack on the plane over? Sure. Have I ever been this excited for a vacation? Unsure.
My Cook Island recap will be posted soon and I know it will surpass all of my expectations, I just can’t wait!
You will so love it! You’ll quickly adapt to the ‘island time’ and naps on the beach are just unavoidable! 😇