It’s Christmas Eve, and for a bit, just a little bit, we can forget about Covid, and treasure and enjoy the company of our family and friends before the borders open on January 13, 2022.

The Punanga Nui Market is open today until late, so if you’re one of those last-minute shoppers visit the vendors – there are all sorts of stalls with fresh produce, kinaki, locally handmade jewellery, crafted gifts and the popular fresh flower ei.

Tonight, the St Joseph’s Cathedral will hold their annual Christmas Eve mass at 8pm at the Cathedral which will be broadcasted live on Radio Cook Islands.

On Monday, December 27, the popular annual Boxing Day Touch Tournament will be held at Nukupure Park in Muri, right next to the beach. The games start at 10am.

All bars and night clubs and most restaurants are closed tomorrow, Christmas Day, with the exception of the Islander Hotel.

The Islander Hotel will open on Christmas Day from 8am for breakfast and a special buffet lunch with a live band from 12pm to 2pm. On Sunday the restaurant will open as usual and feature a live band from 12pm to 2pm; on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December it is business as usual for the hardworking staff, so pop in, have a meal and share some Christmas cheer.

Vaiana’s Bar & Bistro: Today open 12 noon -10pm, Closed December 25 to 28 December; reopen Wednesday 29 December.

TRIO’s Garden Bar: Open today as usual; closed 25 to 27 December; reopen Tuesday 28 Dec at 2pm.

Trader Jacks: Open today as usual, closed Saturday 25 to Tuesday 28 December. It will reopen Wednesday 29 December to Saturday 1 January 2022, live bands from 11.30am on New Years Day.

Rehab Nightclub: Christmas Eve specials are on tonight and doors open from 9:30pm-12am with DJ Kane & DJHAB (B2B) – impress with your Christmassy headpiece and go into a draw to win $20 bar tabs. Their Raro Pub Crawl - Rehab Party Bus & Happy Hour Specials also apply tonight.

Cook Islands Game Fishing Club in Tupapa: Closed December 25; reopen from Monday 27 December.

Charlie's Café in Titikaveka: Closed December 25 to 28; reopen on Wednesday 29 December through to Friday New Year’s Eve. Closed New Year’s Day  to January 4; reopen Wednesday January 5, 2022.

Castaway Resort: Open today as usual, closed Christmas Day and reopens Sunday, 26 December from 8am and with live music from 5.30pm with Kahiki, Pascale & Freddy and the usual specials.

OTB Restaurant & Bar at the Manuia Beach Resort: Christmas Day open for a gala buffet from 12 midday until 4pm with live entertainment.

Rarotonga Golf Club in Nikao: December 25 to 28 closed, reopens on Wednesday 29 December from 2pm.

Ride Monster Café: Closed from Christmas Day to January 3, 2022. Back to baking homemade goodies and making great coffee on Tuesday January 4, 2022.

Palace One Takeaway and Annie’s Café: Closed Christmas Day to December 28. Reopen December 29 to December 31. Closed January 1 to January 4, reopen January 5.

The Christmas long weekend opening hours for the main shops on Rarotonga are as follows:

Prime Foods opens today as usual from 8am - 6pm; closed Saturday 25 to Tues 28 December; reopen 29 December at 8am.

Super Brown in Tupapa is open 24 hours phone 20140; Super Brown in Nikao is open 24/7 phone 26141.

Wigmore’s Super Store in Vaimaanga is open 24/7 phone 20206.

The CITC stores are as follows.

Main Store Avarua: Today 9.30am - 4.30pm, Sat 25 to Tues 28 December closed, Wed 29 to Fri 31 December 9.30am - 3.30pm; Sat 1 Jan to Tues 4 January closed.

Building Centre: Today 8am – 4pm, Sat 25 to Tues 28 December closed; Wed 29 to Fri 31 December 8am – 4pm; Sat 1 to Tues 4 January closed.

Foodland: Today 7.30am – 5.30pm, Sat 25 to Tues 28 December closed; Wed 29 to Fri 31 December 7.30am - 5.30pm; Sat 1 to Tues 4 January closed.

Supermarket: Today 8am - 6pm; Sat 25 to Mon 27 December closed; Tues 28 December 8am - 3pm; Wed 29 to Fri 31 December 8am - 6pm; Sat 1 Jan to Mon 3 January closed; Tues 4 January 8am -3pm; Wed 5 January back to normal hours.

Pharmacy: Today 9am – 3.30pm; Sat 25 to Tues 28 December closed; Wed 29  to Fri 31 December 9am – 3.30pm; Sat 1 to Tues 4 January closed; Wed 5 January – back to normal hours.

Oasis in Nikao: Monday to Sunday as normal 6am - 10pm; No alcohol sales on Christmas Day; Alcohol sales on 27 and 28 December and 3 and 4 January only between 9am and 1pm.

KAPZ in Matavera and Kavera store in Arorangi: Monday to Sunday as normal 6am - 9pm; No alcohol sales on Christmas Day; Alcohol sales on 27 and 28 December and 3 and 4 January only between 9am - 1pm.

CITC Liquor: Open today from 9am to 7pm; Closed Christmas Day; Monday 27 December 9public holiday) - Open 9am to 1pm. Tuesday 28 December Closed; reopen on Wednesday.

The Bond Store: Open today from 9am to 7pm; Closed from Saturday 25 to Tuesday 28 December; reopen on Wednesday.

From the management and staff at Cook Islands News, we wish you all, and those in the Pa Enua, a happy, safe and wonderful Christmas. Kia Manuia.