My Blog

French Polynesia

need-a-leash — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 23:07:49 GMT

French Polynesia I just returned from an amazing and beautiful group of Islands in the South Pacific. I had the pleasure of visiting Tahiti, Rangiroa, and Moorea and all were special. My favorite stop was Moorea and the Sheraton there was amazing, but more about that later. The flight on Air Tahiti Nui was a nice way to arrive. The Tahitian crew was friendly and the food was great. When we arrived, the greeting committee consisted of local Tahitian musicians, ladies offering the welcome of beautifully scented Tiare Flower Lei's and a little crab that just crawled around the customs area, conducting his own inspection of the visitors, entering his country! Then we were transferred to our hotel, the 4 star, newly renovated, Sofitel Moana. Not far from the airport, and Polynesian in style, this hotel continued the warm welcome n traditional, Polynesian, first class style. My room-mate and I agreed that the hour was to early to retire, so we grabbed a cab and went to the Les Roulette, on the Waterfront in downtown Papeete. You can find “roulettes” almost everywhere around Tahiti and especially each evening in Vaiete Square on the Papeete waterfront. These are itinerant restaurants where you can have dinner with your family. Everyone’s tastes can be satisfied and you can even have a moveable feast, choosing from pizza, Chinese cuisine, waffles, crêpes, fish or steak and chips. You’ll be happy with the good food and prices in this typically Tahitian ambience. Since it was after 9:00PM and things get very quiet in Tahiti around then, we decided to head back and get a good nights sleep. After breakfast the next morning, we took a one hour flight to Rangiroa. Brendan Tours designed this tour for our group, and I was at first hesitant to embrace this portion of our itinerary, as I thought there would not be much to do on this Atoll, at the edge of the world. But I was wrong. Very wrong. This was Island was exactly what the doctor ordered. Beautiful clear water, warm weather, no tourists, no busy traffic or hustle bustle. In fact, besides the wonderful cuisine and excursions, the daily agenda was all about relaxation and snorkeling. My "vacation mode" set in and as we were scheduled to move on to the next island, I found myself dreaming of future vacations I would plan to this little piece of heaven. I forgot to mention the hotel we stayed at, the 3 star Novotel, which was nice enough, but we did have an opportunity to visit the 4 star Hotel Kia Oro, further inspiring my dreams of a future return and a stay in one of their spectacular overwater bungalows. What a wonderful property and a special thanks to Gerry the manager, and his gracious hospitality. Now it was time to move on to the next stop on our tropical journey in Paradise. Moorea. While we stayed at the elegant 5 star Inter-Continental, my favorite stop on this educatial journey was the 5 star Sheraton. The most beautifully located and planned property on this island. I loved everything about it. The layout of the overwater bungalows, the Spa, the all bungalow concept, the views from every part of the resort, the staff and food, and the little bar on the docks connecting the overwater bungalows, offering tasty meals, drinks, and in the evenings a special chocolate fondue. The adventure of swimming wth sharks and stingrays, as well as the Motu Picnic were also highlights of my adventure here and options I would highly recommend. See my pictures, as words can not describe just how fascinating it was to be within inches of these imponent lagoon sharks, or how overwhelming it was to touch and swim with the lovable lagoon stingrays. I am dreaming and planning of my return to this paradise with the love of my life. To share this with him would be an unforgetable experience we will surely treasure for the rest of our lives. Now that I am in love with this place.. if you need more info... or want to go, contact me at jackie@nonstoptraveldeluxe.com

Now that your here!

need-a-leash — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 20:20:15 GMT

This party is old and uninviting participants all in black and white you enter in full blown technicolor nothing is the same after tonight You enter and close the door behind you and show me the world seen from the stars if only the lights would dim a little I'm weary of eyes upon my scars If the world would fall apart in a fiction worthy wind I wouldn't change a thing now that you're here

4th of July WHOO HOO - Rafting

need-a-leash — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 20:17:06 GMT

My first adventure with OutdoorsClub The bus ride up: what bus? oh yah... forgot that day... The party bus to Adventure Connection. http://www.raftcalifornia.com/ We arrived sometime around 6am... set up camp and after the guides cooked us a delicious breakfast...we were on the rafts ready for the first and best rapid of the day - The Tunnel Shoot!!! No pics.. but what a way to wake up and recover from a hangover. Our guide was Isidro, from Vera Cruz Mexico. Very cool and crazy. Best we could have wished for! Him and the other guides really took care of us... I fell in a few times... once really bad and was scooped up by another raft and guide... Lifesaver!! Lots of splashing and laughter and freedom. Was exactly what the doctor ordered. The guides even cooked fabulous dinners. Salmon, salads, almost gourmet... really great food and coppmany ... After 2 days of rafting we bussed over to Lake Tahoe. A first for me... and after rafting I was a little disappointed. But I ended up loving it too. Karen and I rented bikes, toured the area... met up with the group for a booze cruise, and made everyone follow us to the dive bar down the street for some crazy fun. But the rafting trip with Adventure Connection was the highlight. Highly recommended and YES - I will go back for more! For more info on this trip and others... contact me at 310-324-5500 or email me... love to talk to travel! ~Jackie

Wanna stay inside

need-a-leash — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 15:23:45 GMT

Two people touching lips hands on each other's hips nothing else in the world but one another the 42nd floor on a distant shore I wonder how we've strayed so far from this remember when we were just flesh and bone, you sir may have forgotten how good your world can be so put down your hollow tips and kiss your lovers lips and know that fate is what we make of it I read the news today and everything they say just makes me want to stay inside and hibernate but the better part of me knows that waiting in the throws is on a par with reading with my eyes closed "what can I do?" you say it's just another day in the life of apes with ego trips put down your hollow tips and kiss your lover's lips and learn that fate is what we make of it

Magical Monument Valley

need-a-leash — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 15:22:12 GMT

My 3 friends and I wanted to travel soemwhere unique but we did not have a lot of money at the time... so I researched our beautiful country here and found Monument Valley and Lake Powell to stike my interest. I love the desert and indian culture! So we rented a minivan... made a bed in the back and rotated drivers... and were on our way with many stops on teh way such as Mesquite NV, (our favorite stop for gambling)Zion, ... Then Lake Powell - 4th of July - Lone Rock Beach Besides constantly getting stuck in the sand because we did not have a 4 wheel drive and the crowded beach, it was beautiful. The water looked like how I picture the Caribbean waters to look. The people everywhere were festive and frendly, and we had a great time with our camping neighbors...now friends "Crazy Canyon Tours" Johnny Johnson, Aminah and Shutt! They let us use their Kayaks and Canoe and we had a blast around the campfire in the evening. We brought wigs and those that did not get scared away joined us for fire, food, fun, Jaegermeister, and dancing. Next Stop... after recovering ... MONUMENT VALLEY GUIDED TOUR with Totam Pole Tours. http://www.moab-utah.com/totempole/ and what a tour. Virgil set us up with the most exciting tour I have ever taken. We opted for the overnight tour which included dinner (apprx. $90 I think) And because we arrived late, we had our own personal guide who took us anywhere we wanted. We spent the night in the middle of the desert... again, enjoying the campfire, great Navajo Tacos and wonderful company. We even experienced a Sand Storm which was scary at first but after it was over we all laughed... I have travelled the world and I am not exagerating when I say, this was the 2nd most magical trip I have ever taken. Check out my gallery for more pictures and call me if you want more details (310) 324-5500... you can email me too... ~Jackie