Punanga Nui market
Saturday mornings.
Tom Ackroyd — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nurg — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Tom Ackroyd — CC BY-SA 4.0
Avarua is the capital and commercial centre of the Cook Islands, on the north coast of Rarotonga. Its name means «two harbours» in the local Māori language, as it grew around Avatiu, the island's main port, and Avarua harbour, now a small fishing port. About five thousand people live in the Avarua district, which holds the international airport, the main port and the island's shops and restaurants. The town sits at the foot of green mountains, with the pointed peak of Te Rua Manga visible behind its colourful two-storey buildings and palm trees. The town's national culture centre houses the National Library and the Cook Islands National Museum, which shows the islands' history, traditional crafts and canoes. On Saturday mornings a popular market is held at Punanga Nui, selling local food, fruit and handicrafts, and a seafront walk looks out over the ocean. Walking around town is free, and the museum may charge a fee. The town is small enough to explore on foot, and the round-island bus passes through it in both directions.
Saturday mornings.
Island history.
By the ocean.
Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Saturday morning.
On foot or by the round-island bus.