Pacific Paradise islands

The urge to explore battles the desire to relax during a trip to one of the South Pacific’s best-kept secrets. Nicole Byers says Kia Orana to the Cook Islands.

- Nicole Byers

They say “music soothes the savage beast”, and after witnessing the effect Papa Jake’s dulcet tones had on a travel frazzled three year old, I would have to agree. After a short but awkwardly-timed flight, daughter Ellery, husband Tom and I shuffle bleary eyed into Rarotonga Airport to be met by a welcome blast of cool air and the soothing sounds of local legend Papa Jake. Jake has serenaded visitors since the airport opened in the early 1970s, even missing a big tourism award win in 2011 because the ceremony clashed with plane departure times. A master of the ukulele, he sings a soothing mix of local tunes and well-loved classics (Leaving On A Jet Plane, anyone?) in that dreamy Polynesian style that makes you feel like you’re in a movie. A smiling stranger slides fragrant floral leis over our heads.