Laucala Island Resort in Fiji

Okay, stop whatever you’re doing now, go to http://www.laucala.com and play the video on the front page and then tell me if that isn’t what you imagine paradise to look like.

At first site it reminded me a little of the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort in Canada but with an island flare.  You can get your own rooms looking out over the ocean but no one can see into your room.

This is a jaw-dropping site to behold, you’re exquisite bungalow is perched on a peninsula of the island, with lush tropical forests at your back and crystal clear and azure Pacific Ocean out your front window and door.

The infinity pool true feels like you’re looking out into infinity, an infinity of blue paradise that is a view like no other I’ve ever seen, Imagine whiling away your days snorkeling, hiking, sailing, dining and so much more in this paradise.

This bit of paradise has to be one of the most expensive price tags I’ve seen on such a room.  It makes Bora Bora look like a bargain.  For a one room bedroom Plateau Villa with sweeping South Pacific views it will set you back just over $5000 per day.

This includes food and beverage, with house wines. Activities included golf, tennis, horseback riding and water sports. In addition one 90min spa treatment per person per stay is also included. Plane transfers from Nadi to island at 600 USD per person one way for adults addl. Children 3 years to 11 years at 300 USD per child one way addl. 15 pct Tax and 5 pct Occupancy Tax addl.

Room description

“One Bedroom Plateau Villa 160-190 sqm/1722-2045 sqft Situated on the Nawi Hill, these villas offer unforgettable views out to the sea and neighbouring islands. Large outdoor bathing areas with oversized bath tub and garden situated outdoor shower. Large outdoor dining pavilions allow guest to dine under the stars. Yoga deck overlooking the coconut plantation.”

Okay, so 99% of us will never be able to afford paying for this beauty, but you’ve got to just go dream a little and check out the sites http://www.laucala.com/#Philosophy.

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort

The Rockwater Secret Cover Resort on the Sunshine Coast in north western Canada is a place that dreams and memories are made of.

The canvas tents sprinkled about the shoreline are an amazing juxtaposition. While the outside is surrounded by the rugged outdoors and the walls are just canvas tents, the inside is heated slate floors, bathtubs built for two, showers, beds with ceiling fans, fireplaces and iHome docking stations. Every comfort you have in four and five star hotels is on the inside.

While the tents are near each other you can at the same time see out of your tent nature all around, but no one else can see inside your tent. It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. The resort is at one a throwback to yesteryear and fully embracing the future with both arms wide open.

If you truly want to get away from it all the Secret Cove Resort is the place.

 

Fort Jefferson on Dry Tortugas

The rich cultural heritage of the Dry Tortugas all begins with its location 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. The seven keys (Garden, Loggerhead, Bush, Long, East, Hospital, and Middle) collectively known as the Dry Tortugas, are situated on the edge of the main shipping channel between the Gulf of Mexico, the western Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. The strategic location of the Dry Tortugas brought a large number of vessels through its surrounding waters as they connect the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Early on, the shipping channel was used among Spanish explorers and merchants traveling along the Gulf Coast.

Fort Jefferson and a Harbor Light

A large military fortress, Fort Jefferson, was constructed in the mid-19^th century as an effort for the United States to protect the extremely lucrative shipping channel. Low and flat, these islands and reefs pose a serious navigation hazard to ships passing through the 75-mile-wide straits between the gulf and the ocean. Consequently, these high risk reefs have created a natural “ship trap” and have been the site of hundreds of shipwrecks. A lighthouse was constructed at Garden Key in 1825 to warn incoming vessels of the dangerous reefs and later, a bricktower lighthouse was constructed on Loggerhead Key in 1858 for the same purpose. Discover and explore the rich heritage of Dry Tortugas National Park on the history and culture pages.

Brigham Young’s House in Nauvoo Illinois

Visiting Nauvoo is a game changer. It’s hard to visit the town, experience the county fair and take in the pageant without having it change you a little, whether your a member of the church or not.

Around every corner is a monument of a dedicated people unlike many others. These homes, stores, groves and trails are lined with stories of a people who sacrificed much for what they believed in. It’s hard not to respect that and to not feel the pain of the people driven out across the Mississippi river.

My simple recommendation is just go, take your family and go.  See the pageant and have church history come alive for you.

Twin Falls Idaho

Twin Falls has always been one of those sleepy cities with a bit of history and beauty that not many people know about. The Twin Falls gorge and water falls are well worth the drive if your in the neighborhood. Whether your wanting to golf, swim, boat or just sight seeing the Twin Falls area has some nice sights.

The falls in Twin Falls is a great gem like Idaho Falls.  Whereas Idaho Falls is quite wide, Twin Falls is higher and a bit more dramatic.  Both are definitely worth seeing!  At the actual falls there is a fenced walkway where you can lookout over a rocky outcropping to see a good portion of the canyon to the west and the dramatic colors and pools of the falls to the east.

There is also a nice picnic grounds near the falls with large trees for nice family reunions or a lazy summer afternoon nap.

Twin is situated between Pocatello and Boise and has a bit of each cultures.  People routinely say the west isn’t that diverse, but having lived in many places in Idaho there is a definite difference in the people and atmosphere in Idaho.  While many people in Pocatello and south-east Idaho associate more with Utah, Twin Falls and Boise has more of a Washington and Oregon feel to it.

On the main drive into the core of the City is a long expansion bridge that covers the gorge.  I highly recommend taking the time to take the walk.

Banyan Tree in Maui

Maui is simply amazing from the towering Mt. Haleakala to Iao Vaalley to the winding road of Hana to the beaches of Makena and Kaanapali. Each stop opens your eyes to another island wonder.

I love Australia.  While I have only been there twice I have spent almost a month split between Sydney and Brisbane.  They are both wonderful cities full of friendly people, great food and beautiful sites.  A while ago I got to spend two weeks in Brisbane in an apartment that  was a stone’s throw away from the Brisbane Bridge.   Whether during the day or at night it was a beautiful site to behold.

It’s said that the Brisbane Bridge and Sydney Bridge were made by the same and are just inverts of each other.  Whether you want to walk, run or ride a bike across it allows you to see out over the city and the river that snakes through the city.

My time in Brisbane was one of my best travel experiences as I got to spend time there and have a weekend holiday over on Moreton Island.  Australia is known for it’s crystal clear water and amazing beaches and Moreton did not disappoint.

Aztec Ruins Mexico City

The Aztec ruins in Mexico City are nothing short of remarkable.  There is so much to experience in this amazingly rich city and experiencing these ruins is just one piece of a massive puzzle. My trip to Mexico City has forever changed me and my impression of this people and the land. It’s people are as rich and varied as the land. There is a sense of tradition, honor and culture that has lasted years upon years.

My adventure here started with a delicious brunch at an impeccable restaurant with delicious food and service that is second to none.

After a great breakfast with tantalizing tastes I waled down a cobbled street that opened onto a grand sweeping plaza.  The town square is walled in on all size by stalwart buildings such as the presidential palace and grand cathedrals.

The palace is an adventure itself, but I’ll save that for another story.  The Aztec ruins were unearthed when workers sought to rebuild a part of the city.  Pieces of the ancient culture started emerging from the soil and workers quickly found the remnants of a great city that was built inside of and on top of a lake that once was the foundation of Mexico City.   There are some amazing pieces still in the ground that you can walk amongst as well as a modern museum with some of the more fragile and valued pieces.

The builders of this ancient civilization were not ignorant savages that built grand cities by luck or happenstance.  Great cities of trade and culture once existed on the very grounds that I toured revealing bits and pieces of a story of a people so long ago with rich and vibrant lives that match those of the people who inhabit the city to this very day.

Amazingly some of the colors used to decorate the artifacts and city walls still remain to this day.  They have survived hundreds of years of weather and modern day pollutions to show the intricate details and painstaking work that went into building the city.

While Mexico’s crystal blue waters call to me with their coolness and under-water adventures of eye-popping fish and surroundings I found that Mexico City itself is too worth a trip to see and feel its experiences.  I can highly recommend that you take time to experience the food, sights and culture inside the city.

Arizona Memorial in Oahu Hawaii

If you’ve ever been someplace on the earth where there is just a different ‘feeling’ about it you’ll know what I’m talking about in regards to the Arizona Memorial on Oahu in Hawaii.  From the moment you walk into the introduction theater you get a feeling that you are on hallowed ground.  It has a sense of reverence about it like if you were visiting a graveside or hallowed place.

You can almost sense the sacrifice that was made by so many and glimpse the pain and sorrow that so many felt that infamous day here in Pearl Harbor.  The visitors center is a fitting memorial to all those who suffered and loss that day.  A short boat ride out to the Arizona memorial where you get a front-row seat to the wreckage of the USS Arizona as it lays on the bottom of the harbor still leaking oil to this very day.

From the memorial you can see the other book-end of the USS Missouri.  The Arizona and the Missouri are called the book-ends of World War 2 as they mark the beginning and end of the war.  Just a solemn as the Arizona was I could feel a sense of joy and relief on the Missouri as I walked the desk.  While I’m sure there were many sorrows and pains felt aboard this ship, it marked the end of a war that encompassed the world.  There on the deck of the Missouri the cease fire was signed that officially ended the battles.  Any trip to Hawaii and Oahu necessitate a visit to these great monuments.  Only by coming here can you begin to get a real feeling for this part of our countries history.  It’s well worth the time and price of touring Pearl Harbor.