New Zealand Boasts Natural Beauty, Thrilling Excursions

After a long flight from San Francisco on Air New Zealand, we arrived in Queenstown, the south island’s largest city. No sooner than when we landed, we immediately whisked off to Aarowtown, an authentic gold mining town, rich in history and heritage. What I found particularly interesting is the fact that the early Chinese had stayed there to work in the goldmines during the early 1800s. New Zealand has preserved this village to recognize the history of the Chinese who came here. Shopper’s note: The shopping in this small town was just great! I later found that their prices in the stores were better compared to some of the shops in the bigger cities.




LODGING

After this excursion, we were on our way to Millbrook Resort . (See http://www.millbrook.co.nz/) It is surrounded by some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. Designed to embody the relaxed New Zealand country lifestyle, Millbrook is a year-round recreational paradise. Each season here yields its own character, color, and leisure pursuits. Millbrook Resort is an elite property which includes three restaurants, a bar, and an 18-hole golf course. Dinner was fabulous at the Clubhouse Restaurant at Millbrook. The menu features everything from lamb to seafood to pasta. However, by the time the dessert arrived, I was so tired I almost fell asleep on top of it! That same night, we traveled to Novotel Gardens Hotel in Queenstown. Novtel is more of a 3 to 4 star resort, but very nice and clean. I had a good night’s sleep there. Rates on Expedia.com start at over $200 per night.


TOURING
On the second day, the Nomad Safari excursion outfit picked us up for a four-wheel drive tour to Skipper’s Canyon. The Skipper’s Canyon Tour is a scenic charter activity that gives folks a spectcular look a the diversity of scenery in the area. It was quite fun riding along on the bumpy road. Our day didn’t end there. Later that afternon, we headed for the TSS Earnslaw Cruise (see www . http://www.realjourneys.co.nz/Main/earnslawcruises. This vintage steamship voyaged across beautiful Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station,a working sheepfarm where visitors get a closeup look at country living in New Zealand. After that, our entourage toured a farmyard of live sheep. We had the chance to see the farmer shear sheep. Some members of our group even go to see a baby lamb being born. How cool is that? That afternon we headed to the Kawaru Jets (see http://www.kjet.co.nz/) The high-speed boats that skim the water are also called "Shotover jets." This boat ride spins you around for about an hour. It was cold and wet, and I just couldn’t wait for it to stop. The ride is great during warmer days, but in the late fall and winter you will have more fun if you are dressed for warmth. FAMOUS SKYLINE RESTAURANT How many times do you get to ride in a gondola to your restaurant? Here at the country’s famous Skyline Restaurant , observation decks offer indoor as well as outside viewing. Visitors can dine in or outside. This wonderful restaurant features a buffet style with many New Zealand delicacies such as mussels, clams, and, of course,lamb chops. The view was breathtaking from our tables. This is a definite must-do if you are in the area.

BUNGY, BUNGY
On our third day at the Kawarau Bungy Centre, people from our group went, you guessed it… bungy cord jumping. This is the world’ first commercial bungy site here at the Kawaru Bridge in Queenstown. It includes a multi-media bungy dome attraction (description), improved spectator areas. Did I jump off? Well, maybe next time. There were just too many people fighting for the spots. Following this, we headed down the Haas River via jetboat. The ride was quite calm, nice, and enjoyable. In the afternoon, we steered to the west coast region of New Zealand and had a site inspection of the Haas World Heritage Hotel . With 54 standard rooms, a bar, buffet and restaurant, it has the feel of a clean, modest motel. Rates go from $89 to $159. Soon after that, we departed for the Franz Josef Glacier and stayed at the hotel of the same name. It is small, but the staff is very accommodating. I loved the hotel’s warming shower towel racks. (See http://www.franzjosefglacier.com/) Of course, the next morning on Day Four, we caught a breathtaking helicoper ride to see the beauty of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Though it lasted only 20 minutes, it was spectacular excursion. Next, we hit the town of Hokitika , which houses a conclave of artists. To get a taste of local color, we visited the Hokitika Glass Studio to watch glass blowing and visit the showroom. (See http://www.hokittika.org/). The same day, we visited the South Bank Art Studio. CAFES & TRAINS For lunch, we went to Café de Paris , and believe it or not, the French restaurant served us teriyaki chicken! I must admit, it was quite good. And the French onion soup was SUPERB! Later that day, we boarded the Greymouth Railway Station on the TranzAlpine journey to Christchurch. Let me fill you in- this train ride is rated among the top seven among train journeys in the world, according to popular travel magazines. It took us through the rainforest across Canterbury Plains into the Southern Alpine Alps before descending down into the rainforest of the West Coast. Being able to view this scenic landscape was well worth the six-hour ride. THE GEORGE HOTEL Once in the city of Christchurch , we lodged at The George Hotel . A few blocks from the center of town, the hotel with access to a spa, gym, and tennis court, is an upscale boutique property with rates beginning at $224.25 nightly. The staff is friendly; the food is excellent at both the Pescatore high-end restaurant, and the 50 on Park casual eatery. (See http://www.thegeorge.com/). I loved the cute teddy bear placed on my pillow when housekeeping turned our beds down at night. A charming touch!


RAPELLING

On the afternoon of the fifth day, our group went abseiling, or in American terms- rapelling. We had to hike up to one of New Zealand’s highest mountains, and rapel down to about 60 feet, and then hike down the rest of the way. This was one of the most challenging things I have ever done in my life. When I was ready to rapel, I was so petrified with fear that I wanted to cry, but I was determined to fight it. After the first few yards going sideways, I concentred hard on how to get down. By then I forgot my fears. It took me less than 5 minutes to descend, and, surprisingly, I rapelled down very smoothly. Let me tell you guys… If I can do it, anybody can do it, too! FAREWELL Our last dinner was at the Palazzo Del Marinaio . The Palazzo is centrally located in Christchurch, close to many hotels. We had the opportunity to share the best experiences of the week with other co-adventurers. The food, by the way, was so good! We had our choice of fish or lamb chops. While I don’t care for lamb usually, I ate all the lamb chops on my plate. It was excellent. At least, I should say, it was not gamey. Before leaving, we had a few more free hours, so our group went to the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. This was twice voted the best indoor attraction in New Zealand, a fun and interactive experience which focuses on the present as well as the past. The site focuses on Antartic wildlife, the environment, and day activites on the ice. There was a spell-binding 14-minute sound and light show in the audio-visual theatre making visitors feel as if they have actually been there. The unique "snow and ice" experience means the public can experience snow 365 days a year. The center features a "Polar Room" with real snow and ice made on site. Experiencing a chilling minus five degrees Celsius is huge fun for all. A fun photo opp is standing on the imitation ice slope along side a Ski-Doo vehicle. Currently priced at $50 per family or $20 for adults and $10 for kids 5-15, this place is definitely a "must-do" before heading home. Kids will love the unforgettable Hagglund ride, a unique all-terrain, tanklike snowmobile which carries multiple passengers over hills, crevasses, through water around the adventure course. I loved my trip to New Zealand and feel so fortunate to visit this spectacular place of many sights and wonders.


****NOTEWORTHY FACTS: * Air New Zealand flies out of 3 hubs: San Francisco and Honolulu to the city of Auckland, North Island and from LAX to South Island.* Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. * One U.S. dollar is approximately $1.3 dollars in N.Z. currency. *Director Peter Jackson, a New Zealander, hired 2,000 of his fellow countrymen for the movie Lord of the Rings , and some 15,000 appeared n the movie, many as Orcs. *Warmest months in New Zealand run from November through April.


NOTEWORTHY WEBSITES:
http://www.airnewzealand.com/- Info on Air New Zealand for rates and bookingshttp://www.thegeorge.com/- The George Hotel information http://www.millbrook.co.nz/- More on the lovely Millbrook Resort http://www.franzjosefglacier.com/- Travel and tour information on Franz Josef Glacier http://www.hotikita.org/– All you need to know about this small artists’ colony on the South Island http://www.realjourneys.co.nz/- Cruising and other excursions in New Zealand http://www.kjet.co.nz/- Jetboat tours and more http://www.transscenic.co.na/- Pricing and scheduling for the TransAlpine train journey


Lin can be contacted at lin_travels@sbcglobal.net

Romantic Fiji, Island Fever Never had it So Good!

A few years ago my husband asked me where I would like to go to celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary. My answer came as no surprise as I smiled at him and said, “The FIJI ISLANDS!” Why Fiji? We have been there six times, so why would we still long to go back? The answer is easy. Fiji is only ten hours away from Los Angeles (via a non-stop Air Pacific flight), so with two movies, two in-flight meals and a short nap, I’m in paradise. Fiji is made up of over 300 islands, with the two largest islands being Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The Fijian islands offer everything you would expect in a tropical paradise. You can easily wander through local marketplaces, take leisurely nature walks through undisturbed lush vegetation, or even try one of the many adrenaline-filled adventure activities. You can dive, snorkel, or swim in the legendary crystal clear waters or simply do nothing at all, and just relax on glorious sun-drenched, white, sandy beaches. Unlike many typical island destinations, Fiji offers numerous private islands. Some of these private islands cater to couples craving privacy and romance, while others cater to families seeking a high adventure activity holiday. The Fijians (more accurately, the Melanesian people) are often described as the friendliest people in the South Pacific or even the world. And, best of all, with the current exchange rate, the U.S. dollar can go a lot further in Fiji than in other typical island destinations. Since I had already visited most of the popular resorts in Fiji on previous trips and since this was our twentieth wedding anniversary, we decided to stay at more unique, romantic and secluded private resorts, including: Hideaway Resort, Vomo Island Resort, and Koro Sun Resort & Rainforest Spa. There was one exception: we decided to revisit one of our favorite properties, Namale Resort and Spa. In short, after a warm “bula” greeting when we stepped off our plane, we journeyed from Nadi International Airport on Viti Levu Island, to Hideaway Resort on the Coral Coast, to Koro Sun Resort & Namali Resort in Savusavu on the island of Vanua Levu, to Vomo Island then finally back to Nadi.


HIDEAWAY RESORT
This imperial gem has been voted the best resort in the South Pacific for several years. Though it is only a one hour drive by car from the airport in Nadi, you feel as if you are in the middle of paradise. Hideaway Resort is located on the spectacular Coral Coast. This paradise resort, once a coconut plantation, is home to 120 bures (Fijian for bungalows) which are dotted throughout 15 acres of manicured tropical gardens that extend along the water’s edge. This resort offers four different types of bures: Honeymoon Villas, Deluxe Ocean View bures, Frangipani bures, and 2 bedroom bures. All rooms are air-conditioned and all guests receive a complimentary fruit basket.We stayed at the Beach Front Honeymoon Villa. This large room (approximately 855 square feet) has a king size bed and a large indoor bathroom. In addition there is an outdoor shower and bathtub! How did we hide-away in this resort? Well, we woke up to the sound of sea breezes, and then had a cup of Fijian coffee while seated on our private veranda watching the surfers glide through the ocean water. Next was lunch at the poolside “Cannibal Café” enjoying views of the lagoon. Then in the early afternoon with the high tide we went snorkeling in this same lagoon. The beach however, was not so beautiful at low tide, but we took advantage of the low tide by walking along the reef to mingle with local fishermen. We enjoyed watching the fishermen fish with handmade lines, and searching for blue starfish and octopi. During high tides we swam to off-shore rocks to look at the fish. One note of caution however, you must keep track of the tides and the time when swimming off-shore. Once we got caught as the tides were getting lower. I ended up getting scratched by the razor sharp coral, and had to have my deep cuts treated by the caring hotel staff. The resort offers great entertainment and floor shows in the evenings. One night we were entertained by cultural dances, and the next night by a Fijian history presentation. A cooking class was offered during the day. The day I attended they just happened to make my favorite Fijian dish, Kokonda, which is similar to cerviche, made of raw fish in a coconut cream sauce.
The Hideaway Resort is considered a moderate to budget property, but it has four-star amenities. The staff was exceedingly friendly and many of the guests were repeat guests from all over the world. The Hideaway Resort is a great family resort, sort of like a Fijian Club Med. My husband wished that there was a television in our room so he could catch the news, but he enjoyed the privacy and uniqueness of the outside shower! We both wished that there was Internet access in the rooms so we would not need to lug our computer to the hot-spot in the dining room to Instant Message our children (internet facilities are available for $6 for 60 minutes), but I guess with a name like Hideaway, who wants television or the Internet?

KORO SUN RESORT AND RAINFOREST SPA

This resort is located on the island of Vanua Levu, a short one hour flight from Nadi airport in Viti Levu, and is dedicated to adventure, rejuvenation and romance! It is a dream haven for lovers and nature lovers! It is situated on 150 acres, 90 acres of which is lush, virgin, tropical rainforest, complete with waterfalls and streams. It is also home to many rare tropical birds and plants. The Koro Sun Resort and Rainforest Spa features 17 bures each with 4-poster bamboo beds, a stone shower, and ocean views. It is an all- inclusive property! Here our morning started with breakfast at the resort’s restaurant. The awesome homemade muffins were almost as good as Millie’s beautiful cheerful smile that greeted us each day. My favorite place though was the Rainforest Spa, which is tucked next to cascading waterfalls. Most massage centers use music to create a relaxing environment, but here we heard the natural sounds of the real rainforest, with the sounds of the stream and the birds chirping. This made our massage a truly delightful, relaxing and memorable experience. My husband however, recommends requesting a lift in the resort car, as it is a very long walk through the rainforest to get back to the hotel.LOCAL ACTIVITIES About five minutes by taxi from the resort, on the way to the town of Savusavu, you must remember to stop to view the spectacular blowhole. Here the sea water shoots vertically nearly twenty feet from a natural rock formation, much like a gigantic ocean geyser. In Savusavu we visited J. Hunter Pearls Shop, the only place in Fiji that boasts an international pearl farm. From there we walked to the farmer’s market and bought a common Asian vegetable, the bok choy. Once back at the resort, Chef Anna surprised us with a fabulous bok choy salad featuring her signature special dressing. It was very creative and totally delicious. I never knew you could make such an amazing dish with this common vegetable. Needless to say, the staff at Koro Sun Resort and Rainforest Spa was incredibly friendly and outgoing.

NAMALE RESORT & SPA

Envisioned and created by Tony Robbins a well known author and speaker, this all-inclusive resort has won the 2005 Fiji Excellence in Tourism Award for Best Deluxe Accommodations; and first prize from Modern Bride in 2005 for best Ultimate Honeymoon Suite. This property is situated on 325 acres yet has only 16 private and spacious bures and villas (though currently two additional villas are being constructed on the property). We did not stay at this property, as we had the luxury of staying there in 1999. But as it was only 10 minutes away from Koro Sun Resort, we decided to do a quick resort inspection to see how it may have changed in those 8 years. Rose, the sales and marketing manager was very friendly and sweet. She showed us around and shared her enthusiasm about the resort. We were fascinated by the 10,000 square foot glass-walled Namale Spa overlooking the sea. It offers several types of massages from all over the world (U.S. $125 for 75 minutes). The spa is designed to induce a deep calm, a place for renewal and relaxation. How I would have loved to have a massage there, but alas, we didn’t have enough time! The resort’s entertainment center, Kava Center , has a two-lane bowling alley, a video golf range, a theater-size projection facility, and the internet is conveniently located in the business conference center. Needless to say, the Kava Center is very popular when Tony Robbins is hosting a conference Something unique about Namale Resort & Spa is that each day there is a personalized typed lunch or dinner menu complete with personal greeting. Would you prefer to eat in your room or have a picnic basket of lobster for lunch at the beach? How about dinner complete with candlelight, and quiet romantic music on a private corner of a rock near the gentle gliding sounds of the sea?


VOMO RESORT AND SPA
The old saying “getting there is half the fun” truly applies to Vomo Resort & Spa. This island resort is reached either by sea plane, helicopter (15 minute ride) or South Sea Cruises (45 minutes from Denarau Marina)! What a way to start a vacation! This property, located just below Fiji’s popular Yasawa group of Islands and includes 29 stunning bures, each with ocean front views and private decks. Our ocean front bure was very centralized with easy access to the restaurant, spa, golf course, resort store, and activities center. We particularly enjoyed sipping cocktails at Rock Bar, while gazing out at the beautiful sunsets, and attending the manager’s cocktail party. This cocktail party was before the “Lovo” dinner where they had native Fijians performing native dances. Like many of the guests, we dressed up, enjoyed our dinner, and mingled with the friendly natives and other resort guests until late into the night. The crystal blue water here was unbelievable! I could easily see 15-30 feet down to the colorful fish and corals beneath me as I snorkeled immediately off the shoreline. I did not need to endure a long boat ride to find an underwater paradise! And, as an extra bonus, the resort has a sea turtle sanctuary, where we thoroughly enjoyed playing with the baby turtles! Vomo Resort has a small island adjacent to it known as Vomo Lailai Island where guests can enjoy a private picnic. Only one couple at a time is allowed on this small island, thus it truly is a secluded romantic getaway! We found, however, that this little island is not quite as secluded as we expected. Suddenly we saw five native fishermen on the other end of the beach! Thankfully they never saw us, and we had nothing to hide (yet!). Our other favorite outing was a private candlelight dinner on the beach surrounded by lighted torches and candles. It just happened to be seafood night the night we went, so we had the luxury of privately eating yummy local lobster with our hands and fingers while enjoying a good bottle of wine. We would not have enjoyed the lobster nearly as much had we eaten it in a restaurant worrying about proper etiquette. (How does one politely eat lobster with a fork, knife and cracker?!?!?!). Then on our walk back to our bure after our romantic dinner I thought I was dreaming or feeling the effects of the wine. As we opened the door to our bure, the lights had been dimmed, soft music was playing, and flower petals were scattered throughout our bure. Even more surprising, our bathroom had also been decorated with flower petals, lit candles surrounded our bubble filled Jacuzzi! Needless to say, we were stunned and speechless with this special touch of romance! What a memorable and enchanting evening. Soon this turndown romance will be added to the long list of amenities and a small fee will be added. Incidentally, Vomo Resort and Spa is now under new management since May 2007. Wayne Milgate from the famous Hayman Island Resort, and Toni-Maree Milgate from Versage Hotel on the Coral Coast of Australia, are the new general managers and they plan to change this resort from a deluxe to a luxury resort. By the way they pay attention to their guests I am convinced they will quickly succeed!

BLUEWATER LODGE


Our final stay in Fiji was at the Bluewater Lodge. This privately owned and operated boutique bed and breakfast style lodge is centrally located along Nadi Bay. It is just five minutes from the airport and one block from Wailoaloa beach and upscale hotels and lodges. It is situated in an ideal location to explore Nadi, shop, browse the local farmer’s markets, use as a home-base for day trips, or just to rest before or after your international flight. Family owned and operated by Fiona Fong and Mike Beauchamp, this home-like property caters to both tourists and business travelers. The lodge has three separate bedrooms that share a common bathroom, as well as one master bedroom with private bath. This full service lodge offers free internet access, and for small fees will provide laundry and airport shuttle services. And, last but not least, Fiona is an excellent cook who goes out of her way to spoil you with Fijian hospitality and make you want to make Bluewater Lodge your home-away-from-home. Our anniversary vacation was a romantic experience in a place that only can be described as paradise. My husband and I walked hand-in-hand through pristine tropical rainforests, swam in crystal clear ocean waters, enjoyed lunch on a private secluded deserted (well, almost) island, enjoyed several private candlelit dinners, and we were even surprised one night by flower pedals strewn throughout our cozy bure complete with a candlelit bubble-bath waiting for us! Fiji’s unpretentious hospitality, outgoing culture, and romantic setting will keep us returning for years to come.

Lin can be contacted at lin_travels@sbcglobal.net 

**** RESORT DETAILS:
Hideaway Resort – from $250.00/ bure per nightWeb: http://www.hideawayfiji.com/Email: mailto:Adam@hideaway.com.fjContact: Adam WadePhone: 679 6500177Fax: 679 7520025 Koro Sun Resort – from $320/ bure per night
Web: http://www.korosunresort.com.fj/mailto:Namericares@connect.com.fjContact: Merlyn YoungPhone: 1 877 KOROSUNFax: 1 970 626 3715
Namale Resort & Spa – from $850.00/bure per nightWeb: http://www.namaleresort.com/Email: mailto:namale@namaleresort.comPhone: 1800 727 FIJIFax: 8585 535 6385Contact: Rose
Vomo Island Resort – from $680.00/bure per nightWeb: http://www.vomofiji.com/Email: mailto:kelvin@vomo.com.fjContact: Kelvin WadeMobile: 61 4 0212 1211Fax: 61 7 5577 9289 Bluewater Lodge
Web: http://www.bluewaterfiji.com.fj/Email: mailto:bluewaterfiji@connect.com.fjFiona Fong mobile: 679 9929704Mike Beauchamp mobile: 679 9929712

Other Helpful Information:
Electricity : 220-240 volts, 50 Hz cycle. 3 pin flat plug is the standard. A converter adapter is recommended. Language : English speaking country. Weather : Winter season is May through October with an average temperature of 84 degrees and low of 66 degrees. Summer is November through April with an average high of 88 degrees and low of 72 degrees. Population : Approximately 900,000, with a mixture of indigenous Fijians, Indians, Europeans and Chinese. Entry Requirements : No Visa required with US passport. Currency : Approximately U.S. $1.00 to Fijian $1.50 (July 2007) Air Travel : The national air carrier is Air Pacific. Driving : Left side of the road. Tipping : Not encouraged in Fiji, but you may leave a tip for the staff fund at the end of a resort stay.
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Historic Ship offers Adventure on Carribean

"Ahoy me maties! Pirates on the starboard bow! Fire the cannons! Raise the main sails and shove off to sea, ye scurvy bilge rats!" The anchor is rising, and the crew is scurrying as the captain barks out commands. This is what I imagine as the Royal Clipper pulls out to sea.



OPULENCE AT SEA


On my recent excursion on this historic clipper ship replica, I flew from San Francisco to Miami to Barbados to the Caribbean via American Airlines on a seven-day, high seas adventure. I could feel the wind blowing through my hair as I stood on top of the bow with my arms extended doing a scene from "Titanic," while the sails flapped wildly behind me. "Champagne?" "Yes, thank you," I said to the waiter. As I lay comfortably sipping the bubbly beverage on a lounge chair atop the huge, 19,000-square-foot open deck, the entire experience felt surreal. This was heaven, and for the next several days I would be sailing through the Windward Islands of the Caribbean. How did I get here? Well, I’d always wanted to take a sailing cruise. I’ve been on many typical cruise ships with parties and casinos, but those do not interest me. I love adventure!


HOW IT BEGAN




A few weeks prior at a business meeting I met Dan Pedelaborde, the Director of Northwest National Sales, from the Star Clipper Cruise Company. He didn’t have to say much to convince me that this was the ship experience that I’d always dreamt of. I did not hesitate to book my trip, and I was determined to go without any of my typical second thoughts of being seasick. And, now, I was out to sea with my patch on and all….no, not my pirate’s patch on my eye, but my seasickness patch below my ear!








THE ROYAL CLIPPER

Contrary to my active imagination, the Royal Clipper is by no means a pirate ship, though it frequently sails the once-common pirate infested waters of the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Seas. According to Captain Segiy Pashchenko, the Royal Clipper is actually the world’s largest fully rigged sailing ship. It measures 439 feet long, 54 feet wide (beam) and has masts that are nearly 200 feet high. But, what really gives it its pirate ship feel are its fleet of sails billowing from its 5 huge steel masts! For you confirmed pirate types, there are 26 square sales, 12 staysails, 3 jibs, and a spinnaker.The Royal Clipper does not navigate by stars nor sextant. Instead, it relies upon a state-of the art navigation system to guide it through sparkling clear Caribbean waters. And oh, how silently we sailed, easily sneaking up on loud cruise ships powered only by the wind in our sails. Did I say fast? Yes, with the wind in our 42 sails, we raced along at speeds of up to 20 knots! But no need to worry. In the event of doldrums, the Royal Clipper is able to be motor driven—but with its 56,000 square feet of sail area, this is rarely needed!


CABIN SECRETS


Although the sails and historic design of the boat made me feel like Sinbad, this old-world scenario melted away once I stepped inside my cabin. It was beautifully decorated in classically-styled décor, with hard wood (mahogany/teak) and brass fixtures. It even had black and white marble in the bathroom. The Royal Clipper, which can accommodate up to 228 passengers, features two Owner’s Veranda suites (320 sq. ft), 14 Deluxe Veranda suites (255 sq. ft), two Deluxe suites with whirlpool tub, shower and mini-bar (175 sq. ft), and 88 Standard cabins with shower and two porthole windows (148 sq. ft).

PORT STOPS

Visiting the Windward Islands of the Caribbean was a treat. We stopped at St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts, Isle Des Saintes, Martinique, and Barbados. I could choose a few excursions per port, but since I have visited so many of these ports of call on past trips I selected Royal Clipper-sponsored beach activities, which meant I could hire a taxi and look for loot and treasures in the downtown shopping areas. My pirate escapade was filled with many opportunities for adventure. Unlike classic pirate ships of yore, the Royal Clipper has a huge platform that can be lowered from the back of the ship when the ship is at anchor. From this platform you can enjoy many water sports including diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, water skiing and even banana boat rides. What is a banana boat you ask? It is an inflated banana-shaped boat towed behind a ski boat. I was warned that I should not take this ride as the banana boat might capsize and I might fall off, but that didn’t stop me! And yes, I did fall off my banana boat, but before the captain could set sail and leave me to the sharks, I was able to scramble back on my banana boat with the help of my roommate Pina, and some new found friends.





PIRATE FANTASIES FULFILLED


In one day I really got to live not just one, but two of my pirate dreams! I climbed to the crow’s nest of one of the masts, 50 feet above the ship’s deck! Despite my safety harness, my heart was pounding a hundred miles per hour, but, oh, what a view! What an experience! What an accomplishment for an acrophobic like me! My second pirate dream was to climb out in front of the bow of the ship while the ship was under sail. And I did! Myself and some other adventurous wanna-be pirate passengers climbed out onto the bow nets that are slung from the bowsprit. There we lay high above the water bounding over the waves and enjoying the sound of the waves crashing over the bow of the ship. In the day, the most enthralling moment transpired during the raising of the sails while the speakers aired bold symphonic music. I imagined a classic movie scene where the soldiers would go out to sea to do battle to protect the motherland.


ELEGANCE INCLUDED



The ambiance of the Royal Clipper was anything but pirate-like. Just as the suites were elegantly decorated, so was the entire ship. The dining area was the most glamorous room. It sported a royal blue and rich, burgundy theme, with brass and mahogany wood fixtures, all magnificently accenting the elegant staircase linking the 3-level atrium-like dining room. And, to my shock and surprise, the roof of this area was actually the bottom of the glass bottom swimming pool up on deck! How unique, and what a lovely atmosphere to enjoy the open seating meals. Breakfast was served buffet style with an omelet chef always attentive to cook my eggs just the way I liked them! Also, lunch was served as an international food buffet ranging from stir-fried vegetables & noodles to sushi to curry chicken and roast beef. Dinner was served a la carte with most selections beautifully presented. I usually got my fill of steak every night. The evenings on board the ship were fun and filled with comradely, even though the passengers came from all over the world. Yet, language was not a problem as between the staff and passengers. About 25 different languages were spoken, and about 50% of the passengers were repeat Royal Clipper passengers making for a joyous and festive occasion. So, it was no surprise that during the talent show, the staff and the passengers had fun showing their talents at the Tropical Bar on the main deck. One night we enjoyed crab races, another night beautiful ice sculptures, and on yet another night a local steel band from Antigua performed for us. On our trip we were especially lucky as Jim Graham, a member in our little entourage was a professional pianist. What a privilege it was for us to be entertained by his talent. It was like having our own mini-piano concert at the piano bar.


LOUNGE LIFE, POOLS

No pirate would ever have imagined Nemo’s Lounge. It is a unique combination of beauty salon, spa and gym all in an underwater setting. Well, it really wasn’t underwater, but it had portholes below water level so you could imagine you were there. Unfortunately, though, I wasn’t lucky enough to see fish swim by! Also, unique to the Royal Clipper were the three swimming pools. My next door neighbor’s daughter, a synchronized swimmer, would have been disappointed with the pools. Two of the pools are only knee deep filled with chilly water, and the third pool was only 4 feet deep. But, this third pool was fun in its own way. It has a glass bottom and it sits directly over the dining room! No doubt she would have liked peering down at the unsuspecting diners! If you go, here’s a heads up on what is and is not included. Just like a typical pirate ship, there are no elevators onboard the Royal Clipper, but there are lots of stairs! They do have a nurse, who doubles as a waitress, but no doctor. Also, there are no programs for children. No self-serve laundry room exists,but the ship does have laundry and dry cleaning services available. Further, when you board the Royal Clipper you can leave behind to pay your American dollars. The onboard currency is the Euro! So, pack up your gear, grab your patch and come be a pirate on the world’s largest, five-mast, fully rigged sailing ship, the Royal Clipper!



Lin can be contacted at lin_travels@sbcglobal.net

Magical Kenya

After years of watching National Geographic specials and reading books about Kenya, I have always wanted to go to there. I studied and became a tour specialist on Kenya and recently joined the Kenya Tourism Board on a 9-day journey to this amazing African country. KENYA OVERVIEW To know and love Kenya, one must first understand that this is a country of dramatic contrasts. Covering an area similar to the size of France (almost 225,000 square miles), Kenya stretches from five degrees north to five degrees south of the equator. Altitudes range from sea level to 17,058 feet at the peak of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second highest mountain. Kenya possesses a plethora of natural habitats and terrain, from coral reefs to open grasslands and tropical forest, from snow-capped volcanoes to arid desert. Its national parks and game reserves host the most abundant and varied wildlife in the world. Its population of some 27 million includes over 40 ethnic groups, with cultural influences from all over Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. In so many ways, Kenya is almost a microcosm of the entire African continent. Though there are several reliable tour companies to make your journey to Kenya a memorable one, we had the privilege of going on the Outdoor Expedition Safaris Ltd. Tour , led by our host Riz Virji. For our 9 days of touring and lodging with food, the comparable price for this land package would run approximately $3,400, according to the Kenya Tourism Board. NAIROBI If you decide to go to Kenya, avoid going in April and May, the rainiest time of year. Do wear comfortable clothes for your flight. The air time alone is 24 hours! Flights from SFO to Nairobi can cost $1,400 on up, according to a recent search on Expedia.com. Airlines that fly here include KLM, British Airways, and a few others. After a van ride from the Nairobi airport, our first stop was the Nairobi Serena Hotel . This elegant hotel, lavishly decorated with vibrant local colors and fabrics, features well over 200 rooms. The outdoor swimming pool is surrounded with a variety of indigenous, exotic trees and vegetation. It also has a great spa facility, so one can be totally pampered after the long voyage. The on-site Mandhari Restaurant , underscores the fact you are in Africa with its African decor and exotic art theme. Much of the restaurant fare in Kenya is barbequed meat. Thus, this place is a carnivore’s dream- beef, lamb, pork, even alligator is served everywhere. LEWA DOWNS The first day of touring meant traveling to the region of Lewa Downs . The Lewa Downs camp is probably best known for the Grevy’s zebra. Located in the 45,000-acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy on the northern slopes of Mt. Kenya, this charming property is perched atop a hill with stunning panoramic views of the conservancy and its rolling landscape, valleys and hills. Lewa Downs is a unique and true Kenyan bush experience. It is a small, quaint property that can accommodate up to 12 people. It features three large cottages, each beautifully decorated with a double and a twin room. The temperatures in April are in the 70’s during the daytime and go to the low 60’s at night. It was good that all the beds had heating pads so when I went to bed at night, it felt so warm and comfortable. In fact, I found out that all the lodgings where I stayed had this except for the Peponi Hotel in Lamu where the temperatures are warmer by 10 degrees.

WILDLIFE -The Lewa Safari Camp features tented accommodations and is a non-profit private game reserve, owned and managed by the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Proceeds from the Lewa Safari Camp go to wildlife conservation and community development programs for building schools, feeding children, as well as rehabilitating orphaned and injured rhinos and zebras. We saw three rhino orphans due for release to the wild when they turn 18 months old. Besides seeing the world famous Grevy’s Zebras and other animals, activities include day and night game drives, guided hiking tours, and horseback rides.

MAASAI MARA, Ilkeliani Tented Camp Going to Maasai Mara was a dream come true. Maasai Mara represents one of Kenya’s most-beloved reserves encompassing 1,039 square miles of wide savannas, rolling hills and forest. It boasts huge grazing herds, bountiful bird life, and Africa’s largest population of lions. As our 4-wheel drive passed through the vast Mara wilderness to the Ilkeliani Camp, we felt as though we were on a National Geographic safari as we spotted giraffes, buffaloes, wildebeest, hartebeest, impalas, zebras, gazelles, leopards and many more. As we approached the comfortable Ilkeliani tented camp located in a forest, the staff welcomed us with champagne and juices. We were then chaperoned by the Maasai to our tents. The campsite easily blends into the abundant virgin foliage providing enough solitude and privacy to hear the primordial sounds of nature. Later that evening, the owner of the Ilkeliani Camp lavished us with a wine reception including an outdoors bush fire under the exhilarating starry night sky. We were entertained by a group of Maasai dancers. Dinner was served following the show inside a huge, nicely decorated dining room tent. It was quite an evening!

NAKURU, CONGREVE CONSERVANCY, MbWEHA CAMP Next, we headed for Nakuru, Congreve Conservancy and the MbWeha Camp . Not many know that Africa is also home to geographic natural wonders. On this day, we traveled through The Great Rift Valley, one of the most dramatic geological formations in the world, stretching for more than 3,600 miles through the heart of Africa. Just west of Nairobi, this truly grand canyon effectively separates Western Kenya from the rest of the country. The drive took us along the rift floor where we could appreciate the rich geography with its diverse countryside and lush valleys. After our picnic lunch stopover, we continued to be awed by the vistas of the Rift Valley with its unique geological formations such as the steep valley walls, extinct volcanic cones, and a multitude of both fresh and soda lakes. The scenery is breathtakingly spectacular! After lunch we by passed the town of Naivasha and ultimately arrived at Nakuru National Park to look for wild game. Lake Nukuru is a shallow soda lake, and its water level can vary by as much as four meters (13 feet) annually. Sometimes the lake dries completely, leaving behind a white dusty plain of soda. When this happens, dust storms and dust devils can whip the soda deposits way up into the atmosphere. When the weather and water conditions are favorable, one can see millions of flamingoes at Lake Nukuru, as Lake Nukuru provides an excellent source of spiralina, a type of blue green algae that these beautiful birds love. At dusk we headed to Mbweha Camp . This property, tucked away in the 6,400-acre Congreve Game Conservancy at Lake Nakuru National Park, provides excellent views of the Ebrru and the Mau mountain ranges. The property is dotted with nine cottages, each with a private veranda and spacious circular-shaped rooms. These cottages are constructed out of local volcanic rock, which erupted from the earth‘s crust during the formation of the rift valley. At night, you can enjoy the sunken bar and spacious lounge that has a large open fireplace to warm you up when the weather is cool. For more information, write to them at P.O. BOX 66229 – 00800. Call them at TEL- 574395 or FAX 574669.

LAMU ISLAND After rugged trail excursions and safaris, we finally had a chance to wind down at the beach resort area of Lamu Island , off the north coast of Kenya in the Indian Ocean. Lamu is considered to be one of Kenya’s greatest treasures. Since the 1970’s, Lamu and its neighboring villages have been a prime destination for the rich and famous. With a population of 13,000, Lamu represents one of Kenya’s oldest Swahili settlements dating back to the fourteenth century. It has remained largely unchanged by history. Here one finds a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. There are very few western influences visible- no cars, just narrow winding streets full of exotic charm. When we first arrived, I felt like I was in another world. The culture is so different from those in the other parts of Kenya we had seen. Time seemed to stand still. We arrived by dhow (local small sailboat), softly gliding through the warm Indian Ocean. All our senses were overwhelmed….amazing seafood, smells of intoxicating tropical flowers, and the call to prayers in the setting sun. It truly felt like a step back in time, to a place where " time " had become a meaningless word. We stayed at the Peponi Hotel , located on the Shela beach of Lamu Island. This boutique hotel operates 27 rooms, most facing the water. I, like other guests, savored a late afternoon of relaxing on one of the lobby lounge chairs. How wonderful it was to feel the gentle blowing of the trade winds while sipping a glass of wine and listening to the waves crashing on the distant coral reef. At around 5:00 PM, our group took a sunset dhow tour around the island. The ride was very calm and soothing. We enjoyed watching the sunset, singing song after song. Back at the hotel, dinner didn’t start until it was late, but time seemed so irrelevant… When we finally did sit down for supper, the feast was unbelievable! Seafood drenched our table-lobsters, crabs, jumbo prawns, oysters calamari. Everything was delicious with a capital D. It is no wonder that this hotel restaurant has the reputation of having the best seafood in all of Lamu! Sadly enough, our trip was over all too soon. If you ever decide to come to Kenya, I’m sure you will also have plenty memories and stories you will share with generations to come.

**** NOTEWORTHY WEBSITES AND ADDITIONAL INFO: Outdoor Expedition Safaris Ltd. C/o Riz Virji P.O. Box 44406 Nairobi, Kenya Tel/Fax 254-20-313864 Mobile: 0722-379850 Email: mailto:riz@outdoorexpeditionsafaris.comWeb: http://www.outdoorexpeditionsafaris.com/Kenya Tourism Board P.O. Box 59159 Minneapolis, MN 55459-8257 U.S.A 1-866-44-KENYA 763-212-2533 FAX Email: mailto:infousa@magicalkenya.comWeb: http://www.magicalkenya.com/Lewa House, For more information, contact: Gustavo Romano PO Box 10.607, 00100 Nairobi Kenya mailto:Gustavo@Kewa.org* www.lewa.org 


Lin can be contacted at lin_travels@sbcglobal.net

My favorite Hotel in Disneyland area

My Favorite Hotel in Disneyland By Lin Low It was that time of the year again for our family annual Disneyland Vacation. For the last 16 years, since our now 19 years old daughter was 3 years old, we have taken an annual family vacation to Disneyland and once again, we just brought our premium Disneyland season passes. I am already looking forward to going back during spring vacation. I have to say it is a challenge to find a hotel that will cater to our family. In the last 16 years our family has stayed in different hotels every year, from 3 star to 5 star hotels. Finally, we found the Holiday Express Hotel & Suites -Garden Grove. This hotel is located only 2 miles from Disneyland. Just 6 minutes away, it has many nearby stores and restaurants, unlike so many other properties near Disneyland.INTERIORS This hotel is only a few years old and it has a classy, modern, and elegant look to it. The staff are so super friendly. I was really surprised that most of them remembered that I stayed here last year. How many hotel staff especially near Disneyland give such a personal attention? The hotel features exquisitely furnished guest rooms including Single King rooms, Double queen bedded rooms, and Jr. Suites with a king bed, living room area and sofa sleeper. All rooms are designed for convenience and comfort with Free T1 High Speed Internet access. My family stayed in two standard rooms and I enjoyed the privacy of the spacious comfortable room. RELAX OR STAY FIT After a long day at Disneyland, my family enjoyed a refleshing dip in the heated outdoor swimming pool and a soaked in the hot jacuzzi to sooth our aching feet. Oh....yes, we sure enjoyed this particular amenity! For those who are fitness guru's, the hotel has a well equipped small workout gym. Towels and water were even provided for free. Breakfast anyone? The free hot continental breakfast with scramble eggs, hot sausage, biscuits, and a variety of sweetcakes was a great way to start the day before heading to Disneyland. Lounge- I loved the lounge with its spacious feeling and I enjoyed using their free Internet to check my emails while having a cup of coffee.OTHER SERVICES*Complimentary Self Parking- Unlike many hotels near Disneyland which charge parking fee of $8.00 or more per day, we never had to pay for parking at this hotel. *Shuttle Bus- For those that prefer not to drive to Disneyland, you can take ART- Anaheim Resort Transit. It picks up every hour with a $3.00 round trip fare. It's a non-stop ride going to the park since it is the last hotel on the route. Returning to the hotel, however, the ART bus stops at many hotels so the return ride may take up to 40 minutes. BOTTOM LINEThe cost of staying in the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites- is very reasonable with rates starting at $86.00 for up to 4 people in a room. The free hot continental breakfast and all the extra amenities that the hotel had to offer, makes this an incredible value, especially in this tight economy. Would I recommend this property? Definitely! In fact, I plan to return to Holiday Express Hotel & Suites during spring break! CONTACT INFO: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 12867 Garden Grove (714) 539-3535


Lin can be contacted at lin_travels@sbcglobal.net

A weekend getaway at Half Moon Bay

Ken and I had a chance to get-away for the weekend so we stayed in the Half Moon Bay Lodge. One of the nicest boutique style hotel of Best Western Hotels. We were quite impressed as we first checked-in. There were two rooms available for us to choose from and we choose the room with the garden-view. The other room had a view of the dried up part of the golf course which was not appealing. After checking-in at 8:00pm, it was time for a relaxing soak in the jacuzzi. A pool was next to it so after 15 minutes, I took a dip into the pool to cool off. A dry sauna was available also, so I took advantage of it on the next day. What a night to start!

On our second day, we had a continental breakfast. It was not great but we could make our own waffles so this made it exciting.

Our day followed by taking a long walk at the Ritz. The Ritz had a long walkway over looking the beach so you'll see local residents taking walks with their dogs. It's a perfect morning exercise for about two hours following the golf course pathway. We rested at the outside bench looking into the ocean and the golfers. It is a perfect place to relax and enjoy watching the golfers playing golf. As a golfer myself.........I watch them played with frustration and could relate to it quite well. Except this time, I am totally relaxed sitting there and enjoy the perfect view of both the golfs and the beach.

Later in the afternoon, Ken and I headed to the famous Barbara's Seafood Grill. A place we have aways wanted to try each time we drove by with our family but didn't have time to eat there. The restaurant is a hole-in-a-wall but after the 30 minutes wait........it was well worth it. We ordered fish and chips and it was totally yummy for $10.99pp, even for someone who is picky eater like me. Note: for Seniors 62 and over, it is $6.99. Well Charlotte, let me know when you want to go?

After the late lunch, we went back to the hotel and enjoyed our bottle of wine with French bread & cheese. Later it was time for relaxation again.........back to the jacuzzi, swim, and hot sauna........hm.........I could get use to this!

You see! We needed to take a short weekend to get away.........a totally relaxed & enjoyable weekend.

A rack rate of $129.00 per night is a steal. I was given a $50.00 voucher for the next stay, a real surprise.

I definitely recommend this hotel to your clients. They will thank you for putting them there for such a deal.


Lin can be contacted at lin_travels@sbcglobal.net