Islands - Blogs - Tripatini
2024-03-28T11:41:45Z
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/Islands
The world’s foremost destination Galapagos
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/the-world-s-foremost-destination-galapagos
2019-09-30T08:14:31.000Z
2019-09-30T08:14:31.000Z
rohny jones
https://tripatini.com/members/rohnyjones
<div><p>Everything you need to know about this Island, the Galapagos Islands are actually quite big. The archipelago is a home to a grand total of 21 major Islands, 14 of which are open to visitors. These Islands spread out over 45,000 square kilometers of Pacific Ocean and are located 906 km off the coast of Ecuador. If you want to experience something outstanding and adventurous in this case <strong><a href="https://nemogalapagos.com/">Galapagos Islands cruises</a></strong> can be the best experience of your life. If you want to enjoy the nature we prefer a Galapagos cruise. The boat owner and operator with over 30 years of experience in cruise.</p><p><strong>Choosing the best Galapagos cruise</strong></p><p>If you want to choose the best Galapagos cruise, <strong><a href="https://nemogalapagos.com/">Galapagos cruise itinerary</a></strong> is best for many travelers, including us you have to experience this trip once in a life time. Without doubting one of the experience that you cannot miss and that you can do in all itineraries is snorkeling. The marine life of this Island is recognize throughout the world and is one of the most memorable experience of its visitors. You will be able to swim near sea lion, rays, sea-turtles, thousands of tropical fish, sharks and even some birds that dive up to 8 meters under water to hunt their prey.</p><p><strong>What is the best time to year to visit these Islands?</strong></p><p>As the seasons in the Galapagos are split into cool and dry (June-November) and warm and wet (December to June) so, the best time to visit the Island depends on what you want to see. The warmer season is the best time to go to the Galapagos Islands for diving as the sea is calmer and the underwater visibility is really good. Many of the land birds, sea lion, and tortoise that you will find on the Galapagos use February and March.</p><p>We specialize in 4, 5 and 8 days first class naturalist cruise in the Galapagos Islands designed for international visitors. Our magical cruise will take you to magic places. All the commodities are covered and exploration activities and abundant. Cruise ship include a restaurant, numerous, spacious social area, and other features. There are plenty of boats option so it might not hard to start planning your trip to the Island. This is the time of summer so don’t think too much enjoy your vacations choose your favorite cruise. The natural diversity if these Island offer wildlife you won’t see anywhere else. You can travel with your group of friends, family and special celebration we also offer personalize services for you.</p></div>
Hills & Seas Alive: California's Channel Islands National Park
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/channel-islands-national-park-santa-cruz-california
2015-04-04T00:09:10.000Z
2015-04-04T00:09:10.000Z
Ventura County West
https://tripatini.com/members/VenturaCountyWest
<div><p>I have been whale-watching a few times (always a joy) and visited Anacapa Island, but our recent <a href="http://www.channelislandso.com/" target="_blank">Channel Islands Outfitter</a> trip to Santa Cruz Island was one of the highlights of my travels. Kayaking in February may not have been the ideal month to choose, but we were well-prepared thanks to the helpful information on Channel Islands Outfitter’s website, including to dress warmly for the hour-long boat ride to Santa Cruz and to wear a bathing suit and rash guard under their supplied (and warm) wetsuit.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.venturacountywest.com/images/easyblog_images/85/b2ap3_thumbnail_buoy-loungers.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.venturacountywest.com/images/easyblog_images/85/b2ap3_thumbnail_buoy-loungers.jpg" class="align-center" alt="b2ap3_thumbnail_buoy-loungers.jpg" /></a></p><p><br /> When we arrived at <a href="http://www.islandpackers.com/" target="_blank">Island Packers</a> Ventura Harbor port, it was a bit foggy and as the boat pulled out of port, we spotted one huge Steller sea lion and a seal with her baby nesting on a buoy, followed by impressive flocks of birds skimming the sea – an exhilarating start to the memorable day. The sea was rocky and my excitement was expressed better by the group of middle-schoolers who screamed with joy each time we scooted over a wave. As we approached the Channel Islands, the sun came out, showcasing the remarkable, protruding rock structures that seem untouched by time: Channel Islands National Park. Island Packers makes stops at two places on Santa Cruz: <a href="http://www.islandpackers.com/SCIScorpion.html" target="_blank">Scorpion Anchorage</a>, where we got off, and <a href="http://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/historyculture/prisoners.htm" target="_blank">Prisoners Harbor</a>.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.venturacountywest.com/images/easyblog_images/85/b2ap3_thumbnail_kayakers-channel-islands.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.venturacountywest.com/images/easyblog_images/85/b2ap3_thumbnail_kayakers-channel-islands.jpg" class="align-center" alt="b2ap3_thumbnail_kayakers-channel-islands.jpg" /></a></p><p><br /> Once we were given our gear and a detailed lesson on kayaking, our group of nine set off. As a first time kayaker, I have to admit to being nervous, but our guides, Matt and Johnny, helped us into the ocean and made sure each of us was comfortable. As mentioned previously, the water was rougher than ideal for kayaking, but even so, I found myself smiling to be on the ocean with the sun shining against an absolutely stunning island. “Right, left, right, left” encouraged my kayaking partner, as we navigated the ocean to each set of caves. How fun! The water was so blue and clear that we could see several feet down into the ocean. Who knew that seaweed was strong enough to “anchor” you for a few minutes to take in the surroundings….and somehow wasn't that slimy?!<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.venturacountywest.com/images/easyblog_images/85/b2ap3_thumbnail_santa-cruz-island-hikers-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.venturacountywest.com/images/easyblog_images/85/b2ap3_thumbnail_santa-cruz-island-hikers-1.jpg" class="align-center" alt="b2ap3_thumbnail_santa-cruz-island-hikers-1.jpg" /></a></p><p><br /> Once back at the cove, we feasted on the huge sandwiches and homemade corn nuts and banana chips provided by the Channel Island Provisioners while marveling at the green hills we were soon to climb in one of the many hikes on the island. We chose a 2-mile loop to Cavern Point, one of the island peaks where we walked through fields of yellow mustard plants and purple flowers with magnificent coastal vistas. Okay, at this point we are feeling a world away from from the stresses of everyday life and could not be happier. Perhaps that explains the uncharacteristic response on the way down the trail loop: I joined a couple of my fellow hikers in a verse from the Sound of Music, belting out “The Hills are Alive…..” Because they were: beautiful and green and silent other than the sound of the wind and our voices.<br /></p><p><a href="http://www.venturacountywest.com/images/easyblog_images/85/b2ap3_thumbnail_channel-island-fox.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.venturacountywest.com/images/easyblog_images/85/b2ap3_thumbnail_channel-island-fox.jpg" class="align-center" alt="b2ap3_thumbnail_channel-island-fox.jpg" /></a></p><p><br /> Our day continued to go from highlight to highlight, because as we finished the trail loop through the campground on Santa Cruz (yes, you can camp there!), we saw one of the island foxes which live on six of the eight Channel Islands, but nowhere else in the world. The tiny creature paralleled our walk for a bit, allowing some photo ops, and then disappeared in the tall grass.<br /> <br /> It’s hard to say what the highlight of the day was: the ocean journey, kayaking, the ocean views from the top of the island, the wildlife, or the brilliant green hills; but there is one thing for sure, it was a trip that will stay with me and I will definitely be back.<br /> <br /></p><p></p></div>
Exploring the Mergui Archipelago of Myanmar
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/exploring-the-mergui-archipelago-of-myanmar
2016-11-04T20:56:38.000Z
2016-11-04T20:56:38.000Z
Sandra & John Scott
https://tripatini.com/members/SandraJohnScott
<div><p>Exploring the Mergui Archipelago of Myanmar</p><p>Tourists are visiting Myanmar in greater numbers each year but few visit the southern part of the country. The Mergui Archipelago with its 800 islands is one of those areas that remain almost totally unvisited by foreigners. Though now some live-a-board dive boats and yachts venture with special permission into the southern islands from their bases in Thailand, the bulk of the archipelago has remained unvisited since colonial times. During that period when the archipelago was first charted most of the islands were named after colonial civil servants, a number retain these quaint names to this day.</p><p>The local population IS Mokkein, often called sea gypsies and sometimes called pirates. During the Burmese socialist period the Mokkein controlled the smuggling routes and would prey on shipping. Nowadays they have reverted to fishing and fish curing. They are a people with their own language and culture who entirely live on the sea and have evolved a remarkable way of life. Visit Mokkein islands such as Lampi in the Sullivan Islands. For more information contact <a href="http://www.pandaw.com">www.pandaw.com</a>.</p><p> </p></div>
Koh Tao – Thailand’s Island Paradise
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/koh-tao-thailand-s-paradise
2016-11-23T15:50:07.000Z
2016-11-23T15:50:07.000Z
Nancy Ahuja
https://tripatini.com/members/NancyAhuja
<div><p>A cloudless sky, the song of birds carried in the wind laced with the calm sound of waves crashing into each other and scent of the sea filled air. White sands and a turquoise sea that is so clear you can see the fish swimming. Have you ever wondered what paradise would be like? Stop wondering, paradise is a plane ride away in Koh Tao, Thailand.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009106889,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009106889,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="280" alt="9009106889?profile=original" /></a><br /> <br /> The name Koh Tao means Turtle Island. Koh Tao is one of the three islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Tao is the smallest of them all. The island was initially declared a political prison in the 1930s and to date has chains and shackles from that time. In 1947, the then Prime Minister pardoned all the prisoners and these returned to their families on the mainland. Years later two brothers sailed to Koh Tao and upon settling they began farming vegetables and harvesting coconuts on the island. Fishing too was good and the land produced an abundant yield which attracted others to the island. <br /> <br /> Today, the island is a totally different place from the days those two brothers first arrived. The island has a reputation of being a quiet tropical paradise and one of the best islands in the Gulf of Thailand. </p><p>All visitors to the island arrive and leave from the capital of Mae Head, which is a metropolitan area filled with shops and amenities. The true paradisiac feature of the island is on Sairee Beach, this beach houses the majority of all restaurants, bars and accommodation for visitors to the island. Sairee Beach is the main beach resort of the island and is the busiest part of the island. The beach is a long stretch of white sand that gently slides into the sea which is good for swimming and as clear as day. There are some coral reefs nearby which makes it good for snorkeling. While paradise may paint a picture of quietness, serenity and after a while boredom; Koh Tao does not capitulate to boredom. <br /> <br /> By day the island offers island excursions and underwater excursions while diving and swimming with the fishes. The night life on the beach has many places to let your hair down while you enjoy a variety of good foods both traditional and international as well as exotic drinks that can only <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/smartest-way-to-take-a-vacation-1437406680" target="_blank">make paradise enjoyable</a>. While some yearn for peace and quiet both day and night there are many spots on the island that offer quietness. The southern part of the beach offers the busiest night life of all while the northern side of the beach is quieter and more relaxed. </p><p><br /> If you have ever dreamt of waking up in paradise, you will only ever experience this when you rouse from sleep in one of the <a href="http://kohtaoresortvilla.com/" target="_blank">best Koh Tao resorts</a>. Accommodation on the Sairee Beach caters for any budget as well as any tastes. For a <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/winniesun/2016/06/24/the-final-travel-tips-you-need-to-know-before-booking-that-next-vacation/#7ba496cc5c83" target="_blank">more ethnic feel</a>, visitors can enjoy the comfort of a fan hut or for a formal feel, international standard hotels or enjoy the serenity and privacy of the island in private villas. When swimming in the sea has slightly lost its allure resorts offer swimming pools that mirror the sea around them. <br /> <br /> Patios are a common feature which give that dreamy feel when watching the sunset and the awe inspiring wind in your hair feel while watching the sun rise.</p></div>
Award-Winning Fairfield Inn & Suites on Virginia's Chincoteague Island
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/fairfield-inn-suites-chincoteague-island-virginia
2016-08-16T10:53:43.000Z
2016-08-16T10:53:43.000Z
Travel Daddy
https://tripatini.com/members/TravelDaddy
<div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-6ef392a4-8a00-fa22-62db-fab85ee4b883"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009075893,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009075893,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009075893?profile=original" /></a><span class="font-size-1"><em>photo: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-51673p1.html">David Kay</a></em></span><br /><br />Back in April while my two teen kids were enjoying their spring break from school, my wife Sue and I researched destinations for an August family vacation.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The four benchmarks that we used in the vetting process were:</span></p><p></p><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">It had to be a beautiful beach site with lots of charm.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">It had to be within a reasonable driving distance from our HQ in northern New Jersey.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">It had to offer land and water activities that allowed for exploration of the area.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:decimal;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Commercial mayhem needed to be minimal: we wanted no theme parks, casinos, or heavy nightlife activity in proximity to where we’d be staying.</span></p></li></ol><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Searching locales in the mid-Atlantic region, we discovered Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Travelers who are in the know about Chincoteague are fans of its</span> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chincoteague,_Virginia" target="_blank">rich and interesting history</a> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">(including the story of its</span> <a href="http://www.chincoteague.com/ponies.html" target="_blank">famous ponies</a><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">),</span> <a href="http://www.chincoteague-va.gov/visitors/recreation" target="_blank">lush natural location and recreation options</a><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">, and friendly, laid back pace - all of which sounded right up our alley.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009076255,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009076255,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9009076255?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br />As we reviewed the accommodations in Chincoteague, we were on the lookout for a hotel that offered suites, which have larger rooms than conventional hotels/inns/B&B’s (with two teen offspring, we definitely need that extra real estate). Our three choices (all located on Main Street, which runs the entire seven-mile length of the island) were the Hampton Inn & Suites, The Comfort Suites, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites, by Marriott, Chincoteague Island.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Scrolling through the photos on its site, the Hampton Inn & Suites Chincoteague-Waterfront seemed very nice. The rooms were fine and the interiors were OK, but there was an overall nondescript vibe to the hotel: it could have been located anywhere, and there didn’t seem to be anything “Chincoteague” or “beach” about it.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The images on Chincoteague Island Comfort Suites Hotel’s site were also pleasant, but the property’s design was somewhat bland and not really stylish or contemporary. Plus, as with the Hampton Inn, the anonymity and non-Chincoteagueness (or would it be Chincotude?) of its atmosphere was kinda</span> <a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=meh%20definition" target="_blank">meh</a><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x89b9685a4fedbd9b:0x92c90f7d911425!2m5!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i100!3m1!7e115!4shttps://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname%3D112326366882185535159%26id%3D6172097543620797554%26target%3DPHOTO!5sfairfield+inn+chincoteague+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e3!2s-Bp8PRSMQJRc/VaeyA8aUJHI/AAAAAAAAAEg/tP6DXphlN9YalBB_6a78gK3CpwwfGQ6tw&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiKxJiD3bXOAhVGXBQKHSnxBGcQoioIhQEwCg" target="_blank">The pics of The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott</a><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">, on the other hand, truly popped: they evoked a lively energy and beachy appeal that the other suite hotels were missing. But the Fairfield Inn didn’t just photograph well, it has also generated scads of wowed reviews:</span></p><p></p><ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><a href="https://www.google.com/#q=fairfield+inn+chincoteague&lrd=0x89b9685a4fedbd9b:0x92c90f7d911425,1," target="_blank">4.4 out of 5</a> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">- Google</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><a href="https://www.expedia.com/Eastern-Shore-Virginia-Hotels-Fairfield-Inn-Suites-By-Marriott-Chincoteague-Island.h6157368.Hotel-Information" target="_blank">4.5</a> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">- Expedia</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g57602-d4433197-Reviews-Fairfield_Inn_Suites_Chincoteague_Island-Chincoteague_Island_Virginia.html" target="_blank">4.5</a> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">- TripAdvisor</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/fairfield-inn-amp-suites-by-marriott-chincoteague-island.html" target="_blank">9.3 out of 10</a> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">- Booking.com</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><a href="https://www.hotels.com/ho434678/fairfield-inn-suites-by-marriott-chincoteague-island-chincoteague-united-states-of-america/" target="_blank">4.6</a> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">- Hotels.com</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><a href="https://www.orbitz.com/Eastern-Shore-Virginia-Hotels-Fairfield-Inn-Suites-By-Marriott-Chincoteague-Island.h6157368.Hotel-Information" target="_blank">4.5</a> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">- Orbitz</span></p></li></ul><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Impressed by its vivid beauty shots and overwhelmingly positive guest ratings, we set out to set up a stay at</span> <a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sbyci-fairfield-inn-and-suites-chincoteague-island/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2" target="_blank">Fairfield Inn & Suites, by Marriott, Chincoteague Island</a> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">during the first week of August.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The journey to Chincoteague from New Jersey was only 4½ hours, and the route was simple and direct, so we weren’t exhausted when we arrived. Location-wise, it’s only 16 minutes from Wallops Island, and 9 minutes to the NASA Flight Facility Visitors Center.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009076096,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009076096,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9009076096?profile=original" /></a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><br />The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Chincoteague Island opened in July 2013 and is the newest hotel on the island. Located on the gorgeous Chincoteague Bay, it has 92 guest rooms, including standard king and double queen bedded rooms as well as king and queen suites. The hotel offers a number of free perks to its guests, such as...</span></p><p></p><ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Daily hot breakfast buffet (6 to 10am)</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Wi-Fi throughout the hotel (measured at an impressive</span> <a href="https://www.hotelwifitest.com/hotels/us/chincoteague/fairfield-inn-suites-by-marriott-chincoteague-island/" target="_blank">2.9 Mbps</a><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">)</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Outdoor heated pool</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Indoor fitness facility (it’s small, but our Crossfit-loving daughter got a complete workout in the room and was thrilled with its equipment, TVs, a/c, complimentary towels, and water cooler)</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Bold Beginnings coffee, which is hot and ready 24/7 (more on this hugely crucial percolating perk below)</span></p></li></ul><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The Lobby</span></p><p></p><div style="width:480px;text-align:center;"><object width="480" height="360" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" ></param><param name="flashvars" value="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed280.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk177%2Ftraveldaddyblog%2FFF%2520Inn%2520lobby%2Ffeed.rss" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" width="480" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed280.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk177%2Ftraveldaddyblog%2FFF%2520Inn%2520lobby%2Ffeed.rss" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed> </object> <a target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" alt="btn_geturs.gif" /></a><a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/traveldaddyblog/library/FF%20Inn%20lobby" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" alt="traveldaddyblog's FF Inn lobby album on Photobucket" /></a></div><p style="text-align:center;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The lobby’s large and colorful breakfast area looks out on Chincoteague Bay, and was a great spot to begin the day. The morning buffet included eggs (scrambled and hard boiled), breakfast meats, biscuits with sausage gravy, fresh fruits, a selection of yogurts, waffles, oatmeal with a choice of toppings (walnuts, brown sugar, raisins), bagels/breads/muffins, and juices.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Also available in the lobby were two beverage stations, which along with caf and decaf coffee, offered hot water, a variety of teas, and a dispenser of cold water.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">While excited at first about having access to free coffee throughout the day, Sue was also wary: she had experienced free servings of weak, old, or just plain nasty hotel coffee in the past, and - because she needs a potent java fix to get her rolling in the morning and mid-afternoon - was forced to leave the premises in search of an acceptable infusion.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Such excursions weren’t necessary at the Fairfield Inn & Suites thanks to the fact that the hotel served a proprietary blend called Bold Beginnings. Sue found Bold Beginnings to be fresh and tasty. This made her quite pleased during our entire stay - and apparently, she</span> <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Coffee/comments/3kbwta/questionphoto_help_finding_bold_beginnings_decaf/" target="_blank">wasn’t the only guest</a> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">at Fairfield Inn to enjoy the coffee.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">In the late afternoon, the lobby was superb for claiming some private time. Its comfortable seating areas and soft lighting made reading, chilling, or smart phone tapping a delight.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Our Rooms</span></p><p></p><div style="width:480px;text-align:center;"><object width="480" height="360" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" ></param><param name="flashvars" value="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed280.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk177%2Ftraveldaddyblog%2FFF%2520Inn%2520room%2Ffeed.rss" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" width="480" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed280.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk177%2Ftraveldaddyblog%2FFF%2520Inn%2520room%2Ffeed.rss" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed> </object> <a target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" alt="btn_geturs.gif" /></a><a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/traveldaddyblog/library/FF%20Inn%20room" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" alt="traveldaddyblog's FF Inn room album on Photobucket" /></a></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Immaculate, airy, and bright, our rooms were ideal for unwinding and achieving quiet, indulgent sleeps.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Unexpected surprises that the rooms delivered:</span></p><p></p><ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">the spacious desk setup was perfect for getting things done (yup, I had to take care of some biz during our vacay)</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">our son loved our outdoor mini deck for reading, listening to his tunes and catching rays</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">the in-room iron and ironing board allowed us to quickly even out some creased clothing</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">the in-room fridge helped us turn savory leftovers into quick snacks</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">the rooms were impervious to outside noise: even with occasional activity outside, in the halls, and next door, this hubbub didn’t invade our space or ears</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">the easy-to-configure thermostat allowed for cool and consistent comfort</span></p></li></ul><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">The Pool Deck and Patio</span></p><p></p><div style="width:480px;text-align:center;"><object width="480" height="360" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" ></param><param name="flashvars" value="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed280.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk177%2Ftraveldaddyblog%2FFF%2520Inn%2520back%2Ffeed.rss" ></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" width="480" height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://pic2.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed280.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk177%2Ftraveldaddyblog%2FFF%2520Inn%2520back%2Ffeed.rss" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed> </object> <a target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border:none;" alt="btn_geturs.gif" /></a><a href="http://s280.photobucket.com/user/traveldaddyblog/library/FF%20Inn%20back" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border:none;" alt="traveldaddyblog's FF Inn back album on Photobucket" /></a></div><div style="width:480px;text-align:center;"></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">This special place, which spotlights a long, panoramic view of Chincoteague Bay, gave us a lovely way to greet the A.M. sun and cool out in the evenings.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Refreshing ocean breezes; the sounds of seagulls, passing fishing boats, and laid back tropical music (more on that here); and blankets of warm sunshine were unexpected bonuses that made our stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites even more memorable and relaxing.</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">What Sets The Hotel Apart</span></p><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Chincoteague Island has a number of attributes that distinguish it from the competition:</span></p><p></p><ul style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">It’s</span> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">the first and only hotel on Chincoteague Island that presents waterfront dining</span>, <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">at the Jackspot, which is located on the property right next door (get all the details of <a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/waterfront-dining-at-the-jackspot-on-chincoteague-island-fun" target="_blank">our fantabulous Jackspot dinner</a>).</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Along with being an outstanding and fun restaurant with exceptional service, the Jackspot also boasts an</span> <span style="font-size:14.6667px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;">outdoor tiki bar and second floor</span> <a href="http://www.thejackspot.com/the-narrows-ballroom.html" target="_blank">Narrows Ballroom</a> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">that provides glorious 180 degree views of Chincoteague Bay. The ballroom can accommodate 120 people for events/weddings and 130 people for business meetings/retreats, and also hosts free weekly yoga classes for hotel guests.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">We were all blown away by the</span> <span style="font-size:14.6667px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;">ultra high level of attentive customer service</span> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">that was provided by every hotel staff member with whom we interacted. Having experienced this service throughout each day of our stay, it’s not a surprise that the hotel was awarded Marriott’s 2014 National Gold Award for Outstanding Guest Service as well as the company’s 2015 National Platinum Award for Outstanding Guest Service - both based on guest ratings/feedback.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Parents with youngsters will appreciate the hotel’s</span> <span style="font-size:14.6667px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;">free and exclusive kid-friendly seasonal activities</span><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">, such as Swim with the Mermaids, Face Painting with Tootsie the Clown, and Family Movie Night.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Execs who stay at the hotel during the fall will have access to a</span> <span style="font-size:14.6667px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;">free weekly guest reception</span><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">, featuring homemade soups, appetizers, smoked meats, pizzas, desserts, dips, and chips. Also on the autumn schedule are free hot dogs and snacks during Sunday football games, which are aired on the big screen TV in the breakfast area.</span></p></li></ul><p><br /> <span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;">Once you’ve unpacked and settled in, it’s impossible to not embrace the relaxed pace, natural beauty, and historic charm of Chincoteague Island. The award-winning customer service, superbly executed features, and impeccable accommodations of Fairfield Inn & Suites are guaranteed to enhance your getaway - and we’ll absolutely, positively be returning to enjoy them again.</span></p><p></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14.666666666666666px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009077278,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009077278,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="679" alt="9009077278?profile=original" /></a></span></p></div>
Stompin' at Another Swell Savoy, in Magical Madeira
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/stayin-at-the-savoy-in-magical-madeira-frommerluxetravel
2016-08-29T19:17:27.000Z
2016-08-29T19:17:27.000Z
Harvey frommer
https://tripatini.com/members/Harveyfrommer
<div><p><span class="font-size-1"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296615261,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296615261,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9296615261?profile=original" /></a><br /> <br /> by Myrna Katz Frommer & Harvey Frommer</em></span> <br /> <br /> Coming out of the snowiest March in New England history, imagine what a pleasure it was to disembark from a plane on a morning that felt like the middle of June, swiftly exit a calm and orderly airport, and find a man named Jorge standing in the sunlight, waiting for you. He loads your bags into the trunk of a blue BMW, and off you go on a thrilling fifteen minute drive up and down the roads of a velvety green island with the glinting Atlantic to the south and steep hillsides with terraced gardens and red-tiled roofs to the north. <br /> <br /> You pass a bustling horseshoe harbor with the masts of small craft swaying in the breeze and a single enormous cruise ship at anchor, careen down a palm-lined boulevard, and turn into a leafy courtyard. There you step out before a gleaming modern structure: the nearly century-old premier resort of Madeira, the Royal Hotel Savoy.</p><p>The story of the Savoy is embedded in the larger history of Madeira, a volcanic island roughly equidistant between Lisbon and Casablanca which rises four miles high from a mountain range submerged in the depths of the sea. Although discovered by Prince Henry’s navigators and claimed for Portugal in 1420, Madeira has always had a strong connection to England, even to the extent of being offered by Portugal as part of a royal marriage package to Charles II. The king turned it down; he needed money, not another island. <br /> <br /> But his compatriots have long found the appeals of Madeira, with its year-round perfect climate and incomparable scenic splendors impossible to resist, and the Savoy is, in a sense, a little piece of England in an enchanted Portuguese garden that overlooks the sea. While it attracts its share of German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and Belgian and of course Portuguese visitors, the Savoy’s tone and ambience is distinctly British, from its richly furnished Edwardian public rooms with classical pillars and polished marble floors, to the Palladian domed restaurant that looks like something out of Brighton, to its very name.</p><p><a href="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/wpe5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/wpe5.jpg" class="align-center" alt="wpe5.jpg" /></a></p><p></p><p>During the Second World War, England evacuated nearly 4,000 British citizens from Gibraltar to Madeira. The Savoy was filled with English families during those fateful years, and at a recent and emotional reunion, people recalled the heady times of living in a swanky hotel on an Edenic island while the world was at war. High tea was still served on the Savoy’s Lido back then, a seafront area that had been carved out of the rocks back in the 1920’s (Madeira’s shores are largely sheer cliffs).</p><p><br /> Reaching it necessitated a steepish walk down, but once accomplished, Savoy guests could not only enjoy their tea and crumpets and sunbathe beside the breakers, they could swim in swimming pools that used sea water or in the mild and calm sea itself to a little island nicknamed “the Island of Love” for the amorous encounters it inspired.</p><p><br /> A row of cabanas built to satisfy a local by-law which stipulated a changing facility for every ten sunbathers in a more “prim and proper” day are long gone. But they are recalled as an architectural motif of arched porticos in an elaborate structure under construction on the site of the Lido and extending some 26,500 square feet into the sea. Opened in 2001, the Royal Savoy Resort is expansion of the Savoy complex consisting of 162 oceanfront suites and apartments marketed primarily as time-sharing properties, along with restaurants, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a jetty for sea bathing and boat mooring, and lush tropical gardens. A footbridge links the gardens of the original Hotel Savoy, which rises up the hill behind the newer complex to the roof gardens of the Royal Savoy where a panoramic lift descends ten stories to the Lido level.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.2.jpg">Looking down from the Hotel Savoy at the construction underway for the Royal Savoy. </a> <span style="font-size:xx-small;"><a href="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.2.jpg"><i>Resort scheduled to open the summer of 2001</i></a></span></p><p><br /> This is Lars’ third stint at the Savoy. He began as its food and beverage manager, then moved to hotels in the Caribbean and China, back to the Savoy as assistant GM, and then on to the South African hotel he had originally trained in. “I was on holiday in a fjord in Norway three and a half years ago when the cell phone rang,” he told us. “It was the previous owners of the Savoy. ‘Get on the next plane,’ they said. ‘We want to have a chat with you.’”</p><p><br /> Together with his wife Eli and their two little girls, Lars returned to Madeira and the Savoy. Apparently there are no regrets. “I’ve been to many places around the world where you feel welcome for a limited time. But there’s the sense that when they use up your talents, they’ll put you out, and that leads to some apprehension,” he observed. “Madeira is different. The people are very friendly. The typical island mentality is welcoming, ready to show the open door. For any ex-patriot, that’s the most valid environment to work in.</p><p><br /> “People here seem happy in their occupations,” he added. “They don’t all want to be managers. I may say to a steward who is doing a terrific job, ‘Let me put you in waiter’s program.’ He’ll refuse. He’s content where he is.”</p><p><img alt="" src="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.4.jpg" /></p><p><i><a href="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.4.jpg">Savoy general manager Lars Hansen with his wife Eli and daughters in the hotel gardens</a></i></p><p><br /> Our experiences confirmed Lars’ observations. We were taken by the consistent pleasantness and infectious warmth of all we met. The mood of the island seemed upbeat and happy. On the Azores, we had noticed a kind of fatalism that comes, we were told, from living on an isolated island. In Madeira, we saw no sign of it.</p><p>There is virtually no crime in Madeira, and the “tourist trap” environment one confronts in so many island vacation locales was absent as well. In restaurants and shops, on the streets, in public parks, we never had the sense of being solicited, hassled, overcharged.</p><p>Madeira’s capital Funchal, aptly named for the fennel herb (<i>funcho</i> in Portuguese) which grows wild and fills the air with the aroma of licorice, climbs from the harbor up the embracing hillsides. It’s a busy and well maintained little city with enough azulejos, the Moorish-inspired, blue and white tiles, on building fronts to remind us we were in Portugal, an abundance of flower-filled plazas and parks, and a seafront promenade lined with open air restaurants.</p><p>Beyond its 15th-century cathedral and a collection of excellent museums, an interesting Funchal site is the Old Blandy Wine Lodge where wines under the Blandy label are produced. Originally part of a monastery, then a courthouse and a prison, the complex of wooden structures and open courts was purchased by the British family in 19<sup>th</sup> century and transformed into the wine lodge it remains today where visitors can follow the production process and actually see the barrels of grapes that age above ground.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.5.jpg" /></p><p><i><a href="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.5.jpg">Overlooking Funchal where the aroma of licorice fills the air</a></i></p><p>Four million liters of this historic dessert wine, which gets mention Shakespearean plays and was drunk to celebrate the American colonies’ declaration of independence, is still produced with grapes grown in the western part of the island.</p><p>Produce from all over the island makes its way to Funchal’s Mercardo, or marketplace where three levels lined with rows of brimming stalls overlook a large square-shaped court that opens to the sky. On the lower level, fish vendors beckon customers, rewarding them with an elaborate choreography of scaling the long black local fish called “espada.”</p><p><img alt="" src="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.6.jpg" /></p><p><i><a href="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.6.jpg">In preparation for wine tasting at the Old Blandy Wine Lodge</a></i></p><p>Elsewhere a profusion of calla lilies, opulent hydrangeas, birds of paradise, an incredible variety of orchids, and a South African bloom called king protea – that looks something like a fuchsia artichoke and lasts as a cut flower for weeks — vie for space with an abundance of produce: all kinds of melons and squashes, potatoes and beans, citruses and apples and kiwis and plums, but also custard apples, miniature and very sweet “silver” bananas, passion fruits, and little red vegetables that look like cherry tomatoes with wrinkled skins and have a sour, tangy taste.</p><p>Lars had told us Madeira was resisting the European Union’s demands for uniformity in the size and look of produce, and as a result, the island is losing out on subsidies. Somehow we could understand the attitude. This independent streak seemed to jibe with the optimistic mentality that marks Madeirian life.</p><p>Historically a pessimistic aspect of Madeirian life had been the limited number of jobs available for the local population. So many young people were forced to emigrate to Portugal, its former colonies, and elsewhere to find work that more Madeirians live abroad than on the island.</p><p>Today Jose Manuel Berardo is a wealthy businessman with international holdings, but in 1963, he was one of those emigrants. The youngest of seven children in a family that had lived in Madeira for many generations, Berardo left school at the age of 14 to join his father working for a wine company. Five years later, he was on his way to Mozambique.</p><p>From there he moved on to South Africa where at first he labored on the land and then got into selling food products to mining communities. Investing his accumulating capital in the purchase of abandoned mines, he made use of new technology to get them going again. The boy who was forced to leave his island home to seek his fortune became the man who today owns mines and gold refining plants as well as a diverse collection of international investments and properties. One of them is the Hotel Savoy.</p><p>It was his older brother Jorge who encouraged Jose Berardo to return home where he has established a range of philanthropic enterprises including an organization that supports 500 local students. “My brother remembered how traumatic it was as a kid to be forced to go to a foreign place to make a living, ” Jorge told us. “And so he set up this program to help young people get skills that will make them employable.”</p><p>We were having coffee with Jorge in Monte Palace, a four story gabled structure inspired by the romantic castles along the banks of the Rhone. An engaging man, quick to show affection to complete strangers, Jorge was as expansive as the light-filled country house of spacious and high ceiling rooms up in the hilly hamlet of Monte. Though filled with art and antiques, it was comfortable and inviting with plush upholstery that begged the visitor to sink in.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.7.jpg" /></p><p>The entry to Monte Palace</p><p><img alt="" src="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.8.jpg" /></p><p><i>One of the art and antique filled but nevertheles inviting rooms at Monte Palace</i></p><p>We sat in a little yellow sunroom off the parlor and before a garden abloom with azaleas. Below a wooded area of eucalyptus and mimosa trees overlooked the sparkling sea in the distance. “In the nineteenth century when this house was built, people came up to the mountains of Madeira looking for a place that would cure tuberculosis,” Jorge told us. “Later on it became a hotel that was managed by a husband and wife. They died, one soon after the other, and the hotel was up for sale. That was in 1944. There were no takers, and it was abandoned.</p><p>“More than forty years later when Jose returned to Madeira, he took it over, restored it, furnished it with antiques, piece by piece. He created the surrounding gardens and set up a foundation to insure it will always be maintained.”</p><p>To stroll through the vast, many-layered garden that embraces Monte Palace is like walking through a dream. Plants, trees — including Sequoias from California, flowering specimens from all over the world have been transported here and thrive in the rich volcanic soil. Walkways lined with volcanic rock are punctuated with sculptures from ancient to modern times and Azulejos dating back as far as the 15th century –some are a series of panels depicting events in Portuguese history. There is a vast collection of prehistoric plants from South Africa, a lake with black and white swans and brilliantly colored koi fish; there are peacocks, Zen-like retreats with bridges, pagodas, and Buddhas. And this entire wonderland is open to the public.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.9.jpg" /></p><p><i>A glimpse of the gardens around Monte Palace</i></p><p>Jose Berardo often uses the facilities of Monte Palace for special events like the annual party he throws for the students he supports. As one of the two owners of the Savoy, he stages events connected with the hotel as well. Recently the European ministers were hosted on the property. At a party for the designer Pierre Cardin, guests entered at the top of the garden, and as they descended through the grounds to the house, they encountered trios of musicians in period costumes playing classical music. A lake at the bottom of the garden had been covered with a platform turning it into a stage for a concert performance.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.10.jpg" /></p><p><a href="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.10.jpg">Jorge Berardo encouraged his brother Jose to come back home to Madeira</a></p><p>Although my brother and I came from a family that was poor economically, we got strong values from our parents,” Jorge said. “They taught us what is the idea of having things and hiding them. The point is to share with everyone, to let everyone enjoy. That formed my brother’s philosophy: not everyone can buy, but everyone can enjoy.”</p><p>With Madeira’s excellent road system, it is easy for the Savoy to organize and coordinate events at Monte Palace. We reached it, however, via a direct hoist up the mountain on a cable car. This, Madeira’s newest means of conveyance, affords the most glorious of views. Lars had told us that the earliest tourists to Madeira were drawn to its higher elevations which were accessed by a now defunct railroad. The return to sea level was often accomplished by the Monte Toboggan, a unique form of transport which still exists as a popular tourist activity. People sit in what looks like a little settee but is actually an open wicker basket of sorts resting on wooden runners while drivers push the basket down the two mile steep decline from Monte to Funchal.</p><p>Today the bulk of Madeira’s tourist facilities hug its southern oceanfront coast, but the mountainous interior with its panoramic views, charming little towns, extravagant flora, and wealth of hiking trails some alongside abandoned canals is getting a well deserved second look. The recent expansion of Madeira’s airport to accommodate wide-body aircraft positions the island to enhance and transform its potential as a tourist destination, much as the opening of the airport did back in 1964.</p><p>“Before the airport, guests arrived by sea,” Lars had told us. “The big ships would stop on the way from Southampton to Capetown and back again. Everybody would get off the ship and come into the hotel, and everyone in the hotel would move onto the boat. It took a week or two to get from Southampton to Madeira. People traveled with big steamer trunks that they put into big wardrobes.</p><p>“All through those years, everybody was on full board,” Lars noted. “People ate six meals a day. Hotel dining rooms were like those on the ships — they accommodated everybody. The Savoy’s held one thousand people at a time.</p><p>But then the airport opened, and little by little everything changed. There are no longer the long summer holidays; it could be a weekend break. Dining habits change; people don’t want all those meals. They went from full board to half board and from there to bed and breakfast. And restaurants opened up all around the hotels. So there was no longer the need for the huge dining room.”</p><p>Today, the Savoy’s main restaurant is the Cupula. It is open for breakfast and dinner, specializes in elaborate buffets, and seats a mere 250. There are other options: the Library Garden and Terrace, and al fresco service on the patios and around the pool ––twenty-first century dining concepts.</p><p>But not all traces of a more leisurely and elegant past have disappeared. The Fleur de Lys remains up on the Savoy’s eighth floor, and it was there we reserved a table for our last night on this enchanted isle.</p><p>It was still dusk when we arrived. From a corner table that afforded panoramic views to the south and east, we watched the lights come on in hillside houses like the glow of hundreds of fireflies, and the sea turn from violet to navy blue. Candles were lit throughout the formal yet comfortable room with its widely spaced tables and upholstered chairs.</p><p>Cecilio Martins, Fleur de Lys’ debonair maitre d’, presented us with an elaborate menu that included some local specialties but leaned to the more classical offerings. A traditionalist in the world of haute cuisine who’s been at the Savoy since 1968, he guided us through a grand dinner that was not lacking in elements of nostalgia. Following his recommendation, we began with a delicious salad of rock lobster, a small crustacean found in the local waters, that was cooked just right and served out of the shell. It had been a long time since we saw French onion soup gratinee on a menu, but it is a staple at the Fleur de Lys, and true to form, the soup lover among us had to have it. His pronouncement: “sublime!”</p><p>A shooting flame at the other end of the restaurant caught our eye. It Cecilio Martins preparing duck a l’orange tableside, a dish he had encouraged us to try. Though we could not remember when last we had this one time favorite, throwing cholesterol concerns to the wind we decided to go for it. From our front row seats, we watched him pour the cognac into the sauce and flambé it with dramatic flair. The duck was crisp on the outside, succulent on the inside, and somehow so apropos to the mood at hand. For dessert, we were treated to another pyrotechnic performance as Cecilio prepared Crepes Suzette and tropical fruits flambé.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.11.jpg" /></p><p><i><a href="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.11.jpg">Cecilio Martins, Fleur de Lys’ debonair maitre d’, displays his pyrotechnic artistry</a></i></p><p>The Savoy’s French-born executive chef Jean Claude Boffy stopped by our table as we were having coffee. Boffy trained in France and had worked in some of the finest kitchens in Europe as well as the Intercontinental Hotels in Athens and Rio, the Palace in Muscat and the Sultanat in Oman before coming to Madeira in late 1999. He can do everything from the Escoffier style to the more modern and leaner styles of cuisine. Looking to the future, Jean is enthusiastic about the restaurant to open in the Royal Savoy Resort. Cecilio, however, wants nothing more than to continue serving in the time honored elegant manner so typical of the Fleur de Lys.</p><p>Like its maitre d’ and executive chef, past and future intermingle comfortably at the Hotel Savoy. A lobby wall displays a collection of black and white photographs that illustrate the history of the property which began life as a private dwelling and was turned into a 30-room hotel 1902. Among the pictures are those of guests arriving in little boats that took them from the ocean-going vessels to the shore, visitors being carried from the harbor to the hotel in hammocks slung on the shoulders of porters, Carnival Night during the 1940’s, Dennis and Margaret Thatcher honeymooning at the Hotel Savoy in 1951, and its mid 1960’s renovation into the current post-war modernism design.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.12.jpg" /></p><p><i><a href="http://worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/vavoy.12.jpg">The Hotel Savoy’s Executive Chef Jean Claude Boffy</a></i></p><p>Like its maitre d’ and executive chef, past and future intermingle comfortably at the Hotel Savoy. A lobby wall displays a collection of black and white photographs that illustrate the history of the property which began life as a private dwelling and was turned into a 30-room hotel 1902. Among the pictures are those of guests arriving in little boats that took them from the ocean-going vessels to the shore, visitors being carried from the harbor to the hotel in hammocks slung on the shoulders of porters, Carnival Night during the 1940’s, Dennis and Margaret Thatcher honeymooning at the Hotel Savoy in 1951, and its mid 1960’s renovation into the current post-war modernism design.</p><p>While change has and continues to dominate the Savoy story, for Lars Hansen, a constant theme runs through it as well which he predicts will persist as the hotel moves into its second century: a service-oriented ethos that pervades every aspect of its operation. “There are 337 rooms in the hotel and a staff of 450. And I know each one of them,” he told us. “They are enthusiastic about their jobs and communicate that feeling to our guests, many of whom return over and over again. Some even leave their vacation clothes here. When they come back, they’re greeted like long lost friends. The maid remembers them; she gives them a hug.</p><p>“As I always tell the staff, you can have a hotel with gold chandeliers and diamonds in the floors,” he adds. “But what it all comes down to is how people are treated. It’s the feeling of warmth that makes the difference.”</p><p align="center"><i> </i></p><p align="center"> </p><p><em><b><br /></b></em> <em><a href="http://www.hotelroyalsavoymadeira.com/royal-savoy-madeira.html" target="_blank">Royal Savoy Hotel</a><br /> Avenida do Infante</em><br /> <em>Funchal, Madeira<br /></em> <em>phone: 351-291 222 –31/39<br /></em> <em>fax: 351 291 122 103</em></p><p></p><p align="center"> <span class="font-size-1"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span class="font-size-1"><i>About the Authors: Drs. Myrna Katz Frommer and Harvey Frommer are a wife and husband team who successfully bridge the worlds of popular culture and traditional scholarship. Co-authors of the critically acclaimed interactive oral histories It Happened in the Catskills, It Happened in Brooklyn, Growing Up Jewish in America, It Happened on Broadway, It Happened in Manhattan, It Happened in Miami they teach what they practice as professors at Dartmouth College. They are also travel writers who specialize in luxury properties and fine dining as well as cultural history and Jewish history and heritage in the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.</i> <i><a href="http://travel-watch.com/bios.htm#Frommer">More about these authors</a>. You can contact the Frommers at: Email: <a href="mailto:myrna.frommer@Dartmouth.EDU">myrna.frommer@Dartmouth.EDU</a> Email: <a href="mailto:harvey.frommer@dartmouth.edu">harvey.frommer@Dartmouth.EDU</a> Web: <a href="http://www.dartmouth.edu/~frommer/travel.htm">http://www.dartmouth.edu/~frommer/travel.htm</a>.</i></span></p><p></p><p align="center"><span class="font-size-1"><i>This Article is Copyright © 1995 – 2017 by Harvey and Myrna Frommer. All rights reserved worldwide.</i></span></p><p align="center"><span class="font-size-1"><em><i>Photos:</i> Harvey Frommer </em></span></p></div>
You Sexy Greek Beach: Kolymbithres on Paros Island
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/you-sexy-greek-beach-kolymbithres-on-paros-island
2013-06-14T17:19:36.000Z
2013-06-14T17:19:36.000Z
Nicholas Kontis
https://tripatini.com/members/NicholasKontis
<div><div><a><img alt="" src="http://doveviaggi.corriere.it/mediaObject/foto/foto-articoli/europa/grecia/paros/02-web-paros-spiaggia-di-kolymbithres/original/02-web-paros-spiaggia-di-kolymbithres.jpg" /></a></div><div id="iol_navl"></div><div>They say that a beautiful and sexy beach is in the eyes of the beholder. However, few will argue that Kolymbithres beach is not one of the most alluring Greek seaside hangouts. Located on the Cycladic island of Paros, this is one of the most unusual beaches you will ever visit. The place to be seen on Paros. Not a beach for the prudish. Anything goes on Kolymbithres, including the consumption of large quantities of the chalky Greek liquor ouzo.<br /></div><div>In Greece, all age groups meet at the beach. You will find all walks of life soaking up the sun. Due to its shallow waters, couples, families, young people, old people, local Greeks and travelers, everyone wants to take in a beach with stunning views, filled with beach revelers soaking in the rays.<br /></div><div>What makes this beach unique is its rugged rock formations. Large Seychelles-like boulders for sunbathers to put themselves on display. Close to Naoussa town, crystal clear water unique rock formations create a breathtaking scenery. Great swimming, pretty shallow for a ways out. One caution if you do not have your own transport, the bus only comes three times as day, but one can always get a taxi.There are 3-4 taverns located in walking distance of the beach, and during high season there is a very organized watersports center for water ski, kayaking, banana boats, and more. Most of the coves are organized, with sun beds and parasols for hire.</div><div><br /> Nick’s Tip:</div><div>Visiting Greece during September-October guarantees you fewer people, or you just may be the only people on the beach. If you are coming in the heavily traveled summer months and if you enjoy late afternoon swimming, come after 5pm, as the ocean is still “sauna like,” but the crowds tend to die down.</div><div>Grab some friends and have a barbecue on the beach.</div><div><br /> Learn more about Kolymbithres Beach and the island of Paros at <a href="http://www.paros-island.biz/" style="font-size:13px;">www.paros-island.bi</a><a href="http://www.paros-island.biz/" style="font-size:13px;">z</a></div></div>
Deluxe California Day Trip: Fly From Santa Barbara to the Channel Islands
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/channel-islands-california
2016-05-19T14:29:33.000Z
2016-05-19T14:29:33.000Z
Nicholas Kontis
https://tripatini.com/members/NicholasKontis
<div><p><a href="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7155/RackMultipart20121115-32124-meef5k_grid_6.jpg" target="_blank"></a></p><p><a href="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7155/RackMultipart20121115-32124-meef5k_grid_6.jpg" target="_blank"></a></p><p><a href="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7155/RackMultipart20121115-32124-meef5k_grid_6.jpg" target="_blank"></a></p><p><a href="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7155/RackMultipart20121115-32124-meef5k_grid_6.jpg" target="_blank"></a></p><p><a href="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7155/RackMultipart20121115-32124-meef5k_grid_6.jpg" target="_blank"></a></p><p><a href="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7155/RackMultipart20121115-32124-meef5k_grid_6.jpg" target="_blank"></a></p><p><a href="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7149/RackMultipart20121115-751-1y6v2kt_grid_6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7149/RackMultipart20121115-751-1y6v2kt_grid_6.jpg?width=440" width="440" class="align-center" alt="RackMultipart20121115-751-1y6v2kt_grid_6.jpg?width=440" /></a></p><p></p><p>Pilots fly guests to Santa Rosa Island, where they explore forests, beaches, and a historical ranch on foot or in four-wheel-drive vehicles.<br /> <br /> To begin this 5 1/2-hour excursion, pilots whisk passengers away on a 25-minute flight in a Britten-Norman Islander, across a stretch of the Pacific to the hilly, grass-strewn Santa Rosa Island. Upon landing, enjoy a self-packed picnic lunch on a secluded beach or on one of the cliffs that overlooks the water. After lunch, visit popular attractions on the island such as the Torrey Pine Forest, Lobo Canyon, Cherry Canyon, and the historic Vail Ranch. Participants hike by foot and may also hop on a four-wheel-drive vehicle when available. Participants should wear walking shoes or hiking boots, dress in layers, and are encouraged to bring food, binoculars, and cameras.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7155/RackMultipart20121115-32124-meef5k_grid_6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7155/RackMultipart20121115-32124-meef5k_grid_6.jpg?width=440" width="440" class="align-center" alt="RackMultipart20121115-32124-meef5k_grid_6.jpg?width=440" /></a></p><p></p><div><strong><span style="font-size:1em;">Channel Islands Aviation</span></strong></div><p><br />Mark Oberman began flying to the Channel Islands in 1975. In 1976, Mark and his wife Janie opened Channel Islands Aviation. More than 35 years later, their certified pilots still fly charters out of Camarillo Airport and organize multiday camping and hiking trips on Santa Rosa Island.</p><p><br />In the Cessna Pilot Center flight school, instructors train pilots of all experience levels with an up-to-date Redbird flight simulator and hands-on flights. Lessons prepare fledgling fliers to obtain their private-pilot, instrument-rating, single-engine-commercial, or CFI-training license.</p><p></p><div><a href="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7150/RackMultipart20121115-32256-18ys74l_grid_6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://s3.grouponcdn.com/images/site_images/2769/7150/RackMultipart20121115-32256-18ys74l_grid_6.jpg?width=440" width="440" class="align-center" alt="RackMultipart20121115-32256-18ys74l_grid_6.jpg?width=440" /></a></div><div><br /> <br /> <br /><br /><em>Contact Channel Islands Aviation at:</em></div><div><em>(805) 987-1301 (805) 987-8301</em></div><div><em>cia@flycia.com</em></div><div><em>305 Durley Avenue Camarillo, CA 93010</em></div><div><a href="http://www.flycia.com"><em>http://www.flycia.com</em><br /> <br /> <br /></a></div></div>
Your own private Caribbean island at Hotel Laguna Azul in Panama
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/your-own-private-caribbean-island-at-hotel-laguna-azul-in-panama
2015-05-21T23:57:31.000Z
2015-05-21T23:57:31.000Z
Shannon Farley
https://tripatini.com/members/ShannonFarley
<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008955053,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="600" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008955053,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008955053?profile=original" /></a>Ever wanted to have <b>your own private tropical island</b>?</p><p> </p><p>That was the dream of Argentinean Jorge Benatuel, co-owner of <b>eco-boutique <a href="http://www.hotelagunazulpanama.com/" target="_blank">Hotel Laguna Azul</a> in <a href="http://www.hotelagunazulpanama.com/location/" target="_blank">Bocas del Toro, Panama</a></b>.</p><p> </p><p>The <b>intense city-life of Buenos Aires</b> is a far-cry from the backwater <b>southern Caribbean archipelago of Bocas del Toro in northwestern Panama</b>. But in 1998, Benatuel and his wife traveled from Argentina to Bocas del Toro on vacation. <b>They spent 15 days boating around</b> <b>Bocas del Toro’s</b> nine major islands and 200-plus islets, <b>looking for a property to build their own house</b>.</p><p> </p><p>“They were looking for peace and relaxation and being away from noise and hubbub,” explained Hotel Laguna Azul general director Fernando Quevedo.</p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008954688,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="600" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008954688,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008954688?profile=original" /></a>The couple found their dream paradise on <b><a href="http://bocasdeltoro.travel/bocas-del-toro/" target="_blank">Popa Island</a>, one of the more distant and least populated islands of the <a href="http://www.bocasdeltoro.com/" target="_blank">Bocas del Toro archipelago</a></b>. The site is positioned <b>between two lagoons</b> <b>and the open Caribbean Sea,</b> surrounded and protected on three sides by <b>untouched mangrove forest</b>.</p><p> </p><p>The couple returned to Argentina, but before they could build their dream home, Benatuel’s wife sadly passed away. In 2010, Benatuel <b>elected to build an <a href="http://www.hotelagunazulpanama.com/the-eco-hotel/" target="_blank">eco-boutique hotel</a> on the property</b>, with associates Hugo Badareotte and Jorge Santillan of Argentina, and Ruben Navarro from Panama. <b>Hotel Laguna Azul</b> <b>opened in 2011</b>.</p><p> </p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008943056,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="600" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008943056,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008943056?profile=original" /></a>When you <a href="http://www.enchanting-costarica.com/destinations/bocas-del-toro-panama-perfect-caribbean-vacation/" target="_blank">stay at Hotel Laguna Azul</a>,</b> you get to have your <b>own private tropical island</b>. The only population of Popa Island is Hotel Laguna Azul and two small indigenous communities on the other side of the island.</p><p> </p><p>Away from all of the other hotels in Bocas del Toro, the <a href="http://www.hotelagunazulpanama.com/the-eco-hotel/rooms/" target="_blank">eight-room luxury hotel</a> is a place where you can <b>relax and enjoy without sacrificing comfort</b>. Service is attentive with a personal concierge. <b>All-inclusive meals</b> provided by their professional chef are delicious and fresh – as in, just out-of-the-water fresh. The hotel also has a Spa, TV lounge, pool table, table tennis, a fully-equipped gym, and <a href="http://www.hotelagunazulpanama.com/the-eco-hotel/amenities/" target="_blank">complimentary Wi-Fi</a> in the lobby.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008943498,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="600" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008943498,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008943498?profile=original" /></a> </p><p>The <b>Caribbean island hotel</b> <b>is built right over the</b> <b>translucent blue Caribbean Sea</b> on 70 concrete pillars. There is <b>nothing between you and the sea</b>. When sitting on the infinity deck you look out over an <b>active coral reef with water so clear</b> you can see the bottom. The area around Popa Island offers <b>some of the <a href="http://www.hotelagunazulpanama.com/activities/" target="_blank">best snorkeling in Bocas del Toro</a></b>.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008955255,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="600" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008955255,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008955255?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Located very <b>close to the</b> <b>border with Costa Rica,</b> Bocas del Toro is <b>outside the Caribbean’s “Hurricane Zone”.</b> “This is the true southern Caribbean,” said Quevedo. “At any moment it could rain, but the rains are short and intense. What we don’t have are dangerous storms.”</p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Indulge in a Caribbean vacation</b> – without the crowds. <b>Visiting</b> <b>Bocas del Toro in Panamá is</b> <b>easy</b> from North America and Europe via Panama City; or <b>combine with a trip to Costa Rica</b>.</p><p> </p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008955677,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="600" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008955677,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9008955677?profile=original" /></a><a href="http://www.hotelagunazulpanama.com/location/directions/" target="_blank">How to get there</a>:</b> <b>From Panama City</b>, <a href="http://www.airpanama.com" target="_blank">Air Panama</a> flies to the Isla Colon International Airport on Colon Island. From there it is a 35-minute ride by private boat to Popa Island to Laguna Azul Hotel.</p><p> </p><p><b>From San José, Costa Rica</b>, you can fly <a href="http://www.natureair.com/bocas-del-toro-flights.aspx" target="_blank">Nature Air</a> to Colon Island in Bocas del Toro.</p><p> </p><p><b><i>Article by Shannon Farley</i></b></p></div>
Kos: A Gem of Greece's Dodecanese Islands
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/kos-greece-dodecanese-islands
2014-07-12T17:21:43.000Z
2014-07-12T17:21:43.000Z
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
https://tripatini.com/members/IberostarHotelsResorts
<div><p><a href="http://passportto.iberostar.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/MED_Kos.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://passportto.iberostar.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/MED_Kos.jpg?width=650" width="650" class="align-center" alt="MED_Kos.jpg?width=650" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p>Traveling to Greece means traveling back in time, to its invasions and great battles, to the great empires of the past. To do so on its islands is to relive great moments reflected in the history books and in the ruins of the ancient buildings sprinkled around each and every one of them. But to set foot on Kos is to enter a world that mixes all the great cultures that have inhabited the Mediterranean over thousands of years, and visit landmarks that help form the basis of human knowledge today. Kos is one of the islands in the western Aegean Sea, very close to Turkey, and forms part of the Dodecanese archipelago. At only 287.2 kilometers squared, it is one of the most historically interesting land masses in the whole of Europe.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:13px;">Inhabited since prehistoric times, it received groups coming from Crete and Caria, fought on the side of the Greeks in the Trojan War and was invaded by the Dorians, who established their center of power there: the Hexapolis. It was invaded by the Persian hordes, who were expelled in the Battle of Salamina, and passed several times into the hands of Sparta until it became part of Macedonia. After the death of Alexander the Great, it became Egyptian territory, and it even managed to enjoy some independence when it was governed by a local monarchy. It passed through Byzantine and Venetian hands, before being ruled by the Knights of the Order of St John, and later the Ottomans. In 1934, it would suffer a huge earthquake, before being occupied by the Nazis. Following a brief spell as a British protectorate, it eventually joined Greece. With such a history, the number of places to visit is endless.<br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:13px;">The capital from which the island takes its name occupies the same site as the old acropolis built in 366 B.C. One of its highlights is an imposing fortress built by the Knights of the Order of Saint John in the fifteenth century, located in the city port area and accessible via an impressive bridge. The historical center is full of the remnants of ancient eras: a shrine dedicated to Aphrodite, another dedicated to Heracles, the old Agora, some Roman baths and, from the same epoch, a gymnasium, a house and the Odeon concert building. Visitors can also enjoy a great number of Paleo-Christian and Byzantine churches. In Kos you can also sit in the shade of what is reportedly the oldest tree in Europe, a banana tree under which Hippocrates, father of modern medicine, gave classes to his students.<br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:13px;">On the outskirts of the capital is the magnificent Asklepion, where a large theater festival is held every year, as well as photography and art exhibitions relating to medicine. Nor should the thermal springs at Agios Fokás and Psiladi be missed, where water comes out of the ground at 100 degrees Celsius and cools as it flows over the rocks.<br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:13px;">The Montte Dikeio region, the highest point on the island, is dotted with small settlements where the most traditional Kos lifestyle can be enjoyed. One that stands out is Lagoudi, with churches such as the Agios Ioannis Theologos, the Prophet Elijah, Asfendiou, Pyli and Asomatos. They are all surrounded by lush nature where intrepid travelers can enjoy all kinds of adventures, losing themselves in the innumerable paths.<br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:13px;">In the center of the island is the village of Antimajia, where there are windmills and the coat of arms of the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John, Pierre d’Abusson. Also worthy of a visit is the fishing village of Mastichari, where visitors can sample the best fresh fish on the island in any of its bars; and Kardamena, a tourist complex located alongside the beach.<br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:13px;">To the south, Kefalos stands out for its magnificent beach of crystal clear waters and little white houses lining narrow streets. Very nearby are the Saint Nicholas monastery and the Agios Stephanos tourist center, where there are beaches in abundance. Here, bathers will find both pebbles and sand and can swim close to two fifth-century Christian churches towards a small island where there are the ruins of a castle.<br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:13px;">Kos is definitively one of those special places where it is impossible not to find something that makes your journey worthwhile.</span></p><p><em> </em></p><blockquote><p><strong>“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts</strong> <em>has <a href="http://www.iberostar.com/hoteles/kos">3 hotels on the island of Kos.</a> These hotel complexes,<strong> the IBEROSTAR Kipriotis Panorama & Suites, the IBEROSTAR Odysseus and the IBEROSTAR Panorama Family</strong>, are <strong>4 and 5-star establishments which offer an All Inclusive package</strong> to ensure everything is taken care of during your vacation. These hotels offer luxurious and comfortable <strong>suites to suit all needs.”</strong></em></p><p></p><p></p></blockquote></div>
Greece's Island of Leros
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/leros
2014-02-25T18:52:23.000Z
2014-02-25T18:52:23.000Z
Keith Kellett
https://tripatini.com/members/KeithKellett
<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008821093,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008821093,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9008821093?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Some Greek islands suffer from the effects of ‘kalimari and chips’ mass tourism. But, sometimes, you only need to take a short trip in a ferry or a kaiki to enter a different world altogether.</p><p>Let’s look at one of the lesser-known islands, Leros. There are jails and mental institutions here, and the name is similar to the Greek word for a rogue or a rascal. This put a lot of people off visiting, for all the wrong reasons, because really, it’s quite a laid-back, pleasant place.</p><p>I suspect the average visitor with no prior knowledge would scarcely be aware that those establishments exist. There is also, after all, a large prison on the Isle of Wight, but that’s no reason not to go there. Neither does the name deter me from visiting the Scilly Isles.</p><p>The Italians took over the Dodecanese Islands from the Ottoman Turks in the years following World War I, and built their main naval base at Lakki’ and the most obvious way they left their mark is the ‘art-deco’ buildings along the esplanade.</p><p>One guide-book describes it as ‘… like stepping into an abandoned Fellini film set.’ Some of the buildings, it’s true, do look dilapidated and shabby, but they would seem to make interesting restoration projects. Indeed, some of them have scaffolding erected around them, and some restoration work does appear to be going on, especially in the larger buildings overlooking the harbour.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296583891,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296583891,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9296583891?profile=original" /></a></p><p>The guide-books tend to dismiss Lakki as having little to offer the visitor. Their usual counsel is to head for the ‘bright lights’ on the other side of the island, stopping only to grab a bite to eat, and check your e-mail. You can leave Lakki by bus or taxi, or some hotels will provide a transfer from the ferry port or the airport if you’re staying with them.</p><p>On Leros, all roads, and all bus routes, lead to the main town, Platanos, which stands on a ridge joining two low hills. To one side of the ridge, Platanos joins with the port of Ayia Marina, where the hydrofoils and inter-island catamarans dock. To the other side lies Pandeli, a fishing port which is also much favoured by yacht crews.</p><p>Both of these towns give their names to the beautiful bays upon which they stand, and Pandeli also lends its name to the Byzantine castle on top of Mt. Apetiki. This is open to the public, and can be reached either by the zig-zag road up from Pandeli or, on foot only, up a long flight of stone steps from Platanos.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008821259,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008821259,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9008821259?profile=original" /></a></p><p>It’s possible to visit the Monastery of the Madonna of the Castle. It was once the powder magazine of the castle, and is home to an icon of the Virgin, said to have miraculous powers. The legend says that the icon arrived at Pandeli in an unmanned boat, lit by a sacred candle. The Bishop of the island bore the icon away to the Cathedral … and the following morning found it gone! The commander of the Turkish garrison in the castle found it in his locked and guarded powder magazine … with the sacred candle still burning, which probably gave him a bad moment!</p><p>The icon and the candle were taken to several churches in succession, and each night, they say, it found its own way back to the powder magazine.</p><p>The Governor eventually decided to clear his magazine and store his ammunition elsewhere. Then, he gave the building to the people, so that they could convert it to a church, to house the miraculous icon.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008822252,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008822252,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9008822252?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Near the castle, a little white chapel overlooks Platanos and, built into the wall of the courtyard is a WWII bomb casing! There are a lot of these in the Dodecanese, which the islanders still occasionally use as garden ornaments. They’re also a reminder of the battle fought on Leros in 1943, when German Airborne forces re-took the island from British and Commonwealth troops, who occupied the island for a short while after the Italian capitulation.</p><p>If you came up to the castle from Pandeli, you can’t have failed to notice the windmills you passed on the way. They’re all of the traditional Greek round pattern, but they aren’t quite what they seem to be. They’re holiday apartments!</p><p>Those on the cliff above Pandeli Harbour were, in fact, converted from disused mills, but the ones on the ridge below the castle were built from scratch only recently.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008821893,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008821893,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9008821893?profile=original" /></a></p><p>To find a genuine Greek windmill, go to Ayia Marina, where the mill guarding the harbour is a well-known landmark. For the best views, just walk along the sea-front, and for a real close-up view, visit the Neromylos Tavern, which is right by the 120-year-old mill.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008822286,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008822286,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-full" alt="9008822286?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Modern windmills can be seen to the north-west of Alinda, where a wind-farm provides some of the island’s electricity.</p><p>Pandeli has some good restaurants, and was probably best noted for the well-known (or should I say notorious) Savanna Bar, run by British expats Craig and Peter. The décor and atmosphere were Middle Eastern, rather than Greek, where, out on the veranda, Eastern rugs cover stone benches, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if someone had started to smoke a water-pipe. I found it a rather surreal experience to drink Greek-brewed Dutch beer, served by a Scotsman, in an Arab café in Greece.</p><p>A word of warning, though … their infamous ‘Flaming Lamborghini’ cocktail is better witnessed than experienced!</p><p>They say that the resorts on Leros suffer because the beaches are shingle rather than sand … but there are other things to do on a beach besides building sand-castles, and I never heard of a camera being trashed by blowing shingle!</p><p>Away from the resorts … which are also working fishing ports; one of Leros’ nicer points for me was that tourism hasn’t completely taken over … the island is hilly and green, with deeply indented bays. It was said that, during WWII, the entire Mediterranean fleet of the British, German or Italian (depending upon who was ‘in residence’ at the time) Navy might find sheltered anchorage.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008822853,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008822853,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9008822853?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Even today, it seems remarkable that a 20-minute walk … or a 5-euro taxi ride … might bring you from the east coast to the west.</p><p>I feared I was in for a disappointment my favourite Greek dish, moussaka. Everywhere I ate, I asked for moussaka, only to be told ‘it’s too early!’ or ‘is finish!’ I found it on my last evening, at the Taverna Finikas, towards the northern end of the esplanade at Alinda. It’s a simple, unpretentious little place, and the lady who served me told me she makes enough fresh moussaka for eight people every evening.</p><p>I later learned that, traditionally, moussaka used only to be made for special occasions, when there were large numbers to be fed. In the days when few homes had their own ovens, it necessitated firing up the village communal oven, so wasn’t often made.</p><p>This, definitely is the place to go for moussaka … and excellent moussaka, too; poles apart from the pre-cooked, frozen and reheated travesty sometimes served as English ‘pub grub’. Just be sure not to get there too early … but you aren’t the ninth person in the queue!</p><p></p></div>
Winter in the Canary Islands
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/winter-in-the-canary-islands
2013-12-30T19:25:45.000Z
2013-12-30T19:25:45.000Z
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
https://tripatini.com/members/IberostarHotelsResorts
<div><p><strong><a href="http://passportto.iberostar.com/2012/11/winter-in-the-canary-islands/canarias_invierno/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7489" title="Canarias_Invierno" src="http://passportto.iberostar.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Canarias_Invierno.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></a></strong></p><p>Each and every one of the 7 islands that make up the Canaries are an irresistible temptation for travellers at any time of year, but in winter in Europe, they’re in a league all of their own. The average annual temperature is more than 20ºC (in fact, UNESCO has classified the microclimate in Morgan, on Gran Canaria, as the best in the world). And it’s precisely for this reason that each year, large numbers of Europeans choose this archipelago as their winter holiday destination.<br /> <br /> The Canary Islands offer visitors almost 1,500 kilometres of coast and countless options for enjoying their <strong>sunshine</strong>and <strong>privileged climate</strong>. From the vast white sandy beaches of <strong>Fuerteventura </strong>and <strong>Tenerife,</strong> to the small coves that nestle at the foot of the cliffs on the islands of <strong>La Gomera</strong> and <strong>El Hierro</strong>; or from the exotic landscapes formed by the dunes of <strong>Gran Canaria</strong> to the volcanic sand beaches of <strong>Lanzarote</strong> and <strong>La Palma</strong>.<br /> <br /> Yet there’s much more to the Canary Islands than just beaches: visitors can explore picturesque towns, admire breathtaking landscapes and take part in unique local festivities. Gran Canaria offers visitors the chance to experience ‘<strong>rural Gran Canaria</strong>’, with outstanding nature trails that wind their way through inland towns and villages. On Tenerife you can visit <strong>Mount Teide</strong>, listen to a concert of traditional <strong>Isa and Folia music</strong>, observe the Guanche mummies in the <strong>Museum of Nature and Man</strong>, or tour the large <strong>Botanic Gardens</strong> in Puerto de la Cruz.<br /> <br /> Tenerife and <strong>its Plaza del Charco</strong> is a great way to <strong>see in the New Year</strong>; here locals eat their lucky grapes while watching a spectacular fireworks display before dancing the night away in the streets to the sounds of local bands and mobile discos. Although the Canary Islands’ <strong>greatest celebration of all</strong> is undoubtedly its <strong>Carnival</strong> – especially on the two largest islands, Tenerife and Gran Canaria – which takes place in February. An authentic explosion of fantasy, colour and an exciting atmosphere that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.<br /> <br /> In other words, the Canary Islands boast an extensive and varied leisure offer at any time of year. Its climate, natural environment and the open, friendly nature of its inhabitants are its greatest attractions. So come on, take a break from your chilly cities and enjoy winter in the Canary Islands!</p><p></p></div>
Saona Island, the Dominican Republic's Unspoiled Paradise Within a Paradise
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/saona-island-the-dominican-republic-s-unspoiled-paradise-within-a
2013-10-18T03:52:13.000Z
2013-10-18T03:52:13.000Z
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
https://tripatini.com/members/IberostarHotelsResorts
<div><p style="font:12px/18px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;margin:10px 0pt 15px;padding:0pt;text-align:left;color:#4d4d4f;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:#ffffff;"><a href="http://passportto.iberostar.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dominicana_islasaonana.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="500" class="align-center" src="http://passportto.iberostar.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dominicana_islasaonana.jpg?width=500" alt="dominicana_islasaonana.jpg?width=500" /></a></p><p style="font:12px/18px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;margin:10px 0pt 15px;padding:0pt;text-align:left;color:#4d4d4f;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:#ffffff;">If you’re planning a holiday in the Dominican Republic, then make sure a visit to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;">Saona Island</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is onf your list of things to do.</p><p style="font:12px/18px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;margin:10px 0pt 15px;padding:0pt;text-align:left;color:#4d4d4f;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:#ffffff;">Lying off the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, this is one of the country’s largest islands, forming a long expanse of land that stretches out for 110 square kilometres. It is situated in the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;">province of La Romana</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and is part of the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;">National Park of the East.</strong></p><p style="font:12px/18px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;margin:10px 0pt 15px;padding:0pt;text-align:left;color:#4d4d4f;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:#ffffff;">The excursion to Saona Island includes the crossing on a large catamaran, during which a wide range of snacks and drinks are available. First stop after reaching the shore of Saona Island is a visit to a delightful fishing village called <strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;">Mano Juan</strong>.</p><p style="font:12px/18px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;margin:10px 0pt 15px;padding:0pt;text-align:left;color:#4d4d4f;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:#ffffff;">The island boasts seemingly<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;">endless unspoilt beaches</strong><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>of fine white sand, lined by thousands of coconut trees, and is home to countless species of fauna, including birds and marine life (hawksbill sea turtles, manatees, green parakeets, etc.). Saona Island enjoys official protection and therefore<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;">there are no buildings lining the coast</strong>.</p><p style="font:12px/18px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;margin:10px 0pt 15px;padding:0pt;text-align:left;color:#4d4d4f;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:#ffffff;">One of the island’s tourist attractions is the world’s largest<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;">natural pool</strong>, situated in the sea some 400 metres from the shore in an area where the water is hardly a metre deep, making it ideal for bathing. It is also the perfect spot from which to admire and even touch all types of exotic marine species to be found under the pool, such as starfish, corals, tropical fish, shells and winkles.</p><p style="font:12px/18px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;margin:10px 0pt 15px;padding:0pt;text-align:left;color:#4d4d4f;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:#ffffff;">There’s no doubt about it; Saona Island is one of the Dominican Republic’s most outstanding attractions.</p><p style="font:12px/18px Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;margin:10px 0pt 15px;padding:0pt;text-align:left;color:#4d4d4f;text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;word-spacing:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:#ffffff;"> </p><blockquote><p style="margin:10px 0pt 15px;padding:0pt;"><em style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-style:italic;">“<strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;">IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts</strong>’ hotels in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;">the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;color:#0e73b8;text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.iberostar.com/hoteles/republica-dominicana">Dominican</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Republic</strong></em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-style:italic;">offer you the chance to visit the many stunning spots on this island thanks to its 6 luxury resorts situated in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em><a style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;color:#0e73b8;text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.iberostar.com/hoteles/bayahibe"><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><em style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-style:italic;">Bayahibe</em></strong></a><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><em style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-style:italic;">,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em></strong><a style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;color:#0e73b8;text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.iberostar.com/hoteles/playa-bavaro"><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><em style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-style:italic;">Playa Bávaro</em></strong></a><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><em style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-style:italic;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em></strong><a style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;color:#0e73b8;text-decoration:underline;" href="http://www.iberostar.com/hoteles/puerto-plata"><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><em style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-style:italic;">Puerto Plata</em></strong></a><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><em style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-style:italic;">. Their prime locations<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></em></strong><strong style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;"><em style="margin:0pt;padding:0pt;font-style:italic;">make them the perfect base from which to explore the island and discover all its secrets, including Saona Island, naturally.”</em></strong></p><p style="margin:10px 0pt 15px;padding:0pt;"></p></blockquote></div>
Marine Tourism In Indonesia's Raja Ampat Islands
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/marine-tourism-in-indonesias-raja-ampat-islands
2011-08-13T17:45:53.000Z
2011-08-13T17:45:53.000Z
S. Anto
https://tripatini.com/members/SAnto
<div><p><em><strong><a href="http://aglolink.org/travel/marine-tourism-in-the-raja-ampat-islands/" title="Marine Tourism In The Raja Ampat Islands">Marine Tourism In The Raja Ampat Islands</a></strong></em> in West Papua is the most ideal place of maritime tourism in Indonesia today. <em>Beautiful views</em> of Raja Ampat, is second to none elsewhere. So far, Raja Ampat is better known for <em>diving marine tourism</em>. And for tourists in our country can enjoy the <a href="http://aglolink.org/travel/geopark-tourism-lake-toba/" title="Geopark Tourism In Lake Toba">nautical tourism</a> with a walk by renting speedboad among the small islands which around 700 island in Raja Ampat.</p><p>Raja Ampat name reputedly comes from the legend rooted in its territory. It is said that there was a woman who found seven eggs, then she took care of the eggs until hatching. Of all the eggs four to four princes. While the other three eggs into a ghost, a woman, and stone. After the split up the four princes and living in different islands. Over time, they appear as kings in their respective territories on the <em>island Waigeo, Salawati, Misool Timur, and West Misool Island</em>. Among the scattered islands are coral islands of which there are a number of natural caves are adorned with several skulls and human bones. No one knows who is buried there.</p><p><a href="http://aglolink.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Raja-ampat-200x150.jpg" target="_blank"><img width="640" src="http://aglolink.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Raja-ampat-200x150.jpg?width=640" class="align-full" alt="Raja-ampat-200x150.jpg?width=640" /></a></p><p> </p><div class="mcePaste" style="left:-10000px;top:0px;width:1px;height:1px;overflow:hidden;"><p style="text-align:justify;"><em><strong>Raja Ampat Islands</strong></em> in West Papua is the most ideal place of maritime tourism in Indonesia today. <em>Beautiful views</em> of Raja Ampat, is second to none elsewhere. So far, Raja Ampat is better known for <em>diving marine tourism</em>. And for tourists in our country can enjoy the <a href="http://aglolink.org/travel/geopark-tourism-lake-toba/" title="Geopark Tourism In Lake Toba">nautical tourism</a> with a walk by renting speedboad among the small islands which around 700 island in Raja Ampat.</p><img width="640" height="480" alt="Raja ampat, marine tourism, west papua" src="http://aglolink.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Raja-ampat.jpg" title="Raja ampat" class="size-full wp-image-405" /></div></div>
Hon Khoai Island, primeval and interesting
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/hon-khoai-island-primeval-and-interesting
2013-09-09T04:27:26.000Z
2013-09-09T04:27:26.000Z
Mary
https://tripatini.com/members/Mary
<div><div align="justify">Hon Khoai, the biggest of a group of islets, is a rocky island of hills and forests including various kinds of precious wood like the “Star” wood. The wild natural landscapes attract a great deal of tourists...</div><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify">Hon Khoai Island lies off the southern tip of the Mekong Delta and is is one of the well-known landscapes of the southernmost province of Ca Mau, about 15kilometres from the mainland.</p><div align="justify"><img class="caption align-center" src="http://www.vietnam-beauty.com/images/stories/camau_honkhoai.jpg" border="0" alt="camau_honkhoai.jpg" /></div><p align="justify">Formerly, Hon Khoai was called Giang Huong, Independence Island and Poulo Obi in the French domination. However, the locals get used to calling it Hon Khoai because it looks like the shape of a giant potato. Hon Khoai is not only a well-known landscape of Ca Mau Province but also a revolutionary site in the south-western region of the south. In 1940, under the leadership of the Communist Party, the locals and soldiers re-took the island from French invaders.</p><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify">A path to the top of the island zigzags round the hillside and is shadowed by high and big trees. Jackfruit and mango trees are seen lush and many of them have become century-old trees. Many wild flowers blossom in rock cavities as though specially placed there as part of some artistic arrangement. The sound of running water and the chirping of birds complete a heavenly picture. On the Hon Khoai coast, there are numerous algae that are used to cook delicious dishes. Many species of birds, including wild geese and swallows, have made Hon Khoai their home.</p><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify">On the Hon Khoai coast, there are numerous algae which can be cooked into delicious dishes. There are also many species of birds on the island, including wild geese and swallows.</p><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify">On the Hon Khoai Island stands an important lighthouse in the Eastern Sea and Thailand Bay. Having invaded Vietnam, French colonialists built a system of lighthouses from Can Gio, Con Dao, Phu Quoc to Hon Khoai to lead ships. The architecturally intact 318 meter-high lighthouse on Hon Khoai Island, built in 1920, unfailingly puts on its best postcard behavior for visitors. The lighthouse tower was one of the earliest construction sites on the Vietnamese territorial waters.</p><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify"><em>With cool climate and beautiful scenery, Hon Khoai is suitable for ecological and discovery tourism.</em></p><p align="justify"> </p></div>
Hiking adventures on Cat Ba Island
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/hiking-adventures-on-cat-ba-island-1
2013-09-05T03:34:53.000Z
2013-09-05T03:34:53.000Z
victoria
https://tripatini.com/members/victoria668
<div><p>“Here’s the trail,” our guide said. He pointed up – at what appeared to be a sheer rock wall.</p><p style="text-align:center;"><img style="margin:10px;" src="http://travel.org.vn/images/2013-04-01.10.27.23-Download.jpg" alt="" height="330" width="439" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Most people come to <a href="http://travelasia01.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/cat-ba-island/" target="_blank">Cat Ba Island</a> as part of a two-day cruise on Halong Bay. They generally view the island as little more than a rest stop before the long drive back to Hanoi.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">But there’s far more to Cát Bà than the port town. Staying at the Cát Bà Eco-Lodge, 13 kilometres inland, my friends and I got to explore an impressive landscape where there are seemingly more rice paddies than tourists.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">We arrived at the lodge in the late afternoon, as the wind swept through the mountains and the sky was stained the deep gray of approaching night. It was too late to go on an ambitious hike, so we opted for the “Waterfall Hike,” which was described as a picturesque 30-minute walk to see a nearby waterfall.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">The man behind the front desk looked enthusiastic about our choice. Then he brought us to the rock wall.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">We contemplated the wall for a minute before our guide, clearly impatient with our postponement, began to scramble up.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Come on!” he called, already perched on a high ledge.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">It was obvious that no one had gone on the “Waterfall Hike” for quite some time. The rocks were overgrown with leaves and tangled branches. My hair caught in a thorn, and I crouched awkwardly on a ledge to untangle it.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“How much farther?” one of my friends asked.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Maybe twenty minutes,” our guide said. He was climbing down now, as rapidly as he had come up. “See you later!”</p><p style="text-align:justify;">We continued climbing up the jagged wall for a few minutes before we admitted defeat. There was no waterfall in sight, only rocks and more rocks and leaf cover that got thicker the higher we climbed.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">We exchanged glances. Then one of us said what we were all thinking: “Maybe an easier walk would be better.”</p><p style="text-align:justify;">After picking our way down the rock wall, we headed along a narrow path into the hills. With the shadows of mountains on both sides, we were surrounded by mist. The cool breeze blew all around us. Darkness was falling, but we managed to snap a few pictures before night arrived.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Then it was time to head back to the lodge, where we ordered a barbecue dinner. It was a bit of a splurge at $15, but well worth it for the hearty plates of ribs, chicken drumsticks and charred squid.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Most of the food served at the lodge travels less than two miles to get there – one of the main reasons that we chose this hotel. Not only is the eco-lodge situated in an ideal spot for trekking through this remote area; it also emphasizes sustainability. This means that trash is recycled and composted, the buildings are built with natural materials and local people help run the business.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Sustainable hotels like the Eco-Lodge can play an important role in the country’s tourism development. But sadly, too many tourists are unaware that these hotels exist – or don’t realize why they are important. Journeying back to Hanoi, we stopped in the island’s port town to get on the bus, where we encountered flocks of tourists who had never left the main street.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">“There really isn’t much to Cát Bà,” one of them said. Little did they know.</p></div>
Visit the World's Largest Sand Island - Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/visit-the-world-s-largest-sand-island-fraser-island-queensland
2013-07-18T19:30:00.000Z
2013-07-18T19:30:00.000Z
Nicholas Kontis
https://tripatini.com/members/NicholasKontis
<div><div>Think all islands in the world are the same or similar? Think again. Ever dreamed of a protected island, complete with its unique biosphere, where you bring your rented 4-wheel drive from the mainland and pitch your own tent? Welcome to amazing Fraser Island, where part of the experience is getting there. Located 200 north of the hustle and bustle of busy Brisbane, approximately a three-hour drive, and a short ferry ride and you reached what any beach wanderer would call Shangri-La.</div><div><img alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Austrlia-Fraser-Island.jpg" /></div><div>Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world. So you say you like long beaches? Fraser Island is 75 miles of blissful beach paradise, and easily accessible from the mainland. Fraser island is the only place on Earth where rainforest grows from sand. The island is filled with crystal clear inland lakes set among the sand dunes. The island has an abundance of animal species and a vast range of plant life indigenous only to Fraser Island. Although approximately 600,000 people visit Fraser Island annually, a beach this long guarantees that you'll find your own private slice of heavenly nirvana. Talk about getting away from it all. Crowded beaches are not a problem on this remote island.</div><div><img alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Australia-Fraser-Lake-Birrabeen.jpg" /></div><div>Lake Birrabeen - One of many inland, fresh water lakes</div><div>THINGS TO DO: Hervey Bay, the gateway to Fraser Island is now famous for Whale Watching. But you come to Fraser Island to explore its beaches and the inland rainforest. Hundreds of sand tracks off the beach link you to inland lakes and lush tropical jungle to explore and get off the beaten path. Swimming in a fresh water lake just minutes from a beach in quite a memorable experience.</div><div><a href="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Australia-Fraser-maheno-wreck-2207.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-19054" alt="Australia - Fraser - maheno-wreck-2207" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Australia-Fraser-maheno-wreck-2207.jpg" width="448" height="297" /></a></div><div>Di</div></div>
St. Barts Travel Guide: 10 Tips, Part 2
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/st-barts-travel-guide-part-2
2016-03-08T21:34:49.000Z
2016-03-08T21:34:49.000Z
Ed Wetschler
https://tripatini.com/members/EdWetschler
<div><p><em><span class="font-size-2"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif">(Click <a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/st-barts-travel-guide" target="_blank">here</a> for page 1 of this story)</font></span></em></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2"><b> </b></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008743083,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008743083,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="396" class="align-right" alt="9008743083?profile=original" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008743671,original{{/staticFileLink}}"></a>6.</strong> Even if you're renting a villa, you'll want to dine out, too -- especially on St. Barts. A short list of</font> <font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>St. Barts' best restaurants</b></font> <font face="Verdana, sans-serif">has to include...</font></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><strong>Le Gaiac</strong> at <strong>Hotel Le Toiny</strong>, a just-renovated Michelin-starred <em>destination gastronomique</em> atop a mountain with killer views, plus a picture window offering views of the kitchen.</font></span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><strong>Bonito Saint Barth</strong>, which offers high-concept ceviche and tiraditos as well as chef-crafted main courses on a terrace overlooking Gustavia.</font></span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><strong>Sand Bar</strong> (daytime) and <strong>On the Rocks</strong> (dinner</font><font face="Verdana, sans-serif">) at Eden Rock, where the new star chef – Jean-Georges Vongerichten, no less – knocked my socks off with black truffle pizza and French-Asian fusion dishes (below: multicultural mahi-mahi).</font></span></li>
<li><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008743461,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008743461,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="360" class="align-right" alt="9008743461?profile=original" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296572083,original{{/staticFileLink}}"></a>The elegant</font> <font color="#37434D"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France's</b> restaurant,</font></font> <font color="#37434D"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><strong>La case de l'Isle</strong>, serves up yet more world-class fusion cuisine on a terrace overlooking Anse des Flamand, the most perfect beach on the island, if not the entire Caribbean</font></font><font face="Verdana, sans-serif">.</font></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>7. </b></font></font><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>St. Barts' most overrated restaurants</b></font><font face="Verdana, sans-serif">? Beats me. The dining on this island is so over-the-top superb that even</font> <font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Nikki Beach</b></font> <font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>St. Barths</b></font><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"> (top), which presents itself as more of a Riviera-style cafe than a temple of gastronomy, serves a <em>salade Nicoise</em> that is so inventive and delicious, you might almost forget how beautiful the waitresses are. Almost.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><strong>8. </strong></span><span class="font-size-2"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Best deal on St. Barts:</b></font> <font face="Verdana, sans-serif">Food and restaurants are expensive, but there's a supermarket a mile or so east of Eden Rock called L'Oasis that sells heroes stuffed with meat, cheese, and sliced hard-boiled egg for about $5.00 -- and they're fabulous.</font></span></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif">9. Best </font></span></strong><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">Club on St. Barts: Le Ti St-Barth</span></strong>, <em>bien sûr</em>. It's a restaurant, a club. It's retro, it's <em>courant</em>. It's straight, it's gay. It's DJs, fashion shows, cabaret, showgirls (below). Above all, it's a party. </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008744659,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008744659,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="288" class="align-right" alt="9008744659?profile=original" /></a>10. Best reggae bar on St. Barts?</b></font> That's a little like asking for the best Irish pub in Cuzco. There isn't much in the way of black Caribbean culture on St. Barts because the island never had enough rainfall to support sugar cane plantations -- ergo, this is one island that didn't import a lot of Africans as slaves. <font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">When I asked Aymeric Bourdin, Assistant General Manager at <strong>TomBeachHotel</strong>, where his live bands come from, he said, “North America and Europe.” They're good, too. But no, they do not play "Yellow Bird." </span></font></font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"> <a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/st-barts-travel-guide" target="_blank">Click here for page 1</a></span></font></font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><span class="font-size-3"> </span></span></font></font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">For more information visit the <a href="http://www.saintbarth-tourisme.com/index_us.php" target="_blank">St. Barts Tourism Committee site</a>.</span></font></font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><span class="font-size-3"> </span></span></font></font></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1"><em><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva;"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva;">Top and middle photos by Ed Wetschler; third image courtesy of Le Ti St-Barth.</span></font></font></span></em></span></p></div>
Count Your Blessings at El Convento in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/el-convento-old-san-juan-puerto-rico
2016-04-16T15:29:36.000Z
2016-04-16T15:29:36.000Z
Deb Thompson
https://tripatini.com/members/DebThompson
<div><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008743263,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="436" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008743263,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9008743263?profile=original" /></a><br /> <br /> Have you ever stayed in a convent? Surprisingly, many of our fellow travel fanatics out there have shared with us that they have, indeed, spent some time staying in converted nunneries or convents. Besides the inherently peaceful aura that seems to surround these modernized convents, many of them are located in absolutely gorgeous locations, and offer the traveller a different perspective. I'd like to share our experience at El Convento, a gorgeous hotel in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Read my abridged version below, or click on the link at the end to read the full review on our website if you wish, which covers many of the must-see sights in Puerto Rico, and more details about the hotel amenities as well.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">One of our greatest finds when we travel is finding a hotel that is a combination of serenity and intimacy mixed with a comfortable dose of energy and inspiration – and this is often not an easy task. But <a href="http://www.elconvento.com/">El Convento</a> somehow has found a way to combine these very attributes. From the moment you arrive, this former Carmelite Convent built in 1646, once named the “Monastery of Our Lady Carmen of San Jose”, seems to open it’s arms and whisper a warm “welcome” to those who cross the threshold.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">The clean lines and pastel tones of the lemon-meringue exterior are accentuated by soaring white pillars, and the classic look of the gleaming black and white checker board floor refreshes the eye, but the heavy, dark wooden doors, stained glass, soaring ceilings and exquisite tapestries makes one appreciate the richness of history here, and imbue this hotel with sheer elegance.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">From the moment we pulled up in front of the pretty, sun-baked lemon-yellow walls and walked between the soaring white pillars of the El Convento entrance we knew we were in for a treat.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">There was no waiting for service, which we appreciate when we arrive after a long day of travelling. Front desk staff were friendly and smiling, and check-in was quick and courteous. They were aware we were coming and greeted us by name, something that always impresses us.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">It wasn’t long before we were being escorted up to our room, emerging from the elevator onto the wide terra-cotta walkway that we had admired in the hotel pictures, which overlooked a lush and airy inner courtyard. <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008743666,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008743666,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" height="618" alt="9008743666?profile=original" /></a>We stopped momentarily to admire the immense, 300 year old “Nispero” tree which had been brought over from Spain. Also known as a sapodilla, the fruit of these trees are highly prized for their delicious and nutritious properties.</span></p><p></p><p><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008743481,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" height="295" alt="9008743481?profile=original" /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">As we walked we noticed the inviting touches – comfortable armchairs with tables placed along the walkway, an invitation to guests to sit and admire the beautiful courtyard at will, and tropical blooms in clay pots bringing the freshness of the courtyard right to your doorstep.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Our favorite activity every day was walking in the footsteps of Spanish conquistadors, through the blue-cobblestone streets of Old San Juan. This can be addictive for those of us with over-active imaginations; the charming, historic down-town district has something for everyone, and if you are interested in 17th century architecture, you will be in your glory. The cobblestone streets are narrow and winding, and yes, I did say they were blue. Once used as ballasts on the ships that sailed from Spain to Puerto Rico, these centuries-old cobblestones were baked in Spain and are known as “aquinas” for their beautiful bluish tones.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008744460,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="273" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008744460,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" height="447" alt="9008744460?profile=original" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">This is the Old San Juan Church, just steps from El Convento, and visible from the sun-drenched terrace of the hotel as you enjoy morning breakfast or the nightly Wine and Cheese Party. It has very beautiful statues inside, and is the centrepiece of many gorgeous Puerto-Rican wedding ceremonies.</span></p><p></p><p>href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008744068,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_self"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008744068,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" height="299" alt="9008744068?profile=original" /><span class="font-size-3">Sun-dappled buildings line the street like so many pastel-hued crayons neatly assembled in a child’s crayon-box. </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Classy boutiques rub elbows with bustling cafes proudly serving a unique Puerto Rican roast, “El Coqui”, named after their national symbol, the tiny coqui tree frog, delicious with a fresh pastry (the coffee not the frog!). </span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Artists studios drip with exuberant displays of bougainvillea and ivy, the creativity of the native Puerto Rican people make it easy to find some great souvenirs to bring home. If you tire of the eye-candy, you can simply follow your ears to the source of hip-swaying salsa beats, or follow your nose to find the source of the alluring scents emanating from pretty restaurants competing for attention.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span><span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296572866,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296572866,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" height="386" alt="9296572866?profile=original" /></a></span></span></p><p><span><span> </span></span></p><p><span><span> </span></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">We highly recommend the island of Puerto Rico as a great Caribbean escape destination, and we would not hesitate to recommend this gracious, small convent-turned-hotel to anyone who is interested in an unique Puerto Rican experience. </span></p><p><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-4"> </span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">From El Convento, all the delights of Old San Juan are easily accessible; walking to many of the attractions is easy and safe, and for those days when you really just want to sit back, relax and put your feet up, this is a wonderful place to do so. You could easily spend a few days just enjoying the terrace and the beautiful view of the Atlantic in the distance, dipping your toes in the warm swimming pool, soothing your aching muscles in the jacuzzi, or simply reading a book while overlooking the charming inner courtyard. With some great restaurants right in the hotel, you don’t even really need to go any further unless you want to do some exploring, and the staff at El Convento are always happy to assist you in making plans. We fell in love with the sedate pace of Old San Juan, and enjoyed our daytime strolls down the old, cobblestoned streets, shopping and exploring, knowing we such a lovely and convenient hotel to return to. When we return to Puerto Rico one day, as we certainly hope to, we will certainly be booking another stay at El Convento.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><br /> I hope you will visit my full review on El Convento here: <a href="http://www.newjetsetters.com/portfolioentry/hotel-el-convento-san-juan-a-new-jetsetters-review/">http://www.newjetsetters.com/portfolioentry/hotel-el-convento-san-juan-a-new-jetsetters-review/</a>, and visit us on Pinterest for more great pictures of Puerto Rico and other wonderful destinations we have been lucky enough to visit and write about. <a href="http://pinterest.com/newjetsetters/">http://pinterest.com/newjetsetters/</a><br /></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"> </span></p></div>
Nantucket on My Mind
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/nantucket-on-my-mind
2010-11-01T18:00:00.000Z
2010-11-01T18:00:00.000Z
Kaleel Sakakeeny
https://tripatini.com/members/KaleelSakakeeny
<div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GfyAtk8L5FxNTG7s-GLE2g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_AnBusKXSA8o/TMxXwB1gyDI/AAAAAAAACFY/TJtvz5_OdOE/s288/eP1080435.jpg" width="288" height="216" alt="eP1080435.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:right;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/travel.video/NMTImages?feat=embedwebsite">NMT Images</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Years after Nantucket’s whaling industry virtually decimated the Atlantic whale population and became fabulously wealthy in the process, Ahab and the White Whale are gone, but the wealth and charm of the island remain.<br /><br />This small island (9 x 12 miles) well off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has lost none of its magic.<br /><br />Late fall <a href="http://www.nantucket.net/">Nantucket</a> is a perfect time to visit this storied island, far from summer's "madding crowds," and very much how she really is without the excess of tourists. .<br /><br />In pocket-size hamlets like Sconset, quiet, empty Lilliputian lanes criss-cross past classic squeezed-together Nantucket-shingled homes, with still vibrant flower boxes. It's much like a a tidy English village or very much like Scotland without the hills and the shaggy sheep, though you can almost imagine them wandering aimlessly along the pristine, grass-covered lanes and nearly hear the tinkle of their bells.<br /><br />The town of Nantucket is staid, classy. <br /><br />The main streets are still unevenly cobbled with original, worn stones, and the brick sidewalks are dotted with the quiet facades of quality shops. <br /><br />There are lots of windows bright with nautical-themed art or quietly expensive jewelry and clothes. These are subtle, discerning shops as befits the old "Yankee ways" of Nantucket... and reflective of the tastes of the rich and famous, who come here to escape their rich and famous lives.<br /><br />Nantucket, for all its charms and magic, is an authentic place because the people care about the quality of their lives and culture.<table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/40W4y0LOWa-Ip0YxMovEwA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AnBusKXSA8o/TMxXwNuef7I/AAAAAAAACFc/r8hs_ToEfXM/s288/eP1080531.jpg" width="288" height="216" alt="eP1080531.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:right;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/travel.video/NMTImages?feat=embedwebsite">NMT Images</a></td></tr></tbody></table>And perhaps because of the sea.<br /><br />All roads lead to the sea. It’s a great leveler, claiming many lives through shipwrecks, but providing a livelihood for today’s fishermen, and solitude along the broad empty beaches in the late fall.<br /><br />Tips<br /><br />* There are two ferries from the mainland (Hyannis) tto Nantucket, a fast and a slow one. We suggest flying <a href="http://www.capeair.com">Cape Air</a> if you're coming from New England or around Westchester County, New York. Cape Air is a "can do" airline, flexible, friendly and with a history of community caring. <br /><br />* There are many inns and unobtrusive B and B's on the island, and they blend quietly into the architecture. Nantucket has only 6 approved colors of paint for businesses and homes. <br />We stayed at the <a href="http://www.unioninn.com">Union Street Inn</a> in the village. <br />Conde Nast Magazine called it "impeccable New England by way of France style." <br />We would say more simply that innkeepers and owners, Ken and Deborah Withrow, have created a very special 12-room inn. The breakfasts are to order, the ever-present chocolate chip cookies and coffee are simple signs of the inn's welcoming spirit. Careful, original touches make Union Inn a special place to stay and appreciate. The location is perfect..<br /><br />* Like the inns, Nantucket's restaurants are hidden among the winding streets and walkways. There are no neon signs announcing "Eat Here."<br />We were lucky to dine at <a href="http://www.americanseasons.com">American Seasons</a>. The food is quite extraordinary (try the Black Mission fig tempura and the Organic Salmon , Maple Parsnip puree and shaved Brussel sprouts with Bourbon Vinaigrette).<br />Cell phones are forbidden in the dining room, and the layout is intriguing. It has a cabaret feel with narrow passageways and dim lighting. The service and wine list are impeccable. So, by the way, are the deserts.<br /><br />Go now while the tourists are gone.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>
Lesser Known Islands in Greece's Dodecanese
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/lesser-known-islands-in-greece-s-dodecanese-
2016-03-09T17:34:44.000Z
2016-03-09T17:34:44.000Z
Keith Kellett
https://tripatini.com/members/KeithKellett
<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008739680,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008739680,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="328" class="align-left" alt="9008739680?profile=original" /></a></p><p>From Hora, on <strong>Patmos</strong>, we could see the island of <strong>Lipsi</strong> on the horizon. It’s called the Island of Churches, because there are 42 churches serving barely 700 souls. That’s one for every 16.6 (recurring) people on the island … although some of them are too small to hold even half that number. All are immaculately kept, all regularly painted in white, picked out in pale blue and nearly always with a blue dome. But, the reason for that apparent ecclesiastical overkill isn’t religious fervour. When the monks of the St. John Monastery on Patmos sold or rented land, they gave generous tax relief to those purchasers who erected a church on their property.</p><p>The blue and white theme continued throughout the little town on the slopes of the hills surrounding the harbour. Apparently, this practice dates from the days of the Ottoman Empire, when the islanders of the Dodecanese, forbidden to fly the Greek flag, painted their houses in its colours instead.</p><p>There was a frequent a bright splash of contrast from a bougainvillaea or a pot of blazing red geraniums, as I walked through the town up to a ruined windmill for a superb view of the harbour and the neighbouring islands. There was also an exquisite wind-borne scent of wild flowers and herbs.</p><p>Nearby <strong>Arki</strong> is Lipsi, in miniature. Again, blue and white seemed to be the favoured colour for many houses. There weren’t as many churches … but there aren’t so many people, either. Probably the most visited church is the one on top of the hill above the harbour, which I reached by ascending a rough track. The community it once served is now in ruins around it, but the church is still in good condition, and visitors make the climb for the views, and the wild flowers along the way.</p><p>Apart from that, there’s one shop – really a kiosk – by the harbour, and three ‘tavernas’, surrounding a delightful miniature plateia, or village square. But, visiting yachts often call at Arki, and the owner of ‘our’ taverna said, with a grin, that the other two are only there to take his overflow.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008739863,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008739863,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9008739863?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Tiny <strong>Marathi</strong>, just a loud shout across the water from Arki, isn’t the place to be if you’re the kind of person who complains about your neighbour’s wind-chimes; our reveille in the morning was the plangent clangour of goat-bells, accompanied by the crowing of a rooster.</p><p>The island is home to less than 30 people, sharing a church and three tavernas between them. The church lay on the spine of a low ridge, surrounded by the ruins of another abandoned village. From that old village, we looked westward at sunset … and were amply rewarded with a view to kill for.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008740092,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008740092,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="564" class="align-center" alt="9008740092?profile=original" /></a></p><p>We found the village threshing circle nearby, a reminder of Marathi’s agricultural past, the only other remnants of which are the goats, chickens and a little fishing.</p><p>There’s no mains electricity, and there’s truth in the saying that, when they shut the generator down for the night, the stars really come out.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008740659,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008740659,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9008740659?profile=original" /></a></p></div>
Ferry Tales From the Abacos
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/ferry-tales-from-the-abacos
2013-05-02T16:16:39.000Z
2013-05-02T16:16:39.000Z
Tripatini
https://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini
<div><p>by <a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profile/ChelleKosterWalton">Chelle Koster Walton<br /></a> <br /> <img width="300" style="float:right;" alt="" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008568454,original{{/staticFileLink}}" />I watched tidily uniformed schoolkids climb aboard as the crew loaded sacks of flour, a boxed microwave, some spare luggage, and various other unidentifiable bundles onto the 50-foot fiberglass ferry boat. Despite the early hour, everyone was cheerful as they made their way to their wood benches, nodding good morning to fellow passengers whether they knew them or not. The captain crawled through the window, gunned the engine, and we began powering our way through the bracing, briny air from Treasure Cay to Green Turtle Cay.<br /> <br /> Other seafarers that day were piloting million-dollar yachts that were costing them a small fortune in anchorage fees to travel around the Abacos, a 120-mile-long chain of more than a hundred <strong>Out Islands</strong> of the Bahamas. Us? We were paying $17 round trip to hop out to Green Turtle Cay, where we spent the day breakfasting at Green Turtle Club, snorkeling and picnicking, and touring the bright little town of New Plymouth (the very model of what a Bahamian town should look like).<br /> <br /> <img width="300" style="float:left;" alt="" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008568670,original{{/staticFileLink}}" />It’s my favorite pastime in the Abacos, the Bahamian sailing capital: day-hopping to its scattering of small isles or overnighting on one of the chain’s ten inhabited islands to soak up as much of the character of each as possible. Flights from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Nassau drop you on <strong>Great Abaco Island at Marsh Harbour</strong>, the third largest town in the Bahamas – but with only one stoplight, mind you. And out here you can find plenty of places to eat and overnight that your wallet will appreciate.<br /> <br /> From Marsh Harbour and the Great Abaco Island town of Treasure Cay, ferries depart regularly and dependably for Green Turtle Cay, Elbow Cay, Man-O-War Cay, and Great Guana Cay. The Sea of Abaco crossings are quick – 15 to 30 minutes – and usually smooth.<br /> <br /> <strong>Elbow Cay</strong>’s the most popular excursion because the ferry leaves from the Marsh Harbour municipal dock and delivers you to a fairytale town where the lighthouse looks like a candy cane and the homes cut from gingerbread. Hope Town, like New Plymouth, was one of four early Bahamian settlements created by Loyalists fleeing the turning tide of the American Revolution. With them they brought their architecture, ships, and slaves. All influence the makeup of today’s Hope Town, where motor vehicles are permitted only to those with special licenses.<br /> <br /> <img width="300" style="float:right;" alt="" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008569286,original{{/staticFileLink}}" />Daytrippers stroll Front Street and Back Street, stopping to learn the island’s history at the <strong>Wyannie Malone Historical Museum</strong>, perusing the galleries and shops, and refueling on “conch in da’ bag” at Harbour’s Edge restaurant. To overnight in the midst of the local scene, check in to Hope Town Harbour Lodge (<a href="http://www.HopeTownLodge.com">www.HopeTownLodge.com</a>). Tucked into a flowery hillside on the edge of a dune, its accommodations range from rooms in the historic inn to gingerbread-trimmed oceanside cottages, and start at $99 (the Bahamian dollar’s on par with the U.S.). Its tiny restaurant is considered one of the finest in town.<br /> <br /> In-the-know sailors know Great Guana Cay for <strong>Nippers Beach Bar & Grill</strong>, one of the most famous yachtie bars in the tropics — especially come Sunday, when it throws one heck of a wild boar roast. Drink something rummy here, grab a Guana Grabber (three kinds of rum mixed with pineapple and grapefruit juice) at Grabbers Bar & Grill, and you’ll find yourself easing into the rhythm of this island nicely. If you’ve grabbed one too many, Grabbers rents out one- and two-bedroom units (<a href="http://www.GrabbersAtSunset.com">www.GrabbersAtSunset.com</a>) from $100 a night.<br /> <br /> The antithesis of Great Guana Cay’s eternal happy hour, on <strong>Man-O-War Cay</strong> no booze is sold or served. So why go? As the boatbuilding capital of the Bahamas, it’s a fascinating place to watch craftsmen at work making and repairing boats, creating models, and creating ditty bags out of sailcloth. Another car-free, carefree island, it has a few interesting shops and harborside restaurants, plus a wonderful beach that’s nearly always empty.<br /> <br /> The Abacos are among those places where you just must get out on the water. And naturally there are plenty of varioius kinds of boats for rent and charter. But if that’s too involved and/or pricey for you, don’t worry, the ferry-boat system will do double duty for you: island-hopping you through mesmerizing seascapes that will send you back home full of ferry tales.<br /> <br /> <em>For more info/resources on the Abacos, see Tripatini's Bahamas group.</em></p></div>
The Southernmost Point of the United States (Not Key West -- Hawaii's Big Island!)
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/the-southernmost-point-of-the
2010-10-25T16:30:00.000Z
2010-10-25T16:30:00.000Z
stewart christensen
https://tripatini.com/members/stewartchristensen
<div><p style="text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;display:block;font-size:12px;"></p><p style="text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;display:block;"></p><p style="text-align:left;"></p><p></p><p style="margin-top:1em;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;display:block;font-size:12px;"></p><p style="text-align:center;"></p><p style="text-align:left;"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008562271,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="" /></p><p></p><p></p><p style="margin-top:1em;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;display:block;font-size:12px;">Today I headed south on Rt. 11. Through Kailua, past Captain Cook. We turned south on the South Point Rd. and drove the 12 miles to the end of land–”the southernmost point in the USA”. We watched and talked to the local fishermen, walked the cliffs and climbed the rocks out as far as we could go. Stunning, gorgeous. The one lane narrow rutted road, the rock walls across pastures, the cliffs, crashing waves and gray skies all bring England to mind–reminded me alot of Cornwall and Land’s End–not QUITE as dramatic–a bit calmer/more soothing–I think it is the effect of the balmy air on the land and sea. And the minute you are out of the car, any image of England is gone! You are quickly reminded that you are in Hawaii! No cold, biting wind cutting through your clothes!</p><p style="margin-top:1em;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;display:block;font-size:12px;">After a quick stop at the yummy Punalu’u Bake Shop we were on to the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. As we were walking from the parking area toward the beach, a nice family was finishing their time at the beach. Mom had stopped the two kids at the edge of the sand, dumping sand out of sneakers and white socks. Mom and Dad also had well protected feet, safely encased in comfy sneakers and socks. As I was approaching, the 7-8 year old girl said, “Mom, I have an idea! When we get back to the hotel, instead of swimming in the swimming pool, lets swim in the REAL ocean!”</p><p style="margin-top:1em;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;display:block;font-size:12px;">I could feel Mom cringing–not sure how she handled that one, but I’m hoping that before this young girl is a Mom she has rebelled enough to have not only walked barefoot in the sand (black or white!), and felt the sand between her toes and the waves lapping at her ankles–I hope she HAS actually gone swimming in the REAL ocean!</p><p style="margin-top:1em;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;display:block;font-size:12px;">What is “vacation” to you? What memories are you creating for your children? What experiences are you providing for them and what do you want them to learn and experience while in your care?</p><p style="margin-top:1em;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;display:block;font-size:12px;">You will find me at the end of the land, with the waves crashing all around, feeling the spray in my face and sharing it all with my children!</p><p style="margin-top:1em;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;display:block;font-size:12px;"><span style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;font-family:verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;line-height:18px;">What makes this all posible? That fact that I can run my business anywhere in the world. I love going to a vacation rental and sharing Hawaii with my family while my business continues to run. Using <a href="http://www.trekadoo.com"><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#BC7134">vacation rental software</font></a> has allowed me to automate my business and spend time with my family, yes, with our feet in the sand.</span></span></p><h6 style="margin-top:10px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;font-size:12px;"><span style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;font-size:xx-small;">image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10589224@N05/3380464289/" style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;color:rgb(54,93,160);text-decoration:none;font-weight:bold;">Rod on flickr</a></span></h6></div>
The Easter Bunny Visits Easter Island
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/the-easter-bunny-visits-easter-island
2013-03-31T12:58:11.000Z
2013-03-31T12:58:11.000Z
Forrest Walker
https://tripatini.com/members/ForrestWalker
<div><p>As I flip through my passport with almost two hundred stamps, and look back on my 185 posts in my WordPress blog, numerous posts on Tripatani or Travel Bloggers Unite, and my 75 reviews on Trip Advisor, I realized that I am living a dream come true. Due to a myriad of converging circumstances, not the least of which is marrying the right woman, I get to travel to exotic locations, luxury locations and mundane locations and write about them. Someday, maybe, someone will pay me to write about their “<em>lodge in paradise with wild animals, white sand beaches, four star service, world renowned food, and free booze”. </em>Until then I do it for fun.<br /><br /></p><div id="attachment_3751" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/passport-001.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-3751" title="passport 001" src="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/passport-001.jpg?w=604" alt="" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text"><br />One page of my passport. This is my second passport since 1995, and this one has two sets of extra pages in it, and almost full.<br /><br />I read a lot of travel stories from other bloggers, some of whom can truly tell a story. I think that is what travel blogging should be all about, telling stories so well that it makes people go there themselves.<br /><br />Possibly it should be about making then green with envy that they either cannot go to a place like Bhutan, or Borneo or Burma. Or perhaps making them realize that they just lack the gumption to do so. But that is not very nice, is it. Just leave it at this, people who do not have a passport and use it, in my opinion, are self deprived.</p></div><p><br />Most of all, for me, a good travel story should be funny, or ironic, irreverent. I strive for all three on this blog, and sometimes I succeed.<br /><br />After my latest review of the posts that make up this tome of a blog, I realized that my own personal favorite travel experience is not documented here. That omission is due to the fact that it happened years before I started blogging, in fact years before blogging started. So, sit back, grab a libation and let me entertain you.</p><h2><strong>The Easter Bunny</strong></h2><p>In the early 90’s I was living a fat life as an expat in Chile. Great job, a salary that allowed indulgences, and a boss that let me get away with fun, as in away from work. My then wife, who had the adventurous nature of a snail surrounded by a circle of salt, had decided to take a long vacation in California, stay at her parent’s house and watch re-runs of Lawrence Welk. I decided that an adventure was in order for me.</p><p>I walked into my boss’s office when I knew he was concerned about other things and he would not take time to truly consider what I was saying. “Hey big boss man, can I have week off?”</p><p>He actually asked “where are you going this time?”</p><p>“I’m thinking Easter Island.”</p><p>He half nodded yes, and half rolled his eyes, which to me implied I had his permission.</p><p>At the time Easter Island was an easy flight destination from Santiago de Chile. The national airline, LAN, made a refueling stop there on flights to Australia. Easter Island is part of Chile, and LAN makes it inexpensive for Chileans to travel back and forth to see family, or buy Pisco. I got the Chilean nationals price by haggling with LAN that I was in fact Chilean because I had a permanent residence visa. So I booked the discounted flight and I was off to solve the “mystery of Easter Island”.</p><p>I’ll indulge myself by telling you a few quick things about the mysteries of the island before I get back to the story.</p><p>The first thing you notice when you land is that the runway is the widest, longest runway you have ever landed on. I mean it is easily four times as wide and three times as long as any international airport runway. This mystery is easily explained. Easter Island was an emergency alternate landing site for the Space Shuttle.</p><div id="attachment_3764" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/runway.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-3764" title="runway" src="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/runway.jpg?w=604" alt="" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Long and wide it still serves the island today. It was never needed by the space shuttle, so lets just cal it foreign aid.</p></div><p>The next mystery is, where am I going to stay? In the early 90’s the Holiday Inn had not exactly discovered Easter Island. Well, the inhabitants had that under control. As soon as you walked out into balmy air, and before you could admire the swaying palms,or smell the flowers, you were surrounded by Islanders with photo albums. They were all trying to get you to rent a room in their home. The albums put in front of your face, two or three at a time had photos of the room, the bathroom, and the meals each served. As soon as you said “yup, I’ll stay with you” they put a lei around your neck to ward off competing families, grabbed your bag and threw them and you into an open air jeep (or some other vehicle without doors or a windscreen), and whisked you off to their home. That beats choosing a place on-line any day!</p><div id="attachment_3756" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/arrival.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-3756" title="arrival" src="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/arrival.jpg?w=604" alt="http://nomadical.wordpress.com" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">This is not me and I do not know these people but this is what you look like after a six hour flight and getting “captured” by a family. (This photo from <a href="http://nomadical.wordpress.com">http://nomadical.wordpress.com</a>)</p></div><p>However, the common idea of the real mystery of Easter Island is the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Island%23Moai_.28statues.29&rct=j&q=statues+of+easter+island&usg=AFQjCNFuTrFkB5DTT2OWuBw4z9KeMOrLOw&sa=X&ei=nBVbUOigBcjyrQeqo4HABg&ved=0CCYQygQwAA">Moai</a>.</p><div id="attachment_3754" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/ei-statues.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-3754" title="EI statues" src="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/ei-statues.jpg?w=604" alt="" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">This is just one set of many sets and many more individual Maois on the island. Remember, I was there BEFORE DIGITAL cameras, so I used this photo courtesy of <a href="http://annoyzview.wordpress.com">http://annoyzview.wordpress.com</a>, which happens to be an excellent blog.</p></div><p>Ever since their “discovery” ( I am always amazed that when a westerner or white man first sees something he claims he “discovered” it) they have baffled scientists, ethnologists, archeologists, explorers and mere tourists. The main element of the mystery is “why were they built?”</p><h2><strong>Mystery Solved</strong></h2><p>Well, the answer is quite simple. As the population on the island grew before it was “discovered” by the Spanish, the king needed something to keep the people busy. Only so many people could fish or farm. So he invented this need to honor the gods, carve these statues, transport them from the quarries and stand them up to face the seas and ward off evil. Call it industrial welfare, sort of like the arms race.</p><p>The moai did not ward off the Spanish who enslaved all but a few of the male inhabitants and shipped them off to work the gold mines in Peru. The small population that remained lived off the sea and the land for hundreds of years before they were “re-discovered” and in turn became a tourist destination.</p><p><strong>On with the Story.</strong></p><p>After taking all of two days to solve mystery, I had five left to explore the island. Anyone who gets a chance, or can make an opportunity, should go. It is a wonderful place full of warm people. At least it was 20 years ago.</p><p>I had seen the whole island, and on my last day I went to the post office to purchase and send post cards. Remember, no blogs back then! The Post Office is beautifully located on a craggy cliff with tables and benches to enjoy the view and compose your post card home. I knew I would be there for a while. I walked in to buy a few cards. I looked at the boxes for the local’s mail and I was amused to see many letters stacked on top of them addressed to;</p><p align="center"><em>Easter Bunny</em></p><p align="center"><em>Easter Island</em></p><p align="center"><em>Chile</em></p><p>Of course they were all in children’s handwriting. I laughed and pointed to them. The woman behind the counter asked me “Are you the Easter Bunny?”</p><p>How do you say no to that? “Yes, may I have a letter”.</p><p>She laughed and handed me one.</p><p>It was a sweet letter from a 9 year old girl named Annie who lived in a suburb of London. She was writing to thank the Easter Bunny for the chocolate she had found on Easter morning. She said her mother always made sure she wrote people thank you letters. She asked what it was like to live on a far away island, and did I have any friends.</p><p>It was a thoughtful, well crafted letter, and I decided that the girl should get a reply. She had provided a return address so the plot was possible. I wrote the following.</p><p><em>Dear Annie</em></p><p><em>Thank you so very much for the thank you letter. I get very few of these and I cherish them. Your mother is a special person to ask you to write these letters.</em></p><p><em>Yes I enjoy living on my island. The weather is great. The only problem is all my friends are carved of stone, and they do not move, or talk, so they are no fun to play with. They all have the same name Moai, so I make up names for them. I will name one Annie in your honor.</em></p><div id="attachment_3759" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/maoi-draw.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-3759" title="maoi draw" src="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/maoi-draw.jpg?w=604" alt="" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">I drew her a little picture.</p></div><p><em>Also, because you wrote me this letter, just tell you mother <span>whatever you want</span> for Easter this year. She can write me, and I will make sure you get it! You want a pony? Just ask!</em></p><p><em>Thank you</em></p><p><em>Easter Bunny</em></p><p>Chuckling, I put the photo in an envelope and posted it. I did not think about it for years.</p><h3><strong>Fast Forward to Y2K</strong></h3><p>I was now divorced and traveling alone. I found myself in a hotspot of backpackers and hostels called Boca Del Toro, Panama. There is not much to do there besides hang out in bars, so I found one on the water called The Barco Hundido. A true dive, but the beers were cheap and the view was great.<br /><br /></p><div id="attachment_3761" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/barco.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-3761" title="barco" src="http://theothersideofthecoconut.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/barco.jpg?w=604" alt="" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The Barco Hundido is trashy, run down, dirty, and fun.<br /><br />I ingratiated myself with a few English girls by buying a round, and we started talking. What do travelers talk about, except travel. We compared stories for a few rounds. When the conversation came around to me, I bored them with stories about Machu Pichu and such, then I mentioned visiting Easter Island.</p></div><p><br />One of the girls interrupted.</p><p><br />“Oh wow” she said. “my big sister has a daughter who wrote the Easter bunny a thank-you letter. Some wanker traveling to the island answered on behalf of the Easter bunny and promised her a damn pony if she asked my sister for it.”</p><p><br />Not wanting to be recognized as the wanker, I just went silent and centered on the irony of a small world, and the wonders of travel.<br /><br />Did you enjoy this story? Then share it with your FB friends, hit the like button, make a comment, or just finish your beer.</p><div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-icon-text sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-email share-service-visible"><a class="share-email sd-button share-icon" href="http://theothersideofthecoconut.com/2012/09/20/easter-island-easter-bunny/?share=email&nb=1" title="Click to email this to a friend"> </a></li></ul></div></div></div></div></div>
The Three Faces of Patmos
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/the-three-faces-of-patmos
2014-06-26T19:07:06.000Z
2014-06-26T19:07:06.000Z
Keith Kellett
https://tripatini.com/members/KeithKellett
<div><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008730901,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008730901,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="318" alt="9008730901?profile=original" /></a>When our boat sailed into Patmos, we used the harbour at Grykos, rather than the main harbour at Skala. We shared the jetty with the Old Fisherman. The crew of our boat said that he was almost always there, patiently sitting in his little red boat, mending his nets. When he was out fishing, you know he’ll be back, when you see his three friends waiting for him.</p><p>Two cats and a seagull would sit on the nets waiting for him, for he always had a fish for them, no matter how meagre his catch. It’s a sharp contrast to the island’s main port of Skala, where the ferries and cruise-ships call, and where the tourists usually hang out.</p><p>But, there are still as many fishing boats as pleasure boats in Skala’s harbour, so the tourist impact isn’t too great. However, that small amount is slowly starting to creep down to Grykos, where the shell of a half-completed hotel stood, condemned and abandoned. It failed an inspection, I was told; they tried to save money by using beach sand, and didn’t get all the salt out of it. I wonder what happened to it. Was it eventually completed, demolished or just left to decay?</p><p>Patmos’ third face attracts pilgrims as well as tourists. It was to Patmos that St. John retired, after the death of the Virgin Mary, who had been given into his care by Jesus. Here, he wrote the Book of Revelations, and you can see the cave where the saint is said to have written this work.</p><p>High on top of the hill, surrounded by the charming old white-painted town of Hora stands the Monastery of St. John. It’s marvellously photogenic, even if you aren’t interested in matters religious. I wanted to photograph a priest with a magnificent black beard, who sat quietly reading in the shade. I asked his permission, and thought it had been refused. So, I didn’t take the picture, and only later remembered that, when a Greek says something that sounds like ‘nay’ … it means ‘yes’!</p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008731499,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008731499,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="330" alt="9008731499?profile=original" /></a>We had climbed the hill from Grykos in an assortment of hire cars and mopeds … the crew knew the best place to hire these. We had been advised to get up here early, before the bulk of the tourists arrived. And, it’s not a good idea to wear shorts if you’re going to visit the monastery; those sarong things that they hand out to cover your legs if you do look damn’ ridiculous on some people! However, I understand that things have changed a little since my friend Margaret visited in the early 1960s. Several people told her that her skirt was too short, and inappropriate for a holy place … in Skala!</p><p>Another reason for arriving early is that there’s not too much of a crush in Jimmy’s Balcony Restaurant, noted for its superb views if the harbour … we were lucky enough to be able to watch the arrival of one of Star Clippers’ sailing cruisers.</p><p>It’s also noted for its excellent omelettes, which are almost worth <i>hiking</i> up the hill for!</p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008731862,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008731862,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" alt="9008731862?profile=original" /></a></p></div>
New Brunswick's Grand Manan: One of Canada’s Top Ten Islands
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/grand-manan-one-of-canada-s-top-ten-islands
2012-10-10T12:30:00.000Z
2012-10-10T12:30:00.000Z
Kaleel Sakakeeny
https://tripatini.com/members/KaleelSakakeeny
<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008732474,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008732474,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="400" alt="9008732474?profile=original" /></a></p><p> </p><p><em>(please watch the 1-minute <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx-vyqzRfnQ&list=UUIbPdkNRfmweCNnYOons1vg&index=1&feature=plcp" target="_blank">Grand Manan Video PostCard</a> at the end of the post)</em><br /> <br />It’s certainly tempting to think of <strong>Grand Manan</strong> as God's shrug of land surrounded by a vast, changing and beautiful sea.<br /><br />There is something about small fishing villages on islands that holds my heart tightly, especially those snuggled against rocky coasts with mists hovering like shifting shrouds.<br /><br />Partly it's the pitched, jarring sound of gulls or the air heavy with the scent of salt and fish.<br /><br />But I think it's the deep quiet, a stillness surrounding the colored, paint-pealing fishing boats at tether, waiting patiently to be called again to the sea.<br /><br />So it is with <a href="http://www.GrandMananNB.com" target="_blank">Grand Manan Island</a>, on the Bay of Fundy at the very tip of <a href="http://www.TourismNewBrunswick.ca" target="_blank">New Brunswick, Canada</a>, part of the province's maritime archipelago.<br /><br />One could describe this 21 x 11 mile island with fewer than 3,000 people as a huge fishery. Fishing in one form or another is the backbone of the island's economy. There are big wooden herring pens everywhere in the sea. There are lobster traps or buoys on front yards. There are lobster boats and lobster meals and the business of fishing everywhere. Then again, it's tempting to think of the island as one delightful, big field of lupin, those ramrod-straight, deep violet or pink flowers that fill the spaces along the roads and in the yards of simple homes.<br /><br />What’s especially compelling of the island is the complete lack of attitude. I think I might call it, “the innocent island.” One woman said she cried the first time she had to leave Grand Manan. I too felt that pang of separation, a missing of a deeply quiet, inner solitude that the island calls forth. And we were only there for a few days.<br /><br />It's not a beautiful place, in the obvious sense of memorable architecture. But when you’re surrounded by so much sea and moody weather and dramatic views, you just overlook the need for man-made aesthetics.<br /><br />The sea is everywhere and everywhere accessible on Grand Manan. There’s no place from which you can’t see it, hear it, smell it, or go down to it. But what’s striking is the juxtaposition of the sea with the hills and heaths, covered with quiet, unassuming wild flowers of many colors.<br /><br />One afternoon, we found a cradle of land on a cliff full of clover and yellow flowers and at eye level with the circling gulls. We lay down. The waves a hundred or so feet at the base of the rugged cliff just below us, we felt protected, cradled, and fell asleep.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rd.com/" target="_blank">Readers Digest</a> called Grand Manan one of the ten best islands, and said the <strong>Swallow Tail Lighthouse</strong> high on a bluff, was among the most attractive in Canada. Take the hike up to SwallowTail. There are, by the way, many fine hiking trails of the island and dramatic camping spots. But the walk to SwallowTail brings one breathtakingly close to the edge of steep gorges one moment and the next, lost among the waving grasses, actually above the circling gulls.<br /><br />The island is divided into several coves: North Head in the north, Southwest Head at the southern tip, Grand Harbour. Some harbors like <strong>Dark Harbour</strong> are little more than nets and small homes perched precariously, and fishermen working hard and talking trade.<br /><br />But the whole of the island is more or less like that. Empty roads. No billboards or traffic lights. Maybe there are two or three stop signs. And again, none of the attitudes one finds on other islands. No rich and famous come here to see and be seen...although the Pulitzer Prize winning American author, <strong>Willa Cather</strong>, lived on Grand Manan, and owned the only house she ever owned.<br /><br />That’s not to say there aren’t places for a great meal or cup of coffee or caring places to stay, like the <a href="http://www.compassroseinn.com" target="_blank">Compass Rose</a>, a light, airy and lovingly kept B and B a few feet from the sea. Then there’s dinner at the <a href="http://www.whalecovecottages.ca/" target="_blank">Whale Cove Cottages</a> where the best thing is to sit on an Adirondack chair with a pre-dinner drink, overlooking the sea and setting sun, looking forward to a fresh salmon meal in their restaurant.<br /><br />Thoroughly modern and well-equipped ferries run from Blacks Harbour at the southern tip of New Brunswick and make the crossing in about an hour in a half. It costs about $55.00 with a car and two passengers.<br /><br />There’s lots to be said about this small island. But the people say it best: “Close enough for a visit...far enough to make a difference.” To which we add, “enough of a place to miss when you have to leave.”<br /></p><p>image: Wendie Hansen<br /> <object width="560" height="315" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yx-vyqzRfnQ?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yx-vyqzRfnQ?version=3&hl=en_US" ></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yx-vyqzRfnQ?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never" width="560" height="315" allownetworking="internal"></embed> <param name="wmode" value="opaque" ></param></object></p></div>
Welcome to Little St. Simons Island, Georgia
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/welcome-to-little-st-simons-island-georgia
2012-08-30T04:00:00.000Z
2012-08-30T04:00:00.000Z
Nicholas Kontis
https://tripatini.com/members/NicholasKontis
<div><p>Prized for its unbothered natural beauty, gracious hospitality and secluded worlds-away appeal, Little St. Simons Island is a private barrier island just off the Georgia coast. The natural world presides here across 10,000 intrusion-free acres of maritime forests and marshlands, enjoyed by no more than 32 overnight guests at a time. Seven miles of shell-strewn beaches and energizing outdoor activities beckon guests to explore and discover. Accessible only by boat, this extraordinary natural sanctuary–among the last of its kind anywhere– welcomes your discovery.</p><p></p><p><img alt="" src="http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/02/17/00/slideshow_1001725311_TRAVEL_UST-LITTLESTSIMONS_5.JPG" /></p><p></p><p>On Little St. Simons Island, a profound commitment to conservation and preservation is a way of life, touching every facet of the Island and guiding its daily operation.<br /><br /><strong>These 10,000 acres are yours to explore</strong><br /><br />With an Island map in hand, or with one of naturalists leading the way, exploration and adventures fill your days on Little St. Simons Island. Stroll or pedal along the surf line where sea shells are many and footprints few. Hike or bike amid miles of hushed, forested trails and sandy roads. Gaze across large ponds where birds feed and gators lurk. Discover intimate perspectives on waterfowl and marine life from a canoe, kayak or motorized skiff along a tidal creek. As one would expect on an island that is the private domain of no more than 32 overnight fellow explorers, there is an abundance of serenity and restorative solitude on Little St. Simons Island.</p><p></p><p><img alt="" src="http://www.littlestsimonsisland.com/assets/leftdaytrips.jpg" /></p><p>Our Green Island</p><p></p><p>Recently, these efforts were recognized when Green Globe 21, a global benchmarking, certification and improvement program for sustainable tourism and travel, awarded its Benchmarked Certificate to Little St. Simons Island. As one of only two organizations in the United States to have achieved this certification, the Island met or exceeded Green Globe’s Earthcheck™ Accommodation Performance Benchmarks that address nine critical environmental issues. This recognition reflects significant progress toward the goals and objectives that Little St. Simons Island has set for itself: To provide the highest level of guest enjoyment and appreciation for the environment while protecting and preserving its resources.</p><p></p><p>Vastly different from most other barrier islands along the Atlantic seaboard, Little St. Simons Island remains virtually undeveloped. While guests enjoy accommodations and services of the highest caliber, the devotion of the Island’s owners and staff to maintaining the natural ecological state of the Island remains foremost. Daily guest activities are led by naturalists and are designed to encourage an appreciation for and understanding of the island and its ecosystems.<br /><br />Little St. Simons Island is now keenly focused on the years to come, aggressively engaging in a host of eco-sensitive initiatives aimed at preserving the Island’s primeval setting in perpetuity.</p><p> </p><p>It begins the moment guests set foot on Little St. Simons Island where ornamental plants on the grounds of the Lodge compound have been removed and replaced by strictly indigenous varieties. And it continues with the three daily meals with some of the vegetables and herbs prepared by the kitchen grown and gathered in the Island’s organic garden.</p><p></p><p>Other examples of the Island’s commitment to sustainable-use ecotourism that limits impact on the Island’s environment include: comprehensive recycling, composting for garden uses, no use of plastic water bottles (guests are each given their own personal Camelbak® bottles), the recent removal of the Island’s riding horses and installation of geothermal HVAC systems in three of the Island’s guest houses.</p><p></p><p><img alt="" src="http://www.stsimonsvilla.com/images/Anhinga.jpg" /></p><p>A Birding and Wildlife Sanctuary</p><p></p><p>In this astonishing kingdom, encounters with the Island’s natural inhabitants are no less than delightfully constant, including sightings of European fallow deer, alligators, armadillos, dolphin and the occasional loggerhead sea turtle.</p><p>And here, on the Atlantic migratory flyway, is a birder’s paradise with more than 280 species of birds recorded on the Island from Bald Eagles and Roseate Spoonbills to Sandpipers and Painted Buntings.</p><p></p><p><img alt="" src="http://www.littlestsimonsisland.com/assets/leftnaturalists3.jpg" /></p><p>Naturalist-Led Adventures</p><p></p><p>While your own wanderings of Little St. Simons Island are always encouraged, guests invariably remark that it is our guided excursions that were among the most absorbing and memorable facets of their visit. These daily, small-group adventures, led by our team of enthusiastic and gifted naturalists, are relaxed, discovery-rich opportunities to delve into the Island’s fascinating ecology, wildlife and natural history. Posted daily in the main Lodge and described by a naturalist at meals, these scheduled outings change with the season and include early morning birding trips, Island exploration, beachcombing, river kayaking and creek fishing. Evening adventures may include a late night owl prowl, or a beach walk to witness, at a distance, the unforgettable sight of a loggerhead turtle laying her eggs in the darkened dunes. In open-air trucks, with binoculars in hand and our naturalists making frequent stops to view and explain, these adventures are the naturally exciting essence of the Little St. Simons Island experience.</p><p></p><p>Island Cuisine</p><p>Regional cuisine by our skilled chefs is a highlight of visits to Little St. Simons Island, with three meals daily and all beverages included in all guest rates. Breakfast and dinner are served family-style in the Hunting Lodge dining room. Lunch is served there, too, except on most Saturdays (weather permitting) when it is presented seaside. Picnic lunches are available. Each evening before dinner, a delightful cocktail reception is held, including seasonal Friday evening oyster roasts on the Lodge grounds. All are favored times to recount the day’s adventures with family and new friends.</p><p></p><p>The Island's Beaches</p><p>Our seven miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches are the perfect setting for strolling, sunning and swimming. And for perfect solitude too, as it’s not unusual to spend long hours here and encounter only armies of shorebirds and acres of seashells. Whether you walk, pedal or ride to the beach, travel light. Our beach pavilion has towels, chairs, lotions, umbrellas and floats. Guided excursions to the beach to explore the shoreline's bird life, aquatics and ecosystems are a mainstay of the Island's naturalist programs. And seasonal evening turtle walks with a naturalist are among our most popular adventures!</p><p></p><p>Guest Accommodations</p><p>The gracious charm of our guest accommodations is very much a part of the Little St. Simons Island experience. Six cottages, with rooms for 32 overnight guests, are tucked beneath the oaks in corners of the Island’s main lodge compound. While each guest cottage or guest house is delightfully different in setting, decor and their place in the Island’s history, all rooms are fully air-conditioned and enjoy access to a fireplace. We welcome reservations for a single guest room (for two persons), an entire cottage (ideal for families and small groups up to eight persons), and full-Island visits for up to 32 guests to enjoy the ultimate private island experience.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/rivercedarphoto.little-st.-simon-Georgia.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-14793" alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/rivercedarphoto.little-st.-simon-Georgia.jpg" width="700" height="549" /></a></p><p></p><p>River Lodge and Cedar House</p><p> </p><p>The River Lodge and Cedar House rise at the river’s edge, just a short stroll from the main Lodge compound. Both offer four spacious bedrooms, with private bath. All rooms feature sliding doors that open onto large, wrap-around decks with beautiful marsh and river vistas. At the center of River Lodge and Cedar House are shared great rooms with soaring tabby fireplace, wet bar, ice maker, fridge and a large screen porch with comfy hammock. Each guest room accommodates two guests. Both the River Lodge or Cedar House can be reserved for small groups or family gatherings of up to eight guests.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/helenhousephoto.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-14795" alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/helenhousephoto.jpg" width="700" height="549" /></a></p><p> </p><p>Helen House</p><p> </p><p>Located in the Island’s riverfront compound and built in 1928, this historic tabby house reflects the coast’s architectural history. This three bedroom, two bath guest cottage is perfect for couples with children or small family groups, offering a large living room with fireplace, screen porch and courtyard.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Little-Simon-michaelcottage.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-14787" alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Little-Simon-michaelcottage.jpg" width="700" height="549" /></a></p><p> </p><p>Michael Cottage</p><p> </p><p>At the edge of the forest near the main Lodge compound, this secluded, classic 1930s bungalow is a favorite with honeymooners and families.</p><p>Features of Michael Cottage include:</p><p>Two bedrooms (one with queen bed; one with twin beds or one king)</p><p>Two bathrooms (including new second bathroom)</p><p>Living room with fireplace</p><p>Front and rear screen porches • Outdoor shower</p><p></p><p><a href="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/tomhousephoto.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-14792" alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/tomhousephoto.jpg" width="700" height="549" /></a></p><p> </p><p>Tom House</p><p></p><p>Though it is the most recent addition to the Island’s collection of accommodations, this quaint cottage has stood in the main lodge compound for decades. Now graciously restored and wonderfully private, the Tom House offers a living room with gas fireplace, one bedroom, one full bath, outdoor shower and large, screened rear porch.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/huntinglodgephoto.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-14796" alt="" src="http://trip.worldtravellist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/huntinglodgephoto.jpg" width="700" height="549" /></a></p><p></p><p>Hunting Lodge</p><p></p><p>Built in 1917, the historic Hunting Lodge is the very heart of Island life and is the location for guest meals and social gatherings. Within the Lodge are two guest rooms with private baths, accommodating two guests each. Lodge rooms are ideal for families with children, the solo traveler and seniors.</p><p></p><p>Learn more about Georgia's island in paradise:</p><p><a href="http://www.littlestsimonsisland.com">www.littlestsimonsisland.com</a></p><p><br /><br /></p><p style="line-height:14.25pt;"><span style="color:#333333;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:10pt;">About the Author: Nick Kontis - Travel Expert and Founder of the World Travel List</span></p><p style="line-height:14.25pt;"><span style="color:#333333;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:10pt;">Nick Kontis started out as a world traveler at an early age traveling back and forth between California and Greece every summer. But it was a backpacking trip around the world at age 24 that proved to be a life changing experience. After traveling by car, train, plane, bike and, boat around the world, it would be this trip of a lifetime that would lead to a life as a travel entrepreneur and world traveler. Nick has been on both radio and television. Featured on Arthur Frommer’s television show, and referred by Lonely Planet writers. Frequently mentioned as the “father of around the world airfares.” Arthur Frommer once said, “If Jules Verne were alive today he would use Nick to go around the world in 80 days.” Nick and his various travel companies have sent over 10,000 people taking their dream trip through airfare discounts of as much as 50% off the airlines published fares. Now Nick promotes travel through his World Travel List and ‘Trip Rambler’ by World Travel List. Having traveled to over 80 countries Nick hopes to inspire others to travel the world. Follow Nick's "passion for travel" on the World Travel List.</span></p></div>
Sea Island, Georgia
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/sea-island
2012-09-13T14:07:00.000Z
2012-09-13T14:07:00.000Z
Georgia Beach Rentals
https://tripatini.com/members/GeorgiaBeachRentals
<div><p>Sea Island is one of the few remaining destinations to experience Southern hospitality from a bygone-era. She was founded by automobile mogul, Howard Earl Coffin, who envisioned her to be the “Southern jewel for legendary ambiance.” The island has remained true to this vision since the Roaring Twenties. Among the clusters of cozy willows, tropical palms and lush green grass is an elegant, natural setting that is incomparable to other vacation destinations.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008730694,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008730694,original{{/staticFileLink}}" height="191" width="309" alt="9008730694?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Sea Island is 85 miles south of Savannah, Georgia and 70 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. Tucked behind St. Simons Island, she is accessible by taking the main causeway leading from mainland Georgia. Approximately 5 miles long by 2 miles wide, she is rich with marsh, a developed maritime forest and pristine beach voted one of the 5 best beaches in the world by Gourmet Magazine (May 1997). She has been home to such names as President Coolidge, Sarah Churchill (Winston Churchill’s daughter), President Bush in addition to an array of actors and actresses.</p><p></p><p>The spine of Sea Island, Sea Island Drive, runs through 36 blocks of shaded lanes filled with some of the most spectacular homes that the Golden Isles has to offer. Sea Island Drive is the only road that allows the general public to get a glimpse of the luxurious ambiance available to island residents and guests. Guests will discover a wealth of amenities on the island including world class golf, tennis, sightseeing tours, luxury spa boutique, 5-star dining options and much more.</p><p></p></div>
The King of Piel
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/king-of-piel
2014-06-20T11:30:00.000Z
2014-06-20T11:30:00.000Z
Keith Kellett
https://tripatini.com/members/KeithKellett
<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008722887,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008722887,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="320" alt="9008722887?profile=original" /></a></p><p>A television programme dealing with the some of the thousand-odd islands around the British Isles caught my attention. Brief visits were made to many of my favourite islands, including one to my very favourite, the little-known but fascinating Piel.</p><p>Piel lies off the Cumbrian coast, at the mouth of the Walney Channel, near Barrow in Furness. It isn’t a large island. It’s only 19 acres in area, and barely 500 yards across at its widest. But it has a king.</p><p>He doesn’t gain his title by inheritance, though. It goes with being the licensee of the <i>Ship Inn</i>, the only permanently inhabited building on the island. Apart from that, there’s only a ruined the castle, and a few former pilots’ cottages, now used as holiday residences. These cottages are all that is left to remind us that Piel was once a busy port, with customs officers and harbour pilots in permanent residence.</p><p>The <i>Ship’s</i> main trade comes passing yachts and pleasure craft. Some visitors come across from the mainland on a small ferry; it’s also possible to walk across the sands at low tide from nearby Walney Island. But, for this, the company of an experienced ‘sand pilot’, or local guide is strongly recommended.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008723252,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008723252,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="320" alt="9008723252?profile=original" /></a></p><p>The visitors come to watch the birds, or to see the 14th Century castle, built by the monks of nearby Furness Abbey, to protect their lucrative trade ... or to sample some island lifestyle, and, of course, to visit the King.</p><p>The tradition of the ‘King of Piel’ is said to go back to 1487, when Lambert Simnel came to Piel at the head of a large Irish and Flemish mercenary force. He claimed to be Edward, Earl of Warwick, rightful heir to the English throne. Now, had he really been who he said he was, he might indeed have had a more valid claim than the ‘Tudor usurper’, Henry VII. But, the real Earl had been imprisoned in the Tower of London for several years.</p><p>The garrison of the castle, reasoning that they weren’t paid to oppose claimants to the throne, simply said <i>‘Yes, Your Majesty!’</i> and let him go on his way.</p><p>Simnel’s army was defeated by Henry’s forces at the Battle of Stoke, and the would-be King set to work as a scullion in the Royal kitchens. But, he and Henry became good friends, and Henry used to joke that Simnel might, at least, call himself King of Piel.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9296569869,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296569869,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="320" alt="9296569869?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Some years ago, I visited Piel, and was able to interview the then king, Rod Scarr. There were disadvantages to the island lifestyle, he said. The only facility that came from the mainland was mains water. Electricity came from his own generator, which was usually only switched on at night, unless he wanted to use his power tools. But they were far outweighed by the advantages.</p><p>The use of the generator meant that the bar of the <i>Ship</i> was refreshingly free from gaming machines, television and Muzak.</p><p>Bottled gas was used for cooking and heating. Contact with the mainland was by a tractor and trailer, which he drove to a farm on adjacent Walney Island at low tide. Here, he kept his car; here, the brewery left their beer order ... and here, the post office left the mail.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008723292,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008723292,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="320" alt="9008723292?profile=original" /></a></p><p>‘The postman used to row across with our mail’ <span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">Rod told me, <i>‘but he retired a while back, and wasn’t replaced.’</i></span></span></p><p>Curiously enough, there was a Piel post office, and a Piel railway station; both now gone, but were actually located on the other side of the channel, on Roa Island. Although Roa isn’t really an island any more; the railway came across a causeway <em>‘… which linked it to the neighbouring island of Great Britain’</em></p><p>In the not too distant past, licensing laws were stricter than today, and the <i>Ship</i>’s main attraction was that it remained open when pubs on the mainland were forced to close. It’s also a tradition that a Knight of Piel, an accolade within the gift of the King, who is shipwrecked on the island, is entitled to a night’s free lodging at the <i>Ship</i>, and as much as he can eat and drink at any time!</p><p>But, for me the best part is ... where else in the world can you receive a warm welcome at the palace, eat pie and peas cooked by the queen, and wash it down with a pint of bitter, pulled by the king?</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008723659,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008723659,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="320" alt="9008723659?profile=original" /></a></p><p><strong>Notes:</strong></p><p><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">Rod Scarr retired due to ill health in 2006. There was a slight hiatus, while the <i>Ship</i> stood empty, but when the film was made, it had recently taken over by Steve and Sheila Chattaway … who were ‘investing’ actor Martin Clunes as a Knight of Piel by pouring a pint of beer over his head. Which seems a praiseworthy action … but a terrible waste of good beer.</span></span></p><p></p><p><strong>How to get there</strong></p><p><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">:</span></span></p><p>By car to Roa Island, then cross by ferry; call 07516-453784 for timings, etc.</p><p>If you don’t have a car, the nearest rail station is at Barrow-in-Furness; from there, or from nearby Ulverston (also served by the railway) Roa Island can be reached on bus service no. 11, operated by Stagecoach in Cumbria.</p><p>Crossing the sands at low tide from Walney Island should only be attempted in the company of an experienced guide. Regular walks are organised with a local guide; to find out more about this contact: <a href="mailto:touristinfo@barrowbc.gov.uk"><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">touristinfo@barrowbc.gov.uk</span></a></p><p><strong>And, finally …</strong></p><p>If you visit Ulverston, you may know it was the birthplace of one Arthur Stanley Jefferson, better known as Stan Laurel. Film fans should visit the small museum there, dedicated to him.</p><p></p><p></p></div>
In Spain's Canary Islands, Diving with Pancho the Grouper
https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/in-spain-s-canary-islands-diving-with-pancho-the-grouper
2012-07-09T12:59:08.000Z
2012-07-09T12:59:08.000Z
David Paul Appell
https://tripatini.com/members/DavidPaulAppell16
<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9008714079,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008714079,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="9008714079?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p><strong><br /> Scuba diving: </strong>one of my greatest dreams. Unfortunately, my inner ear won’t let me. But over the years I’ve talked to plenty of serious divers, and they’ve told me that the <strong>Canary Islands </strong>are most definitely a <strong>scuba</strong> do, boasting some of Europe’s best <strong>diving </strong>at all skill levels (and <strong>snorkeling</strong>, too, for that matter – now that I <em>can </em>do). The water’s usually warm all year round, there’s good visibility, and both the marine scenery and fauna (including the gorgeous lobster above, and 11 species found only here) are exceptional, thanks to the combination of warm temperatures and the vast Atlantic Ocean.<br /> <br /> A good place to start is the underwater geography, which can be pretty dramatic because these islands are volcanic, meaning lots of craggy walls, overhangs, caves, chimneys, canyons, tunnels, and plenty of other cool features. There are also wrecks and reefs to explore. Fortunately, all 13 Iberostar <a href="http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Canary-Islands/hotels-Canary-Islands.html"><strong>resorts in the Canary Islands</strong></a> have top-notch dive facilities.<br /> <br /> Here are just a handful of the underwater highlights out here:<br /> <br /> ● A local “stingray city” off Los Gigantes on <strong>Tenerife</strong>’s west coast.<br /> <br /> ● El Cabrón marine reserve of <strong>Gran Canaria</strong>, with 400 species including angel sharks, trumpet fish, moray eels, marbled electric rays, barracuda, giant anemones, and lots more.<br /> <br /> <strong>● Lanzarote</strong>’s lava caves, blue hole, and wreck diving such as the eight-wreck (!) site Los Erizos.<br /> <br /> ● The underwater stone crosses of Malpique off <strong>La Palma</strong>, commemorating Jesuit missionaries killed by pirates in the 16th century.<br /> <br /> <strong>● El Hierro</strong>’s Restinga marine reserve, which harbors larger fish like grouper and jacks, than you’ll find elsewhere in the islands; also several species of shark. And while here, don’t forget to say hi to a well-known local resident, Pancho the Grouper, who’s become a local symbol of the island of El Hierro. I'd suggest memorizing his face in the picture above so you can tell him apart from all the other groupers. <br /> <br /> Happy trails… of bubbles!</p>
<p><br /> <br /> <span class="font-size-1">Photo: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/festeban/"><span class="font-size-1">Felix Esteban</span><br /> <br /></a></p></div>