Pago Pago, American Samoa…the fruits and fauna of this island paradise are everywhere…Samoa is so verdant and green; lush from the tropical weather!
Nature is at its finest on this island where it’s beauty bursts with so much exuberant color!
Tag Archives: travel
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Nautical Family History
At Sea…when I was visiting my parents recently in Chicago, my mother was telling me stories about her 1954 immigration journey to the United States aboard the cruise ship Rotterdam.
The rough seas, her sister’s sea sickness, and their eventual arrival in the then seedy port of Hoboken make for an interesting story. I think the bravery of leaving a familiar small home town and arriving in a big unknown country whose language you don’t speak as a young naive 20 year old is really awe inspiring!
I walked down the hall of the ship I am sailing and realize the walls feature a photo documentary of the exact ship my mother sailed from that same era! The m/s Rotterdam is a historic vessel in the fleet of the sailing company that has grown over the years into the cruise-line, Holland America.
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No Grass Skirts Required!
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!
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Aloha!
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!
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Surf’s Up!
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!
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Mighty Military Balls!
Honolulu Harbor, Hawaii…pulling into port today we were greeted with the oddest ship…the US military ship, Pacific Tracker.
Now this ship has BALLS! Giant golf balls on deck…
As it turns out this military ship is a portable radar vessel built from a former cargo ship. It may not be the prettiest sight of my travels but it sure is unique!
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Beach Paradise!
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!
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My First Taste of Hawaii!
Hilo, Hawaii…after a long 4 days at sea, we arrived at land…the Big Island of Hawaii! The port of Hilo is on the island’s rainy side and the rain greets us as expected…but soon the clouds part and the sun makes its appearance.
After getting back on land, I walked around the sleepy hippie town of Hilo. Vintage clothing, local crafts, and shops of healers fill the old town…the pace is relaxed and slow and many of the locals have a very laid back hippie meets surfer vibe!
The sunny side of the Island is the Kona side…so, I make a deal with a local taxi driver and we head out on the hour long drive to other side of the island!
The driver introduces me to “Malasadas”, an island delicacy! Yum! These Portuguese sweet bread donuts are AMAZING! Fluffy and light yet sweet, with a light coating of sugar…a real treat!
Hawaii is a unique mix of local culture infused with influences of Philippine, Japanese, and Portuguese immigrants! These delicious donuts give me a first taste of how delicious it all comes together!
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Out to Sea!
Somewhere in the North Pacific…I have to admit I was extremely apprehensive about this cruise…I always wanted to do an true Ocean crossing, but 21 days with over half of it spent at sea had me worried!
After departing from the Queen Mary port in Long Beach on Saturday, the ship started its 4 sea days sailing towards Hilo, Hawaii! I have never spent that many days at sea…Sunday was a cool day and the ship rolled side to side all day and night! Monday was a beautiful day of sunshine and much calmer seas…
I had a hard time adjusting to doing nothing…luckily, I attended Bingo and won 2 games..chi ching…$200! Yippie! The casino on the other hand was less kind to me!
Most importantly, after months of traveling, this relaxation is a gift! I realize how indulgent time can be…the indulgence is the luxury of time without appointments, schedules, having to be anywhere, etc! What I thought may be lonely or boring is perfect “me” time! Working out, eating, laying in the sun, and reading. I understand why people are addicted to long sea going cruises; this is true down time set to a gentle calming roll of the sea!
For now I will relish being out in the middle of nowhere, after Hawaii, I face another 5 sea days that I will use to start to ignite my creativity by sketching and thinking of my return to reality in November!
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Paying Homage to the Queen!
Los Angeles, California…I drove out to Long Beach today to embark my ship for my 21 day trans-pacific cruise to Australia!
Permanently docked next to my ship is the grand Queen Mary! This historic seafaring vessel has become a hotel, museum, and tourist attraction. It truly is a beautiful ship that reminds me of the Titantic! Long and stately with its red funnels, this ship makes me nostalgic for the old days of cruising.
There is a Princess Diana exhibit as well as an evening tour of ghost hunting aboard. I guess there were many deaths aboard during its years of service and those souls still haunt this grande dame!
I imagine steamer trunks, immaculately dressed guests, and orchestras playing all night in its heyday! What a cool piece of travel history!
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