paradise « WhereamIgoingto

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
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