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topfygad · 5 years ago

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The Perfect Mauritius Honeymoon Itinerary

Stunning sandy seashores, romantic motels and epic landscapes – this Mauritius honeymoon itinerary takes you to all one of the best spots on this picture-perfect island.

It’s a giant 12 months for me! The 12 months I tie the knot and at last remodel from Miss to Mrs Wanderlust. Simply kidding, though my fiancé and I’ve a superb giggle about that identify because it was as soon as utilized by a journey model to e book a lodge for me. “Howdy Miss Wanderlust” they mentioned as I checked in!

Alongside marriage ceremony planning, we’ve been busy desirous about honeymoon locations. The extra analysis we do, the extra we realise that we’ve been on loads of mock-honeymoons already.

Breakfast on the seaside at Heritage Le Telfair, Mauritius

So, I’ve determined to pop slightly romance theme on a few of my journey posts over the subsequent 12 months, and share some unbelievable, luxurious and adventurous concepts for honeymoons you may go on.

Once we visited Mauritius we felt like we have been on a honeymoon, and but we hadn’t even received engaged but! We had some actually romantic moments, stayed in a good looking luxurious resort and loved sundown after sundown searching over the ocean. It was paradise.

Stunning sunsets in Mauritius

So time that can assist you guys along with your journey planning and reveal how I’d plan the last word Mauritius honeymoon itinerary…

Honeymoon motels in Mauritius

First issues first, you’ll need a luxurious lodge, with the correct quantity of privateness, nice service and a few beautiful views too.

I’ve popped collectively a separate weblog with my choose of one of the best honeymoon motels in Mauritius, so positively learn that to see all of the choices. There are LOTS which have distinctive surroundings and romantic honeymoon packages.

Luxurious honeymoon in Mauritius

For a little bit of selection, I’d counsel staying at two totally different motels – one within the north and one within the south. There’s loads of distinction within the surroundings, with the north being a bit extra touristy, and the south being slightly wilder and extra secluded. Listed below are a couple of that might be amongst my prime suggestions.

Paradise Cove Boutique Lodge

This lodge within the north of the island was positively designed with romance in thoughts! It’s one of many solely adults-only resorts in Mauritius and solely has 67 rooms, so feels slightly extra intimate than motels just like the huge Shangri-La.

The no children coverage isn’t the one purpose so as to add this lodge to your Mauritius honeymoon itinerary. The lodge has all of it – together with cliff-top infinity swimming pools, love nests to cosy up in, stylish rooms, 4 eating places, a rum bar and unbelievable views.

There are many actions on supply too, from water sports activities and yoga to romantic sundown cruises across the bay.

Examine availability and newest costs at Paradise Cove Boutique Lodge right here

Paradise Cove Boutique Lodge, Mauritius

Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort

This beautiful 5-star luxurious resort is positioned within the south of the island. It has its personal stretch of white sandy seaside protected by a reef, two massive swimming pools (one in every of them heated which is right for visits in cooler months) a number of eating places, water sports activities, a wellness centre, plenty of actions and an 18-hole championship golf course.

If you wish to add some romantic moments to your Mauritius honeymoon itinerary, this lodge can organise breakfast within the water, candlelit dinners on the terrace, picnic excursions and {couples} spa therapies. I liked our keep right here and it did really feel tremendous romantic!

Examine availability and newest costs at Heritage Le Telfair Resort right here

Seaside at Heritage Le Telfair, Mauritius

Heritage Le Telfair, Mauritius

Constance Le Prince Maurice

5-star lodge Constance Le Prince Maurice is a romantic tropical hideaway positioned on the east of the island. It sits above a shiny inexperienced lagoon, with a seaside to 1 aspect, so provides a beautiful mixture of romantic over-water villas and suites.

It’s one of many prime honeymoon resorts in Mauritius, partially because of the unbelievable service. There are two workers per visitor, so that you’re assured to have each little factor taken care of.

There are lovely swimming pools, a prime spa, golf course, nice eating places, bars and a handful of actions too.

Examine availability and newest costs at Constance Le Prince Maurice right here

Constance Le Prince Maurice, Mauritius

None of those take your fancy? Don’t neglect to take a look at my journey information to one of the best honeymoon motels in Mauritius.

Romantic issues to do in your honeymoon in Mauritius

Loosen up and revel in one another’s firm

Okay, this may sound fairly primary however don’t neglect to plan in loads of R&R time to your Mauritius honeymoon itinerary!

There’s quite a bit to do in Mauritius, so it might be tempting to pack your days stuffed with actions (from waterfall journeys and snorkel excursions, to yoga and cooking lessons!) My recommendation? DON’T!

Have a couple of days the place you barely transfer out of your solar lounger, spend hours in a jacuzzi, watch the sundown, drink some cocktails and make some particular reminiscences along with your associate in crime!

Romantic honeymoon in Mauritius

Get pleasure from some actions on the water

A number of honeymooners will probably be excited to see these crystal-clear turquoise waters after they arrive in Mauritius. As there’s a reef defending loads of the seashores, you received’t discover any large waves till you go slightly method from the shore. This makes it beautiful and secure for a dip or a paddle.

Snorkelling in Mauritius

My advice although? Get out on the water! There are many boat journeys that may take you out across the island. Ebook onto a sundown catamaran journey and you’ll increase a glass of champagne because the final golden rays of the day disappear.

Wake boarding, kite browsing and water snowboarding are standard, however my favorite exercise in Mauritius was arise paddle boarding. Most motels have boards you should utilize, and it’s a beautiful enjoyable exercise to do along with your associate.

For those who’re on the lookout for plenty of concepts in your time in Mauritius, you’ll want to save my information to the Finest Issues To Do In Mauritius!

Arise paddle boarding at Heritage Le Telfair, Mauritius

Get to know Mauritian delicacies

I’m guessing consuming will characteristic fairly extremely in your Mauritius honeymoon itinerary, however somewhat than simply consuming in your resort, I’d suggest attending to know the delicacies as an entire.

Mauritian meals is scrumptious

What higher method than with a meals tour of the capital Port Louis? Mauritian delicacies is an eclectic melting pot of Indian and Chinese language cultures, and when you’ll discover some nice examples in lodge eating places, most of the nation’s tastiest meals are discovered on the streets.

It’s a vacation spot the place avenue meals is affordable and scrumptious. Nonetheless, as a vacationer with only a few days on the island, you may really feel not sure of what to strive, and the place to purchase it.

Curry at Zafarani Restaurant, Heritage Awali

As a part of your honeymoon, I’d suggest reserving a Style Buddies meals tour. I discovered it was an incredible method to actually familiarize yourself not solely with the tradition and the delicacies, but additionally to be taught in regards to the individuals who’ve arrange their meals stalls within the metropolis. Every had an fascinating story and it gave the meals extra that means as soon as we knew the tales behind it.

Port Louis Market, Mauritius

Over the course of some hours, we tried so many tasty issues… together with farata (Mauritian roti crammed with greens), coconut water, sugar cane juice, dholl puri (yellow cut up pea wrap), peanuts, fried vegetable dumplings, and sticky rice with peanut salt. It’s additionally enjoyable to see native life within the vibrant capital of Port Louis.

Port Louis, Mauritius

Discover the fantastic thing about Mauritius

Most individuals keep at a seaside lodge in Mauritius, however there’s extra to this nation’s magnificence than the intense blue of the water. I went on a day jeep tour which concerned some mountaineering by means of lovely forests and nature reserves.

Having fun with our go to to Chamarel Waterfall, Mauritius

Within the south of the island you’ll discover Chamarel, which is legendary for its spectacular waterfall, and pure phenomenon the Seven Colored Earth.

It’s a weird sight and one thing it’s a must to see in the event you’re visiting. The colors have naturally modified with variations in climate in addition to the soil composition. Yep, it’s really a mixture of purple, brown, violet, inexperienced, blue, purple and yellow!

Seven Colored Earths, Chamarel, Mauritius

If you wish to add this to your Mauritius honeymoon itinerary, there are excursions which you’ll e book onto that take you to a couple highlights across the island in a day or half day. For those who’re already staying within the south (at Heritage Le Telfair for instance) then you may take a taxi.

Get pleasure from some particular Mauritian rum cocktails

Right here’s a singular addition to your honeymoon plans! Tucked away within the mountains on the south aspect of the island is the Rhumerie de Chamarel. The rum made right here is flavoursome, utilizing sugar cane from bushes outdoors the door, and incorporating the island’s ample spices.

There’s additionally L’Alchimiste, a wise restaurant with a gourmand lunch menu that includes loads of native merchandise sourced from the property. However the true purpose to go to? The cocktail checklist! It’s intensive… significantly intensive, and naturally utilises the tasty Chamarel rums. It’d be a romantic place for a leisurely lunch, and to get slightly tipsy earlier than a soothing afternoon collectively again at your resort.

Chamarel Rum

Get pleasure from a Mauritian cooking class for 2

Most of the resorts in Mauritius supply cooking lessons for company. My associate and I are whole foodies, so we like experiences that train us extra in regards to the vacation spot’s delicacies… particularly in the event that they contain consuming too!

Smoked marlin and palm coronary heart salad I made at Heritage Le Telfair, Mauritius

I took half in a category with one of many head cooks at Heritage Le Telfair, who was passionate in sharing extra in regards to the island’s delicacies.

We kicked off by making a tasty palm coronary heart salad served with smoked marlin. Then, after having fun with plenty of scrumptious Mauritian curries, I used to be excited to prepare dinner up my very own! Afterwards we sat down and loved feasting on all of the dishes we’d made. A cooking class would positively be a enjoyable addition to your Mauritius honeymoon itinerary, so examine in case your lodge provides one.

Mauritian Cooking Class, Heritage Le Telfair

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Different issues to contemplate in your Mauritius honeymoon itinerary

Twin-centred honeymoons to Mauritius

Whereas Mauritius is a superb vacation spot for a honeymoon, it additionally works effectively in the event you fancy a twin-centred journey. So the place might you pair with Mauritius?

The commonest possibility is to mix a honeymoon in Mauritius with a safari in South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia or Tanzania. It provides the proper mixture of journey/wildlife and seaside/chill time. Many choose to fly out to Cape City, then spend time on safari in a personal recreation reserve, earlier than flying to Mauritius for some rest.

Safari in South Africa

The opposite possibility is to spend time within the Seychelles or Zanzibar (for extra seaside time). Or you may spend time within the United Arab Emirates, for instance in a swanky resort in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Having fun with Dubai

Don’t neglect to inform the lodge and airline

Its in all probability sounds apparent, however don’t neglect to inform the lodge and airline that you simply’re in your honeymoon. You’re not assured an improve, however there’s an opportunity you’ll be supplied a nicer room, or a greater view, or that maybe the airline occurs to have a few seats within the class above you that it may supply as a bonus. No hurt in attempting!

Improve your honeymoon

As you’re reserving the journey of a lifetime, you may contemplate making it additional particular with a couple of upgrades – I imply when else will you be capable to justify luxurious journey of this kind?

Firstly, how about upgrading to premium economic system, enterprise class or firstclass? If it’s a stretch to do it in each instructions, you may simply e book it in your outbound flight for an extra price per individual.

Then you may get pleasure from prime hospitality from the beginning of your journey, toast your life along with a glass of champers at 36,00zero ft, and revel in a superb relaxation too.

If that’s slightly bit extravagant, you may e book entry to an airport lounge, both at your departure airport, or at Mauritius Worldwide Airport in your return. There are two lounges in Mauritius Airport to select from: Amedee Maingard Lounge and Salon Nenuphar. You have to be booked onto worldwide flights as a way to use them, so do a little bit of analysis first.

Wildlife experiences in Mauritius

There are fairly a couple of wildlife experiences on supply in Mauritius, that make me really feel fairly unhappy inside. One of many wildlife parks on the island provides a ‘stroll with lions’ exercise, in the meantime there are a couple of firms providing ‘swim with dolphins’ excursions.

I’d by no means endorse actions like this, as many don’t have the creatures’ welfare at coronary heart. There could also be some which might be run in an honourable manor, however it’s greatest to do loads of analysis!

I hope my Mauritius honeymoon itinerary helps you propose an unbelievable journey! With lovely surroundings, luxurious motels and lots to do, it’s one in every of my prime suggestions for honeymooners.

For those who’re on the lookout for plenty of concepts in your time in Mauritius, you’ll want to save my information to the Finest Issues To Do In Mauritius in addition to my information to one of the best honeymoon motels on the island.

For those who’re nonetheless eager to have a look at different choices of honeymoon motels on the island, you may search on the map under. Have an important honeymoon, wherever you select!

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theopenrhode · 5 years ago

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J'adore French Polynesia! Our honeymoon

Beautiful sunsets seen from a private overwater bungalow were the motivation to keep going during the slog of wedding planning. We plotted an insane honeymoon that ticked off many of our usual adventure travel requirements…multiple destinations, a plethora of activities with little rest, and a few splurges along the way.

Tahiti is a collection of islands in the South Pacific and the name can refer to the entire collection or just the solitary island. Following the advice of many savvy planners before us, we used Tahiti as a jumping off point and headed to many of the more remote and pristine islands to get that true South Pacific feel. Our trip included Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, and Tahaa all in a whirlwind 10 days. While Tahiti is an expensive locale, with some creative planning, you can still construct an affordable trip…AND get that all important overwater bungalow.

Use Those Air Miles!

First, a world about award travel. I was determined to use my miles to pay for the airfare portion of this trip. This, I concede, is a costly flight and being able to get there on miles surely saved a bundle. It does take a PhD in award travel to make this one happen though. As you may know, on American Airlines, you can generally only book award travel on their direct airline. As soon a trip involves partner airline, you must call to explore feasible dates. The problem is that Air Tahiti Nui does not offer a large number of award seats and you could conceivably be on the phone for days attempting to find a workable flight from the East Coast to LAX then Tahiti with award seats. Know that award seats usually open about 270 days in advance; be ready to book early. The other suggestion is use Expert Flyer which is a $5 per month subscription (or one month free after you sign up which is all you need for this endeavor) which lets you search Air Tahiti Nui’s airline for available award seats. Arm yourself with all your flight numbers before you call to reserve. And then in the word’s of Tahiti’s native language..Voila!

Tahiti

The flight from LAX to Tahiti is roughly 8 hours and will arrive early in the morning, so I’d advise having the hotel store your luggage and freshen up before you venture out on Day 1. (Also, grab 2 bottles each of duty free liquor if you choose as it is quite costly on the islands) Tahiti has a bustling downtown with a large open air market and many shops. It’s definitely has the city feel and not exactly what many people envision when they book to Tahiti…they are thinking along the lines of Bora Bora. Nevertheless, we rented a car to tour the main stops which was absolutely worthwhile. We visited Teahupoo a world famous surfing destination known for an enormous break that crashes directly over a reef…not a place for amateurs. We also made a stop at the Arahoho blowhole, a natural rock formation that channels a forceful incoming wave into a small rock tunnel creating a huge blowing spit of water. Our accommodation for the night was the Manava Inn and Suites which is a newer hotel with an amazing infinity pool just perfect for catching that first South Pacific sunset. We dined at the nearby Blue Banana which sits on the water and offers typical Polynesian fare heavy on seafood. The next day we hit up the open air market and grabbed some incredibly fresh smoothies before heading back the airport to head to Moorea.

Air Tahiti Multi Island Pass

Another quick point on airfare between islands. There is a ferry from Tahiti to Moorea that is pretty affordable and would be much cheaper than the plane. However, if you are planning to visit multiple islands, Air Tahiti offers a pass that lets you hop multiple islands for a fixed price. We chose the Bora Bora pass which included potential visits to Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea (from here you can ferry to Tahaa), and Maupiti. Their guidelines for these passes are that they must start or finish in Tahiti or Moorea, you must visit at least 2 islands, each island can only be visited once, and you have to book all of your flights at the time of booking the pass. We capitalized on this pass as it allowed us to visit more islands without tacking on a costly plane ticket each time.

Moorea

In Moorea, we definitely saved the most as we rented an airbnb and cooked most meals for the 3 days we stayed. Our airbnb was incredible and you can view it here. It overlooked the ocean and was constructed mainly out of wood which they imported from Asia with a vast deck with small whirlpool and free kayaks to use. As an added touch, the caretaker greeted us with leis and fresh pineapples and bananas. Check out our video tour of the property! We also rented a small car (the Twingo) which was just large enough for 2 people and 2 suitcases, but it was quite useful for getting around. I would recommend a car for Moorea…there is a lot to see and even if you are staying in a resort, get out and explore! The island is very navigable. Moorea has a main road that circles the entire Island and the drive can be made in about an hour and a half and the driving is the same side as the US which makes it simple. Places we stopped included a drive up to the Belvedere Lookout where you can overlook Opunohu and Cook’s bay separated by the mighty Mount Rotui, a snorkel at Motu Beach at Les Tipaniers Hotel, and a stop at the Moorea Juice Factory (lots of delicious samples!). We chose not to do any organized snorkeling tours here as we planned that later in the trip though it is rumored to be amazing on this island. The island also has a lot of hiking and we did a few short hikes to idyllic waterfalls. Mostly, we enjoyed our waterfront rental with incredible kayaking and snorkeling in front of our door. We also loved using the ample kitchen and having private dining for two (my husband is quite the chef! Me..not so much). Groceries could be pricey but if you capitalize on the items that the French are known for, you’ll find it isn’t so terrible. For example, bread and cheese are both delicious here and you can grab an entire baguette for about 1 USD. In fact, baguettes are so popular here that they have adorable baguette mailboxes where you can get fresh baguettes delivered daily! We definitely indulged in a good portion of cheese and bread! My final cuisine tip is to grab the local produce. We stopped at several roadside fruit stands and grabbed from the tree pineapple which was mouthwatering.

Bora Bora

The next island up on our mini Tahitian tour was the famous Bora Bora. There are some that say it’s overrated…but I really think it’s beloved for a reason. It is beautiful beyond words. I mean the island is literally shaped like a heart…can you beat that for a honeymoon? Flying in you can glimpse the iconic Mounts Otemanu and Pahia rising up in the middle of a turquoise lagoon surrounding by numerous small motus (small reef islands surrounding an atoll). A large number of the resorts are located on motus surrounding the main island. The Bora Bora airport is also located on a motu so everyone who arrives will need a boat transfer to get to the main island. Most accommodations will arrange this for you. However, it is simple if you are doing it unaided. Air Tahiti offers a free shuttle ferry that leaves the airport about 20 minutes after your flight arrives and transports you to Vaitape village, one of the main villages on the island. We used this on the return trip to the airport and it was easy. Arrive to Vaitape about 1.5 hours ahead of your flight and there is a luggage trolley to place your bags, the cost is free, and it will take about 30 minutes to the airport. We stayed at the Sofitel Bora Bora which offers both a mainland option and a private island option. We lucked out a bit here as we booked the mainland option in an overwater bungalow. However, the mainland resort was under construction during our stay and they moved us out of our overwater bungalow. We got ourselves an upgrade to the Sofitel Private Island so we could still have that iconic bungalow. They have a private boat transfer from the airport (at a cost) and as we arrived in Bora Bora on my birthday, we splurged and arrived to the resort in high style! The bungalow here was incredible with a huge bed on which they’d written Happy Birthday in flowers, a glass window in the floor to view the fish swimming below, and a large deck and swim platform. Their private island included the use of kayaks, a gorgeous deck to watch the sunset, and a free shuttle to the mainland. Take your kayak around their island and when you are about 180 degrees from the resort, get snorkeling…there is a hidden underwater message made of coral that says “I LOVE BORA BORA” that makes for quite the underwater photo. Their restaurant on the island was delicious but, as with most resort dining, pricey. Cocktails run about 20 USD each and meals around 30-50 USD. However, an ample breakfast buffet was included. While it is easy to stay in your gorgeous resort for your ENTIRE stay, get out and explore Bora Bora! We rented this adorable tiny car called a Twizzy which essentially felt like a go-cart (see pics) but got us around. If you’re feeling peckish, there are multiple “snack” stands on the beach offering basic Polynesian fare and sandwiches, salads, fries. We ate at Snack Matira on Matira Beach, a large white sand public beach with a beautiful turquoise lagoon. A must do is the obligatory visit to legendary Bloody Mary’s where scores of celebrities have eaten and their names are written on a large wooden board outside of the door. Here you’ll find casual tables atop a sand floor and roaming roosters throughout the restaurant. I’d advise going for lunch as it gets packed at dinner time. Finally, we did a one day swimming with sharks tour which I’d highly recommend. We used Shark Boy Bora Bora which was a half day tour of sharks and stingrays. They picked us up at the hotel and we had a small group that went just outside of the lagoon to swim with black tipped reef sharks (and one very large lemon shark and a moray eel!). On our way back, we stopped to feed the stingrays. The guides were super personable and everyone aboard had a great time…don’t forget lots of sunscreen and your waterproof camera!

Tahaa

Our final island stop was the flower shaped island of Tahaa where breezes carry the sweet vanilla aroma down from numerous vanilla farms that dot the island. We boarded a nighttime flight to Tahaa and arrived around 7 pm. This island was our honeymoon finale and our splurge luxury accomodation. Here we stayed at the impeccable Le Taha’a Private Island Resort and Spa which costs about 700 USD per night. This was definitely way above our usual travel budget but we wanted that final overwater bungalow honeymoon experience. Here though, I will add that I initially booked this many months ahead of time on Orbitz at the 700 rate but I always try to book refundable rates and as the date approaches recheck. I lucked out as about 2 weeks before, the rate reduced to around 500 or so per night so I cancelled my initial reservation and rebooked saving hundreds. I love Orbitz! The service at this Relais and Chateaux hotel was excellent. From the moment our bags hit the luggage carousel, a representative from the hotel had them in hand and whisked them and us to a spectacular teak boat that would transport us to the resort located on it’s own private motu. The boat ride is about 45 minutes and if we could, we’d have chosen an earlier flight from Bora Bora to make this trip in the daylight; however, the arrival was no less impressive with a cavernous open air lobby and fragrant flower crowns for our heads. The room was nothing short of incredible…a huge bed in the middle of a very spacious room adorned with a bed of flowers fashioned into a heart shape greeted us. There was also a glass topped chest at the foot of the bed that could be opened to view the fish. A huge soaking tub (with another small fish window) and large polynesian wooden doors separated the bathroom from the main room. A huge floor to ceiling glass slider gave us a dream worthy view of the turquoise waters surrounding the motu and a giant private deck with lounge chair completed the very impressive bungalow. You could also walk down the wooden steps from your deck directly into the water for a quick dip to cool off. I think this was the MOST spectacular room in which we have stayed. The rest of the resort packed no less of a punch. There is a large infinity pool with a pool bar, named Le Place, and two other on side restaurants, Le Vanille, the main restaurant which feels like you’re eating in a treehouse, and Ohiri, a reservations only dining space. Similar to other Tahiti resorts, the food here is very costly, heavily seafood based and cocktails cost about 20 USD. We did dine here a few times and it was very delicious; however, we much preferred room service where they would set up more basic fare (club sandwiches, burgers, pastas) on your private deck and the setup was pretty grand. The final tip is that you can take their free shuttle to the mainland and there is a basic pizza place, Ma’a Viti Pizza, located there to grab a quick bite. It is really the only place near the resort to dine that you can get to from the resort’s private motu and the food is inexpensive and it is a nice contrast from the pricey resort options. Of note, the resort frowns up bringing this back to their motu, so you can either eat it there or you’ll have to smuggle it in! Mostly we relaxed at the resort and enjoyed their Coral Garden teeming with thousands of fish located just steps from the bungalow located in the channel between the resort and the neighboring motu. It was really simple to don your suit and snorkel gear and hop in numerous times a day. Tip: Walk all the way up the garden to the very end were the current enters and then you can just float through the coral garden with the current and feel completely weightless while you watch beautiful fish pass by. Here we also saw an octopus and a lion fish! They also supply kayaks and paddleboards for free so you can get out and explore the crystal clear waters and watch rays pass under your board. We did one full day tour while in Tahaa which was quite a packed day including a tour to a rum distillery, a stop at Iaorana Pearl Farm, a vanilla farm, and a ride out to swim again with black tipped reef sharks. It was the utmost in convenience with a pick up and drop off right at Le Taha’a’s dock and a midday stop at a private motu for a Polynesian lunch. We did actually book this tour directly from the hotel, which we rarely do, as it was convenient to get the dockside pickup. We ended our honeymoon at Le Taha’a watching the sunsets on the western part of the motu which overlooks Bora Bora…not a bad way to end a honeymoon.

Champagne Splurge

Le Tahaa was our major splurge this trip. We NEVER spend this much per night on an accommodation, but Le Taha’a is glamorous. While costly, it still is a bargain compared to splurging on an overwater bungalow on say Bora Bora which can easily cost $1K per night or more. My advice would be to pick a place to splurge for just a few nights and use less expensive options like an airbnb on the other days.

Champagne 'Buzz'worthy

There is no better place in the world to purchase vanilla than on Tahaa…the Vanilla Island. Tahaa produces 80% of French Polynesia’s vanilla and a visit to a farm is an educational experience to learn this labor intensive process. We visited La Vallee de la Vanille which gave us an overview of the process and we purchased some vanilla to take home. Decadently fragrant and worth the cost!

Insider Tips

Take advantage of duty free liquor while at the airport. Liquor and cocktails are pricey in Tahiti and you can take 2 bottles of liquor AND 2 bottles of wine/champagne per person and they don’t count toward you luggage weight!Consider the Air Tahiti multi island pass if you plan on visiting more than one island. It can result in substantial savings.You’ll need more sunscreen than you think! and it is pricey out in Tahiti so make sure you pack enough for your stay. For those with longer hair, consider a spray detangler for your hair. I find this to be essential for snorkeling. It helps to smooth hair that may have been snagged by a snorkel mask or seaweed.You really need a waterproof camera for this trip - the wildlife is all under the water and you’ll want to capture the proof that you had a shark weaving it’s way toward you.One of the major costs of your Tahitian adventure is dining. Try to get off the resort if you can and you’ll find local food much more reasonable. Or, even better, use an airbnb for some of your stay and you can do some cooking. Eat like the French with baguettes and cheese and you’ll save quite a bit.Do spurge for the overwater bungalow for the quintessential experience but you won’t need it for every night of your stay…switch things up and use it for only part of your journey. Read the full article

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dakotahiggins-blog1 · 6 years ago

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All photos by Alida Zimmerman

On August 19th, 2018, she sent in a LimitLes in Bali application. It was my 31st birthday that day, and I was in Florida celebrating with my family. Everyone was out by the pool while I stayed inside. I clicked to read her powerful words. Tears streamed down my face in awe of this woman I’d never met, and she continued to be very upfront with her diagnosis while sharing her story with me:

I am always looking for ways to help people within the cancer community, and think about new ways to raise money for organizations I have been passionate about daily, as I feel as though I am very fortunate, albeit my diagnosis. I will never say no to trying something new and I am always trying to see the silver lining in everything. I have coined the term “Gauxforward,” a spin on my name, meaning just keep looking ahead. I have learned to accept my past and have gained comfort in truly understanding there are certain things in life you can’t control. But what I can control is how I respond and act. I have decided to use my diagnoses as means to gauxforward and enjoy my life and do it with as much grace and ease as possible.

Despite her diagnosis, her words exuded hope. Hope in her health, hope in fundraising for a cure. I wanted to know her, be her friend and see Bali through her eyes. She was a complete standout, my favorite girl from the get go, and I was ecstatic when she accepted!

Cut to October 2018 and it was time to head to Bali, but not before speaking at The Breasties event in NYC. I immediately went to the bar after I spoke (as you do) and I’ll never forget meeting Margaux for the first time. She came up to me with the biggest smile and said, “Do you know who I am?!” I matched that same smile and said, “Of course I do, Margaux!” and proceeded to give her a big hug. I later learned she wasn’t a big fan of hugs, but I’m really glad I did it anyway. I then proceeded to fan girl in her face for the next 20 minutes, saying I’d see her in Bali in a few days.

Cut to one week later when she was the 1st person to arrive at the Bali villa…massive smile, so excited for the upcoming adventure, so excited for LIFE. We drank coconuts and hung by the pool as the other women arrived. That first evening, it was time for our opening circle. It’s where I wanted to really kick everything into gear. Enough of the where-are-you-froms and how-was-your-flights. We traveled to go deep and connect, so that’s exactly what we did. As I introduced the trip, I then gave it to the woman on my immediate left to introduce herself. I knew this woman would set the tone for the night, and it could go one of two ways: vulnerability OR surface level. As it turns out, Margaux was on my left, and she’s anything but surface level. She didn’t waste time, got right into her story, had everyone in tears and belly laughs all the same. I thank her over and over for setting the tone for that trip.

I’ll never forget how she spoke so fondly of her family, how she shared ALL the snacks, how she was so determined to make it up that volcano, how she showed me her scars, how she carried herself with independence and grace, how she snorkeled in monsoon-like waves, how utterly fearless she was, how she was always thinking of others, how she never made anyone (or their problems) feel less than. That’s who Margaux was.

In our final moments together, I interviewed her on camera. It’s the most powerful 15 minutes I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I found it so moving that I set it up after dinner one night for my guests during LimitLes in Argentina. Margaux commanded the room with her presence and wise words. I will forever show it to anyone who will listen because it’s chock full of so many lessons from her. Even in her absence, we learn. I believe everyone departed Argentina feeling as if they once knew her, like a short yet powerful friendship occurred somehow. She was the link we all needed, a bonding force that undoubtedly watched over and guided our journey south. She has an impact on those who’ve never been graced by her presence and a profound impact on others who were lucky enough to get to know her in the most complete way through travel. I knew I had to share her words with anyone who’d listen…so here’s Margaux’s story:

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After a long and courageous fight against metastatic breast cancer, 33-year-old Margaux Untracht passed away on March 16th surrounded by her family. For nearly three years Margaux battled an aggressive form of breast cancer with an unbelievable amount of grace and strength. She was and continues to be an inspiration to all of us.

A few months ago after we’d left the island, my team and I discussed asking Margaux to co-host LimitLes in Bali 2019. That is the kind of impact she made in Indonesia, leaving us wanting so much more. As I sit here writing on a plane at 40,000 ft, I somehow feel closer to her, wherever she is. No matter her whereabouts, I firmly believe she was taken from us for an ever bigger impact that’s far beyond our comprehension. She left us earthside wanting so much more, so we’ll gaux forward with a piece of her inside all of us.

The post Lessons from Margaux Untracht appeared first on The Road Les Traveled.

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mohamedsunbae · 8 years ago

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One summer day, #ParkShinHye

Time off for Shin-hye who’s never stopped working. She glows under the dazzling Maldives sky and we finally find her relaxed.

ISSUE 2017.05.24

A camouflage pattern dress from YCH, Paua shell circle drop earrings from Matias, and White leather sandals from Dr. Martens.

YCH striped chiffon dress and white wide-leg pants, Matias drop earrings, and Coach’s cora domed satchel bag.

A black backless top and floral race skirt from N。21 , Drop earrings from Hotdew, and A swagger bag with double turn lock from Coach.

A cutout pink top from the Studio K, Earrings from Vintage Hollywood, A flower applique bag from Coach.

A white long t-shirt and corset belt from Vov, White and green cubic earrings and a ring from Hotdew, Premium leather cross strap sandals from Dr. Martens.

A see-through blouson jacket from S=YZ, Unbalanced earrings and a crystal swing necklace from Swarovski.

BEAUTY NOTE

Make skin moist and smooth with ‘Brightening Cover Watery Cushion’ that naturally covers up flawed skin and uneven texture, and complete the vivid look with a crayon type lip pencil ‘Creamy Tint Color Balm Light #3 Rosy Brick’ which moisturizes the lips like a lip balm. All from Mamonde.

Arriving at Male International Airport in the Maldives after a long flight. Shin-hye Park boosts the mood with energy like a vitamin while others are overwhelmed under the strong sunlight. This is why she is the life of the party, and everyone who has worked with Shin-hye compliments her. Everyday, she swims until being tired and enjoys snorkeling and wakeboarding with athletic talent despite that following shooting schedules waiting for her might depress her while she’s on a trip. The real side of her, full of beautiful youthfulness in her 20’s, surprisingly resembles her life as a veteran actress who has lived half of her life vigorously through different characters and serious ponderance that those characters have caused. She is not yet fully mature, and ingenuous, and full of curiosity.

I’ve heard that you have just finished filming ‘Silent Witness (Tentative Title).’

I began shooting ‘Silent Witness’ just after finishing drama ‘Doctors.’ It was April when I started shooting ‘Doctors’ and it was October when I finished shooting the film. I feel like I’ve shot 100-episodes of TV drama for over six month.

Your character ‘Hee-Jung’ in ‘Silent Witness’ is different from previous characters you’ve played.

Yes, she has totally different characteristics. She is a minority and is not bright, although she has her own belief and tries to maintain this. Maybe for the audience who don’t know the ending, Hee-Jung may look inflexible, unwilling to compromise, and rather stuffy.

We see you less on films than dramas. Is there any difference between them?

Films require deeper understanding of people and their emotions than dramas. In a drama, multiple relationships with loved ones, friends, and family lead the story. However, in a film, there are many occasions which focus solely on the relationship between me and my partner, obviously leading to more personal, deep, detailed acting. TV rating are important for dramas but I feel more pressure in movies since the audience come to movie theaters spending money and time. The question about whether I could attract the audience makes me think twice before accepting a role. I know I can’t avoid this question forever so I try to actively take on roles now.

You already have fourteen years of experience as an actress. Do you think you have improved?

Well, I think my attitude has become more flexible. I had felt shameful when I had many takes while shooting a film because I felt like the mistakes came from lack of practice. Then I realized that I could finally meet the real me after shedding stubbles through several takes. I am still concerned about my acting skills. I was once between a rock and a hard place when I was told that I could not attract the audience without a male actor. Pacing is really important for acting as well as in life, and hard-working is not the only answer.

So, now, this seems to be the real vacation for you because you’ve just finished everything.

I usually travel a lot after finishing working on films. I went to Portland with photographer Hyelim Shin after finishing ‘Doctors,’ and traveled to Italy, Switzerland, and Germany after finishing ‘Pinocchio.’ I spent most of time alone there. Oh, in Florence, I had a night tour and coincidentally, all the members in the tour were Korean women. We grabbed a beer and had a chat. The beer, I still miss the taste because it was really cool and tasty.

You seem to go back to be yourself and fully enjoy during a trip.

Right. while travelling, I just walk around comfortably and freely as if I don’t have much thought. It would have been more enjoyable and fun if I had done more backpacking when I was not as popular abroad as now. When I travelled to Jungfrau in Switzerland with my mother, I saw so many Koreans and Chinese who recognized me. I usually don’t care about other people recognizing me and I feel that getting pictures taken is inevitable. However, when I get bothered, I do tell them frankly. If you ask them politely and candidly, then most of them tend to understand.

This open-mindedness enables you to enjoy ordinary life like the people who are in the same age as you.

I like driving listening to music, and riding a bike when the weather is good. The beer after bike riding along the Han-river is always the best. Recently, I started inviting my friends to my house for dinner often because I just moved out of my parents’ house.

Didn’t your parents oppose your moving out since you are the youngest?

Yes, they did, a lot. They said they would rather see me get married and then move out (laugh). My mother keeps telling me that she wants me to get married soon if there is a good guy for me. One day, it just came to my mind that there is nothing solely mine in the world despite all my efforts and hard working. So, I decided to move out to have my own space first. There WAS my room but it could be invaded anytime by my family. This is a bit ridiculous but I was so bothered by this idea that I even muted my own voice when I practiced script reading in my room.

You must have gotten interested in interior design.

Yes, but I’m not still sure which style fits well with my house: Northern Ireland style, modern style, or maybe pop arts style. Overall, I like white tone, but the curtains should be navy. I like wood furniture but I don’t think every piece of furniture should be of wooden material. I’m still debating so my house remains very simple without much decoration.

Where do you see yourself when you get to your 30s?

Probably still running around in a shooting location. But when it comes to acting, I want to be an actress who can express her inner story with more detailed emotions, like the movie “Very Ordinary People.” I want to work on a piece about the instant moment that everyone has experienced one way or another: The heartbreaking moment and happy moment. My life is like a happy escape from reality. Be adventurous and travel. Eat whatever you want. It’s okay because you can work out later.

A sleeveless dress from Tell the Truth, Cubic circle drop earrings from Matias, A yellow and blue bracelet by Vintage Hollywood, Rita Monica silver bangle, and Dr. Martens black gladiator sandals.

Giambattisa Valli’s white chiffon dress, gangster ring set of 3 from Swarovski.

BEAUTY NOTE

Make skin soft and bright like having powder applied with a ‘Brightening Cover Powder Cushion’ that completely covers up blemishes and pores, and apply the vivid look on your lips with a crayon type lip pencil ‘Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense #5 Blooming Rose.’ All from Mamonde.

A striped shirt dress from Le Sarte Pettegole by Seven Sisters, and Swarovski’s black and white glance earrings, necklace, Crystaldust Choke and bracelet.

Coach’s floral dress and Rogue bag with colorblock snake handles, Red earrings from Vintage Hollywood.

http://www.instylekorea.com/issue/article_view.asp?seq=2896

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ineslifestyle02 · 5 years ago

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BORA BORA – NOT SO BORING

What can be said about Bora Bora that has not already been said. We have all seen the advertisements and Instagram photos of a place that does not even look real. Bora Bora defies imagination and until you see it in person, you will never believe it is true. This is a place with dramatic landscapes, beautiful white sand, and water in colors you cannot even imagine with so many shades and contrasts, it looks like it cannot be true. Throw in amazing activities like snorkeling with fish, rays, and even sharks in beautiful tropical waters, beautiful tropical weather and sunsets, and you know have arrived at utopia…

I did a little research prior to my visit to ensure I stayed at a hotel with an epic view of Mount Otemanu and the incredibly beautiful colors of the lagoon and I ended up at Le Meridien Bora Bora. This resort had everything I was looking for, great food, pools with spectacular views, over water bungalows with a glass floor for fish viewing, plenty of activities, and most importantly, that view that everyone talks about. This is definitely one of the most beautiful places on earth for sure. For dining, I ate at Le Tipanie Restaurant and Le Te Ava.

For activities, I went for water sports of course. To get my feet wet, I started with paddle boarding. You cannot find a better place to do this than Bora Bora. To be a little more adventurous, I took a platoon boat from the resort all the way to Coral Gardens from my resort to do a little snorkeling. This was a great relaxing experience that I really enjoyed. The water was so beautiful and clear and there were so many tropical fish. Another cool activity is taking out the sea kayaks and exploring the area around the resort. The resort also offers a 30-minute outrigger sailing canoe ride. This is a great way to get an introduction to the lagoon.

Le Meridien has a turtle center at the resort. They have a beautiful setting for the turtles, offer an educational presentation about the turtles, and finish it off with a turtle feeding. The center is dedicated to helping injured turtles recover so they can be returned to the ocean. This is a great cause and I really enjoyed the experience.

My favorite activity for sure was swimming and snorkeling with the sharks. The boat picked me up from the hotel and then just outside the atoll, the adventure started. The water had amazing visibility and was a beautiful bright blue color. Although I was a little nervous jumping into the water with sharks, this quickly became something that I will never forget. There were two types of sharks here, Black Tipped Reef Sharks and Lemon Sharks. The Lemon sharks were fairly large, maybe 2+ meters with the reef sharks being smaller. There were dozens of these beautiful creatures swimming about along with lots of tropical fish.

We also stopped in an area known as coral gardens where many tropical fish can be found in beautiful water near reefs. This is where you can find “I love Bora Bora” written with stones at the sea bottom. This experience included enjoying some time at a beautiful sandy island with spectacular water and views of the main island, Bora Bora Beach Club, fresh fruit, and wine. I enjoyed this experience so much that I repeated it again with sharks and rays in a shallower location with amazing visibility. I was the only one at this beautiful spot and that made it ever more special. This was definitely my favorite activity and one I would highly recommend. You can either book this through the hotel or directly through one of the many providers.

Well everything cannot be in the water so I took a break from the sun and decided to rent a car and check out the main island. I stopped at Bloody Mary’s for lunch. This is a place that is visited by many celebrities. This food was great but I am guessing this is a better place for night life. There are many roadside merchants selling fresh fruit around the island. Here you can enjoy fresh pineapple or mango. It does not take long to explore this island, you can probably drive all the way around it in maybe 45 minutes but I am glad I checked it out. I will probably take a tour next time to see what else this beautiful island has to offer.

During my stay, I visited the St. Regis for dinner one night. This is an epic and all so beautiful resort with food to match and only 5 minutes away from Le Meridien. Both the Lagoon Restaurant by Jean-Georges and Far Niente Ristorante restaurants are amazing dining experiences with Lagoon being exceptional.

Bora Bora was truly a dream come true. This has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. From the epic landscape of the mountains and islands to that all so beautiful water, this place has it all for me. I enjoyed gorgeous views, dramatic skies and sunsets, and so many great experiences. This place should be on everyone’s bucket list for sure. I was truly blessed to be here!

#why bora bora is the best destination

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enginerumors · 5 years ago

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Democrats Connect with For National Park Support Investigation Soon after Climate Report Deletions

Enlarge this imageThe tidal basin seeking towards the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. Maria Caffrey's report details how a mix of intensifying storms and growing seas might impre sion 118 Countrywide Park Provider websites similar to the National Shopping mall.Jacquelyn Martin/APhide captiontoggle captionJacquelyn Martin/APThe tidal basin on the lookout toward the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. Maria Caffrey's report facts how a mix of intensifying storms and growing seas may affect 118 Countrywide Park Services web pages such as the National Mall.Jacquelyn Martin/APDemocrats on Capitol Hill are calling for an investigation in to the Nationwide Park A sistance, pointing to the report they are saying follows a "pattern" of censoring scientists who review climate change. The scientist who wrote the most up-to-date report is now concerned about her long run. After i arrived at Maria Caffrey's house in Denver, her spouse was going to just take their 3-month-old newborn out for a stroll. Her actual little one is known as Katherine, but Caffrey's profe sional toddler is her 86-page report on the Countrywide Park Service. It's about what sea stage increase and storms could do to coastal parks from the coming decades, and she's been toiling around it to the better component of six yrs. Caffrey is at first from London, so why would she care about U.S. parks? "I'm an American citizen. I have bought an American spouse and children. And so, safeguarding the countrywide parks is incredibly significant to me," she suggests. "They're element of our heritage."Enlarge this imageClimate scientist Maria Caffrey at her house in Denver.Rae Ellen Bichell/KUNChide captiontoggle captionRae Ellen Bichell/KUNCClimate scientist Maria Caffrey at her household in Denver.Rae Ellen Bichell/KUNCCaffrey is really a local weather scientist along with the College of Colorado, but with the previous ten years she's labored with all the Nationwide Park Service like a contractor doing every little thing from advising them on local weather transform dangers for Mattise Thybulle Jersey coastal parks to building roadside symptoms about local weather improve for travellers to examine. Through that point, she recognized the agency was using constrained, scattered research to strategy for i sues like flooding. "There are numerous parks that were counting on regional experiences or reports which were out of date. There were folks who will not have any teaching in weather modify and in order that they are normally just locating regardle s of what they are able to from the web to count on, and people studies will all have diverse solutions likely into them," she says. "So, I found it absolutely was truly, really e sential that we use just one consistent method through the board."The Two-Way FEMA Drops 'Climate Change' From Its Strategic PlanThe Two-Way EPA Moves To Weaken Landmark Gas Performance Regulations Caffrey focused several decades to working out how the combination of intensifying storms and soaring seas may influence 118 Countrywide Park Services web-sites destinations like the Nationwide Mall in Washington, D.C., which might not fare well against storm surge from a category three hurricane buoyed by rising seas. "It would build flooding throughout a huge spot," she states. Caffrey's report acknowledges that some transform is organic, like El Ninos. "There's normally likely to be a combination of things. But what we're modeling for is that human ingredient," she suggests. She came up with four results for every web-site, every a person determined by simply how much carbon dioxide people emit into your air. You will find the worst-case situation if we go on with small busine s as typical. There are 2 in-between eventualities. And afterwards there is certainly the best-case, if we stage up and reduce emi sions. "Potentially it truly is hopeful. We could elect to try to go down that le sen emi sions path and become equipped to divert ourselves absent from considerably greater sea ranges," she claims. Compiling this https://www.76ersedge.com/Wilt-Chamberlain-Jersey report was a long slog, but at last appropriate prior to the 2016 presidential election she turned in the closing draft. The Countrywide Park Support continues to be sitting down on it at any time considering the fact that. Elizabeth Shogren, a journalist with Expose within the Heart for Investigative Reporting, listened to regarding the delay and requested public data over the review. They show it had been edited inside of a extremely specific way. "They needed to acquire out this," states Caffrey, pointing into a laptop monitor marked up with edits that systematically delete mentions that local climate improve is induced by humans. Drafts of Caffrey's report clearly show which the Nationwide Park Service has made an effort to delete mentions of the human job in weather improve.Rae Ellen Bichell/KUNChide captiontoggle captionRae Ellen Bichell/KUNCWords like "anthropogenic," the scientist way of stating "human-caused," happen to be cro sed out.Nationwide Park Services workforce have made an effort to take out the word "anthropogenic," which means "human-caused."Rae Ellen Bichell/KUNChide captiontoggle captionRae Ellen Bichell/KUNCWhat that means is misplaced or altered by this sort of compact edits? "I'm not sure I am prepared to enter that right now," says Caffrey. She's hesitant to say far more for the reason that she's nonethele s functioning carefully along with the Nationwide Park Service, which funded her investigation, and with whom she's worked for a long time. But Romany Webb, a local climate law fellow at Columbia Regulation School, will discu s. "Definitely this really is only one illustration of a broader development in the Trump administration to silence science that it disagrees with," suggests Webb, who runs a web page at Columbia Regulation named the Silencing Science Tracker. The positioning is usually a joint venture with Local climate Science Legal Defense Fund that tracks governing administration tries to limit or stop scientific study. Thus far, they've got greater than one hundred twenty entries and, Webb says, that is growing virtually every day. "We have numerous examples of references to climate alter remaining removed from governing administration documents and sites. We have now illustrations of government experts staying prevented from speaking publicly about weather transform," she claims. Webb says the developing list paints a worrying photograph of how the existing administration is silencing science, even if within the surface it might look like modest edits, this kind of as eliminating words like "anthropogenic." "But they are actually e sential text," says Webb. "And if we take out them it seriously obscures that me sage and impairs community comprehending about what is actually leading to local climate change and what we could do to fix it." The Countrywide Park Services responded to our ask for for an interview using a brief e mail stating it's a draft report under overview and they'll give additional information when it truly is ultimate. Meanwhile, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke not long ago answered i sues from lawmakers with regards to the controversy. Zinke claimed he "never alter(s) even a comma in scientific i sues," and he is by no means found the report. "I want an investigation into how that document got close to towards the pre s in advance of we even had a chance to look at it," Zinke claimed. Caffrey claims you will find a rationale the push has the document. "I was Julius Erving Jersey legally nece sary to launch these documents," she says. That is for the reason that she will work for just a community university, where by all data must be available on request. So, when reporters came calling, Caffrey as well as the university needed to comply. It's unclear what is going to come about now with Caffrey's report on sea amount increase. There is confusion about who it even belongs to: the National Park Provider or Caffrey? "I fear every single day this toddler is forgetting me. I'm just absent," she states. When this report could appear to be theoretical for now, baby Katherine could pa s though the adjustments her mom is predicting. In 2030, for that initially established of predictions, she'll be thirteen yrs previous. By 2100, the calendar year of her mom's previous predictions, she'll be 83. "She can snorkel acro s the lighthouses and feel of mommy warning men and women about how quickly the ocean levels are soaring. Or if the subsequent ma sive storm strikes a major city, she will be able to feel of mommy and just how she warned people today," claims Caffrey. Or at the very least, how she and other individuals tried using. "I actually am seeking quite tough," she states. But she's worried in regards to the controversy around her report and exactly how it could have an affect on her long term as scientist. This tale concerns us in the Mountain West News Bureau.

Enlarge this imageThe tidal basin seeking towards the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. Maria Caffrey’s report details how a mix of intensifying storms and growing seas might impre sion 118 Countrywide Park Provider websites similar to the National Shopping mall.Jacquelyn Martin/APhide captiontoggle captionJacquelyn Martin/APThe tidal basin on the lookout toward the Jefferson Memorial in…

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#Enlarge this imageThe tidal basin seeking towards the Jefferson Memorial in Washington

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vietnamvacationsbeach-blog · 6 years ago

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How A Lot A Journey To Vietnam Expenses

I really needed to roll my personal, but Henry stated we ought to get them pre-produced to see what the restaurant's edition would appear like. You will be in a position to get out following five-ten minutes stroll in the tunnel. As you bike via the corn area, and vegetable gardens, we will see how the lifestyle is quiet and peaceful following just couple of minutes biking.

This will give you a much better concept of whether or not the cost they are providing you is a honest 1. Once more, if youre searching for solitude, this is not the location, simply because on Sundays the seashores are packed. They are perfect each for sun worshippers searching for a tan and for curious snorkellers, searching the coastal waters for the anemones and ocean lifestyle. The War Remnants Museum is situated in District three at the corner of Vo Van Tan and Le Quoy Don - northwest of the Reunification Palace.

C on typical with small rain and falls on off peak season. Each day I discover an additional small some thing hanging from our trees. On the Mekong Delta coast in the south, you will discover the Sailing Club Mui Ne with person bungalows and superbly landscaped grounds.

AmeriCorps VISTA: As an Outreach Coordinator, you will be operating on developing capability for numerous of our applications to help pupil veterans, ladies veterans, the aged, destitute, and other unique populations. Some of the pieces are so big and intricate that a number of ladies share the function when they noticed me enter, they stopped out of curiosity and beamed when I informed them I was from America. Our Tailor-Produced Itineraries: If you have ridden in Vietnam numerous occasions and want to come back and want to encounter a unique or various itinerary, then we are in a position to accommodate you.

Jeans are nearly usually trendy except for company events. All you have to do is go on-line as search for some reputed companies who provide to manual you via out the locations you want to go. America’s leaders. They have a much better argument for serenity in their previous age than these who simply averted services and stood smugly on the sidelines.

For these who pay attention cautiously, you might uncover a great deal about heritage. It stated that every city, even every village, might have its personal checklist of distinctive nearby specialty cuisine. The south of Vietnam, although, is a target for the monsoon rains in between Might and November, which swamp Ho Chi Minh City throughout these months. I suggest this quit as it serves to break up the lengthy, lengthy, loooooong bus journey from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City.

If you did not have the opportunity to go to the tailors in Hoi An, you can nonetheless do so in Hue! You can hop on the exact same boat following which you will come back to the park. You will consider strolling excursions via the jungle with your fellow solo travellers, previous floating villages, and up to sacred temples, providing you a lot of time to mingle with the group, or hang back and merely soak up the tranquil elegance.

This was 1 of these standout locations that I’m nonetheless considering about a yr later on. In contrast to the other locations of Vietnam, I discovered it difficult to put together Phong Nha itineraries for the purpose that every cave is distinctive and provides a various encounter. Following many years of operation, with the slogan "delightful smile in each Journey", has carried 1000's of passengers securely to their locations.

This Combo Tour consists of the Mekong tour and the Cu Chi tunnels tour. The nation has rapidly been transitioning from a “centrally strategy primarily based economy” to a “market primarily based economic climate.” The country’s most current endeavor is joining the Trans-Pacific Strategic Partnership Agreement, or TPP. The Visa on Arrival for Vietnam has been to allow travels to Vietnam for a number of weeks once more with arrivals at the worldwide airport of Cam Ranh in the center of the nation.

In reality Nha Trang is frequently referred to as the ‘Seaside Resort’ of Vietnam. Snorkelling in Nha Trang is also fantastic. Apparently, he handed them out to everybody he met (the writer calls him the "Johnny Appleseed of chopsticks"), telling them that if they utilized them, Buddha would assist alleviate the tension of their lives.

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deladane · 7 years ago

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Thursday, September 14, 2017 ~ Back in Moorea again

Somehow our honeymoon has come full circle and we are back in Moorea where we started this trip of a lifetime. It honestly felt like much longer than a week ago that we had left here enroute for Tahiti to board the PG, but I guess that’s just the sign of a wonderful cruise! Since we already did all of the highlights in Moorea before the cruise, we wanted to find something a little different to do today. We still had a bit of OBC left over, so I looked through the excursions offered through PG, and I was immediately intrigued by the Aquablue Underwater Walk. We are not SCUBA certified, so this looked like a great way to have a similar experience without requiring any training. Here is the description of the tour from the PG website:

Explore Moorea's splendid marine life in a unique new way during this underwater walking and snorkeling adventure. Depart the pier for the drive to the Intercontinental Moorea Resort & Spa. Upon arrival, you will meet your instructor, then be outfitted with your wetsuit and water shoes before embarking on a 10-minute boat ride inside the majestic lagoon of Moorea. The crew will anchor the boat off the coast of Motu Fareone or inside the lagoon in Papetoai (depending on sea and weather conditions). Your certified diving instructor will explain your safety and diving instructions, help you put on your helmet, and assist you with descending the ladder into the crystal-clear water. You will then commence your 30-minute underwater adventure at a depth of 12 feet. Along the way, you will see an abundance of fish that include triggerfish, butterfly fish, groupers, and parrotfish, swimming amid beautiful coral heads. Stingrays are also plentiful at this dive spot. While your guide feeds them, you will be able to take a closer look at these unusual ocean denizens. Following your tour, you will be returned to the pier.

Please note: This does not require any prior scuba or snorkeling experience beyond being comfortable on and in the water. Guests will spend approximately 30 minutes underwater. The helmet, while heavy, is placed on your head as you enter the water and taken off as you exit. You will remain connected to the boat's air supply via an air hose. This tour is not recommended for guests with back and/or neck problems, or guests with asthma. Due to tour operator's insurance requirements, guests must sign a waiver before enjoying this tour. Please wear a swimsuit under a cover-up with reef or water shoes (no flip-flop sandals), sunscreen, and bring a towel from the ship.

Here are the daily schedules for today:

I woke up at 6:25am, a few minutes before my alarm was set to go off, and started getting ready for the day. We had left the door tag outside last night to order room service for breakfast, and selected the 7:00-7:30am time slot. Imagine my surprise when I heard a knock at the door at 6:55am! I can’t really complain that they delivered the food earlier than requested (this is certainly preferable to them delivering it late!), but I was glad I woke up early enough that I was ready for them!

Notice how much smoked salmon they put on that plate. The first time we ordered it, we ordered 2 plates, one for each of us. We quickly learned that they are very generous with their potion sizes, so this time we ordered one plate of salmon to share, with an extra bagel and extra portion of cream cheese on the side.

We met our tour group in the Grand Salon at 8:15am and boarded the tender together at 8:30. The tender ride to shore was about 5 minutes long, and we laughed when we saw that we were at the same spot where we met for our sunset catamaran tour nearly 2 weeks earlier! A guide was waiting for us when we exited the tender. He said there would be 8 of us on the tour today, so once we had all gathered, he lead us to a van that was parked in the nearby lot. While we drove the 10 minute ride to the Intercontinental, he passed around a clipboard with safety waiver forms for us to sign. When we pulled into the driveway of the Intercontinental, he took us through a gate at the back of the property which lead straight to their dive center. How convenient!

There were 3 guides on the tour with us- one was the lead guide who would take us through the experience underwater, one was the photographer/videographer who documented the experience and we could buy the photos or videos at the end of the tour if we wanted to, and the third guide just stayed on the boat to assist as needed and I think he also controlled the air supply tanks. After some brief introductions (so brief that I didn’t catch any of the guides’ names!), they helped us step down onto the boat and get ready to go. They had water shoes for anyone who didn’t have their own, and they also had snorkel masks we could borrow. There was a dry box in the middle of the boat where we could store our bags during the 10 minute ride to the tour site. When we arrived, it really did feel like we had come full circle as we were again between the 2 motus off the northwest coast near Les Tipaners where we had visited on our jet ski tour! It was still so early in the morning that no other tour groups had arrived yet, so we had the space all to ourselves.

The guide gave us a quick briefing on how to communicate with scuba signals and how to clear our ears from the pressure under water (neither of these were things I had ever had to do before, so I was thankful for the lesson). He divided us into 2 groups of 4 people each, and we would take turns using the helmets. We were in the first group, so while we were doing our underwater walk, the other 4 people were able to go snorkeling around the coral garden.

These are the helmets sitting on the edge of the boat.

The guide demonstrated that instead of swimming, he wanted us to walk on the ocean floor as he guided us around the coral.

Once we were all ready, it was time to get in the water! They used a pulley system to lift up the helmets because they were very heavy.

Then we had to climb down the ladder until the water was at our shoulders

And then they could lower the helmet down onto our shoulders and we wouldn’t feel the weight of it because they didn’t unhook it until we were under water.

I had imagined the helmet would be fully sealed around my head, but this was not the case. In fact, it was possible to slide my hands up into the mask from the bottom if I needed to clear my ears by plugging my nose (if the yawning and jaw-moving techniques didn’t work), or if I just needed to scratch an itch or move my hair or whatever. The interesting thing was that no water got inside the helmet and my head/hair stayed mostly dry through the whole experience. I wear contact lenses and was a little concerned going in, but it was no issue at all! There is air flowing into the helmet and it creates an air bubble which keeps the water out and allows you to breathe normally.

Once all 4 of us were in the water, it was time for the real fun to start. The guide handed us a plastic canister filled with sardines and there were holes poked in the sides of it. This attracted the fish to us but didn’t actually feed them. We each took turns holding the canister.

The teeth on that trigger fish were intense!

My turn!

Oh, you can sort of see his teeth in this photo. At one point, he grabbed the rope hanging off the side of the canister and tried to swim away with it. The photo guy chased after him to get it back!

I sure hope that’s not the sting ray who bit me on the jet ski tour!

The guides showed us that if we held our breath for a few seconds, we could lift the helmet up overhead and be fully submerged in the water. I didn’t want to try this because of my contact lenses (I would have had to keep my eyes closed, so what’s the point??), but DH did it like a champ!

I was very surprised when the photo guide signaled to me that I should take off my underwater camera and give it to him so he could take photos of us together. I had assumed his sole purpose was to take photos that we could buy, so it was really nice of him to take some photos on my camera for free!

After about 10 minutes of playing with the canister, the guide signaled that we should walk over to this big rock of coral.

He banged his hands on the rocks which worked to attract more fish.

Hi Mr. Sting Ray!

a beautiful Butterfly Fish

The guide offered to take a few more photos for us…

After 30 minutes under the water, the guide signaled that it was time to make our way back to the boat. As we climbed up the ladder, they rehooked the helmet onto the pulley and lifted it up so we could get out of the water. Once all 4 of us were out of the water, the guides gathered up the other 4 guests and took them down for their turn. We used this time to jump back in the water to do some snorkeling. I went over to where the others were doing their underwater walk because that’s where all the fish were! I just floated by the surface and observed from above since I didn’t want to get in their way.

These photos aren’t the best because they were 12 feet below the surface, but it gives a good overview of what the experience was like.

About 10 minutes after I got in the water, I could hear jet skis and tour boats coming into the channel. The fish went crazy and started to swim towards the surface, so I took that as my cue to swim back to the boat and get out of the water (I definitely didn’t want to somehow get bitten by another fish or sting ray!!)

Sorry about the water spots, but this was the only photo I took of our tour boat…

These yellow tubes were hooked up to the oxygen tanks on the boat and then connected to our helmets.

Soon enough, the second group was done with their walk, so we headed back to the Intercontinental.

When we got back to the dive center, the photo guide loaded all our photos onto a computer and we could view the slide show and decide if we wanted to buy anything. He also played the video from his GoPro on another tv set and we could buy that too. They sold a USB stick with all of the photos for $80 and the video cost $50. His photos came out good, and one of the couples did buy the USB stick, but the photos on my camera were just as good and those were free, so we did not buy their photos.

Overall, I really enjoyed this tour! I have snorkeled many times, but I have never been submerged underwater like this. It was so fun to be grounded under water and be able to interact with the fish. In addition to the glass in the front of the helmet, there were also viewing windows out the right and left side and up out the top so we had a full view of all the fish swimming around us. If you do take this tour, I recommend being in the first group to use the helmets so you can finish your experience before the other snorkeling tours start arriving at the motus.

The guide drove us back to the tender pier by 11am, just in time to catch the tender back to the PG. I think the 8 of us were the only ones on the boat!

We were starving, so we dropped our bags off in our cabin and went upstairs to deck 8 in search of food, only to realize it was 11:30am and the buffet doesn’t open until noon! What do you do when there is no food available on a cruise with an open bar?? Order a filling sugary blended pina colada! We hung out by the pool for a little while and enjoyed the views of Opunohu Bay while we waited for the buffet to open.

By the time they opened the lunch buffet, we were famished! Today’s theme was Polynesian buffet and featured a suckling pig being sliced right in front of us!

Made to order stir fry station

Desserts

After lunch, we found an empty couch in the shade near the pool and camped out there for the rest of the afternoon. It was such a lazy afternoon that I didn’t take a single photo!

We headed back to the cabin around 4:30pm to get ready for dinner. We were getting a little hungry so we decided to order a cheese plate from room service and pop open one of our bottles of champagne. This really made for the perfect late afternoon snack!

Tonight was Polynesian night on the ship, and it was a night we had been looking forward to since booking the cruise. We started things off with a few cocktails by the pool while Santa Rosa band played a set of 60’s music. Opunohu Bay looks spectacular at this time of day as the sun begins to set and shines bright against the lush green mountains.

At 6:30pm, the festivities started down on deck 5. It was incredible how the aroma of fresh flowers filled the air as soon as we stepped off the elevators! PG invites the local Mamas and Papas to come on board for the evening to show us a bit more about Polynesian culture. Over by the piano bar, the Papas serenaded us with traditional Tahitian music.

Down at the aft end of the hallway near L’Etoile, the Mamas sat on the ground surrounded by hundreds of fresh flowers to make heis (flower crowns) and leis for the women on the ship.

It took them about 15 minutes to make each hei. We were invited to join them on the floor. When I sat down, one of the Mamas handed me a long piece of ribbon tied to a needle and showed me how to thread on the flowers to make my own lei.

It was a little tedious but very easy to do. After about 10 minutes, I was all done making my lei.

A minute later, the Mama in blue sitting across from me completed the hei and placed it on my head. I was all decked out in flowers tonight!

We sat in the piano bar for a little while listening to the Papas playing their music.

Tonight’s dinner menu is the same in all 3 restaurants (so this is not a good night to get reservations in the specialty restaurants if you are hoping to try their menus!). The Poisson Cru, Lobster with Tahitian Vanilla Sauce, and Chocolate Fondant were outstanding!

Poisson Cru with Marinated Dices of Fresh Tuna with Coconut and Lime

Pumpkin Gnocchi with Suckling Pig Ragout and Miri Pesto

Broiled Lobster Tail with Taha’a Vanilla Sauce and Pistachio Basmati Rice

Delicious Warm Chocolate Fondant (it was like a chocolate lava cake!)

Tonight’s show in the Grand Salon featured a local dance troupe performing traditional Polynesian songs, music, and dances. We had yet to watch a show like this in all of our time on this vacation, so I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. We thought the show was okay and I’m glad we went, but honestly, looking back on the trip, tomorrow night’s show in Tahiti was a million times better! Also, a word of warning: They pull both men and women up on stage to join them for dancing, so don’t sit in the front or on the aisles if you have stage fright!

After the show ended, one of the guests on board was hosting a star gazing event upstairs on Deck 9. He was actually one of the people at our dinner table on embarkation day, so I remembered him talking about his hobby of astronomy and how he has lots of fancy telescopes at home. Since we were anchored in Moorea overnight tonight, the Captain agreed to turn off all the lights on Deck 9 so we could try to see the stars. DH and I had tried to do this on the night we were in Bora Bora, but there was way too much light to really see anything. Turning those lights off made a huge difference and we were able to see tons of constellations and thousands of stars! Moorea is in the Southern Hemisphere so the stars there are different from the ones we see at home, so this made for a unique way to end the evening.

They kept the lights on around the pool… isn’t it pretty at night? By the time I took this photo, they had cleared away all the tables from Le Grill, but this sort of shows the ambiance if you eat dinner here and sit outside.

Back at the cabin, I found a good use for our tiki statue! Where else should I store my hei and lei??

#Paul Gauguin Cruise 2017 #moorea #paulgauguin #french polynesia

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rememberthattime · 7 years ago

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Chapter 27. The Honeymoon

The week leading up to your wedding is supposed to be one of the most stressful of your life. …That said, the week following is supposed to be one of the most relaxing.

Hidden away on a secluded island in the Maldives, Chelsay and I found this statement especially true on our honeymoon.

Having the honeymoon immediately following the wedding is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, the honeymoon feels more meaningful when it closely follows the wedding. You’re newlyweds, there’s a buzz, and for about two weeks following the ceremony, anything you do feels like a party.

On the other hand, there are too many good things happening at once. It’s impossible to truly appreciate each experience when things just keep getting better and better. Even two days after the ceremony, at the airport in Paris, I remember telling Chelsay that I wasn’t ready to move from “wedding” to “honeymoon”. I was still replaying September 2 through September 5, and there was A LOT to replay! The reunion, the Welcome Dinner, the Rehearsal, the Chapelle, Le Meurice, the First Dance, Piano Man… There were so many highlights, and without enough time to process, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to fully appreciate what an amazing few days it had been.

Still, the most important factor for our honeymoon was that it needed feel different than our other trips. Our other trips have been incredible, but they just don’t have the same weight as a honeymoon. Unfortunately, waiting would take away some of that meaningfulness… You can’t leave work on a Friday and then head to the airport for your honeymoon… You’re tired or frazzled, and it just doesn’t have the same excitement. Simply put, there’s more romance in doing the honeymoon immediately, so to remember everything, we’d just have to take really good notes.

Picking up right where the last post left off: flight day! I already wrote about Chelsay’s question at the airport: what are our lives going to be like now that we aren’t planning a wedding? Although my sentimental written response was better, in reality, I just said that we’d finally have time to relax… starting with the honeymoon.

The total travel time from Paris was about 15 hours, so we’d get to experience A LOT of relaxation time right from the start. We were taking Turkish Air all the way to the Maldives, with a brief layover in Istanbul. The first leg was great (like, surprising really great from Turkish Air). I shockingly and thankfully slept the entire second leg.

The layover in between was actually really interesting though. Ataturk Airport is one of the busiest in the world, and if Istanbul is the city where Europe meets Asia, Ataturk is the front door. Over 1,000 flights go in and out of Ataturk each day, with passengers coming in from Beijing or Berlin, and heading out to Kenya or Kabul. The international terminal has to be one of the most diverse in the world. It’s a cultural circus… different wardrobes, different appearances, different languages, different paces to life. It was like a layover in “It’s a Small World”.

We weren’t at the airport for too long though, and soon departed for our honeymoon destination: the Maldives, a collection of nearly 2,000 islands located in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

A few facts: the Maldives is the shortest country in the world (the Chelsay of countries), with its tallest point reaching just 8 feet above sea level. Because it’s located on an oceanic shelf, the lowest depth is similarly shallow, so only a thin, turquoise layer of water surrounds the many islands.

After our flight from Istanbul landed in Male, the country’s capital, we still had a short trip to our resort island, Constance Moofushi. We splurged a bit with honeymoon accommodations (YOHO), so the resort actually arranged a sea plane to speed up the final leg of our journey.

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This was a pretty cool perk, and it established four themes for the next few days. First, Chelsay and I had a sea plane to ourselves: luxurious privacy. Second, our pilot was flying barefoot and in shorts: casual. Third, from our altitude, we could see the effect of the Maldives’ shallow depth: tiny green dots surrounded by clear, turquoise waters. Breath-taking beauty. Fourth, as we exited the plane onto the resort’s jetty, a large sign read “No shoes, no news.” This was the most important theme: unplug and relax.

The concierge gave us a brief tour of the island while Chelsay and I tried to keep our cool. This place was exactly what we were looking for: sand, sun, beach, palm trees, privacy, activities, all-inclusive. That last sentence could actually sum up the next seven days on Moofushi, but with the goal of completely capturing our honeymoon memories, I’ll expand a bit more… Plus I need to post our videos somewhere.

After the tour, Chelsay and I settled into our over-water villa. The villa is held above the turquoise waters by stilts, with fish and sharks routinely swimming underneath. To maximize privacy, Chelsay and I strategically asked for a room as far down the jetty as possible.

When considering honeymoon locations, we really thought hard about returning to Santorini or Amalfi. Although beautiful, our only hesitation was that they were slightly busy when we’d visited. Our honeymoon was about absolute relaxation, and a Maldivian over-water villa certainly provided this. …It also provided a large patio for sun-bathing, an outdoor bathtub for star-gazing, an all-inclusive stock of snacks and drinks, and a staircase leading directly into the Indian Ocean.

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The next seven days followed a rhythmic routine: breakfast, activity, relax, lunch, activity, relax, dinner, relax, repeat. Note that there are two activities per day… I keep saying that the theme was relaxation, but I’m too active of a person to just sit around all day (Chelsay knows what she signed up for). Although privacy was the biggest factor for our honeymoon destination, activities were at least a consideration, and Moofushi had plenty to keep us (me) entertained.

Having arrived in the afternoon, Chelsay and I’s first activity after settling into our villa was a sunset yoga class. It was a perfect way to follow ~15 hours of travel, and I knew we’d gotten off to a peaceful start when Chelsay fell asleep during a breathing exercises.

We somehow built up enough energy for dinner at the resort’s phenomenal restaurant, one of the many highlights of the week. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Chelsay and I would make the barefoot walk down the jetty and through the palm jungle to the thatched-roof, open-air restaurant.

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This place was like a massive tiki hut, which is how I’ll refer to it for the remainder of the post. Considering its size and the few other guests, Chelsay and I never had to worry about sitting next to (on top of) loud neighbors like in London. Instead, we settled into our secluded table overlooking the water, sinking our toes into the sandy beach below.

At each meal, our well-traveled sommelier, Nash, would introduce us to a new wine: one bottle from Italy, one from South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, etc. One of the resort managers, Rifkhan, would always stop by our table to ensure everything was perfect: from the meal, to the room, to our day’s activities. Finally, our friendly sous-chef, Sven, would swing by to provide a rundown of the day’s options, tailoring to Chelsay and I’s preferences throughout the week (…Sven thinks we’re fat asses).

For Night #1, the kitchen’s theme was oriental, and Chelsay and I enjoy tasty Peking duck and plum sauce wraps, with vanilla ice cream and a warm apple crumble for dessert. Closing our first day in paradise, we fell asleep on our outdoor patio while star-gazing and listening to the waves below.

Given the afternoon arrival, day one was actually fairly brief. Day two was our real first day, and we adjusted to our new island lifestyle quite easily. We started with breakfast on our patio, sipping coffee while overlooking the pristine turquoise water. We then descended our villa’s steps into the ocean for our first snorkel in Moofushi’s house reef. I’d been snorkelling before, but never in a place like this… Everyone told me the Maldives is one of the best diving spots in the world. The problem is that I didn’t even know what “good” diving was, so I wasn’t sure what to expect…

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After a short swim out from our villa, a few fish started to appear. One or two, then five or ten. Coral clusters popped up every ten feet, then five feet, then more and more often. Pretty soon, we were in an aquarium, with thousands of fish curiously swimming around us in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Coral covered the entire lagoon floor beneath us with bizarre, alien-shaped coral formations, going right up to the oceanic cliff at the edge of deeper water.

Chelsay and I settled at the surface and observed the frenzy beneath us: large basher fish that would ram the reef to loosen a meal, skittish schools of smaller fish panicking at the slightest hint of a danger, creepy coral stretching and swaying with the current. This was just activity in the shallow water too! Sea life gets weirder the further you go, and through diving later in the week, Chelsay and I would go deeper and deeper.

We returned for lunch at the tiki hut (salad appetizers, penne bolognese, and chocolate chip cookies) before relaxing on the beach. We played the week’s first round of bocce (Chelsay took the W in a back and forth 13-12 battle), before she caught crabs in the sand. …That sounded weird. I’ll try again: Chelsay earned the nickname “Critter Catchin’ Chelsay”. …Ugh, weird again. We chased hermit crabs around the beach. …Maybe this was just a weird thing for us to be doing.

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Anyway, we followed our beach time with another snorkel. This time we saw sea turtles (Righteous! Righteous!) and several needlefish, which look like tiny eels swimming around the coral.

That evening was Mediterranean night at the tiki hut, and Chelsay and I agreed the chicken shawarma with garlic sauce was the best dinner of the week. Something funny happened on the way to dinner though. We usually left the villa around 7:30, so the sun had already set. It would be dark out, but the jetty has lighting along the path so you can watch your step. As Chelsay and I were walking along, we heard a woman’s panicked yell from behind us. We turned around, but in the darkness, all we could make out was the jetty’s light and a cell phone light… which was at a much lower height than the jetty…

This lady fell off!

We heard the husband trying to help the woman up and everything looked okay, so not wanting to embarrass them, we scurried off to dinner. We’re terrible people for doing this, but we laughed as we theorized what happened, and kept our eyes peeled for any guests with a limp.

Afterwards, as we walked back to the villa, we pulled out our cell phone lights near where the woman had fallen. We focused our search at the fork in the jetty: the point where the jetty splits in two. One path going right, one going left.

There we saw it… The evidence was damning, and unimaginably clear. Lying untouched in the sand… a perfect outline of a woman. She must have been looking at her phone and, when she hit the fork, just kept going and belly-flopped hard off the jetty.

Needless to say, relaxation was working for Chelsay and I. It was only our second day, and we were already losing it over this poor woman falling… This was a just a reflection of how loose we were though. On so many of our trips, Chelsay and I have a thing we want to do or a place we want to see. To be clear: that’s our choice, and how we like to travel. Vacations are more about excitement and adventure for us, and we’ve had amazing experiences because of our approach.

For the honeymoon though, this peaceful pace suited us. We didn’t have a worry in the world… which was a shocking turn from the previous weeks. We’d been so absorbed by wedding planning, and work, and traveling. Over those seven days though, we didn’t think about a single thing happening outside of that remote island in the Indian Ocean.

We slept very easily that trip, and every day started with the pleasant sounds of waves shifting beneath the villa. By day three, we’d settled into our routine: breakfast, snorkel, relax, lunch, bocce (I took round two to tie the series 1-1).

For our afternoon snorkel, we decided to venture into a new part of the house reef. The water was especially shallow at low tide, so Chelsay and I had to avoid kicking or paddling into the coral. We were essentially just lying flat on the surface, but there were so many fish that we had to stay.

With such shallow water and little room to swim, the tide pushed and pulled us without our control. I started filming the current pushing us along: fish, fish, coral, fish, coral, fish, fish, SHARK!

In the below video, you can tell the moment I first see the shark… It wasn’t a big one, but it surprised the hell out of me. For the record, I wasn’t scared, which you can see by me chasing after it.

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One second later, Chelsay grabbed my arm like it was the last bag of sour straws at Tesco! Apparently there were two sharks, and the other one had swam right next to her. We quickly kicked and paddled (coral be damned) and popped out of the water with two very different reactions.

These were 4 or 5 foot reef sharks that wanted nothing to do with us, so I was just really excited to see them. Chelsay, on the other hand, hates open water. This was described in the Azores post when we swam with dolphins (she wouldn’t leave the side of the boat). With her big eyes though, these sharks must have looked huge!

I’d mentioned that the Maldives is one of the best diving spots in the world, but because of her open water fear, I still had to desperately convince Chelsay to sign up for an “Introduction to Scuba” class with me. After this shark encounter, Chelsay was 1000000% out.

All hope wasn’t lost yet though: our dive wasn’t until the next day, so I still had a few hours to convince her. We spent the rest of the day getting back to the main theme of the week: relaxation. We laid out on our patio, soaking in the sunshine with coconut water from the most organic source you can find: an actual coconut.

When the afternoon showers rolled in, Chelsay and I crept under the covered area of the patio. There’s something really nice about being outdoors but covered and dry when it’s raining. I’ve always liked it, ever since my dad and I would watch storms come in from our garage in Texas. …It was also pretty cool to watch from our villa patio in the Maldives.

We grabbed dinner at the tiki hut later, and I’m not sure if this was caused by our shark scare earlier, but Chelsay and I hit the all-inclusive drinks hard that night.

It’s just so easy. Nash would come by and recommend a particular wine: okay, great, let’s get a bottle. Half way into the bottle, we felt like having a more tropical drink: daiquiris *index finger spin* (Wedding Crashers reference). Later, we wanted to bring some wine back to the room… but our bottle from earlier wasn’t chilled anymore. Whatever, they’ll bring us a new one. It’s all-inclusive.

Also, I said earlier that “Chelsay and I hit the all-inclusive drinks hard that night”, but I need to clarify. “We” hit the drinks hard that night, but Chelsay was taking advantage all week. There’s nothing wrong with a little buzz and she was never drunk, but I’d say we certainly got our money’s worth. We met a British couple while we were at the resort, and I swear Chelsay had a glass with her every time we saw them. They thought she was an alcoholic.

Anyway, the next morning was our “Introduction to Scuba” course. I don’t even know what day it was… third? Fourth? We were so disconnected from the world that I never really knew what day it was.

Chelsay had a decision to make though: in or out? …She told me she thought about bailing right up until we dove in, but ultimately decided there was no better place to try than the Maldives. She was probably still buzzed from the night before.

Our instructor’s name was Paolo Belloni (pronounced like the meat “bologna”) – great instructor, great guy, great name. It sounds like someone panicked when asked to make up an Italian sounding name: “Uhhh… Paolo… Bologna?” I shouldn’t make fun though – he really is a great guy, but he just reminds me of Luigi: I kept picturing him saying “Wah-ha!”

Paolo taught us the basic hand signals, etc before helping us gear up. Chelsay was still very apprehensive as we jumped into the water…

45 minutes later, when we popped back up again, she immediately pulled her mask off and shouted: “I love it!”

I loved it too, and because this was our first dive, everything was new. Obviously the fish and coral were mesmerizing, but the feeling of weightlessness was the biggest surprise. I felt like an astronaut as we slowly floated around our alien surroundings. We loved it so much that we signed up for a five-dive course: five hours of open water instruction that would make us certified scuba divers.

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We couldn’t wait for our next dive either, so we scheduled it for that afternoon. To pass the time in between, we played our third round of bocce (another 13-12 nail-biter that fell my way: 2-1 Mike), sipped refreshing iced teas over lunch, and indulged in an Oreo ice cream snack on the beach.

The day passed quickly though, and it was soon time for our second dive of the day. Our first dive was just an introduction covering the basics of how to breathe through a regulator, how to equalize, etc. This second dive was more of a skills test though, and the first step to certification.

Our first skill was to hover up and down using only your breath, and you have to criss-ross your legs so you don’t cheat. As you breathe in, your lungs fill with air (which is lighter than water) and you float upwards. As you exhale, you release that air and sink back down. At 6’2”, my lungs are relatively large so I floated up and down fairly easily. At 5’2”, Chelsay’s rise and fell was less obvious. With her legs crossed, it looked like she was just meditating in mid-air. Either way, Paolo thought she’d done enough so she passed the test.

The next skill was clearing your mask after water leaks in. To pass this test, you have to take your mask all the way off your head, put it back on, and then clear it by blowing your nose. Keep in mind you’re doing all of this 30 feet under the surface.

I went first without any issues, so Chelsay was up next. For some reason, even underwater, she can’t resist breathing through her nose! Every time she took her mask off, she’d instinctively try to breathe through her nose and suck in a bunch of salt water. She’d have to quickly ascend to cough it all out, and eventually, we just went to a shallow depth to make it easier to surface.

After a few attempts though, it looked like she’d gotten it. She took her mask off, placed it back on, and then Paolo and I watched as the water level in her mask dropped from her forehead to her eyes to her nose and, finally, it was empty. Bravo! High-fives!

The only weird part was that there weren’t any bubbles… You clear your mask by blowing air our through your nose, which then fills the mask and pushes the water out, which creates bubbles. She technically cleared her mask, so she passed the test, but why weren’t there bubbles? After the dive, she admitted that she just sucked all the salt water in through her nose!

Tough lady, but she did what she needed to pass the skills test. She’d earned the tasty wine that evening… if only just to clear the taste in her mouth.

The next morning was our second skills dive, but not before a delicious breakfast at the tiki hut. We actually had back-to-back dives that morning, so we needed energy. We loaded up on coffee and eggs benedict (with ham, which is rare in a Muslim country).

We suited ourselves up for this third dive, and easily passed a few questionable skills tests: grab the end of your fin? Who can’t do that??

Anyway, the benefit of passing the tests quickly was that we could use the rest of our tank to explore. As I dove around (left, right, up, down, over, below), Chelsay took a more methodical, almost investigative, approach. At one point, she’d been staring at a reef for so long that Paolo thought she’d passed out. …He rushed over but was put at ease when he saw her eyes still open. They looked even bigger behind the bend of the scuba mask.

Each of these first three dives were near the island, staying in Moofushi’s colorful house reef. For our second dive of the back-to-back morning though (fourth overall), we’d be taking the boat our for an open water dive. We’d also be going to a depth of 20 meters (60 feet), which was the deepest we’d gone.

At that depth, there’s a compounding pressure when compared to the surface: 26 pounds per square inch, or three times the pressure your body would feel on land. The volume of air in your body condenses under this pressure, which means that it actually takes more air to fill your lungs.This is why you have to pass a few skills test before you can go deeper and in open water.

It was totally worth it though. I mentioned that sea life gets weirder the deeper you go, and this dive was proof. Experienced divers can certainly go further than 60 feet, but there was some strange shit even at this depth. Watch the first video CLOSELY as this chameleon fish appears, and then disappears when I look away! I only noticed this when I watched the video afterwards! Pause at 5 seconds and then play if you don’t see it.

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After our alien exploration (and two straight hours under water), Chelsay and I resurfaced in the rain. It was a really weird feeling. At 60 feet, we had no idea it was raining: it was silent and still. Then the minute you hit the surface, there’s rain and wind and waves. …I already missed the peacefulness of diving.

The stormy weather calmed down as we took the boat back to the island, and Chelsay and I enjoyed a lighter lunch upon our return: lentil wraps and sweet potato hummus. We got our fourth bocce game in (13-4 Mike; 3-1 series), but based on the lopsided score, decided it would be our last.

Exhausted from our dive, I took a nap (ME! A NAP!) on the patio while Chelsay studied up for our certification exam. We must’ve been on some relaxation bender, because we followed relaxing afternoon with a 90 minute massage.

The couple’s massage room was actually a cool set up. It’s a thatched-roof tiki hut hidden behind the island’s thick vegetation, and has doors that open to the ocean breeze. As you’re lying on the bed, you face down at a glass floor with a view of the turquoise water below. Small fish swim by to pick at the coral placed within your sight-line and, while Chelsay and I were in therapeutic bliss, we each watched as sharks slithered by.

Later that night, we followed our sous-chef friend’s recommendation to see even more sea life. Off of one of the island’s docks, the resort keeps a light on that shines into the water. For some reason, fish are attracted to the light, and the fish attract sharks and stingrays and other bizarre creatures. Chelsay and I brought a bottle of wine from dinner and hunted the island for the dock Sven recommended. Once we found the right one, we hung our bare feet (I don’t think I wore shoes once this week) off the dock as hundreds of fish swam below. Over the course of the next hour, we saw several black tip sharks swim through and a massive stingray crawl across the ocean floor.

The next morning was our last dive of the five-part course. After this (and passing our written exam…which Paolo administered…), Chelsay & I would be certified scuba divers!

That’s pretty shocking considering Chelsay’s fear of the ocean. We certainly didn’t come to the Maldives looking for a new hobby, but we left with plans to visit Malta, Mexico, and the Philippines specifically for diving. Maybe someday I’ll write a post about a whale shark we tailed, or underwater cave we explored, or sunken WWII ship we came across.

Back to present day though. This was our last dive and, because there were no remaining skill tests (we were experts by then), this dive was entirely exploratory. We spent it floating through thousands of fish, around swaying anemone, past frightened Nemos, and alongside righteous turtles.

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After resurfacing, we still had a full day left and would have easily signed up for another dive. There’s a law against diving too close to a flight though, so the rest of our sea exploration would have to be done via snorkel.

With our underwater skills now perfected, our snorkelling in those last 24 hours was actually more successful than any time earlier in the week. Our last few adventures were a perfect summary of all the sea life we’d seen throughout the week: tons of fish, creepy eels, chilled out turtles, and even more sharks.

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Alas, after seven days in paradise, it was eventually time for Chelsay and I to return to London. We packed up (and threw some extra Twix and chilled Haribos in our bags), thanked our friends at the dive shop (who started calling Chelsay “Khaleesi”), and waved goodbye to the island as our seaplane flew away.

Our drop-off at the Male airport was a jarring return to reality. The resort had provided a concierge to escort us all the way to security, carrying our documents and rolling our bags. But from there, it was all us.

I know rolling your own bag through the airport isn’t a burden, but it felt weird. For the past week, Chelsay and I hadn’t lifted a finger. We hadn’t carried our bags. We didn’t bring our wallets anywhere. We didn’t have any appointments or places to be. We didn’t even wear shoes!

The sign when you first step onto Moofushi reads, “No news, no shoes.” This was absolutely Chelsay and I’s experience. We were in absolute bliss the whole time, and all of this immediately followed our wedding, the best day of our lives.

For seven days, we didn’t think about work or money… or wedding planning! We had enough time to reflect on the wedding (at least enough for me to write 10,000 words in my last post), but we also rarely thought about anything outside of that island. I can’t remember a time I’ve been that checked out since high school.

We landed back in the UK on a Thursday, so at least we still had a few days off before returning to work. It was fall in London by then, so we saw the leaves changing in Hampstead and visited the stags in Richmond. Back in the buzzing city for the first time in two weeks though, we also had to re-adjust.

Although the harsh reality was that this “ended” our wedding and honeymoon, there was also relief in knowing that we were just “starting” something. In the wedding post, I already wrote about what Chelsay and I’s lives would be like now that we aren’t wedding planning. I wrote about how we’d finally have free time, and more sentimentally how we’d explore together, and start a family together, and have five dogs together, and laugh and cry together…

In our happy, busy, adventurous, wonderful future though, it might be hard for us to find a quiet moment…

If nothing else, the honeymoon gave Chelsay and I one week to relax together.

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fadingfartconnoisseur · 7 years ago

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A Sizzling Summer Trip to the Florida Keys

I can’t believe it’s only July and I’ve driven the entire length of the Florida Keys three times this year.

Last year, the Florida Keys were one of my top most wanted destinations, mostly due to Bloodline. So in February Cailin and I planned a girls’ road trip from Orlando to Key West and back again. And oh, was that FUN. Especially Key West.

In fact, I enjoyed it so much that when Florida Keys Tourism invited me to return in July, I said hell yes.

But why would you go back to the same place so soon, Kate?

Lots of reasons. I did genuinely fall in love with the Keys, especially Key West, and I felt like my last trip ended sooner than I wanted it to. And when the opportunity came up to work on a campaign with a brand I love, that’s an excellent opportunity. Also, I hate to say it, but the older I get, the more I crave trips to closer destinations with short, ideally direct flights.

Plus, it’s amazing how much can change in a destination in just a few months. Several new properties have opened, including the fabulous Perry Hotel on Stock Island near Key West. Key lime pie-making classes are now a thing at the Key West Key Lime Pie Company. Key’s Meads is now open in Key Largo. And most significantly, Key West now has Uber and Lyft, which is a complete game-changer. (Also, Maragaritaville has reopened, so there’s that.)

But the #1 reason why I came back to the Keys was this:

Hemingway Days!

As soon as I heard that my visit could potentially coincide with Hemingway Days in Key West, I knew it was a must for me! I’m not a die-hard Hemingway fan, but The Sun Also Rises is my favorite book of all time. And the idea of a Hemingway Lookalike Contest was just hilarious.

I was only here for the first night of the contest — and it was SO MUCH FUN that I came perilously close to changing my flight and staying another two nights! (Then I realized it would cost me upwards of $1000 and that was insane — so with a heavy heart, I flew back to New York.)