Upon arrival in Aitutaki, the hotel manager Joe informs me of a short hike just across the way from Paradise Cove that goes to the tallest point on the island. I toss my bags in my room and strap on my hiking shoes.

The path begins paved and then soon turns to a dirt road.

Then the path winds up this hill below through grass that is taller than me! I push through the grass and do a bug check at each clearing.

After about twenty minutes I make it to the top. The views are pretty stellar.

It’s hard to believe that less than 24 hours before I was just leaving Los Angeles, and now I’m standing on top of a small mountain in the Cook Islands.

Upon returning to the main road I see multiple small fires burning at a few of the homes. Turns out it’s not uncommon for them to burn their rubbish.

I make it back just before sunset and book a lagoon tour for the next day… more coming tomorrow!