KIA ORANA...May You Live long..

                                                                          

            The magical thing about travel is the way it can remind us just how small the world really are.We find ourselves in a beautiful, peaceful and sometimes lonely place but then soon we are surrounded by new faces and feelings that only a wanderer who appreciates fond sunsets and sunrises can appreciate. Years ago I made a trip to Rarotonga in the South Pacific. This modest island resting between Samoa and Tahiti deep in the South Pacific was a hidden treasure attracting those who couldn't afford the Tahitian islands or those who were looking for someplace to go off the beaten track.                                  
  

    My stay on this Cook Island will forever be living in my heart, like a long lost home. The first time I set eyes on it I was in love, when I had to leave her I cried and when I was there I cared about nothing else. Often when I travel to a new found place I feel like I'm the first to explore it. Although it is widely known with

Australian and New Zealand visitors and those looking for an adventure it was virgin to me. It offers soft white sand beaches, crystal clear waters perfect for fishing and sun bathing. The mountainous terrain provided many options for trekking and exploring the landscape and seeking out wildlife that is only found on this South Pacific island. The hospitality can be seen throughout the native people that are lucky enough to inhibit this pearl in the sea.  I often dream I am back there hanging in the tree house bar with the friendly locals I met while there and secretly wishing I never left...

Sounds from Scotland

One of my favorite artists on the planet!! Paolo Nutini! Check him out!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsx-JVymaGk
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=come+again+polo+nutitni&view=detail&mid=418ECDCA53DCF9A6AF71418ECDCA53DCF9A6AF71&FORM=VIRE

G Adventure Tours

                                                                     

                        I am obsessed with G Adventures!! They offer such beautiful tours with small groups (usually no more than 12 people) that I can't stop daydreaming about being on one of their adventures! Experiencing everywhere from the mountain tops of Macchu Picchu to exploring the tea fields of Sri Lanka. There is a special place in my heart for this tour company that really tries their best at making their travelers have the best experience while truly get to know each destination!  They offer tours on all different levels. Based on how active you want to be or how 'local' you want to live. They even offer accommodations for the younger free spirit travelers staying in hostels. You travel with a tour guide the entire time and have a city tour in most cities as well as daily breakfast and some meals which allow enough free time on your own to get a taste of each place. G Adventures takes traveling to an all new level and I hope you explore all G Adventures has to offer!  https://www.gadventures.com/ . Call/Text me for your next G Adventure!

One Happy Island

Aruba is the reason I travel! To meet people, taste local cuisine and explore the beauty of  the destination. This was my first visit to the Dutch Caribbean island and can't wait to return! The beaches are beautiful, the locals are super friendly and I loved that all-inclusive resorts did not dominate the beauty of the views.

There are so many restaurants, bars and shopping just outside the hotel areas you could easily experience the local flavors of the island and nightlife on your own. Although I did stay at the RIU Palace Antillas, which is all-inclusive it was modest in comparison to some resorts in Punta Cana and Mexico I have been too. It was nice to have that options during the day and then head into town at night. I stayed on Palm Beach, which is know as the high rise beach and then Eagle Beach a few miles down is the low rise beach. There are plenty of casinos around the island for those that are feeling lucky and renting a car is much safer and easier to do here than most other Caribbean islands. You do feel the influence of Venezuela being only 15 miles from shore and the Dutch spirit as well. Most locals on the island speak 5 languages and the drinking water is voted top 5 in the world! Pretty impressive for an island home to 108,000+  multi cultural residents!

The Arikok National Park consumes 20% of the island and is worth a day of exploring along with a bar crawl on the Kukoo Kunuku Party bus! The people of this One Happy Island love to dance, drink and have a good time whatever they are doing and make sure you feel like a local when you are right there along with them doing it!! 

Secrets Playa Mujeres, Mexico

Blood Moon Over Mexico

 

I just returned from Secrets Playa Mujeres  and must say I was beyond impressed and can't say enough about this resort and the amazing staff! The layout is nice. I love that the main lobby, nightly shows and some of the restaurants are located in the front buildings and the rooms and other amenities are located near the pool and beach. The golf cart ride is only 2 minutes to get back and forth and they are always there waiting there for you so it was not a problem. It was nice getting to take in all the tropical vegetation and sights going back and forth.

Playa Mujeres Beach

Beachfront Master Suite

The beach here is beautiful!! Super soft sand and there was barely any seaweed at all. The food was great and the again the staff was so friendly and seemed as if they were really eager to serve you and did not only give you good service if you tipped. There was never a problem getting chairs at the pool or beach and I LOVED the palapa beach bar with hanging swings. We did get some rain while there so I would definitely bring bug spray as a precaution and also to help avoid any disruptions if dining at the beachfront Oceana Restaurant.

What I really loved about this resort is all the vegetation surrounding it making you feel as if you were really somewhere special. If you like Baileys you must go to Coco Café and have the frozen Baileys Coffee!! It was the best. Overall it was an excellent experience and people please don't let the weather forecast ruin your expectations. Before I arrived it showed 100% rain everyday and I was able to enjoy the sun everyday (except for 1 afternoon). Great job Secrets Playa Mujeres can't wait to come back!!

Swim Out Rooms

 

JUNE MOVIE OF THE MONTH: THE GOOD LIE

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         I have watched this movie at least 10 times so far this month! A heart aching story about 4 Sudanese refugees that are picked from a government lottery and sent to the USA for their chance at a better life. Three brothers end up going to Kansas City and their sister surprisingly goes to Boston. Met by an unforgiving job placement worker (Reese Witherspoon) they soon find themselves battling their heartfelt homegrown desires against their new found curiosities.  Unable to grasp the frequent waste of American culture they find themselves yearning for what it is we have that makes us comfortable and then chasing a common goal , freedom for everyone.  Determined to be reunited with their sister again it becomes the motivation for all involved in their existence. The story ends with a twist that shows the true spirit of a soul that has experienced such atrocities is willing for those unknown to grow and a offer them a chance to become their fullest self.  My favorite thing about this movie is that real refugees are preforming the story so it's not quite acting but reenacting their lives. I LOVE this soundtrack too!Get a sneek preview here: http://www.thegoodliemovie.com/tagged/videos

                                                   ST THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS
                                                    

Magen's Bay Beach

       St. Thomas located in the Caribbean within the US Virgin Islands is a beautiful paradise not to missed! If you are a US citizen you do not need a passport to travel there and you can explore the  US Virgin Islands as much as you like. The islands are made up of St Thomas, St Croix and St John with St Thomas being the largest island of this family and rests peacefully at 32 square miles in the sea. Its history brags of pirates, politics and beautiful scenery making it easy to find reasons to chase tales all over the island.



Blackbeards Castle



Charlotte Amalie

             Blackbeard has made it clear his legend will not be forgotten  as his castle sits perched atop a hillside near the center of town. The castle was built in 1679 and watches over the Caribbean while offering stories of pirate adventures and lost treasures surrounding it. I love St Thomas with it's stunning island views,  amazing restaurants and the beaches are unbelievable! The picturesque white sands lining the green seasides are a photographers dream and also offer great snorkeling, swimming and day trips to explore the adventurous side of the island. St Thomas can get crowded at times like any popular destination that doubles as a cruise stop but the island mellows out again in the evenings for you to enjoy the unique vibe like a local!                                                              
Want to know about the US Virgin Islands? Check it out at http://www.visitusvi.com/stthomas/homepage or contact me for more information!



Hubby and I having a Caribe after a day in the sun!

A Journey Of Spirits And Souls

 

 

                   I'm not a religious person but I am spiritual soul and when I travel I like to take a weekend getaway or a longer trip that helps me escape the chaotic routine that everyday life seems to bring me. We as people are always looking for some sort of journey that reminds us that we are not just living our lives to work, pay bills and go through the motions of what is called, 'Happiness'.   One spot that is a perfect place to help you connect with your spirit is Lilly Dale, NY.  

       Home to a variety of mediums and healers , Lilly Dale is a unique village that offers a different kind of journey for those looking for a spiritual getaway. After paying a modest fee to enter the village you can visit one of the many spiritual sites, meditation ceremonies or cemetaries that respect the living and the dead. Offering classes and private one on one readings throughout the day you will be guided by one of the various spiritual guides that can be helpful in answering questions about lost loved ones, journeys ahead and a little guidance on bettering your life.
      I experienced a one on one medium reading that seemed spot on with things that have happened and currently occurring in my life. I did leave the reading feeling as if someone or something had been whispering my story into the mediums ear as we spoke. I also attended an hour long healing session with a spiritual guru that preformed prayers over me while cleansing my aura with burning sage. If anything it was a once in a lifetime experience that left me feeling blessed. The narrow streets of the village are lined with cottages that have signs hanging from the front porch with the name of the medium that lives there and a request book that you are able to sign in an make an appointment for a session. There are a couple hotels and restaurants to make your stay comfortable if you visit overnight. I'm glad I decided to stay overnight since after the sun sets behind the lake in the evening there is a ghost walk under certain moons that reminds you of the history that lies beneath the ground in the cemetery of the lost animal spirits and departed that have chosen to keep their stay here in Lilly Dale. There is no question that a visit to this spiritual village will carry with you when you depart as if your soul has gained an angel and a new aspect on life. For more information you can visit: http://www.lilydaleassembly.com/