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Social Profile
Food & Drink: There are restaurants in hotels, and a variety of independent eating places as well, as a result of the increasing tourist trade. Local produce includes a wide variety of citrus and tropical fruits, island chestnuts and garden vegetables. Seafood features on many restaurant menus. Local meat and poultry are available.
Nightlife: Island feast and dance groups feature at various hotels and details are available from local tourist information offices or hotel receptionists.
Shopping: Best buys are woodcarvings, handmade ukuleles, pearls, shells, woven products, embroidery, Panama hats and baskets. Coins and stamps are considered to be valuable collectors’ items. Island Craft has factories in Avarua and Avatiu where hand-carved items can be purchased. The art of carving may be observed in Punanganui Market Place. There is also a wide range of duty-free items. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0800-1200. Some stores near tourist areas remain open for longer.
Special Events: Annual highlights include the Constitution Celebrations in July, with float parade, sporting events and inter-island competitions, and Gospel Day (known as ‘nuku’) in October, when open-air performances of biblical stories commemorate the arrival of Christianity on the Cook Islands. Below is a selection of special events taking place in 2003:
Mar-Jun Rugby Football Union. Apr Cooks Islands Dancer of the Year Competition; Rarotonga Tin-Man Triathlon. May World Day Athletics; Athletics Vaka Challenge. Jun Cross Country Run; Olympic Day Fun Run. Jul Seventh Pacific Island Conference for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas; National Cross Country Championship. Jul -Aug Te Maeva Celebrations (national celebrations including Tangi Kaara (drumming) competitions). Sep Westpac Bank Half Marathon. Oct Westpac Bank Round Rarotonga Road Race; Cook Islands Squash Tournament. Oct -Nov Cook Islands Tivaevae Exhibition (local quilting). Nov Tiare Festival Week (flower and floral competitions). Dec Telecom International Sevens Tournament.
Social Conventions: Dress code is informal, though modest attire should be worn when visiting towns or villages. Women are expected to wear dresses for church services and social functions. Tipping: Tradition says that all gifts require something in return and tipping is therefore not practised.
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