My Cousin Jim Bruce is definitely a part of the vacation "experience!" {photo by Shipwreck Hut}
YAY ~ my Cousin Jim Bruce is NUMBER 3 on World’s Best Beach Bars… Rarotonga here we come!!~sb
PS: I am blessed to have lived at his home & worked for him at Holo Holo Tours, Lahaina Maui, when i was 20!
#3. Shipwreck Hut, Cook Islands
Getting ready for church never felt so good.
Hammocks, sunsets, barbecues, tropical fruit breakfasts, gospel sing-a-longs and a special “magic” cocktail that’s served in a recycled jam jar –- Shipwreck Hut is the bar you dream of owning when you retire.
Situated on Arorangi beach on the west coast of Rarotonga, the barbecues are a favorite with travelers, not least because of the corny jokes and barely believable tales of affable owner Jim.
On Sundays after an omelet breakfast customers can join a trip to the local church to listen to the locals singing gospel in traditional colorful muumuus and woven hats. Or you can stay at the bar, swing in the hammocks and keep an eye out for whales (depending on the season).
Aroa Beachside Inn, Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands; www.aroabeach.com
SEE MORE: World’s 50 best beach bars #5 | CNNGo.com.
sarah nean bruce ≈ living in urbia… 
so glad to read your feelings of my friend jbruce –many trips –carlsbad calif to raro. I’m don & judy briggs many memories and hopefully more soon I’m x surfer waikiki beach club early fifties with vi , & blue –crater room—diving for coin on lurline day later years sunset and pipeline—now a place 3&3/4 e. end molokai makaii across from pineapple island (senior moment forgot island name say hi tojim I’m having trouble getting thru touch base with don & judy 760 415 6155 att cell best 4:30 pm plus—-also havasu -oklahoma-whitianga n,z, baja punta final 40 years occasional autitaki, bytheway typing notmyforte say hello to william bill tierney & wen dal niles yur neighborhood also the greatest “CLIVE REVEL : one of hollywoods unsung greatest fom the tree man briggs nursery vista calif ret.