Aitutaki's Secret Garden

Introduction

The Cook Islands, are an expanse of 15 islands dotted over 1,800,000 square kilometres of ocBill Tschan and his plantationean. Each island is enveloped by warm, turquoise waters. This string of islands consists of lush rain forests, freshwater lakes and limestone formations to name a few. Its weather systems can spit out droughts that last for months on end as well as torrential rains that have the natives scurrying to weatherproof houses. With a variety of extremes, the Cook Islands are still repeatedly described as one of the most beautiful places on earth, commonly referred to as “the last heaven on earth”. All these characteristics come together to create a magical combination of sultry islands, a place where many visitors find it difficult to leave, many falling in love and returning time and time again. One such visitor is Willy R. (Bill) Tschan, a Swiss National.

Originally seconded to Rarotonga to run an Orange-Juice canning facility, Bill has resided in the Cook Islands since 1968, on the island of Rarotonga where he met his beautiful wife Teetu, and raised his four daughters.

Aitutaki, the home island of his wife Teetu, is now home to the couple, and has been since 2002. Thus begins the story of the SECRET GARDEN.

Read more: Introduction