Step over step, step over step. I focused on the sinewy brown calves ahead of me as they carefully climbed over twisted roots and jagged rocks higher and higher through the tropical jungle of Rarot… ...

The Cook Islands are a dream destination for those seeking pristine beaches, Polynesian culture, and breathtaking nature. ... Mount Te Rua Manga (The Needle) in Rarotonga, ...

In the distance, our first goal, the rocky, pointed peak of Te Rua Manga (the Needle), can be seen. Quickly the climb becomes much more arduous. The path gets steeper and muddier and is covered by ...

THERE is no doubt that the Cook Islands are a long way from Scotland. ... a 71-year-old who accompanied me to Te Rua Manga, or the Needle. As you clamber up the steep slope, ...

Dreadlocked and bare-chested, local legend Pa Teuruaa has been guiding hikers across Rarotonga for almost 30 years, showing visitors another side to the paradisiacal Cook Islands.

I scrawled the spectacular 413m Te Rua Manga (the Needle) while standing on the trail, quickly suggesting the trees framing it, a few Frigate birds circling above before catching up with the group.