THE PACIFIC: Cook Islands

From Bangkok, Steve Torok reports:

"Raratonga triggers memories: I was there in 1985 on a UN / World Bank mission on energy, I had the honor to witness the opening of parliament as a special guest. It was done proper Westminster style, with the Queens Representative knocking on Parliament's door (the Raratonga High School's field-house), wearing a proper wig, entering and allowing proceedings to commence. My friend Stuart Kingham, President Tom Davies' Scientific Adviser, was the only man with an electric car in Raratonga. We discussed at length a wood-fired power plant to be built once fast-growing (ipil-ipil) trees are planted to give the island renewable energy for power generation. It was a bad idea, since there is really not that much land available."

Ronald Hilton - 6/18/01