the Kirkpatricks

The sunny side of the Kirkpatricks

THE sun naturally plays a very im portant part in all our lives, but to Andrew and Pam Kirkpatrick, their lives and livelihood revolve round it somewhat more than most. In addition to running the Cook Islands Sun tourist newspaper, in partnership with Carolyn Short in absentia, they have also recently taken over the management of Sunrise Beach Motel in Ngatangiia, Rarotonga.

The latter venture coincided with the publication in mid-July, of the latest edi tion of the Sun newspaper. This, the third issue of the Cook Islands Sun , was Andrew and Pam’s inaugural edition as far as their own involvement is con cerned.

Their primary future plans for the paper are to further increae overseas distribution, to feature the outer islands more, to promote their Air Rarotonga “Meitaki Award” (given to the local resi dent who has been most helpful to visi

tors) and to include articles of cultural and historical significance in following editions. With regard to the Sunrise Beach Motel, after a clean up, repair and maintenance programme just com pleted, they are devoting their time to

marketing and promotion.

The Sunrise Beach Motel’s main attraction is privacy and seclusion in a lovely setting right on the sea. Andrew was quick to point out though that they may in the past have been a bit too pri vate and secluded, as not many people, even in Rarotonga, seemed to have been aware of the motel’s existence. Three different names in about three years have not really helped matters. The motel started off as the Moana Sunrise, then became Turangi Reef Lodge be fore becoming the Sunrise Beach Motel.

Andrew and Pam give the assurance that the sun does in fact rise out of the sea directly in line with the motel, so hopefully Sunrise Beach it will remain.

Guests have been known to have a few sundowners at the pool, too, from time to time. It is a lovely setting at any time of the day.