On 11 April 1789 Captain of the Bounty, William Bligh was the first European to to map and land on Aitutaki. It is said he introduced papaya plants here. Of course as they say, the rest is history. 17 days later Fletcher Christian led the famous mutiny on the Bounty, relieving Bligh of his command and casting him adrift in a small boat assuming that he would die.
Today Aitutaki Island is a 40 minute flight from Rarotonga on a small twin prop aircraft that zig zags between the islands 7 times a day. Descending low to land on the US built WW2 airstrip the beauty of this atoll and the turquoise water lagoon protecting it is breathtaking.
We are welcomed at the tiny terminal with singing and a floral lei.
A 5 minute drive takes us to our own Private Island resort. The first impression is paradise on earth. Languid palm trees lean over pristine white sand beaches lappd gently by turquoise sea waves. Our villa is luxurious and we quickly discover the joys of the warm private infinity plunge pool just metres from our own private stretch of beach.
