The idea of living alone for years on a deserted island might be a nightmare for some, but for Tom Neale it was his dream come true. He spent 16 years of his life on remote Suwarrow in the Cook Islands and became world famous when he told his story in the book, “An Island to Oneself”.

Now, nearly 60 years after its publication his daughter, Stella Neale has provided a new perspective on the remarkable story with her own epilogue in a new edition of the book. In this podcast, Stella reflects affectionately and at times emotionally on her father’s extraordinary life. She talks about how he was misunderstood and why he chose to live hundreds of miles away from the nearest civilisation. She also reads extracts from that new epilogue. This is a unique and fascinating insight into an icon of Cook Islands history.

The updated (2024) edition of "An Island to Oneself" is published by HarperCollins (New Zealand) and is available as a hardback (ISBN 978 1 7755 4266 7) and ebook (ISBN 978 1 7754 9297 9)

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide. It's also THE ONLY TOTALLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE ON THE INTERNET with information about each and every one of the 15 islands. My own travels and those of other visitors and islanders themselves combine to provide what I hope you'll enjoy as a unique insight. There's an introduction to the Islands here. Find out...how to get to the Islands and get advice on getting around them. There's at least one page about every island to help you discover what to see and do and what makes it special. There are also a few ideas about what to take home to remind you of paradise. And there are answers to frequently asked questions, a list of the top 10 things to do and some "did you know?" facts.

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The Cook Islands are a world away from Edinburgh in Scotland where best selling author, Ian Rankin lives and his novels about Detective Inspector John Rebus are set. But in this episode, Ian recalls his holiday in the Polynesian paradise. The unspoiled beauty, the friendly locals…and the fish sandwiches and local beer all made a big impression. He also talks about Rebus, why the curmudgeonly cop is unlikely ever to end up there and what might be next for his much loved maverick. It’s a unique and fascinating insight into the an aspect of Ian’s life never before heard.

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide. It's also THE ONLY TOTALLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE ON THE INTERNET with information about each and every one of the 15 islands. My own travels and those of other visitors and islanders themselves combine to provide what I hope you'll enjoy as a unique insight. There's an introduction to the Islands here. Find out...how to get to the Islands and get advice on getting around them. There's at least one page about every island to help you discover what to see and do and what makes it special. There are also a few ideas about what to take home to remind you of paradise. And there are answers to frequently asked questions, a list of the top 10 things to do and some "did you know?" facts.

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Find out what KUKICAST is all about in this five minute introduction with clips from some of the first episodes. And presenter, John Roberts tells of his passion for this Polynesian paradise in the South Pacific and how this podcast is his way of helping to share it.

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide. It's also THE ONLY TOTALLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE ON THE INTERNET with information about each and every one of the 15 islands. My own travels and those of other visitors and islanders themselves combine to provide what I hope you'll enjoy as a unique insight. There's an introduction to the Islands here. Find out...how to get to the Islands and get advice on getting around them. There's at least one page about every island to help you discover what to see and do and what makes it special. There are also a few ideas about what to take home to remind you of paradise. And there are answers to frequently asked questions, a list of the top 10 things to do and some "did you know?" facts.

MY BOOK ABOUT T...

WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES THE COOK ISLANDS SO SPECIAL? Karla Eggelton definitely knows because she’s lived there all her life and is uniquely placed to tell us as she’s Chief Executive of tourism. In this episode, she gives us a unique insight into the capital island of Rarotonga, its next most visited neighbour, the stunningly beautiful Aitutaki and some of the 13 other islands which make up this Polynesian paradise in the South Pacific. Among them are some of the most remote and unspoiled places on the planet.

Karla explains how new flights are making the Cook Islands easier to get to. She also talks passionately of Cook Islands cultural values, including protecting the environment, caring for each other and how Islanders want to share a love of their homeland with the world. Get some tourist tips too in her answers to a fun quick fire quiz.

This is a must listen if you're thinking about a visit to the Cook Islands or just want to know more about a uniquely special little paradise.

The copyright free music included in this episode is by the fantastic 'Koka Lagoon Boys' of the Cook Islands (search for more them on YouTube)

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide. It's also THE ONLY TOTALLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE ON THE INTERNET with information about each and every one of the 15 islands. My own travels and those of other visitors and islanders themselves combine to provide what I hope you'll enjoy as a unique insight. There's an introduction to the Islands here. Find out...how to get to the Islands and get advice on getting around them. There's at least one page about every island to help you discover what to see and do and what makes it special. There are also a few ideas about what to take home to remind you of paradise. And there are answers to frequently asked questions, a list of the top 10 things to do and some "did you know?" facts.

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Trader Jacks near the harbour on Rarotonga is iconic. In this episode, Jack's daughter, Vanessa talks its colourful history and its legendary owner. Sadly, Jack |Cooper died in June, 2022 but his legacy lives in his new book. Vanessa talks about that and shares some of the 40 years of trials and tribulations, hilarious stunts and downright unbelievable events recalled by a man who was dubbed “the Gordon Ramsey of the Rarotonga ecosphere”

Jacks' book, "40 years behind bars. A publican in paradise" can be ordered on line at https://40ybb.com. Shipping is worldwide or if you're in Rarotonga you can buy a copy at Traders

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide. It's also THE ONLY TOTALLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE ON THE INTERNET with information about each and every one of the 15 islands. My own travels and those of other visitors and islanders themselves combine to provide what I hope you'll enjoy as a unique insight. There's an introduction to the Islands here. Find out...how to get to the Islands and get advice on getting around them. There's at least one page about every island to help you discover what to see and do and what makes it special. There are also a few ideas about what to take home to remind you of paradise. And there are answers to frequently asked questions, a list of the top 10 things to do and some "did you know?" facts.

MY BOOK ABOUT T...

24 year old Tom Robinson from Brisbane, Australia is on an 8,000 nautical miles voyage from Peru to Australia aiming to become the youngest person ever to row single-handed across the Pacific. He's spending 12 months a tiny boat he designed and built himself and making landfall along the way to resupply and explore th​e cultures of the South Pacific. Tom ended up on Penrhyn (Tongareva) in the Cook Islands by sheer chance after being blown off course and that's where I caught up with him. He gives a unique insight into this remote, unspoiled and rarely visited tropical paradise and explains why he wants his remarkable adventure to inspire others.

Tom shares more of his impressions and pictures of his time on Penrhyn on my website at Penrhyn, Cook Islands - "a slice of paradise"

EXPLORE ALL 15 OF THE COOK ISLANDS
My website is the most detailed guide on the net at Cook Islands complete guide. It's also THE ONLY TOTALLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE ON THE INTERNET with information about each and every one of the 15 islands. My own travels and those of other visitors and islanders themselves combine to provide what I hope you'll enjoy as a unique insight. There's an introduction to the Islands here. Find out...how to get to the Islands and get advice on getting around them. There's at least one page about every island to help you discover what to see and do and what makes it special. There are also a few ideas about what to take home to remind you of paradise. And there are answers to frequently asked questions, a list of the top 10 things to do and some "did you know?" facts.

MY BOOK ABOUT T...