This an excerpt from the Thailand Virtual Tour.
See Archives October 2009 for the entire tour.

Day 22: Elephant Trek
“It’s time to saddle up but it ain’t no Arizona dude ranch and this ain’t no pony ride”.

 It’s a bit tricky to climb onto a full size elephant. Fortunately, they have constructed a platform at just the right height so you can step across and settle into the howdah or chair fairly easily.

Then, you just have to hang on because it’s a wobbly ride. Taking photographs was challenging with the natural swaying motion from side to side and an occasional detour off the path for an elephant snack.

I’m going to let you enjoy the view as we trek through the jungle.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Thailand Virtual Tour.
See Archives October 2009 for the entire tour.

Day 16: Tak Bat

It’s 6am. It’s predawn. Why would anyone be boarding a small van to go to a fitness park at this hour? No, we’re not going to run a marathon or even a 10K, not even a 5K. We’re on a mission.

We need to arrive before the tak bat or early morning procession of Buddhist monks from their temple. This ritual is the daily opportunity for people, local residents and foreign visitors alike, to offer alms to the orange-robed monks. The monks have no worldly possessions and rely on the generosity of others for their needs. These offerings are the only food and drink they will receive for the entire day.

The monks walk single file down the sidewalk in one direction, stopping when signaled by those offering alms. The owners of Window of Thailand have once again worked overtime, preparing dozens of food bundles for us to give to the monks. They briefly described the thoughtful selection of home cooked foodstuffs contained in each. It cleared demonstrated their care and compassion for others.

Since women are prohibited from direct contact with the male monks, we were instructed to carefully place our small wrapped packages into the center of the recipient’s food bowl. We would then kneel to receive their blessing in unison.

Once they were finished chanting, they would continue on in formation to the next person or persons, eventually returning along the same route back to the temple.

I zoomed in and framed a perfect shot of a simple and elegant bowl just as the young monk turned and started to walk away. Just a moment too late. At first, I was going to discard it. It was not the still photo I had intended to take. It still intrigues me as an unintentional “action” shot.

You may call it blurry. Tell me what YOU think.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Thailand Virtual Tour.
See Archives October 2009 for the entire tour.

Day 2: Spirit House

As you approach a building, you may notice an intricately carved miniature replica of a house or temple displayed on a pedestal. Typically, these are made of teak wood or stone. In the animist traditions of Thailand, this is placed within the compound as a residence for the protective spirits that watch over the home or business. This particular spirit house sits on the grounds of the Bangkok Shangri-la Hotel.

A doorman heralds us at the front entrance with an elaborate gong. The beautiful Shangri-la Hotel enjoys a riverfront location directly on the Chao Phraya. The two connecting wings are set within a jungle of lush tropical plants and flowers. Our upper floor balcony offers fantastic river views in both directions. 

Let’s go down to the lounge and enjoy a drink while the butler unpacks our things. I’m thinking we should swing by the stylish Chi Spa. I know they specialize in ancient himalyan and chinese treatments. We should schedule appointments for a jet lag recovery massage, don’t you think?

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Australia Virtual Tour.
See Archives September 2009 for the entire tour.

Day 14: The Bat Cave

Traveling in the opposite direction, south and inland from Cairns, we cross the Atherton Tablelands, past extinct volcanic craters and vast plains where you can see agricultural plains with cattle stations and tropical savannah woodlands with abundant wildlife. These highlands contain national parks, rainforests, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. You can enjoy bush walking, bird watching, fishing and even hot air ballooning over the area.

Once you arrive in Undara, you are in the Outback region of Queensland. Overnight stays can be arranged at the unusual Undara Lava Lodge where converted turn-of-the-century railway cars serve as your accommodations and dining cars.

A wildlife tour at sunset with an experienced  savannah guide reveals local native animals: kangaroos, wallabies, lizards, birds and  . . . bats. Later in the evening , our guide walks visitors over to the mouth of  Barker’s Cave to await the nightly exodus of thousands of tiny, furry, microbats into the night sky. Also lying in wait are the brown tree snakes or “night tigers” who strike out and try to capture their small prey as they fly past. It’s quite the nightly drama during the summer months.

We return the next morning, this time in broad daylight, to descend down into the fascinating geological phenomenon of the Undara lava tubes for a closer inspection. This requires a moderate level of fitness due to the uneven terrain and the climbing down and up over rocks at either end. And the bats have returned to their home on the cave ceiling after feeding on insects last night. Don’t worry, they’re not the least bit interested in you.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Australia Virtual Tour.
See Archives September 2009 for the entire tour.

Day 9: Finding Nemo

Australia is the world’s largest island encircled by thousands of kilometers of shoreline and beautiful beaches. The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef, lies off the coast of Tropical North Queensland with the 74 Whitsunday Islands sprinkled inside the Coral Sea.

The capital city of Cairns is a convenient access point for everything from resort island stays to day sails on sail boats to multi day cruises on small cruise ship or live-aboard dive boats.

If your time is limited, I suggest a day trip out to the Barrier Reef. There are several options to choose from.  One is a sleek wave-piercing catamaran which can whisk you out to an activities platform at the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef while you enjoy morning tea.

Of course, there is swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving for those who like the water. For those who prefer not to get wet, you can watch others take the plunge from the deck or through the underwater observation window. You may also go out in a semi-submersible vessel which, unlike a submarine, floats on the surface and does not descend below the surface. You may even join a marine biologist for an informative discussion. The last option is to get the bird’s eye view as you glide over the reef in a helicopter.

There’s something for everyone  and more than one way to experience this famous offshore playround – the largest structure on the planet built by living organisms. and you’ll be sure to see Nemo and his clown fish friends as you discover thousands of species of brightly colored fish and molluscs and hundreds of  types of coral.

Photography note: these grainy photos were taken with a disposable waterproof camera on a dive I did myself. All of the colors get muted as the light diffuses down through the water. You really need to see it for yourself.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Australia Virtual Tour.
See Archives September 2009 for the entire tour.

Day 4: A Night at the Opera

The city of Sydney wraps itself around the harbor. One of the best ways to travel around it is to take a relaxing lunch harbor cruise. This photo is part of a series of progressive shots I took from the water side as we cruised past the world famous Opera House. This unique architectural structure is an amazing photo op from any angle and quite impressive to see in person.

I recommend the 1 hour guided tour for a fascinating look inside at the several performance halls beneath those lofty sail-shaped domes. In addition to opera, there are also live ballet, jazz, theater and classical music performances.

There is also a more intimate and more extensive 2 hour backstage tour for visitors interested in actually walking on stage and through the orchestra pit, scenery docks, dressing rooms and fly towers.

An elegant and sophisticated afternoon High Tea is served once a week. Guests are welcomed with a glass of Australia sparkling wine and then offered a selection of teas, pastries and cakes before a private musical performance.

To make an evening of it, you feast on a fine dining experience in the Bennelong Restaurant contained in the front two shells of the Opera House with spectacular views of Sydney’s skyline followed by an evening show just steps away in the Concert Hall or Opera Theater.

So, it’s actually a day and a night at the Opera House.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Tahiti Tuamotus Atolls Virtual Tour.
See Archives August 2009 in the left sidebar for the entire tour.

Day 3: Creature Comforts

One of your first observations will be the contrast in geography. The high peaked mountains, lush valleys and hidden caves characteristic of the Society Islands are replaced by stretches of empty beaches and groves of coconut palms, silent except for the lapping of waves and the gentle rustle of trade winds. These are low-lying atolls where life is relatively simple and with few distractions.

That is NOT to say you will be limited to living Robinson Crusoe style. The small Hotel Kia Ora provides creature comforts albeit with a certain rustic charm. Do not expect the fashionable features of a world-class Bora Bora Resort . But they are not really needed or missed here.

Their overwater bungalows are extremely popular, especially with honeymooners.  The glass coffee table that serves as a viewing window and direct access to the water from the deck are lovely appointments.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Tahiti Society Islands Virtual Tour.
See Archives July 2009 in the left sidebar for the entire tour.

Day 17: My Blue Heaven

Photo Courtesy of Tahiti Tourism

The main island of Bora Bora is surrounded by numerous motu. In fact, the airport is built on one of these islets and is only accessible by ferry to the main village of Vaitape or by private boat from the individual resorts. A helicopter transfer is also available to the neighboring private island resort of Le Tahaa. Due to the geography, pre-arranged boat transfers are a must. You cannot take a taxi or rent a car to cross the lagoon to your accommodations!

Bora Bora’s captivating beauty is world-renowned. It is where the rich and famous have come for decades. It is one of the top 5 honeymoon destinations for couples.

You can see from the air that Bora Bora’s lagoon offers everyone the living ocean in myriad hues of blue and green. This area is well-protected by motu and reefs providing calm, clear waters for all types of water sports and all varieties of sea life.

It is one of the favorite islands for a mermaid like me.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Tahiti Society Islands Virtual Tour.
See Archives July 2009 in the left sidebar for the entire tour.

Day 9: A Room with a View
Location, location, location.

There are three important considerations when deciding where to stay: 1) convenience and facilities at the location, 2) proximity to sightseeing, activities, restaurants/shopping, etc and 3) a room with a view.
I don’t think you came all this way to spend time in traffic getting to places or to look out & see shrubbery or the back of another bungalow.

The Tahiti Inter-Continental is a full service resort. It is one of the two hotels closest to the airport & also offers easy access to downtown Papeete. It enjoys a prime waterfront location. However, it does not have  a beach as there is none on this part of the island. The majority of its rooms have a lagoon view or panoranic view of the Sea of the Moon and Moorea. (See Day 1 Post or Photo Album – “Love at First Sight”)

I recommend the hotel rooms and I stay here myself. I have spent early morning hours on the balcony, sipping complimentary cups of tea from mini bar, mesmerized by that spectacular view, watching the daily activity below: gardeners manicuring the grounds, guests jogging along the path, local canoe clubs paddling back and forth. Honeymoon couples taking those priceless vacation photos.

The Moorea Inter-Continental is close to Opunohu Bay, nestled between the mountains and the sea, with a beachfront location. The individual thatched-roof bungalows are larger than a hotel room with separate living and sleeping sections plus a porch or deck. These can even house families with a twin size day bed and a pull out trundle bed underneath.

Garden units have a view of the tropical landscaping or other bungalows whereas the beach bungalows sit directly at the edge of the sandy beach.
I do recommend the lovely hotel rooms which are centrally located  and well apppointed. However, I would consider upgrading to a beach bungalow for the unique opportunity to live in your own very comfortable “little grass shack” on the beach.

Both resorts do have overwater bungalows. I would describe these as partial or shallow overwater units. These are built on land with a deck that extends out a few feet over the water or they are directly over very shallow water just off shore. For the full overwater experience. there are other more spectacular  locations which I will discuss later.

Of course, other properties have their distinct features and benefits as well but the same points apply.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Tahiti Society Islands Virtual Tour.
See Archives July 2009 in the left sidebar for the entire tour.

Day 2: The Water’s Edge

On a small island, the water is never very far away. And people seem to naturally gravitate to the water’s edge.

The sand-bottom infinity pool at the Tahiti Inter-Continental Resort was deliberately built out to the water’s edge. Special features include a swim-up bar to the left and a small rock-lined grotto pool at the rear (not pictured here). Definitely a cool place to “hang out” & relax after your flight.

In the midground, the Le Lotus gourmet restaurant extends out over the water. It is well-rated and very popular with both local residents and international visitors for special occasions. The perfect place for a romantic dinner a deux.

Probably the most enduring icon of Tahiti is the overwater bungalows which can be seen in the background. These come in a  wide variety of designs and sizes. Not all of them are created equal.  A garden or beach bungalow has a very different ambience than a shallow or deep  overwater bungalow or villa. These vary quite dramatically from location to location.

Special note: I am NOT a professional photographer. This image is exactly how I framed & shot it with my digital camera. No special lenses. No special techniques. No editing. If you were standing in my footprints, your snapsot would look just as lovely. Tahiti is one of very few places where the photos match the reality.

On a small island, the water is never very far away. And people seem to naturally gravitate to the water’s edge.

The sand-bottom infinity pool at the Tahiti Inter-Continental Resort was deliberately built out to the water’s edge. Special features include a swim-up bar to the left and a small rock-lined grotto pool at the rear (not pictured here). Definitely a cool place to “hang out” & relax after your flight.

In the midground, the Le Lotus gourmet restaurant extends out over the water. It is well-rated and very popular with both local residents and international visitors for special occasions. The perfect place for a romantic dinner a deux.

Probably the most enduring icon of Tahiti is the overwater bungalows which can be seen in the background. These come in a  wide variety of designs and sizes. Not all of them are created equal.  A garden or beach bungalow has a very different ambience than a shallow or deep  overwater bungalow or villa. These vary quite dramatically from location to location.

Special note: I am NOT a professional photographer. This image is exactly how I framed & shot it with my digital camera. No special lenses. No special techniques. No editing. If you were standing in my footprints, your snapsot would look just as lovely. Tahiti is one of very few places where the photos match the reality.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com