Travel News

 A Cook Island The Latest Hot Spot

The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands with a total population of approximately 19,000 scattered over some two million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean. They lie in the center of the polynesian Triangle, flanked to the west by the Kingdom of Tonga and the Samoas and to the east by Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia about 500 miles southwest of Tahiti. Self governing in association with New Zealand, the Cooks boast coconut palms, lagoons, sandy-white beaches, jagged cliffs lush green with vegetation.

The Cooks are cool and fresh and like the French Polnesia they, too, boast thatch roof "overwater" bungalows and remote offshore resorts. In the Cooks, it is said Aitutaki is to the island Rarotonga, which is also the capital, what Bora Bora is to Tahiti. No matter, both are beautiful islands. In short, by visiting these islands, tourists will start a love affair with the South Pacific.

 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

YOUR TRAVEL RIGHTS: THE NEW RULES FOR AIRLINE BAGGAGE

If your bags are delayed for several days, it's increasingly unlikely these days that the airline will agree to reimburse you for new clothing or other interim expenses - at least, not without a fight. ( Remember Travel Insurance)

Remember to inspect your luggage when it comes off the baggage carousels. if you spot any significant damage, you should file a claim immediatley with the airline baggage office.

General Baggage Tips:

Before you pack your bags, spread out the contents on your bed or floor and take pictures with your digital camera. Those photos will help you document the contents without forcing you to write down an itemized list of everything.

Never pack anything in your checkked suitcases that you stand to lose. That includes electronics, jewelry, medicine and other valuables.

As you check your bags for the first flight, watch the airline agent to make sure the proper city codes and tags are placed on the correct bags

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%