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Rarotongan Resort

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brianestadt
brianestadt
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
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1
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4
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Island Night at The Rarotongan resort

  • February 25, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by brianestadt from McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Island Night at The Rarotongan resort

It started with a tall, layered, frozen drink that looked like a rainbow had been poured into a glass. From there it went to unearthing food that had been buried in the ground beneath a tarp and palm leaves. Then the dancers hit the stage.

The dancers were beautiful, animated, colorful, and a whirlwind of motion. Dances ranged from slow solo performances to energetic group choreography to an exhibition of high-speed hip shaking from a solo female dancer. Cook Islands dance is similar to Tahitian dance -- the technical difference between the two styles, I've learned, is that Cook Island female dancers sway their hips side-to-side with their feet firmly planted whereas Tahitian female dancers do a hula-hoop type motion with their heels lifted. Each dance tells a tale, and the entertaining elderly spokesman of the backing musicians introduced each dance by explaining the story behind it.

The dancers were just the final highlight of the night. Before their performance we were treated to a traditional Umaki feast, which featured an array of succulent meats and vegetables. In Umaki, the food is baked underground and covered with palm leaves to keep the heat and juices from escaping (sort of like a giant, natural crock pot). At the Rarotongan, however, the many layers of leaves are replaced with a tarp because, as was explained to us, with so many Umakis at the resort, there would be no leaves left -- though a few palm leaves are tossed on top for show. A resort employee invited dinner guests outside for the unveiling of the meal and it was impressive to see the sheer amount of steaming food being pulled out of the ground. The meats were delicious, the fish was just as good and the vegetables were wonderful. From start to finish, a wonderful meal.

A good night from start to finish.

From journal A Week in Rarotonga

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