When you think of a romantic island vacation, what do you imagine? Basking away peaceful days in the sun, just you and your special someone? Stealing away to hidden beaches where you frolic in the waves like children, uninterrupted by human life? Sipping a drink in your beach chair with a view over your feet that could easily be the setting for a Corona commercial? Picturesque, pristine, and private- this is the dream setting for couples … [Read more...]
The Wizard of Christchurch
EVERYONE knows J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed entirely on location downunder by Kiwi director Peter Jackson. But did you know that a real sorcerer, a magi of magic realism straight out of the Oscar-winning series, only rather recently left New Zealand after the nasty Christchurch Earthquake of 2011. Born Ian Brackenbury Channell in London (4 December 1932), "The Wizard of Christchurch" is an inspired soap-box … [Read more...]
Curse of the Sea Gypsy
Looking for Love on Lovina, Bali Well, er, the problem was, I thought I saw a real live mermaid. Get that? Loping on Bali's Lovina beach one day, I came across a troglodytic Indonesian man crouching over a campfire, cooking a stunted animal on a skewer. Was he eating a cat?! "Very nice bitch," the local sarong hawker spat in the sand. Lo and behold! I saw a bikinied blond, like the statuesque prow of a Viking vessel, … [Read more...]
Johnny Jet: Travel Expert and Travel Blogger
Johnny Jet (John E. DiScala) is a go-to travel expert for both media and travelers alike. He is the founder of the popular online portal, JohnnyJet.com. Recently we had the opportunity to ask him about some of his travel experiences while on the road. Q. You run the popular online travel portal JohnnyJet.com which contains an extensive collection of travel links and resources the world over. Your free newsletters are an important … [Read more...]
28th AMERICAN WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Universal Studios
THE TABLE IS SET FOR 28th ANNUAL AMERICAN WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL 2010 Luxury-Travel Auction Is Icing on the Cake At Puck / Lazaroff Charitable Foundation Event LOS ANGELES, CA - Sept. 22, 2010 - The countdown is on to the epicurean event of the season, the 28th annual American Wine & Food Festival, benefiting Los Angeles Meals on Wheels. On Saturday, Sept. 25, the nation's top chefs will treat L.A.-area food and wine enthusiasts to a … [Read more...]
Backpackers and Billionaires
It used to be that backpacking trips to Fiji involved a bus ride from Nadi to Suva, then a ferry to somewhere like Ovalau, Savusavu, Taveuni or Kadavu. No more. These days young budget travelers are lining up to go to the Yasawa Islands, a chain of 16 large volcanic islands and dozens of smaller ones roughly 35 km off the west coast of Viti Levu. The dazzling white beaches, clear warm waters, colorful coral reefs, and sunny dry climate make … [Read more...]
Fiji Hotel Chain provides and Alternative to Packaged Tourism
The owners of Fiji's largest budget accommodation chain have decided to counter the burgeoning bus and package tour trade by refocusing on the independent traveler. With more and more visitors being booked onto pre-arranged itineraries straight off the plane in Nadi, Cathay Hotels (Fiji) Limited has made a conscious choice to do things a lot differently. They're betting on the market niche of those who prefer to make their own decisions about … [Read more...]