Category: Pacific

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Kona 2024

September 2024

Enjoying the warm tropical beeeze, sun on my skin, toes in the sand, and the aloha spirit in Maui 🌺

Plumeria, also known as frangipani, is a flowering tree that is a popular part of Hawaiian culture and tradition. It is prolific and wild in Hawaii so you can find the blossoms anywhere you go, making it easy to always put one in your hair. This morning I took a class on the beach learning how to make a beautiful rosette! 🌸

Sailing into a balmy Maui evening to watch the sunset 🌅⛵️

Breakfast at Duke’s in Maui before we flew to Kona on the Big Island for a beautiful sunset, a Champagne dinner and watching the manta rays come to the shore!

A gorgeous evening in Kona 🌺
Work for a few hours then a fabulous sunset with cocktails and dinner in a private villa on the water with lush green gardens and black lava rock 🌋🌴

A perfect beach break after a few days of work and nonstop activities. It’s a beautiful day and the water is so refreshing! 🌴🥥🌺

My final meal in at the Kona Airport, Lau Lau plate lunch, so yummy!! Slow cooked fatty pork wrapped in taro leaves with Kahlua pork, white rice and macaroni salad 😍

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Fiji – Savusavu

December 2023

Fiji’s North is the lesser known corner of Fiji, and those who come are richly rewarded with a real Fiji adventure: a different experience that makes for a really memorable trip. Savusavu town is on the south coast of Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island and home to some world-famous diving.

Excited to go to Savusavu, it’s on Viti Levu, one of the other 333 Fijiian islands that I haven’t been to yet!

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is located in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, Fiji. Overlooking the beautiful Savusavu Bay, it is barefoot family luxury and quintessential Fiji island serenity. The focus is on rest and relaxation, authentic cuisine and culture, and opportunities to explore the incredible secrets of nature and the local environment, especially the marine world!
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Found my spot in this pristine setting! I am surrounded by a marine sanctuary on this secluded coastline with coral reefs and exotic marine life, it is also an environmentally responsible resort while still luxury. Snorkeling and diving is a highlight here so that’s next!
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What a beautiful last day at Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji, sad to leave this paradise 💙

Savusavu is a lovely town strung along a waterfront street, backed by mountains and lush vegetation. Their Saturday Farmers Market is a large tented area full of tables laden with produce of all kinds where locals and tourists come to buy the usual tomatoes, lettuces, and green beans. Also tropical fruit, taro or kava root, peppers, cilantro, parsley, eggplant, cucumbers, bananas, chilies, and other interesting fruits and vegetables. The seafood market was even more fun seeing all the underwater delicacies and beautiful colored fish and crustaceans. Attached is a small handicraft market with beautiful locally made items that are perfect to bring home as gifts. Don’t miss a visit to the beautiful town, there are also so many interesting restaurants!
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Namale is an intimate tropical sanctuary on Fiji’s northern island of Vanua Levu, sprawled across a gorgeous cliff overlooking the Koro Sea. My villa is one of four private villas.

Bula House is the original Namale Villa perched at the edge of Namale’s lava cliffs. This villa is luxuriously furnished with a lounging area, billiard table, and dining table. The bedroom area offers a large 4-poster king bed, a sunken sitting room for two, a walk-in closet with changing area, a two-person shower, a jacuzzi spa tub, and a private outdoor shower. Two unique features of this Villa are the large deck with a plunge pool and lounge furniture, as well as private stairs leading down through the volcanic rock to the shoreline. I really don’t want to leave this sanctuary!
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I absolutely love my deck and pool overlooking the Koro Sea. Between the villa and this area, there is no reason to leave! I see why it is a favorite destination for jetsetters and celebrities because of its exclusivity and luxury.

I love the sound of the lali drum, a traditional style drum signaling significant and community events in Fijian culture, which lets you know the start of dinner. The Indo-Fijian cuisine is inspired by the rich flavors and traditions of the islands and is made with fresh produce, herbs, and vegetables from their own organic farm and local seafood markets, sooo delicious!

Flying Fiji’s Airways business class is like a bed and breakfast experience – a comfy place to get a full night’s sleep with a pair of good meals on either side. The comfortable seats are topped with black & white pillows decked in a traditional Fijian pattern. After dinner, wine and a movie, I went to the bathroom and asked a flight attendant to make up my seat for the night. When I returned, it was done, set cozily with a nice mattress pad and a plush duvet in the same Fijian pattern as the pillow. Just as I’d hoped, I slept comfortably for nearly seven hours before waking up to breakfast, a mimosa and coffee a few hours before landing. For an 11 hour flight to/from LAX, there really is no better way than Fiji business class. Thank you Fiji Airways!!
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Fiji – Mamanucas & Coral Coast

December 2023

On my way to Fiji 🇫🇯

Relaxing on a sandbar in the Pacific before we head over to Castaway Island 🥂🍾
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Today was so much fun, I helped in the coral planting program run by local marine biologists at the resort. Castaway Island has vast coral reefs that they study and protect. Because of the way hard coral reproduces and heals, small pieces can grow to eventually become mature colonies. We secure these fragments to the grates using cable ties and then put it back into the water. I felt like I was back in Panama studying coral reef ecology 🪸🐠🧡

Cloud 9 is a famous floating bar in Fiji. It is a great way to spend the day relaxing on lounges, drinking cocktails, dancing to a DJ, jumping off the top deck, enjoying their delicious wood-fired pizzas, swimming and snorkeling in the turquoise blue waters…a perfect day!

Many Fijian villages are located on the banks of rivers with beautiful mountains and tropical wilderness. We took a fun and very fast speedboat to the village, trekked up a forested path from the river banks and were treated to the most beautiful afternoon. We brought kava as a gift, we were accepted as guests in the village with a ceremony and then offered kava. While Fijians are amongst the friendliest people in the world, it is important to respect their customs and traditions so the women had to have covered shoulders and long skirts. No shoes inside, sunglasses or hats anywhere, it is considered an insult to the chief of the village. They made us a delicious traditional lunch and then they sang and danced, it was such an amazing experience.
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The perfect day started with a relaxing massage and ended with a gorgeous sunset 🌅

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Tahiti

November 2022

Beginning of Trip

Goodnight LA, good morning Tahiti ✈️

Off to Tahiti to explore the islands in French Polynesian. An 11pm flight for 8 hours and we landed at 5am local time. I slept most of the way in Air Tahiti Nui’s Moana Premium Economy because it was so comfortable. We were warmly welcomed to the InterContinental Tahiti Resort at 5:45am with fresh pineapple juice and our rooms ready. Back to sleep for a little while then time to explore the beautiful resort and have an al fresco lunch.

Cocktails at the Intercontinental Tahiti while we wait for sunset. One of the most beautiful sunsets greeted me on this first night in Tahiti, no filter, just pure nature.

Next was dinner with the most delicious Poisson cru, the national dish of Tahiti. It is made with fresh, raw fish, crunchy raw vegetables, lime juice and coconut milk – it’s heavenly!

Off to Moorea next, then back here before we go to Tetiaroa.

Middle of Trip

The ferry brought us back here after 2 days in Moorea then we flew to Tetiaroa. When we returned from Tetiaroa after 2 nights, we spent some time exploring the island.

We had the most delicious French lunch at Le Soufflé!

End of Trip

Our last day was back here for some shopping at the International Marketplace and a day room at the Hilton Tahiti until after dinner.

The Hilton Tahiti was next to relax, have a nice dinner and regroup for the flight home. I’m sad to say goodbye, it was a beautiful time in French Polynesia.

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Bora Bora

December 2022

FOUR SEASONS BORA BORA

Arrived safely in Bora Bora and was whisked off quickly to the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora. My beach villas is absolutely gorgeous!
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Welcome sunset cocktails with our Four Seasons friends at Viamiti. It is set over the water with great views and Asian cuisine. The crispy roasted Maitake mushroom was amazing.

Our 2 bedroom villa at the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is gorgeous, pictures don’t do it justice!

Overwater Villas are gorgeous too!

The Four Seasons Resort is so pretty, truly a tropical paradise that I don’t want to leave.

ST. REGIS BORA BORA

We arrived at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort and loved the sprawling grounds and the most spacious overwater villas in the South Pacific!

For all the foodies, we had the most amazing dinner at Jean-Georges Lagoon Bora Bora!! The 5 Course Signature Menu with the Wine Pairing was outstanding. Thank you for the great company and fabulous dinner The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort!

The St. Regis Bora Bora has the most spacious overwater bungalows in Bora Bora!

The most beautiful day in Bora Bora. We had a local guide who shared everything about the culture, music, food and wildlife. His pride for his culture and willingness to share it made the whole day for me. This is just the first part…more to come!

Swimming with the sharks in Bora Bora. We went out past the reef to swim in deeper water. So amazing!
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The most perfect day in Bora Bora is a motu picnic 💙
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We had a fun photo shoot with one of the best photographers in Bora Bora, thank you for the great pictures Bora Bora Photographer & Videographer Sadry Ghacir!

LE BORA BORA

We had a nice afternoon and delicious lunch the Le Bora Bora. The resort had a renovation and it looks gorgeous. Le Bora Bora has a beautiful white sand beach.

CONRAD BORA BORA NUI

Next stop in Bora Bora is the Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort. My overwater villa is beautiful and the bathroom is heavenly!

Our last night in Tahiti was a great sushi dinner at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort. Sad to leave but I will be back 💙

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Moorea

November 2022

We took the ferry today from Papeete to Moorea and arrived at the Kia Ora Moorea Sofitel The property is so green and lush with sparkling blue water and a beautiful white sand beach.

A great evening of cocktails at Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort then dinner and champagne at the Moorea Beach Cafe By Bruno Jamais under a gorgeous sky.
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What fun it was to explore Moorea today. Beautiful bays, scenic outlooks and local snack food

More fun in Moorea, botanical gardens, pineapple plantation and a distillery! I know all the fun things to do and places to send you when you’re ready to go.

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Tetiaroa

December 2022

Off to the exclusive private island of Tetiaroa on their own tiny plane, so excited!
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Flight to paradise 💙

You know you’ve left your real life behind when your resort has its own airline! The Brando is a unique luxury resort on French Polynesia’s breathtakingly beautiful private island of Tetiaroa, it is where the rich and famous live out their own desert island fantasy. The resort was the legendary actor Marlon Brando’s tropical island hideaway. There are 35 beach villas each with its own separate media room and study, outdoor bath and infinity plunge pool that overlooks the most beautiful sugary white sand beach.

Exclusive and private villas on a private island paradise. Each private villa is nestled amidst the palms. Secluded from everything in your private pool, the beach and ocean are a backdrop, my own little piece of Heaven.

Sunset at the The Brando with dinner at the fine dining Les Mutinés, the tasting menu was delicious! It is a Polynesian fine dining experience, sophisticated, yet completely laid back. Ingredients sourced from local seas, ranches and farms are perfectly paired with wine from top chateaus in France, this is my kind of fine dining.

After dinner it was time for an outdoor bath in my villa. I love the outdoor bathtub, perfect for late night stargazing at the southern hemisphere constellations that the Polynesian navigators used to find these islands. It’s a challenge for me to find and identify this whole new set of constellations but I’m in the perfect place.

Great morning with the Tetiaroa Society exploring the motus and the crystal clear blue water that looks unreal! We stopped to swim at the Queen’s Bath, as the name suggests, it is where Tahitian royalty used to bathe due to its mineral rich sands and pure waters!

Coconut crabs, kaveu in Tahitian, are the largest terrestrial crabs in the world, and in my opinion, the most beautiful! Look at all the colors!

Time for a sundowner at The Brando
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Bob’s Bar was around long before the Brando existed. It was where Marlon would come at the end of each day and order his favorite cocktail – a Dirty Old Bob. Put your feet in the sand, order a Dirty Old Bob, then raise your glass, and give a toast to Tetiaroa.

The Polynesian Show at The Brando was one of the best I have seen in all of the South Pacific. The performers weren’t playing a part but truly sharing their culture with us, it was beautiful.

I am sad to leave the Brando, Air Tetiaroa is taking us away from paradise. We will land in Papeete and Air Tahiti will then take us to another island….can you guess which one??

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Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

Landed in Honolulu with a beautiful rainbow in the sky. Ready to have fun in Waikiki! 🌺

You know that image in your mind of Waikiki Beach, the one with Diamond Head in the distance and outrigger canoes in a turquoise bay of warm water? That’s what you have at Duke’s plus great music and fun! Our Outrigger Advisory Board definitely had fun and laughs – Thank you Outrigger Resorts!

With two of the only seven true beachfront resorts in Waikiki, Outrigger is a great option for your vacation. Between the Reef and Waikiki Beach, there are so many choices, the suites are beautiful! This is the Coral Reef Suite and the Voyager 47 Club.

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The Big Island

Excited for our Outrigger Advisory Council meetings in Hawaii. Tonight’s dinner brought together all the councils from the US.

Swimming with the Mantas on the Kona Coast!

Swimming with manta rays is listed as one of the most thrilling experiences on earth, with an incredible adrenaline rush! Known as gentle giants of the sea, many reside in front of our hotel right on the Kona Coast. These magnificent mantas can weigh more than 1,000 lbs and span more than 15 feet! This only happens in a few locations on earth – one of them is here on the Big Island of Hawaii. It’s so hard to not gasp when they swim up and are less than an inch from your body! Such a humbling and awe-inspiring experience I will never forget! Thank you Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa and Eka Canoe Adventures!

Great morning at Kealakekua Bay, a paradise on land and under water. With one of the most abundant coral reefs on the island and the lush, tropical Kona coast. It also is an important historic location because it is where Captain James Cook landed for the first time on the island of Hawaii and ultimately was killed here on his third visit.

The Feast and Fire Luau is a signature experience that tells the story of the cultures of the islands. I love how it is a plated dinner and smaller tables of just your group. It was a beautiful evening and a great show!

A great spot for our Outrigger Advisory Council meeting. Perched above the lava-rock cliffs of Keauhou Bay on the lush southern end of the Kona coast, the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, where graceful manta rays swim right up to the shoreline and I was able to see them from my lanai! This resort is great for those looking for some adventure and culture on the Big Island, mantas, snorkeling, volcanoes and much more. Mahalo for a wonderful experience Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa!

Next stop Honolulu on Oahu.

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Espacio – The Jewel of Waikiki

ESPACIO is the ultimate oceanfront sanctuary that can only be described as The Jewel of Waikiki and ranked as one of the finest properties in the world.
Each of the nine suites has a private entry and occupies an entire floor with Italian marble, Moroccan metalwork, a designer kitchen, bathrooms furnished with TOTO Washlets, and an expansive balcony with a Jacuzzi and daybeds.
I am looking forward to a few days of opulence, tranquility, and rejuvenation at this exclusive retreat. Follow along for the next few days and I’m sure you will want me to book your experience here on your next trip to Hawaii.

Evening in Waikiki 🌙

While a bathroom might not be a big consideration for some, the bathrooms at Espacio Waikiki are like a trip to the spa – tranquility, and rejuvenation for an exclusive retreat!

The private rooftop infinity swimming pool, whirlpool, and sundeck at Espacio Waikiki is GORGEOUS and one of the best spots in Waikiki Beach 🌺

It’s a beautiful morning at Espacio Waikiki! Breakfast and a walk on the beach.

Sunset BBQ in Waikiki, Chris made the most delicious BBQ on the rooftop!

My son and I had the most exceptional fine dining experience at Mugen Waikiki! Now I know why it’s so hard to get a reservation. Executive Chef Jason Yamaguchi offers a 7-course seasonal tasting menu that combines French and Japanese influences, utilizing local ingredients and specialty items from around the world. It is located in Espacio Waikiki so just a quick ride down the elevator.
Next time I book your Hawaiian vacation let’s make a reservation for Mugen too, you won’t be disappointed!

Cocktails at Trump Tower 🍸