We started our 3-week stay in Australia with 3 days on Kangaroo Island. The appeal of Australia was without surprise its rich and unique wildlife. Kangaroo Island seems to encompass many of what we looked for. Why Kangaroo Island? The third largest island in Australia with 155 km long and 55 km wide (96 miles by 34 miles), Kangaroo Island is not on the tourist trail and has stayed untouched from the big tourism. Indeed, a third of the island … [Read more...]
Dolphin Reef Spa in Eilat, Israel
Those who have visited Israel, or watched the satirical movie "Don't Mess with Zohan", will recognize another side of Israelis - one that is not so apparent unless you have befriended them or come in contact with them. Deep inside, they are a bunch of fun-loving hippies and love life like there's no tomorrow. It's all about the Work Hard, Play Hard mentality. That is one of the many reasons I love Israel so much. My third visit to the country was … [Read more...]
Trolling Humans for Whales, and Other Divine Madness from the North Country
The Mad Hatter: “Have I gone mad?” Alice Kingsley: “I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.” The Mad Hatter: “There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it you need to be as mad as a hatter. Which luckily I am.” This seems crazy. In the stern of a Mark V Zodiac on the Arctic Sea I’m slipping into a dry suit, fitting into … [Read more...]
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Host Destination’s First-Ever Songwriter Festival
The Island Hopper Songwriter Fest to Feature Exclusive Performances by Nationally Acclaimed Artists in Unique Venues on Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-5, 2014 LEE COUNTY, Fla. – August 15, 2014 – The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, known for its stunning natural beauty and southwest Florida charm, invites music lovers to the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, which will take place over two consecutive weekends, on Sept. 26-28 on Captiva Island, and … [Read more...]
How to Brave the Budapest Baths
Spa guy John M. Edwards feels frigging fantastic! If you're in Magyarorstag (Hungary), do as the Daubians do: Say goodbye to "bliss" and splash around au Naturale in the "eau de vie" of a real thermal spa, with a Red Bull in Hand... When you first arrive in Budapest for both (clandestine) “business and pleasure”-- feeling like a dumb foreign doppelganger soaking with sweat and stinking of brimstone--say no to the Four Seasons Hotel showers and … [Read more...]
A Fine Day Trolling the Coral Sea with Outrageous Fishing Charters
Billy Hansen is a first rate captain, a "salty dog" in all senses of that phrase. He comes with a number of tattoos, a scraggly long beard, at times salty language and nearly always a cigarette hanging out of the mouth. He is doing what he loves - introducing people to the world of ocean fishing on the local reefs just offshore from Port Douglas in Northern Queensland, Australia. Billy has fished all over the world from Fiji to California and up … [Read more...]
Dolphin Encounters, Ponta do Ouro – Mozambique- March 2014
Dolphin Encounters is located in Ponta do Ouro in southern Mozambique just across from Kosi Bay in South Africa. There are several companies here that offer swims with the Dolphins but Dolphin Encounters is the oldest in the area and also the only non profit and dolphin research organization here. They were Africa's first Dolphin Interaction and Research Center. The organization was co founded by Angie Gullan in 1994 after she experienced seeing … [Read more...]
Israel: The Royal Tour
Israel: The Royal Tour, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and CBS Travel Editor Peter Greenberg, Premieres on Public Television Thursday, March 6, 2014 (check local listings) One-hour special offers unprecedented look at Israel through the eyes of its prime minister. (February 25, 2014) – A historic television event is coming to public television stations next month with the premiere of Israel: The Royal Tour. The … [Read more...]
Touring Koror, Palau
Whenever we arrive to a new place, we attempt to learn about the country. Therefore, our first stop in Palau was the Belau National Museum where the exhibit: “A Cherechar A Lokelii: Palau Through the Years” gave us a detailed introductory education. Strolling through the halls we learned about the past presence and influences of the Spanish, Germans, Japanese and the United States from a historical context. The Spanish first visited Palau in … [Read more...]
Emirates and Virgin America Launch Frequent Flyer Partnership
International “Airline of the Year” & “Best U.S. Airline” Together Offer Frequent Flyers New Global Reward Opportunities, Award-Winning Guest Service San Francisco – October 21, 2013 – Emirates and Virgin America today announce a frequent flyer partnership that allows members of both airlines’ frequent flyer programs to earn and redeem* points or miles for travel across the networks of two airlines respectively recognized as best-in-class for … [Read more...]