A surge of Faithful Catholic devotees at the Basilica's prayer sanctuary. The Philippine Islands would never be in its present popularity had it not been for the stroke of luck which led to the discovery of Cebu by the great explorer Fernando Magallanes who first sighted Samar, Cebu's neighboring island, on March 16, 1521. Unlike many of its interesting destinations, this central part of the Philippines certainly does an important milestone … [Read more...]
Roxy Maldives Resort (formerly Zitahli)
This morning we jumped in a 19 seater Maldivian Air Taxi seaplane for our 50 minute ride north to the private island where Roxy Resort and Spa is located (only 700 meters long by 250 meters wide island!). There are two commercial seaplane companies in the Maldives and we were on Maldivian Air Taxi. The companies are Canadian and Swedish owned - many of the pilots are from these countries. What a lifestyle! The pilot either barefoot or in … [Read more...]
Enjoying Sea and Sand in Varadero: A Catamaran Seafari
Through the years while visiting Cuba's resort spot Varadero, I have participated in its, many land and sea activities, but I had never taken a catamaran sea tour. However, today, this was to be remedied. I was on my way to join a catamaran safari - one of Varadero's top tourist offerings. Everything in Varadero, a town of some 8,000 inhabitants is geared toward foreign visitors. A spread-out town edged by 22 km (13.5 mi) of sugary- white … [Read more...]
Heading to the Maldives
We arrived in Male late last night after a several hour stop over in Colombo Sri Lanka. We were in Sri Lanka early last year for several weeks and would have liked to have explored more this time but we satisfied ourselves with using the free Internet consoles. It was wierd to land at country's capital city airport (Male). There were no lights here only the darkened ocean. Reminded me of a totally different reason for no lights - when I dropped … [Read more...]
Undiscovered Brunei
Brunei Darussalam (meaning an Abode of Peace) is a country that one often cannot even locate on the world map. When I told friends I was coming to Brunei one said "oh, why don't you also visit India since its so close." Others told me they had to look the country up on Google Maps. A geographical lesson is obviously in order. Brunei is located on the large island of Borneo and is surrounded by the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. The rest … [Read more...]
Intro to Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is like a bright tapestry, woven from time, and enriched with the colors of history and culture. Some cities grow old and then slowly die. Santa Barbara never grows old, just more elegant and appreciative of its past. Words cannot begin to describe the intimacy and sophisticated flavor of this city, only experience and a stay here, can do that. In 1925 a devastating earthquake left the downtown in ruins. Santa Barbara rebuilt … [Read more...]
More touring in Brunei
Finally after a week I got the chance to check out Brunei's well known water villages - these are just a short ride across the river from the main part of Bandar seri Begawan. I was touring with Adam Tan, the owner of Travel Hub.com (info@travelhub.com.bn ) a local agency that offers a number of personalized tours in Brunei. The homes are on stilts (parking is underneath for each family's personal boat, if they have one) and all the homes are … [Read more...]
Our Costa Brava Holiday
Last summer we went on holiday to Spain on the Costa Brava. We stayed at the Hotel Merce in Pineda de Mar (www.pinedademar.org). We loved this hotel. The food is very good, Spanish cuisine, with breakfast and abundant fruit and vegetables from the garden of the hotel owners. The rooms are good and with a cheap price. What distinguishes this hotel is its family and friendly atmosphere of the owners and staff of the Hotel. You feel in Spain. They … [Read more...]
Soaking up the slopes of Chamonix
When it comes to holidays, I'll admit that I'm more likely to be seen sunning myself on a sandy beach than hurtling myself down a mountain. Previous experiences of being overtaken by smug six-year-olds powering down the mountain while I tentatively inch my way down the slope have, I'm afraid, left me somewhat scared. Nevertheless, I'm not generally one to be beaten and when the opportunity arose to face my demons I decided things really could … [Read more...]
Kauai: What’s Blooming on the Garden Isle
LIHUE, KAUAI = (January 18, 2011) While most of the country is enduring the chilliness of winter, Kauai is hot with a one-and-only American Girl of the Year, plenty of island movie buzz, and special savings. Winter is an ideal time of year to visit the Garden Island and reinvigorate the spirit with its warm weather, exciting outdoor adventures, lush natural beauty and breathtaking beaches, and perhaps a glimpse of the island's biggest seasonal … [Read more...]
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