Day 2 — Rarotonga Jungle Safari: Jeeps, Fruit Trees & Lagoon Naps
Date: November 14, 2025
Location: Rarotonga, Cook Islands
There’s nothing quite like being bounced around in the back of a 4×4 jungle jeep to say, “Welcome to island life!”
Our first full day in Rarotonga began with a bit of adventure—and ended with a sun-soaked snooze, a slightly questionable burger, and an overwhelming appreciation for how much this small island has to offer.
At 9:30 a.m. sharp, we were picked up from The Rarotongan Beach Resort by Raro Safari Tours, one of the top-rated land excursions in the Cook Islands. The jeeps themselves look like they’ve survived Jurassic Park auditions—big, colorful, and ready to tackle everything from paved roads to muddy mountainsides.
Our driver-guide was part island historian, part stand-up comedian, tossing jokes and trivia at us as we bumped our way through Rarotonga’s lush inland roads. Everywhere we looked, there were fruit trees—papaya, banana, pineapple, breadfruit—just growing wild. And that wasn’t even the best part.
He explained that during the pandemic, the Cook Islands government distributed starter plant kits so locals could grow their own food. The result is a countryside that now doubles as an open-air grocery store—and a powerful reminder of this island’s resilience.
Kirsten was in her element, asking about every plant and tree. Zak, on the other hand, was mostly interested in tamarind, which he promptly dubbed “nature’s sour candy” after popping one into his mouth with an exaggerated pucker.
The tour took us past villages, plantations, and up into the hills where the air was cooler and the views were nothing short of spectacular. The final challenge? A steep dirt road straight into the jungle that made us all hold our breath. At the top, we reached a panoramic lookout over the island’s peaks, with Te Rua Manga (The Needle) rising in the distance like a jagged exclamation point from the trees.
Teyauna, naturally, was already livestreaming the view and snapping it for her story before the rest of us even stepped out of the jeep.
Back at the hotel, Kirsten promptly fell into an island-induced power nap (100% deserved), while Zak and I hit the beach to snorkel. The lagoon outside our resort is crystal-clear, calm, and absolutely packed with fish—even just a few meters from shore. Zak zig-zagged through the coral like a seal. I mostly tried to keep my mask from fogging up.
Meanwhile, Teyauna set up her temporary online-school office on the balcony—headphones on, fingers flying across her keyboard. I’d like to think she was doing math, but more likely she was editing an Instagram Reel about tamarind trees.
Dinner that night?
Let’s just say… the adventure continued.
Armed with our rental car, we pulled over at a roadside food truck that looked promising. The vibe? Great. The burgers? Well, they were more “art project” than “culinary masterpiece.” But hey—when the ocean’s crashing just beyond your picnic bench and the stars are stretching overhead, even a mediocre burger tastes like part of the experience.
We drove back to the resort with full bellies, salty hair, and a deeper sense of connection to this beautiful island—its land, its food, its humor, and its big-hearted people.
Tomorrow? It’s market day. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned here, it’s that even the most ordinary moments—like buying fruit or forgetting microphones—can turn into something unforgettable.