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Polynesia, French Style!

October 18, 2012

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Noumea, New Caledonia…our last South Pacific stop before heading straight to Sydney, Australia! The French influence is everywhere here from the language to the food.

I head to Anse Vata beach, making my way past the yacht filled marina. The beach is long with a very narrow strip of sand…the temperature is noticeably cooler than yesterday!

Instead of relaxing here, I can see Duck Island in the distance and decide to jump on the water taxi…the water is a similar brilliant shade of aqua blue as Lifou but it’s set against a riviera of high rise hotels and apartments. The feeling is much more Nice, France than Paradise, South Pacific! The water taxi speeds it’s way to little Duck Island off shore as the blue water sprays all around us…

Duck Island is a spot of an island that I am able walk its entire perimeter in less than 10 minutes! But the beach is very French, outfitted with chic loungers and bright umbrellas that can be rented for an exorbitant fee! Again, reminiscent of the French Riviera but here in the South Pacific…

There is no denying Duck Island is lovely! The island is a natural bird sanctuary and has a more rustic look. The coral here is beautiful all along the sand; this coral of all sizes is mixed with sea shells all in stark chic white! I think how beautiful these would look filled in tall glass cylinders in my home…but unfortunately there is no way to get this back for some decorating magic!

It’s a nice place, but honestly the more undiscovered Polynesia is much more stunning and makes you feel a world away!

Posted By: trickiedickny Category: Cruise, South Pacific Tags: beach, French Polynesia, island, New Caledonia, Noumea, South Pacific, travel
Blue Paradise!

October 17, 2012

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Lifou, New Caledonia…as we near New Zealand, we arrive at one of the Loyalty Islands that is part of the larger French territories of New Caledonia.

There is no port, no taxis, no hotels, and no organized tours on this remote piece of Paradise! We take the tenders ashore to a rickety wood platform steps from an incredibly bleach white stretch of coral sand beach.

I have never seen water this color of aqua blue! It’s beyond stunning and it just calls out to you to swim in! How can it just get more beautiful as we go from island to island in the magnificent South Pacific?

I take a stroll beyond the lush vegetation of our landing site to Baie du Jinek; an underwater natural aquarium! Crystalline waters revealing a bevy of underwater coral refuges that hold a population of exotic fish! It’s so clear you can view the marine life below from the cave edged shoreline above!

I spent some time snorkeling…seeing fish of every hue and I can’t help but to be awestruck by the striped sea snake slithering between the coral beneath me! So much so that the surprise of seeing this unique animal causes me to begin inhaling the salt water and I have to stop for an above water breather…I am disappointed I don’t have a waterproof camera to capture what looks like an animated children’s film below the surface!

The rest of the day I just enjoyed the seemingly undiscovered beauty of the beach, probably still looking as it did when Captain Cook discovered this perfect little island!

Life really doesn’t get much better than this!

Posted By: trickiedickny Category: Cruise, South Pacific Tags: beach, Lifou, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, ocean, paradise, sea, snorkeling, South Pacific

Not just another Tourist!

October 16, 2012

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Hideaway Island, Vanuatu…after arriving at this island home of season 9 of Survivor, I headed to what I was told was a “must”…Hideaway Island!

A short ferry to this tiny island surrounded by blue waters seemed amazing and from shore it looked absolutely idyllic!

Home to the world’s only underwater post office, I thought let’s see! Well upon arriving, it was just a series of tourist trap charges…it was all just a cheesy hokey set up to take advantage! I hate manufactured tourist spots that have no soul!

The beach was entirely tiny pieces of coral and painful! The water definitely was clear, but I wanted a more authentic experience! No underwater letter sending for me….

So I jumped on the next ferry and onward I went in search of the real Vanuatu!

Posted By: trickiedickny Category: Cruise, South Pacific Tags: beach, coral beach, hideaway island, off the beaten path, port vila, scuba, snorkeling, South Pacific, tourist trap, travel, Vanuatu
Paradise Found!

October 14, 2012

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Fiji…it’s like a dream arriving at this famous South Pacific paradise! Brooke Shields made this place famous in “Blue Lagoon” and then Tom Hanks did it allover again in “Castaway”…

The ship docked in the main town of Suva and I was anxious to see some of the Fijian beaches! I arranged a local driver and for $80, I had his services for the day.

A 45 mile drive through local villages and we reached the start of the famous Coral Coast! Pacific Harbour is the start of these long sand beaches with amazing snorkeling along the coral laden shores! I wasn’t going to make it to Blue Lagoon this time as it was on the other side of the island near Nadi.

I spent another near perfect day lazying on the sand at a Polynesian resort beachside! The Uprising Resort hosts visitors to a dreamy palm lined stretch of golden sand!

The huge palm trees swayed in the ocean breeze and the trade-winds kept the temperature pleasant. Windsurfers also took advantage of the terrific conditions.

All I can do is marvel at the raw beauty of paradise found! “Bula” or hello from Fiji!

Posted By: trickiedickny Category: Cruise, South Pacific Tags: beach, Coral Coast, Fiji, island, ocean, Pacific Harbor, Pacific Harbour, paradise, South Pacific, Suva

Island Explorer!

October 12, 2012

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Pago Pago, American Samoa…we arrived this morning to the lush green island of Tutuila in the remote archipelago of the Samoan Islands! It’s great to be on land again, but this island that is seemingly off the map makes me feel like Giligan after being shipwrecked during that famous “three hour tour”…

Not too many ships stop here, so the entire town seemed to show up for our arrival!

I headed to Tisa’s Beach for a day on the sand. Nothing prepared me for the surreal beauty of this location; a barefoot bar hut built on a crescent of unspoiled beach! I truly feel like an explorer who just discovered a place all my own! Samoa means “sacred Earth” and this beach delivers that in spades..

The water is bathtub warm filled with glorious fish and coral and the sands have wreaths of fauna that have washed ashore! I took some time for arts and crafts on the beach, spelling out the name of this sacred place in leaves, fauna, nuts, and flowers that I found on the sand…

Back on Tisa’s, lunch is served! The Samoan people are so kind and extremely welcoming and they were anxious to share their Samoan delicacies prepared beneath coconut leaves and hot rocks. Tarot, coconut, and bananas cooked with turkey, lamb, and pork for hours until all is falling apart tender!

Even though I may feel like a rare explorer, my days at sea have brought me to this island that many hearty travelers before me have visited and gone on to tell tales of for years…like James Michener who came here to write his 1946 classic “Tales of the South Pacific”.

Posted By: trickiedickny Category: Cruise, South Pacific Tags: beach, Cruise, Giligan's Island, island, Pago Pago, paradise, Samoa, Sand, South Pacific, Tisa's Beachbar, travel, tropical
No Grass Skirts Required!

October 6, 2012

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Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii…the Oahu island spirit is so infectious! Everyone is so friendly and welcoming…

One of my favorite tv shows growing up was The Brady Bunch and Hawaii will eternally be linked in my mind to their family trip here! I remember watching it as a kid hoping to one day come here and see the tiki dolls and surfers!

So I wanted to end my visit here with something very Hawaiian, if not a tad cheesy like those technicolor Hawaiian episodes with surfing Greg…

I ended my beach day by visiting a local landmark: Duke’s right on the beach in the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Hotel. This legendary surf bar is a must stop if you want to soak in the Island flavor!

Located on a prime stretch of Waikiki Beach with gorgeous views of Diamond Head in one direction and the pink palace, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, next door in the other direction. Yes, this spot may be touristy but it’s got a quintessential Hawaiian surf vibe that just sets the tone for any visit to the islands! Past the beach, High tide is starting to roll in and the die hard surfers are out there catching a wave.

It’s “Aloha Friday”; the friday afternoon happy hour to welcome the weekend…the Hawaiian band is playing and a tropical drink is calling my name! Most are indulging in a Mai Tai, but I go for something a bit sweeter: a “lava flow” (pineapple, coconut, and strawberries blended with rum)

The Mahi-Mahi fish tacos are fresh and delicious and the sun is beginning to go down on this beautiful day!

Mahalo! A big thanks to Hawaii for a little taste of Paradise!

Posted By: trickiedickny Category: Hawaii Tags: bar, beach, Hawaii, Honolulu, paradise, travel, Waikiki

Aloha!

October 5, 2012

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Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii…you would never know you are still in the United States! This high rise city set along the most gorgeous ocean front feels more Tokyo than U.S.

Waikiki is filled with Japanese vacationers and the attractions that appeal to them! I see more Japanese language signs than any other and the lines of high end designer boutiques seem perfect for Japanese consumer appetites!

The real appeal here is Waikiki Beach that stretches on for miles! I love the views of Diamond Head from Queen’s Beach at the far end. I stroll along the beach and I am totally taken by the ages old banyan trees that line the walk as well as views that spread out in all directions!

It’s a great combination of man made beauty and nature’s brilliance that makes up this paradise of a city!

Posted By: trickiedickny Category: Hawaii Tags: beach, Hawaii, Honolulu, ocean, paradise, sights, travel, view, Waikiki
Surf’s Up!

October 5, 2012

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Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii…it’s great to have this city setting on a beautiful beach!

I love the surf culture of Hawaii…the colorful surfboards and the cool fashions set on this gorgeous Pacific Ocean beach! Watching these attractive surfers is totally addictive!

The importance of surfing can be seen all along Waikiki Beach with god-like monuments erected to the island’s surfing legends…

Totally cool! Hang Ten Hawaiian style!

Posted By: trickiedickny Category: Hawaii Tags: beach, Hawaii, Honolulu, sights, surf, surfboards, travel, Waikiki, waves

Beach Paradise!

October 4, 2012

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Kohala Coast, Hawaii…a drive across the Big Island and I reached a little strip of Paradise!

The drive goes from the verdant lushness of rain soaked Hilo to the sunnier drier coast near Kona!

I find my spot at the beach next to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for a beautiful day in the sun! There is nothing like the beaches in Hawaii…warm blue waters and a wide expanse of sand! The sound of water lapping against the shore!

Uncrowded, this beach ,like all the beaches, are public; yet I feel like a castaway who has discovered a slice of heaven!

Posted By: trickiedickny Category: Hawaii Tags: beach, Hawaii, Hilo, Kohala Coast, Kona, ocean, sights, travel
A Day on the Sand!

September 15, 2012

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Cape Town, South Africa…summer weather descended on Cape Town today with sun glaring down and temps rising above 80 degrees making for a perfect Saturday! Captonians do one thing when the weather gets nice; they go to the beach…

There is no shortage of stunning sand beaches here! No need to travel far as the beautiful people flock to the sand on the other side of Table Mountain within the confines of Cape Town…no need for a big trek to find this city’s glorious beaches!

The fashion crowd goes to Clifton beach…there are 4 beaches here nestled between the rocks. I choose beach 3, as it known as the must-visit beach and the unofficial gay beach! Small yet beautiful, the beach is set in a small alcove, a long winding set of steps below the main road. The waves are amazing to watch but even more relaxing to hear as they crash ashore! I set up my spot and rent a umbrella, soon enough I am snoring away under the South African sun…Suddenly I am awakened by the screaming of other beach goers as I am simultaneously swept away in a massive frigid wave that takes over most of the sand. I am drenched, but luckily my iPhone was saved, I retreat to the rocky edge to be safe from the aggressive sea! Locals laugh at my and other’s beach goers unfortunate circumstances and I have to feign stupidity with my water logged towel, bag, and clothes…a cute dog runs over to comfort my embarrassment! He becomes my new beach buddy! Swimming really isn’t part of beach life as the water gets colder as the seasons switch to warmer.

After enough sun, I stroll to Camps Bay, the bustling wide sand beach with an array of “be seen” celebrity haunts that line the beach…I settle in to a cafe for a late lunch and watch beautiful Capetonians stroll by and local Afrikaans entertain along the busy thoroughfare! I realize this city is a blend of San Francisco but with better weather, the urban beach culture of Sydney, and the body beauty vibe of Los Angeles!

But comparisons aside, Cape Town is a true original! Sitting on the beach of Camp’s Bay with Table Mountain’s “Twelve Apostles” named grand buttresses behind me…I really can’t think of another place like this!

This is just a preview of what the coming summer months must be like here! I can understand why weekends start at noon on Fridays year round! I too would have a problem focusing on work on Fridays knowing the beauty of this city is calling!

Posted By: trickiedickny Category: South Africa Tags: beach, beautiful, Camp's Bay, Cape Town, Clifton Beach, ocean, Sand, South Africa, summer, Sun