Hey guys

Me and some mates are heading over to Aitutaki in the Cook islands for some kiting and will be staying at a place called Josies backpackers on Samades. Apparently there are 2 josies, one in town and one by the water which is where we are going. has anyone been there? any info would be most appriciated.

cheers

when are you going slut ? :twisted:

Yeah primo spot mate. Josies a legend, we meet her completely boozed on the way back from the bar- 100m away on the beach front. Definately stay at the one by beach, can ride right there.

I think their trades start May thru to Aug??

We were there in Dec, not a whole lot of wind but we still got about 3 days out of 6.

If you're on a budget ake some canned food because groceries are a little spendy. Especially take some Salami, that stuff like gold on the Island, can trade it for amazing fruit etc.

You can rent a tinny (boat) from a the Aussie guy who has shacks for rent inbetween Josies and the bar. This will allow you to check out some of the other magic spots, there's a huge sand spit out from Honeymooners Is. which looked like it'd be sweet.

Well have a blast, hope the wind gods are kind to ya.

Cheers for the tip. That is really helpful. We are going first week of oct. Hopefullly the wind blows for us. Will definitely have to check out the sand bar!! Will be taking plenty of salami

A couple of us stayed there about 3 years ago. We stayed at Josies and would walk over and launch off the sandspit at the Pearl Bay resort. They didn't seem to mind at the time, I think the place might have been in receivership. Nice clean and consistent wind, I think it gets more wind that Raro. Waist deep for kilometres!

One more tip-
Josies backpackers gets really hot and you share it with all the Cook Island Cocroaches. Highly recommend you leave your gear inside and take a hammock to sleep by the water outside. I left mine there for the next guests but that was 2 years ago!

Do not underestimate the value of Salami (do not delcare it at customs!)
And do what Hugh says, find Quinten (lives beside Josies) and get out to those sandbars. He can also take you spear fishing off the reef.

You need to ask the resort to walk through their place and launch off their spit.

Oh yeah, go to Samade Bar every night- pearler sunsets.

Just got back from a week there , it is the shit ! by far the nicest place I have ever been to , it is so relaxing and the people are friendly . the sand bars are a good place to set up and go from just swim or walk your kite across a small chanel to get to them depending on the tide . there is a little bit of dispute about who can use them at the moment but it is being sorted . the resort that joins up to them think they own them but thats bull shit take a big stick for the security gard . samade's is cool , nice food and freindly as staff . I stayed at popoara sea breeze resort , it is very nice and the owner allen is a good guy who will make sure you enjoy your stay , the rooms are self contained so you can store and cook your own food to . he has a scooter hire to , it is a must to get some and cruze the island and a good way to keep cool . ahhhh what a sick trip !!!!!!!!!!!! The lagoon is out of this world and reflects a blue green colour into the clouds ....... unbeliveable !!!!!!

Popoara sea breeze resort :!:
www.popoara.com
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Damn, looks like the cats out of the bag. I thought this might be the last secret spot X in the pacific. I had a week there 2 years ago, agree with all thats been said. By far the best flat water spot I've ever kited, wind every day. Check out zuji.com for windspeeds at the airport which is about 1km from the beach. take 16 and 12 but the airline limits you to 15kgs. I think Luke got over there with full kit with a bit of sweet talking. Just watch for stonefish on the outer reefs. Inner reef at Pacific resort is all white sand, no rocks.....sweet. If theres no wind get the locals to take you out fishing, in the middle of the pacific, out of site of land...scary...
Slyde

you are alould 20kg if you are comming off an international flight . I had about 19kgs , 16m 12 m 1 board and pump bar ect . my friend I traveled with had about 22.5kgs , it seemed that the cook island airport staff just looked the other way rather than chargeing but I wouldnt push it . get into it !