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Rarotonga
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rarotonga (enc)
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Rarotonga With its jagged peaks and deep valleys, fertile slopes of red earth and sparkling aquamarine lagoon, Rartonga comes pretty close to the classic image of paradise. Raratonga was one of the last of the Cook Islands to be visited by European ships, but since its "discovery" it has always been a favorite of sailors and merchants. Many old South Sea hands consider it the most beautiful island in the Pacific. Countless travellers' tales, books, plays and films have created a vision of an archetype of heaven in the South Seas -- massed coconut palms, jungle-clad peaks, the boom of combers smashing on the reef, the crimson flamboyant trees and the beat of the drum dance. Amazingly enough it is all true. Casual chats with overseas visitors will often confirm their surprise that such a place exists. One feature remarked on by most visitors but almost unnoticed by Rarotongans is the number of tiny wild chickens which wander without hindrance wherever they choose. These fowl are too scrawny or quick to make serious contributions to cooking pots. Every morning before dawn and often in the middle of the night a chorus of cockerels starts up, with each rooster trying to outdo the other in staking their claims to territory and harems.
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