COOK ISLANDS (25' e 13')
telecasted by RAI for GEO &GEO
with the collaboration of:
Tour Operator Contea Viaggi
Air New Zealand
Paolo Santolini
Toni Secchi

Rarotonga is the seat of the government and the largest among the islands of the archipelago situated in the middle of the immense Pacific ocean. Here, in the midst of song and Polynesian choirs, the funeral of the queen is celebrated, a commemoration that goes on all night, during which time the girls of the dance troupe perform the traditional dances and show off their extraordinary beauty. Proceeding onwards towards the atoll of Aitutaki, one of the most beautiful in the Pacific, we happen to witness the electoral campaign, managed completely by women and to meet Pà, ex-World surfing champion.

TONGA. Tongatapu (30')
telecasted by RAI for GEO &GEO
with the collaboration of:
Ufficio Nazionale del Turismo di Tonga
Cathay Pacific
Roberto Chiesa
dott. G.P. Orbassano

Gipi Orbassano is an Italian that lives on Tonga and knows all its secrets. One of his honours was to be the right hand man of the king for many years and he was Minister for agriculture, setting up the only existing schools for learning the various techniques involved. He describes the various products on the market and explains how they are made and what they are used for. A Frenchman explains how it is possible for coffee to be able to grow on Tonga and not only at high altitude. We also see the entire produce of Tongan craftsmen, the best in the Pacific.
TONGA. Haapai (10')
telecasted by RAI for GEO &GEO
with the collaboration of:
Ufficio Nazionale del Turismo di Tonga
Cathay Pacific
Roberto Chiesa
dott. G.P. Orbassano

The Kao volcano, that is outlined on the horizon, was the scene for the most famous mutiny in the world: that of the Bounty. The Haapai islands are devoted to agriculture even if the surrounding sea, warm and clear, is rich in fish. Jurgen, a German guide, explains how to prepare the pandano leaves used to make beautiful rugs and cloths: the traditional over-dress called the “ taovala”. The way of growing sweet potatoes is interesting, as is the visit to a church of around 1800, built only out of coconut wood, according to traditional method. To finish, the men gather round a wooden bowl to drink kava, a plant extract with a relaxing effect.

TONGA. Vavau (10')
telecasted by RAI for GEO &GEO
with the collaboration of:
Ufficio Nazionale del Turismo di Tonga
Cathay Pacific
Roberto Chiesa
dott. G.P. Orbassano

At 300 km from the capital, the Vavau islands are really beautiful. Clear, warm water is host to many lobsters (sold all over the world), sharks, sea snakes that sleep in the many caves under the islands. In August the megattere arrive for the mating ritual and to give birth. At night, hundreds of crabs come out of their hiding places to hunt their prey on the shore. The largest forests of gorgonie in the world grow here.

TONGA. The singing Whales (15')
telecasted by RAI
with the collaboration of:
The Waterfront Lodge
Explorando
Cathay Pacific
dott. G.P. Orbassano

The encounter with the singing (humpback whales) is absolutely normal between July and October, throughout the Tongan archipelago and in particular at Vavau. Getting clores females that protect their calfs and go back to air is not impossible and the emotion of the calf you look in the eyes is unforgettable! How can relive the legendary love story of Tarita and Lanai transformed into swifts to perpetuate their passion.