While the Union Jack is still part of the Cook Islands flag, the Queen of England has little to do with the running of the country but she, and the Royal Family, are held in high regard and with affection. There is still a public holiday for the Queen’s Birthday, and Queen Elizabeth’s head still graces the Cook Island coins. Interestingly the ‘tail’ of the local $1 coin has a fertility symbol.

This somehow sums up how the Cook Islanders manage to balance sensual Polynesian culture with the religious heritage handed down from British missionaries.

The bottom photo is of Uirangi Bishop, one of the best dancers in the Cook Islandss.  Uirangi is artistic, musical and gracefully erotic, but I bet on Sundays she wears a hat, a modest dress to church – and possibly even gloves!

BTW – I recommend them both – Polynesian dance is simply stunning and so is the singing in church… Both, shall we say, uplifting.