Day 6 – Aitutaki Farewell: Sunrise Strolls and a Last Look at Paradise

Date: November 18, 2025

Location: Aitutaki, Cook Islands

We didn’t set an alarm. We didn’t need one. The soft hush of the lagoon lapping against the sand just outside our bungalow was nature’s invitation to savor every last second in this place.

At 5:30 a.m., Kirsten and I were both up—neither of us wanting to waste a moment of our final morning in Aitutaki. She took off down the beach for a sunrise stroll, the kind you only find in postcards and dreams. I stayed closer to the bungalow, just watching the light change across the water like the island was slowly waking up with us.

It’s hard to describe the stillness here without it sounding like a cliché. But this wasn’t just “quiet.” It was sacred calm. No cars, no emails, no rush. Just the sound of waves and the occasional rooster making sure we didn’t forget we were still in the Cook Islands.

We eventually made our way to Tamanu Beach Resort’s buffet breakfast—fresh fruit, tropical juices, local favorites. The kind of breakfast where you eat a little slower, drink in the view a little longer, and try to memorize the moment so you can pull it out again on a rainy Tuesday back home.

Our shuttle to the airport came about an hour before our flight, which felt like overkill until we remembered that this airport is more like a cozy bus terminal. No lines, no fuss, and just 30 seats on the Air Rarotonga flight.

As we boarded, I looked out over the lagoon one last time. The sun was fully up now, painting the water in shades of green and blue that shouldn’t be allowed to exist in real life. It felt like the island was giving us one final moment—a gentle, colorful goodbye.

And just like that, we were airborne. A blur of palm trees below, then reef, then nothing but ocean.

We had arrived in Aitutaki with windblown hair, battery issues, and a full suitcase of expectations. We left it with full hearts, lighter souls, and sand in places we’re still discovering.

But hey—that’s island life.