Papa Mike's Cook Islands Handbook :

Rating:
Summary: Very Good!
Review: I have never been to the Cook Islands, but as I read Papa Mike's book, I felt as if I was in the middle of a trip there. He makes the reader feel life on the island as it is lived. It is very clear that he loves the people and their way of life. His stories and tips are warm with touches of humor, and yet very detailed so that the reader can easily visualize a trip to the Islands. I was impressed with the details of the accomodations or lack thereof on each island, and the details of activities and travel on each island. Mr. Hollywood has obviously spent some time living on the Islands, and after reading his book, I hope to do so, too.

Rating:
Summary: Solid, Honest Guide Book
Review: Mike Hollywood's book is a refreshing alternative to the functional, yet sterile Lonely Planet guide to the Cook Islands. Hollywood's sense of humor, honest and unvarnished review of accommodations and restuarants, and his open and enthusiastic approach to the book is a welcome addition to the more traditional guide books currently available on this little known island chain.

Hollywood's book contains loads of useful contact information, several very useful inter-island flight schedules, a relatively complete description of various amenities and activities, and a straight-forward, yet thorough discussion of the various islands that make up this tiny nation. His descriptions and recommendations give the reader an insiders view of the place and its people that encourages readers to get off of the couch and make the trip themselves. I highly recommend this great little handbook, and can't wait to take it with me to the Cooks! Kia Orana and Thanks Mike!

Rating:
Summary: VERY useful handbook!
Review: Papa Mike's Cook Islands Hanbook is an exceptionally useful guide for the first time visitor to the Cook Islands. My wife and I traveled to the Cooks in July 2004, and loved it. Papa Mike's book helped us prepare every step of the way, from booking our accomodation in advance, bringing proper clothing, procedures at the airport, to very accurate reviews of local restaurants. The book details the many options for activities around the island, including the "not to be missed" Island Nights. Also included is a detail of all of the Rarotonga bus schedules, so you can quickly and inexpensively get around the island.

This book is worth every penny, and will save you tons on your trip. I give it my highest rating.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent and recommended guide for trip planning
Review: Papa Mike's Cook Islands Handbook is a fun and informative resource for vacationers and business travelers seeking to take advantage of all thirteen occupied islands in pursuit of what the Cook Islands chain has to offer. From complete trip planning (whether luxury to budget style), to a complete inter-island flight schedule, 40 maps and pictures, coverage on popular activities on each island including diving, fishing, snorkeling, horseback riding, surfing, tours, cultural events and more, Papa Mike's Cook Islands Handbook excellent and recommended guide for trip planning.

Rating:
Summary: Moon Guides: Tahiti Handbook by David Stanley is much better
Review: Sorry to disagree with one of the other reviewers, bu the COOK ISLANDS are NOT a "little known" island chain. I am sorry to say that the small island of Aitutaki has been over-built with INCREDIBLY expensive (for the poor service & mediocre food) resorts that charge 5 star prices (and more) and deliver 2 star service & food, pollute the fragile lagoon with OTWB (over-the-water-bungalows) that can cost $US 600+ per day. An nearby, off-shore tiny atoll (where one can go for a day snorkel picnic) is now over-run with tourists, an over-priced shack where one can stay for the night & a refreshment/food stand.

If you purchase David Stanley's TAHITI HANDBOOK you get maps, culture, history, religion, politics, flight & ferry schedules, reviews on food, dive shops, car rentals, excursions and lodging in all categories, on ALL of French Polynesia, the Cook Islands & Easter Island, all in the same book for a reasonable price. If this other reviewer had read the COOK ISLAND section in David's book he'd know that the Cooks are not a remote, untraveled island chain, but an island chain frequented by Kiwis & Ozzies who get MUCH better deals (on hotel room rates) by booking through their own local travel agents as opposed to US travel agents, and he'd also learn that sometimes, self-booking and negotiating with the smaller hotel's owners can produce a better rate, and a better experience, than relying on a US packager that wants to shove you into a pre-packaged plan that pays him/her the biggest commission. David's 25 years of traveling the South Pacific incognito makes his advice INVALUABLE. He also includes the feedback of readers, I know, I am one of them. Tahiti Handbook is more extensive and reliable than Papa Mike's or the unreliable (on price & room rates & maps) LONELY PLANET'S COOK ISLANDS.