On June 17, 1966, two black men strode into the Lafayette Grill in Paterson, New Jersey, and shot three people to death.  Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a celebrated black boxer, and an acquaintance were falsely charged and wrongly convicted of the murders in a highly publicized and racially charged trial.  The fiercely outspoken boxer maintained his claims of innocence and became his own jailhouse lawyer.  After serving nineteen years, Carter was finally released.

As a free man, Carter reflected on how he has responded to injustice in his life:  “The question invariably arises, it has before and it will again: ‘Rubin, are you bitter?’  And in answer to that I will say, ‘After all that’s been said and done—the fact that the most productive years of my life, between the ages of twenty-nine and fifty, have been stolen; the fact that I was deprived of seeing my children grow up—wouldn’t you think I would have a right to be bitter?  Wouldn’t anyone under those circumstances have a right to be bitter?  In fact, it would be very easy to be bitter.  But that has never been my nature, or my lot, to do things the easy way.’”

Carter goes on to say, “If I have learned nothing else in my life, I’ve learned that bitterness only consumes the vessel that contains it.  And for me to permit bitterness to control or to infect my life in any way whatsoever would be to allow those who imprisoned me to take even more than the 22 years they’ve already taken.  Now that would make me an accomplice to their crime.”  (James S. Hirsch, Hurricane: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter (Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2000), p. 310)

One of the greatest challenges of living in the world is in the area of forgiveness.  The Bible instructs us to forgive “just as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31).  In fact, the Apostle John says, “whoever hates his brother is in the darkness,” which includes choosing not to forgive someone (1 John 2:11).  The sign that someone is truly God’s child is the love spoken and displayed toward others (1 John 4:12), which includes forgiving the offenses of others against us.  And there is the sticky part.

Jesus made it clear that we would not live in a perfect world.  He plainly told us, “It is impossible that no offenses should come” (Luke 17:1).  He promised that in the last days, “many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another…the love of many will grow cold (Matthew 24:10,13).  The question is; what are we going to do with these offenses when they do come?  For they will surely come, intentional or unintentional.

Cara backpacking out for home ©Weatherstone/Ron Almberg, Jr. (2009)

One of the best books to deal with the subject of offenses and forgiveness is The Bait of Satan by John Bevere.  He correctly points out that “hurt people become more and more self-seeking and self-contained.  In this climate the love of God waxes cold…So an offended Christian is one who takes in life, but because of fear cannot release life.”  Ultimately, this is what leads to strongholds in our lives, which are patterns of thinking and behaving that wall us off from the others and God.

When we lock ourselves away and choose not to allow ourselves to be vulnerable again, we create our own prison.  This is really the message behind the Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21 – 35.  The words of Jesus are a dire threat, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”  The sin of taking offense is a serious one for every believer and must be dealt with honestly.

Followers of Christ are called to form pockets of “The Community of the Forgiven” everywhere.  The outward sign of belonging to one is the forgiveness freely shown towards others who need forgiveness and acceptance.  It is no wonder, then, that Jesus included this aspect in the prayer he taught all his disciples to pray: “And forgive us our trespasses [sins – offenses] as [just as – just like – in the same manner as – in the same way as] we forgive those who trespass [sin – offend] us” (Matthew 6:9 – 12).  Then, Jesus ended with the same strict warning, “For if you forgive someone when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14,15).

The unmerciful servant in Matthew 18 was returned to prison he thought he had escaped to be tortured there “until he should pay back all he owed.”  Unforgiveness only results in our own torture and torment.  The message is clear, if we hold someone’s debt to us against them, our heavenly Father will then require us to pay back all that we owe him.  For his command is clear, “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?”  (Matthew 6:33).  To do otherwise would make us, in “Hurricane” Carter’s words, “an accomplice to their crime.”  The most powerful way  to live a life that is free is to forgive in the same way and to the same extent that we have freely been forgiven in Christ.

©Weatherstone/Ron Almberg, Jr. (2009)

Salvador has roughly islands and boasts Brazil’s largest bay. The city is symbolized by its beautiful beaches and the catchy rhythms of its music.

You will still find the wreckage of sunkenships, the aftermath of battles fought centuries ago. Bottles, cannon, Chinese porcelain, Portuguese faience, these and other historical items have been brought up from the shipwrecks. Salvador is bathed by the Brazil Current, wich brings in ocean waters and ensures great visibility.

From november to march the average temperature is 26 degrees centigrade. However, diver should beware of possible currents.

On dry land there is a history lesson on every street corner: Salvador was the first capital of Brazil, and dates back to 1554, when Thomé de Souza came to the then Vila do Porto da Barra.

Salvador’s historical center is today recognized as Latin America’s most important concentration of colonial architecture. The Pelourinho neighborhood, the center of local cultural life, contrasts with the city’s major town planning projects.

Guarajuba
Guarajuba Beach has some excellent spots for scuba diving. The seabed is made up of rocks and corals, sheltering large fish such as Mackerel, Greater Amberjack, and Groupers. Rays can be seen. The beach is famous for having the region’s clearest waters.

Salvador
This shipwreck allows you to observe the lush sea life swarming among what remains of the metal structure. The Salvador, a paddle steamer, lies off Juá beach.

Galeão Sacramento
This flagship foundered on the Santo Antônio Bank and sank in 1668. Divers can still find many cannons and anchors in its wreckage. The place is also a great nursey for fishes, lobsters and molusks.

Cavo Artemidi
Divers see this wreck as a kind of sanctuary: the ship is 160 meters long and is undoubtedly one of the largest wrecks in Brazilian waters. The Greek cargo ship foundered on the Santo Antônio Banks in 1980. The ship has become an enormous aquarium, sheltering large fishes such as Atlantic Goliath groupers, nurse sharks, rays, barracuda and mackerel.

Germânia
Early twenthieth-century German cargo vessel. This shipwreck is recommended for night diving and for free diving, and is acessible from the beach. Schools of doctor fish, Rio de la Plata one sided live bearers, and Yellowtail Amberjacks are commonly found, as well as lobsters, crabs and other mollusks.

Ho Mei III
A recently – shipwreck fishing vessel. The ship is now home to schools of red snappers, lane snappers, grunts, Spanish mackerel and spadefish. Visibility is ussualy around 15 meters. The ship is 30 meters long, without any superstructure.

Quebra – Mar
This is one of Salvador’s best options for sheltered diving. The rock wall is home to a multitude of corals, sponges and sea fans. Divers can easily view morays, batfish, seahorses, wrasse, surgeonfish, angelfish, Rock Beauty and French Angelfish.

Blackadder
This steel-built Norwegian coal transport vessel is 50 meters long, and lies close to the reef, listing to starboard. The bow is the best-preserved section, and divers can swim in and out of it. The wreckage has been colonized by a vast array of sponges, corals, fishes and other sea animal.

Source: Brazil Diving Guide

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Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach, Australia

Bondi Beach Australia is located along the shores of Sydney, Australia. One of the more famous and popular beaches in Australia, Bondi offers an array of fun activities, suitable for every budget and every age. From the ancient days of Aboriginal fishing, people have been flocking to Bondi Beach Australia for its warm waters and clean, sandy beaches.

As an extremely popular beach in Australia, Bondi Beach is a great place to visit if you plan to spend any amount of time in Sydney. Be sure to bring plenty of sun block along as the sun can be quite intense in all temperatures. Bondi Beach Australia offers a fun, warm way to kick back and enjoy a day at the beach.

Tamarama Beach

Tamarama Beach, Australia

Tamarama is a beachside, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Tamarama is located 7 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Waverley Council. Tamarama is affectionately nicknamed Glamarama (or Glamourama) by the locals, as it is a beach where the seriously beautiful or trend setters come to sunbathe and swim or simply try to be seen.

Tamarama has a small ocean beach located about 1 kilometre south of the world famous Bondi Beach and a couple of hundred metres north of Bronte Beach. The suburb is mostly residential and the beach and adjacent parklands have been popular places for recreation such as swimming, surfing, sunbaking and picnics for more than a century. The best aspects of Tamarama are its pretty landscapes, gully, parks, beach, ocean, quiet surrounds and convenient location nestled between Bondi and Bronte beaches.

Your Costa Brava holiday will probably feature a trip to one of the glorious stretches of beach along the Costa Brava coast. How then to chose the best time of year and the best beach from the 190 kms of the Catalonian coast?

The amazing coastline that stretches for some 190kms starting at the French border has a spectacular number of beaches and coves. Choosing the right one is made instantly easier with the Blue Flag which guarantees a high level of standards.

Many of the beaches in the Costa Brava have been awarded Blue Flag status, which means that they have all passed the rigorous testing that allows the beach to be given the Blue Flag.

Things like water quality, cleanliness of the beach, information and education of the ecosystems around the coastline, adequate number of lifeguards and lifesaving equipment must be on hand, first aid equipment must be available on the beach and drinking water obtainable.

To be awarded the Blue Flag, 29 conditions have to be met and at any time these conditions are not being met, the flag will be removed. This guarantees that you will be able to enjoy your time at the beach to its fullest, safe in the knowledge that the little things that make the difference have been taken care of before you even step foot on the sands.

The Costa Brava coastline has the largest concentration of Blue Flag beaches in Spain, a tremendous accolade which tells you that the Costa Brava takes very seriously its duties towards you the visitor.

Here then are three of the prettiest coves which have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag. There are many more that warrant further note, so watch out for more information on other beaches on the spectacular coastline of the Costa Brava.

Aigua Blava’s turquoise blue water washes gently across the amarillo-yellow of the sand in this tiny inlet. Turned to face away from the cliff faces, nature has protected this special place from the ravages of the sea, allowing safe bathing in a picturesque and tranquil setting.

Back in the 1950’s, for the first time more people had disposable income to spend on travel and with Spain being a short distance away and definitely ‘abroad’, the Costa Brava and Aigua Blava in particular became the focus of attention. What draws people back time and again is the wonderful vibrancy of the place. Coupled with friendly and attentive service at the hotels and restaurants, you will be sure to enjoy a wonderful Costa Brava holiday in this particular spot.

Tamariu is slightly bigger than Aigua Blava and a short hike across the cliff tops if you would like a change of scenery from Aigua Blava. This little cove opens out onto the Mediterranean Sea like a flower, allowing the sandy beach protection from the rugged rock faces that line the inlet.

The small spit of sand is lined with restaurants, boutique shops and whitewashed houses where elderly locals sit and watch the world go by in their wicker chairs whilst the restaurants ply their trade with their pavement tables and sun brollies. Sitting in the sun, gaze at the traditional, multi-coloured fishing boats pulled up onto the sand with their distinctive lanterns waiting for nightfall to cast their nets, bringing in the freshest sardines to serve at the restaurants next day.

Fancy a bit of exercise? Then walk the Cami de Ronda, the traditional coastline walk of sheep farmers and smugglers, to discover hidden coves and caves. The route takes you along the tree line towards Cala Pedrosa and onwards to Llafranc.

If walking is not your thing, hiring a kayak or small motorboat might be just the thing to find that pretty inlet where you are the only person on the beach!

Llafranc is the largest of our featured Blue Flag beaches, but is still small enough to retain an intimacy with its stylish little port and crescent shaped sandy beach stretching for some meters across the bay.

Here your children can play in safety with their buckets and spades, whilst you enjoy the tranquillity and fine cuisine on offer in the restaurants and hotels along the promenade – the perfect place to enjoy a sundowner, to sit back, relax and watch the evening passeig.

Which ever Blue Flag beach you choose on a Costa Brava holiday you will be sure of a warm welcome and outstanding natural beauty to please the eye. I invite you to use these tips to make the most of your holiday on the Costa Brava.

Beautiful Ocean Shores, Washington, known for its ‘friendly affordable community surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Grays Harbor. You can enjoy two fresh water lakes, twenty-three miles of canals, great beaches and many natural areas.” (From the Ocean Shores website)

This description does not do this incredibly beautiful place justice. Ocean Shores is a small town, surrounded almost completely by water, almost as if it were an island. The beaches are fresh, clean sand and gorgeous. The ocean water is so powerful when it rages, yet serene and peaceful, forever changing. The wind expresses great power making sure to let you know she is always there, warning of things to come, hints of tantalizing memories in the salt spray. Nature is all around. If you ever find the need to listen to the silence, this is the perfect location.

My partner Ron and I visited Ocean Shores for a week to unwind from our very hectic lives. The scenery was breathtaking, the town very quaint and cute with many tourist shops, high-end decor and kitchen gift shops. We spent our time looking through the shops, walking along the beaches, having conversations with everyone that walked by. It was so peaceful, lazy, reflective…. oh so wonderful!

I just have to express my one and only disappointment. I could not find a great…. not even a good, cup of coffee! Then it happened! We desired a different restaurant to have a late breakfast. (We had been to all of the main restaurants in town as there are not many.) We were camping at the Quinault Marina at the far end of town which is a 15 minute or so distance away from downtown, and decided to ask if there was a restaurant closer. We were directed a couple blocks up the road to a tiny little spot that at first glance one would pass by, as we did so many times that week.

The Shrimp Boat Deli seats about 12 people inside and about six outside on the deck that overlooks the never-ending beach. Standing on the deck with the wind blowing through the very tall sea grass, I had the feeling that I was on a tropical island waiting for pina coladas and reggae music to begin, so that we could dance on the beach. It was freeing, serene and so very peaceful.

We sat in the sun at a table on the deck. I asked for a coffee not expecting anything worth speaking about. To my surprise the coffee was the best I had had throughout my entire stay in Ocean Shores. Excitedly I shared with the waitress my great happiness. Asking for a refill, I asked what do they do that makes their coffee so flavourful and different than the other restaurants. She replied that they were the only establishment that she knew of in town that made their coffee with filtered purified water. Well I have to admit, that simple process did indeed make a huge difference. I was a very satisfied customer!

We ordered our brunch. I had a shrimp quesadilla that was loaded with huge jumbo juicy prawns, not the normal size shrimp you find in other restaurants. It was also full of very fresh red, green, and yellow peppers, cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro, and red onion. As a side they gave me a fresh mango salsa made with the freshest summer ingredients with a hint of heat from a small jalapeno pepper. I also ordered what I thought would be a small shrimp cocktail, to be pleasantly surprised when it came to the table. It was made once again with the freshest and cleanest tasting ingredients. The chef did not hold back on size and knew exactly how to blend flavours. Every flavour was distinct and identifiable. The portions were so large, as they usually are in restaurants in the United States, that I had to share with my partner. This experience was wonderful! I must say this quaint little deli was much larger than life, offering superb customer service, quantity and of course, exceptional flavours. We ate as often as we could at this little out-of-the-way deli, before we had to return home. On other occasions we had the rich creamy clam chowder, shrimp salad in a jumbo sweet tomato, crab cocktail that was larger than the shrimp cocktail that I had days before and a chef’s salad. All of these menu items did not disappoint in flavour or quantity.

I asked Chef Russ Hutchinson where he received his culinary training. He had not been formally trained, but rather has an exquisite intuition for flavourful combinations. He can eat in any restaurant and return to his kitchen and reproduce what he had previously enjoyed. That is indeed a wonderful gift. The Shrimp Boat Deli is a family run business, with a small Inn, Snugglers Cove, on the same side of the road. Chef Russ shared his story with me of how the deli began. He and his wife Maria, both former realtors, felt the need for a change when the recession was beginning, but had not decided what type of change. One night when Russ was in a KFC, they informed him they were closing and asked if he knew anyone who might want to buy the equipment. “That was the blessing, I bought everything, and the rest is history”.

Many new businesses start out this way. I know for a fact that if Russ and Maria continue the way they are now, in no time, they will have built an empire. And all because they provide what everyone needs, a friendly clean fresh atmosphere to rest and reflect, while feeding the body and the soul with exceptional customer service.

Sunset at Chalikounas beach, Corfu

With the trouble I’ve been having with my essays this week I really didn’t think I’d find time to do this weeks Writing Workshop but when I saw the prompts I knew I’d just have to. So, I’ve worked late, started early, got them both done and managed to write a post too. See, some days I don’t just wile away the hours on Twitter, sometimes (not often admittedly) I get things done.

This week I’ve chosen the prompt  2.What’s your guilty pleasure? - Suggested by Leslieanne at Life with a Little Dude

 A few weeks ago we were having a normal, boring Saturday night in when poor, knackered Craig fell asleep on the sofa and I had free reign of the remote control. I flicked around and was over the moon when I found something I’ve never watched but secretly always wanted to. High School Musical. Before you ask, no I’m not a pre pubescent child masquerading as a 29 year old mum. My guilty pleasures are musicals. I love them! Of course I use the term quite loosely. Musicals or musical films to me are the atypical Phantom of the Opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice fare, Disney films with a lot of singing, The Little Mermaid, Hercules, Mary Poppins and films with lots of music and a fabulous soundtrack, like The Jazz Singer, Beaches, Calamity Jane etc. Incidentally I thought High School Musical was pretty mediocre as musicals go but even I was still humming ‘Breaking free’ the next day. I haven’t watched the other 2 though; I think I’d keel over with the saccharine sweetness of it all.

Craig doesn’t quite get why I love them so much and happily spend hours singing along to The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Moulin Rouge. It’s because, in the most part they are happy, jolly, nothing-to-do-with-real-life-at-all, couple of hours of good, old fashioned fun (maybe not Moulin Rouge but you know what I mean!) You show me someone who isn’t cheered by the infectious music and feel good factors in Grease & I’ll show you a liar. I have to admit though I do think Grease 2 is the superior of the 2 films. Pure, innocent virgin Sandy just wasn’t a heroine I could identify with, not like Stephanie  Zinone with her tarty tendencies and face full of slap. Admittedly Johnny Nogarelli is no Danny Zuko but the amazing songs more than make up for the lack of eye candy. One big reason I miss my sister is that she’s the only person in the world with whom I can put the Grease 2 soundtrack on in the car, wind down the windows & screech ‘Cool Rider’. We ‘act’ out ‘We’re gonna bowl tonight’ and get over excited (every time) at the ‘What would they say if they knew it was Michael’ line in ‘Who’s that Guy’. One of Helen’s hen nights was a Grease 2 night & we (bridesmaids, mum, friends) performed ‘Cool Rider’ at Helen & Ant’s wedding.

I’ve been brought up with musicals. We were taken to see Joseph & his Technicolour Dreamcoat, Evita, Les Mis, and Starlight Express. Michael Ball CD’s were always on my mum’s CD player and even my Dad liked Buster – not a musical admittedly but the soundtrack was in my Dad’s car for years & I can’t watch the film without singing along to Loco in Acapulco like we used to.

Musicals bring me such happiness in a depressing world. I don’t want to be scared watching Saw, depressed watching Titanic or educated watching Michael Moore films. Real life is scary enough, depressing enough and educating enough for me not to want that in my spare time. I want to be cheered by films, have the cockles of my heart warmed and get lost in an unrealistic world where the women are model pretty, the men handsome and everyone breaks into ridiculous song and dance routines at any given moment. When one of my favourite TV shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer did a musical episode, ‘Once more with feeling’, I felt I could die happy. I have the series on DVD anyway but I also bought that one episode on special DVD and the CD. The songs are amazing and most of them are particularly good singers. I fell in love with Anthony Head all over again.

If you asked me what I would do with one day completely on my own, I’d get a couple of bottles of wine, lots of naughty food and watch Calamity Jane (take m back to the black hills, the black hills of Dakota…), Neil Diamond’s the Jazz Singer (my favourite soundtrack of all time), Hairspray (the original with Ricki Lake, not the John Travolta abomination), The Rocky Horror Show (by now I’d have finished the wine & be ready to dance in my fishnets) and lastly Mary Poppins, a bit of feel good magic before I went to bed. Heavenly indulgence.  

So if you see a ginger woman, dancing and singing at the wheel of a battered red Peugeot 206, give me a wave and join in. All together now: ‘The (Pennine) hills are alive with the sounds of muuuuuusic….’

For any other musical enthusiasts out there have a look if your favourite made it into the top 100.

We love the beach at Life is Savage and thus it is our duty to bring you any news that helps maintain our backyard here in Cape Town. 

South African artists are helping out again this year to raise some cash by creating unique surfboards to be sold at a special auction.

 Check out these puppies.

 Those are just a few of the boards on show. How sick are those. I don’t surf ,but damn i’ll look good holding one of those hey.

“The collaboration between the Wavescapes Surf Film Festival and non-profit conservation group the Save Our Seas Foundation will see ten decorated surfboards sold to benefit ocean related charities such as the NSRI and the Shark Spotters. The Wavescapes Surfboard Art Exhibition takes place from the 2 to 9 December at Depasco Café in Cape Town. Surfer comedian Mark Sampson will auction the boards to art collectors and the surfing cognoscenti. Thirteen artists, including Brett Murray, Conrad Botes, Anton Kannemeyer and Sue Opperman, decorated identical “Pipeline teardrop guns” made famous by Hawaiian Gerry Lopez in the early 1970s.” [Wavescape]

The exhibition: Runs at Depasco Cafe, corner of Kloof and Buitensingel, Cape Town, from Wednesday 2-9 December. Opening hours are 07h00 to 17h00. Phone             +  27 021 4247 070.

Starts today.

Good times.

 It is really amazing that us Americans who are one of the world´s largest CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere and we are reluctant to sign most environmental international treaties. I just don’t understand why our government would think it is just not important at an international level to agree to reduce our Co2 release to the environment. Making a small personal change won’t change the world but it can help us get there, so without sacrificing your comfort there are several ways you can help clean up the mess for our children.  The tourism industry is having the ecotourism business a try and in the way many opportunistic people have started to called their business ecological and environmentally friendly, but having an ecotourism business takes more than just a name there are rules and regulations you have to follow in order to be certified and approved to be called ecotourisitc.

http://www.cccturtle.org/sea-turtle-information.php?page=species_world

http://42explore.com/turtle.htm

http://www.gma.org/turtles/species.html

Act 1 : “She’s a Crafty Bitch”

“O.k. let me get this straight…..you don’t sell pitchers of beer anymore because it’s illegal in the city of Atlanta?”  “So you only sell bottles no draft anymore as well?”  “O.k. let me get a Newcastle…..7 bucks?”  At this point I’d had it. I mean come on man This was just another ploy by The City of Atlanta to gouge people.  I had just paid ten dollars to park at this bar and then another five to the crackhead who said he would watch my car for me, which in reality was his nice way of saying “I won’t break in it while you and your friends enjoy your expensive beers inside”.  I mean where was ATL’s finest when you needed them?  I can tell you where they were later that night,  harassing me at the entrance to my sub-division.  Checking people for insurance and registration.  I thought a subdivision was private property? Did they work out a deal with the holier than thou “Homeowners Association”? Gimme a fuckin’ break!!!  Alright I’m losing focus here, oh yeah I’d had it.  Not just with the parking, crackheads and police harassment.  It was a build up of things.

So here I was at a point in my life where I had to make a decision.  Do I do the so called “norm” in a town I’ve come to despise? You know mortgage, car payment, savings plan, time share and whatever else the “peach pie” has to offer, or do the so called “irrational” which is try to live somewhere I can actually enjoy.  I chose the later………….

Act 2 : “Attack of the Mullets”

I should have known when the shuttle driver said “welcome to Fort Misery once you’re here you’re stuck here for life.” This was after he discovered that I had accepted a job in the town and that I wasn’t there on a fishing vacation.  “You’ll see bro’ ” was the next response after my puzzled look.

You see about a month prior was when I had planned my escape but not before convincing the wife that this was the thing to do.  At that time she was in flow with the so called “norm” so convincing her to pack up and leave the things she loved (family, shopping malls, restaurants, hair salons and etc.) was a hard thing to do.  I can remember plenty of shouting matches on the subject.  But one day something in her as well gave her the feeling that she’d had enough.  So she said “let’s do it, take the job.” referring to a job offer I was given by a small landscape/construction company in the town of Fort Misery.

Choosing the type of destination was obvious, somewhere tropical of course.  Having spent the first 12 years of my life in Ohio.  I was in no hurry to get back to the slush.  I say slush because I love the snow but slush is that shit snow turns into when it’s mixed with the pollution of city traffic and it’s not pretty.  Also I’m a sunshine person and choosing a place that has cold winters means shorter days and I don’t like to get off of work and not have any sunshine left.  So snow states were out of the question.  Naturally we were stuck on Florida cuz’ that’s where we chose to spend some of our vacations during “off season”.  You can also see by choosing Florida I still somewhat in the “herd” mindset.

I decided to take the job in Fort Myers.  At the time I had only been to two towns in Florida,Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale.  My mindset was that all of Florida was the same.  WRONG!!!!!!  You see Florida is broken down into several different categories, you have the “Panhandle”, “West Coast”, “Southwest”, “Eastcoast”, “South Florida”, “The Keys”, “Orlando” and last but not least good ole’ “Jacksonville” a place where the name reflects the attitude of the place.  All these places are so close together but each one is a completely different fuckin’ planet in itself.  I was fortunate/unfortunate enough to choose “Southwest” Florida or So-Flo as some locals call it or maybe it chose me.  I went there with wide eyed visions of beaches, palm trees, Spanish and Caribbean eateries and laid back locals with an Gloria Estefan soundtrack playing in the background.  What I found was pick up trucks, rebel flags, mullet hair styles and one of the last cities in the country to get rid of segregation and believe me it showed.  If your of color and what society calls “middle class” you’re treated as novelty almost.  Don’t get me wrong I had some good times in Fort Myers there were beautiful tropical landscapes and some cool beach spots too.  After a few tries I ended up working for a pretty cool company there and made some cool friends in the process, but as you know with the good comes the bad and when the bad comes in Florida it’s a shit storm.  Like the neighbor who hated us “niggers” cuz’ we were the first black family to move to the racially segregated City of Fort Myers Beach.  He never said this to us directly but he often express his views to the neighbors about how he didn’t like living next to “niggers” and “Germans” plus I sort of figured it out when he would purposely let his wiener dog shit on my front lawn next to his cigarette butts. I mean after all he had worked all his life to retire and escape from the “niggers” in New Jersey so what gave me the right to ruin his piece of the pie?  Oh I forgot, there was a interracial family who lived on the beach.  The mother was white and the father was black, but he didn’t speak to us.  He gave me the feelin that he thought I was stealing his “token glory”.  Then you have the people who questioned you on how you could afford to live there, some of them just asked out right how much you make, drunk drivers galore, spring breakers who can’t hold their liquor, little old ladies in abundance who drive big Buicks and Cadillacs but can’t see over the steering wheel, no nightlife what so ever only “spring break” type bars and a country western bar that played hip hop in it’s mix. Ultimately it would seem that Florida is one of those places where all the fuck-ups from other states (including myself) end up, so after a quick horrific stint on the Palm Coast (which is a story for another day) we decided that 4 years was enough it was time to bail…..again.

Act 3: A hypocrites motivation

My wife has always said that I’m a little bit too spontaneous for a family man.  “You’ll take chances and put everyone in this family at risk.” she says.  That can be good and bad.  I’m sort of a hypocrite too, because I criticize people that do the same thing.  Like those guys who jumped on the “house flipping” craze.  I tend to criticize those guys often, but in reality I’m doing the same thing just in a different form.  They’re trying to flip real estate with hopes of financial stability and I had jumped from place to place and job to job with hopes of geographical and financial contentment.  Either way it’s a gamble.  So with this third throw of the dice I decided to go big or as big as my chips would allow me to go.  But this time the decision was totally mutual. I must say that my wife has good sense of timing for things.  Let me say that a man who takes gambles with a woman with near perfect sense of timing at his side, can be the recipe for a great team.

“Let’s just go now, why wait?” Is she serious?  “That’s the only place you’ll ever be happy, we’ve known that since 2005 and besides we need to get as far away from this shit as we can.”  She was right though, ever since I’d worked in Hawaii for two months on a construction project in 2005 it was all I could think about.  I would later find out that the soil of Hawaii flowed through my veins.  So here we are in our nice, comfortable and supposedly “safe” middle class home on the Palm Coast of Florida at the end of an eight hour discussion where we had decided to leave it all behind.  All of it…..everything.  “You guys are too reactive” we were told by a so called friend,  “That’s nuts bra’ I give it to you, you got some nuts.”  A Hawaiian associate of mine would say.  I realize that to some people it sound exactly that, “nuts” but I thought if I made my decisions based on what other people thought was a traditional way of living the American life I would end up old and miserable like my neighbor in Fort Myers Beach.

At the end of out our discussion we had a plan and that plan was to leave all of our material belongings behind in the house we were renting from a guy who was a “flipper”,  get one last look at mainland North America as we knew it by driving across the country for two months,  end up in California,  leave our “Soccer Mom Machine” with my brother and his bride to be and hop on a plane to Hawaii………for the most part it worked except the part where my brother gets the “Soccer Mom Machine” due to some miss-communication on my end.  Sorry bro.  But needless to after a two month cross country trip, a twelve hour plane ride with young children in tow,  a two month stay in a Mormon hotel, several attempts at finding a place to rent for a large family and a couple short stints with local construction companies(all of these stories for another day) here we are and here I sit…….Somewhere 19.5 degrees (give or take a few degrees) north of the equator spewing what I think may be inspiration to a family or individual who may feel that it’s time to bail and take that chance, opportunity or roll of the dice on life……………..

Now that the whole save the planet attitude is such a fashionable term and everybody is talking about it, and ecotourism agencies are popping up everywhere.  A lot of hotels and the touristic industry is playing it both ways which is a win – win situation for all of us. The huge hotel chains and certainly those from Royal Holiday are trying that their guests help them save on water and electricity bills which benefits their income buy at the same time benefits the environment. Most Mexican beach resorts including Park Royal Cancun and Cozumel, are helping preserve the turtle’s environment and helping protect the eggs and the baby turtles when hatched.  They are working with the authorities to help preserve the turtle species that come to their beaches to lay their eggs. I have travel enough to know that there is too much beauty out there and we have to do everything in our power to help preserve it.

www.royal-holi.com/day

www.parkroyalhotels.com/

www.seaworld.org/animal…turtle/habitat-&-distribution.htm

A paraglider passes over Lima's Costa Verde near the popular LarcoMar shopping center.

My friends over at the news source Living in Peru posted an interesting story last week about how Peru’s police force is planning to conduct regular paragliding patrols over Lima’s 90 beaches this year.

My first thought– “this is cool.”

My second thought– “is it really going to work?”

For those people who have never been to Lima, there is actually a thriving paragliding business here. In the district of the city known as Miraflores,  paragliding rides are offered on a daily basis above Lima’s Costa Verde (Green Coast). They launch near LarcoMar, a well-known shopping mall that is popular for tourists and also Lima’s residents. After taking off, they then glide over the Pacific ocean and around skyscrapers to the delight or nervousness of their passengers.

Most of Lima’s beaches are located to the south of the city though. I imagine a paragliding police officer could see a lot of things from above and relay information to dispatch. But would this really be an important safety and law enforcement tool?

For instance, I guess from above an officer could see someone drowning in the water and contact a nearby police boat or the boat pulling her or him along (I think this would constitute parasailing to note a confusing distinction). But what if there is not a police boat nearby?

For stopping crime, I’m a little skeptical of how effective paragliding police officers would be as well. From so high up what kind of crimes could they successfully stop?

Probably there’s something I don’t know, but it seems on the surface that paragliding would not be an effective choice of surveillance tactics. It does sound like fun for Lima’s police officers though.

Photo courtesy of GothamNurse on Flickr under a Creative Commons license

Pattaya is a beautiful sea-side resort destination, situated along a breathtaking bay on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand, in eastern Thailand. Located about 140 km east of Bangkok, Pattaya was once a fishing village, which has been now transformed into one of the most sought after vacation spots in Southeast Asia, providing an incomparable variety of attractions and activities, ranging from sightseeing to recreational and fun. In short, Pattaya is truly a paradise that caters to every type of tourist.

Pattaya’s prime attraction is undoubtedly its fantastic beaches. Most significant among the beaches is North Pattaya Beach, which starts from the Dolphin roundabout. Another popular beach is Middle Pattaya Beach, acknowledged as the ‘beach of fun.’ The beach area is dotted with an array of shopping malls, boutiques, and bars and restaurants. Located next to the Middle Pattaya Beach is another great beach, namely, South Pattaya Beach, with a range of exciting night clubs and discotheques.

Other popular beaches in the area are Jomtien Beach, Wong Beach, and Koh Lan beaches, located about seven kilometers off the Pattaya shore. Each of the Pattaya’s beaches is clean and safe, and provides a great atmosphere to relax and unwind.

However, Pattaya’s attractions are not just confined to its beautiful serene beaches, but beyond that. Spread across 40 acres of lush green area is Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm, a zoo with a variety of crocodiles. In addition, it has such attractions as 200-year-old bonsai trees and several gigantic stones. Also, an interesting attraction in the island is Pattaya Bottle Museum, exhibiting ships in bottles as well as other strange items. In addition, theme parks are aplenty in Pattaya, such as, the Pattaya Water Park Beach Resort.

Other fantastic attractions in Pattaya are Khao Pattaya, a small hill located south of the Pattaya Beach; Ko Khrok, an islet surrounded by amazing rock formations; Ko Sak, a small island that takes after a an upturned horse-shoe; Mini Siam, which boasts of magnificent replicas of incredible architectural works such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Democracy Monument, and the Statue of Liberty; and Panarak Park with superb fishing facilities.

As it is home to an incredible variety of beaches, Pattaya offers superb options to enjoy a range of such activities as sand castle building, beach tennis, kayaking, parasailing, water skiing, and snorkeling. With three international standard bowling alleys, Pattaya offers great option to enjoy bowling. A visit to Pattaya would be incomplete without taking a tour to the Pattaya Elephant Village, featuring daily life of elephants as well as their masters, apart from providing opportunities to a range of activities such as elephant riding and hand feeding elephants.

For horse riding enthusiasts, a school operates here with more than 30 horses as well as an indoor stadium. Similarly, if you are a golf freak, then head to any of the four golf courses in the area with international standards.

For those who want to explore the sheer beauty of the island, then one of the best ways is to take a pony trek along the beautiful hills and forested areas of the region. If you are looking something unique during your stay at Pattaya, then suitable options are available to you in the form of paintball competitions. Likewise, if want to have something interesting, then head to any of the boxing camp or professional training camp in order to spectacle amazing Thai boxing.

Above all, Pattaya offers a range of activities for kids, including bungee jumping, go-karting, and fishing.

Nightlife – With a variety of nightclubs, karaoke, and bars and restaurants coupled with live music and dance performances, discos, cabarets, Pattaya’s nightlife is truly vibrant.

Gastronomy – From spicy, traditional Thai dishes to Chinese, Thai, Italian, Indian and French cuisine – the restaurants and eateries in Pattaya caters to every type of dining. Also, worth mentioning are the sea food specialties available in restaurants, located along the South Pattaya and Jomtien beaches.

Accommodation – The growing number of vacationers in the region has led to a significant increase in the number of Pattaya hotels. You can choose from a range of hotels, ranging from budget accommodation to luxury ones. Majority of the hotels and resorts are placed along the beautiful beaches of Pattaya.

Shi Shi Beach ©Weatherstone

Anyone who has lived long enough to regret their mistakes in life has come to realize that life is more like Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” than a Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys novella where every adventure always turns out all right and all problems are solved by book’s end.

This is probably why the Peanuts comic strip character Charlie Brown gets more sympathy from us than Linus or Snoopy.  All of us have a bit of Charlie Brown in us.  I suspect that think we all at one time or another must have felt like Beaudelaire orphans on a misadventure.  That is, if we are brave enough to admit it.

Those who are wise enough to learn from these experiences almost never repeat them.  Not everyone is that wise, however.  I have met people who seem to relish going through the same unfortunate events over and over.  Like a badly damaged compact disc, their lives keep resetting to the beginning of the same misadventure.

For myself, I appreciate a new misadventure or unfortunate event now again.  It keeps my life interesting.  Afterwards, it provides material for loads of laughter with my friends; all at my expense, of course.  After all, what is the use of these unfortunate events if one can’t use them for comic relief later in life?

For example, a friend of mine, my son, and I headed out to the Olympic Peninsula Wilderness area on the coast of Washington State…

For the rest of the story go to my page… http://weatherstone61.wordpress.com/a-journey-of-misdaventures-begins-with-one-step/

Gareth and Tim at Cape Alava Trailhead ©Weatherstone

The beautiful Balearic island of Menorca, Spain has some of the most idyllic, unspoilt beaches in all of Spain. They are with out a doubt the islands greatest attraction. Stunning secluded coves, surrounded by wild pine trees and azure waters lapping at the sand. We have put together a guide to our favourite seven beaches in Menorca for you to print out and take with you.

Cala Santa Galdana is the queen of Menorca’s Beaches. A wonderfully sheltered keyhole bay with white sands, pine trees and high cliffs guarding its entrance. The clear shallow waters offer ideal swimming conditions and the eastern end of the beach has ample shade up until noon. Cala Santa Galdana also boasts a fun water park and a children’s playground and is situated at the mouth of Menorca’s only river and the “The Algendar” ravine which stretches inland for 10kms. Cala Santa Galdana is located in the centre of Menorca’s southern coast.

Cala Mitjana is a small natural south facing cove that you can reach by taking a left just before you reach Cala Santa Galdana on the road south from Ferreries or by walking 20 minutes from Cala Santa Galdana. Follow the rough road down to a free car park and then walk for 5 minutes to discover this little known cove with low white cliffs covered in pine trees. Offering excellent snorkeling and swimming conditions Cala Mitjana is also in close proximity to little Cala Mitjaneta. These beaches are in a natural state so remember to come well prepared as there are no facilities here.

Es Grau is a stunning horseshoe bay with fine golden sands backed by sand dunes that lead into the shady pine forests. The beach is situated close to the natural wetland reserve of Albufera with it’s wild birds. If possible take a boat trip to the tiny island called Colom where you will find more fine sandy beaches. Es Grau is located in eastern Menorca and is only a short distance from the capital and Mahon.

Son Bou is a long beach with plenty of sand dunes, freshwater marshes filled with ducks and a lagoon near by. Excellent water sports facilities are available here although you should take care to check the conditions for swimming as there are dangerous currents at times. Out to the west of Son Bou you will find an area for nude bathers. Take the road south from Alaior to reach Son Bou. Keep an eye peeled for the caves on you way to Son Bou. These have provided shelter to people for hundreds if not thousands of years.

Cala Pregonda is situated west of Fornells on the North coast of Menorca in a protected area of natural beauty. The beach is accessible on foot and is about 20 minutes walk from Binimella. Cala Pregonda is an especially delightful stretch of sand surrounded by ususual rocks and hills cloathed in Tamarisk and Pine tree. The beach is in a natural condition so you will not find any facilities. However this is a special beach ideal for a refreshing swim.

Cala d’ Algaiarens is located on private land west of Cala Pregonda on Menorca’s nothern coast. It is in the valley of Algaiarens and is an area of natural interest with dense pine trees. The two beaches of es Bots and de’s Tancats are divided by a large rock and are at the mouth of an inlet where shallow crystal clear waters meet golden sands. There is a 4 Euro charge to access them but the trip is well worth the effort if you wish to escape the crowds on the south coast and explore this pretty spot. Take the Ronde Norte from Ciutadella travelling towards the Cala Morrell. At Torre d’En Quart go straight on towards Algaiarens and look out for La Vall.

Cala en Turqueta is a lovely sandy cove close to the old city of Ciutadella on the south coast of Menorca. It is fairly secluded with only a few amenities available such as the car park only a 5 minute walk from the beach. Head towards the chuch at Sant Joan which is about 6kms from Ciutadella. Then follow the signs marking the route to Cala en Turqueta. This route will also give you access to the more secluded Cala des Talajer and the Cova des Moro. The Talaia d’Artruxt is on a rocky headland where you can make out the outline of Majorca on a clear day.

(spoiler alert: one of them doesn't make it)

12/15/89

Dear Journal,

I just (well a few hours ago.) saw the movie “beaches” again and it was really sad at the end. It’s about this friendship that these two girls have and one of them dies at the end (that’s why it’s so sad). It got me thinking about friendship and how I would feel if one of my good (or even best!) friends died. I would be so depressed and miserable, I don’t know what I would do.

Well let’s move on to a happier subject. Like my date with Mitch (which is tomorrow by the way.) I hope it goes all right.

Also my birthday is coming up and my party is going to have a horror theme. We are going to see a horror movie then tell ghost stories, have some food then play with my Ouija board.

In case it’s still not clear, it’s sad because of the death in the movie. Of the friend. At the end.

Ah, Beaches. For those not up on their chick flicks, Bette Midler plays a bold and brassy gal (I know, so very unlike her other characters) who forges a lifelong friendship with a sensible and cautious gal (Barbara Hershey). What could they possibly have in common, you ask? Well, not a whole lot, but you know what they say about opposites (“they,” in the late 80’s, being Paula Abdul and a  cartoon cat). There’s fighting, singing, crying, dying, and more crying. All to the tune of a soundtrack sung by the Diving Miss M herself, who made us take stock and ask who the wind beneath our wings might be. Despite it’s somber conclusion, the film has moments of levity, plus plenty of shoulder pads, big hair, and a musical sequence about the invention of the bra (you owe it to yourself to hear “Otto Titsling” at least once in your life if you never have).

To me, Beaches is a scary movie because it shows the fragility of friendship and of life itself. However, others out there might consider it  to be a horror movie because of  its abundance of female emotion and sentimentality. Either way, it was not part of my impending birthday’s theme.

As I previously mentioned, my parents let me immerse myself in all kinds of media related to paranormal phenomena, but they didn’t let me watch scary movies. Nothing with Freddy or Jason or Michael Myers or anything of that ilk. Initially they forbade horror movies until I was 13, but decided to loosen up and end the moratorium a year early. Clearly, I decided to really run with the theme.

What better way to celebrate the anniversary of your birth than seeing a bunch of people die onscreen, tell stories about dead people, and then try to actually talk to dead people using a toy/instrument of the occult? Sounds like my idea of a good time!

The following poem I wrote for a co-worker that changed positions and moved to a different area. She collects rocks so I thought it fitting to compare her service to our area in that manner.

There is a reason it’s called Rock’n Robin

She is a rock

Throughout time we look to rocks for the answers

In the office it is the same

The rock is a foundation

A basis for everything

As rocks shift they change the dynamics

Some disappear others just move

Rocks come in different colors and sizes

They can be pretty on the outside

Or the inside

Either way they are hard and impenetrable

Beaches are filled with thousand of pebbles

While woods have boulders

No matter where you are there are always rocks

Though none more impressive than a mountain

As time moves forward

So does the rock

While it can stay just below the surface

A change pushes it upwards

 ©2009

Well, you had to know this was coming. What’s a trip to Hawaii without beaches? Not much, I’m here to tell you. Here are a few of our favorites on the island of Oahu.

Some of the most gorgeous shorelines you’ll find anywhere are along the southeastern coast of Oahu just passed Hanauma Bay heading northeast. The colors on this part of the island are blinding. We stopped at several pullouts along Kalanianaole Highway to snap pictures and enjoy the sunshine.

The shoreline along Kalanianaole Highway

The shoreline along the Kalanianaole Highway

While stopped at this pullout, we got to see the beach where the famous love scene in From Here to Eternity was filmed. You would really have to want to get to that beach to climb down the lava cliff it takes to get there. But gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

The beach from Here to Eternity

A few miles further on, we stopped to see (and, of course, take pictures of) the Halona Blowhole.

The Halona Blowhole

Thar she blows!

The Halona Blowhole

No, Ruth. We’re not in Kansas anymore…we’re not in Missouri, either.

Shoreline along the Kalanianaole Highway

At the beach in the picture below, signs warn people to stay out of the water unless they are expert swimmers and/or surfers. The waves here looked enormous–at least, they did until we got to the North Shore–even so, I wouldn’t ignore the signs!

Wawamalu Beach - also called Sandy Beach

Further up the shoreline, we stopped to take pictures of Kaohikaipu Island (also called Rabbit Island–don’t ask me why–they told us when I was there last winter, but I don’t remember the details) and the Makapuu Point Lighthouse.

Kaohikaipu Island is also called Rabbit Island

Makapuu Point Lighthouse

Unfortunately, our stops at all these gorgeous beaches were for photo ops only, no swimming. That changed a few days later when Janie, Carey, and I spent the morning snorkeling and swimming at Hanauma Bay…even though there were jellyfish warnings posted.

Danger, Will Robinson! Run away! Run away!

Really. Jellyfish warning signs. Apparently, when park personnel arrived that morning to open the bay to the public, they found close to 200 Portuguese Man o’ War jellyfish washed up onto the beach. Oooooo. Good thing we left Carole in Honolulu. But Hanauma Bay is absolute Paradise. How could we possibly NOT get in? So we did, and we didn’t see a single jellyfish…except on the signs.

Hanauma Bay in all its glory

Hanauma Bay is essentially an enormous natural aquarium, a protected ecosystem where sea lions, turtles, and spinner dolphins frolic year round. In the winter, particularly in February, Hanauma Bay becomes a prime spot for whale watching.

Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay

Although Janie, Carey, and I failed to spot sea lions, turtles, or dolphins, we did see hundreds of brightly colored fish that swam around within inches of us as we skimmed over the reefs where they live. We also saw Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukaupua’a. Seriously. The humuhumunukunukaupua’a. You can find t-shirts everywhere with its name printed across the front…around the side…across the back…around the other side…

The beach at Hanauma Bay

We also enjoyed the sand, the sunshine, a snooze, the sound of the waves, the incredibly blue sky…another snooze.

The view from Janie's beach blanket

Heaven. Pure heaven.

]]> http://alisonfinco.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/barbados/ Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:19:59 +0000 debiking http://alisonfinco.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/barbados/

This post is from guest blogger Debi King.

I had a great time in Barbados.  I expected it to be a pretty island with nice beaches and that would be it.  It was so much more!  Yes, it is a pretty island.  Yes, there are nice beaches.  I didn’t expect to see green rolling hills like you’d imagine seeing in Ireland.  I didn’t expect to go on board the Concorde.  And, WOW, the food!  Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Barbados is a relatively small island (21 miles long and 14 miles wide) on the far Eastern side of the Caribbean.  The average day-time temperature is 84-88 degrees F.  It was a British Commonwealth until 1966.  Now it is a proudly independent nation.  The Bajan people seem very relaxed and friendly.  You feel the blending of Spanish, English, Amerindian and Caribbean cultures throughout the island…in the food, art and language.

I was able to take a Barbados Safari Tour one day.  The four-wheel drive vehicle took me and my companions through the deep forests, along the coastline and through “hills of Ireland.”  We made various stops along the way and had very humorous commentary the entire trip.  After the land tour we climed aboard a catamaran.  It took us out into the clear blue waters so we could snorkel with the turtles.  Lunch was provided onboard with soft drinks, juice and rum punch.  After lunch and snorkeling we sailed along the coast and relaxed.  It was soooo much fun!!  The crew was really friendly.  They tried to get everyone to participate in the games but if you said, “No, thanks!”, they didn’t bug you.  They’d just come around to ask if you wanted another drink.

I did the Concorde Experience also.  I didn’t even know the Concorde was there!  It used to fly roundtrip London/Barbados.  Many famous people like Elton John and Elizabeth Taylor purchased tickets.  I got to see and actually board the plane.  I can’t imagine the luxury and prestige of being a passenger aboard one of these legendary aircrafts.  To fly so high you can see the curve of the Earth must have been amazing.  If someone had asked me earlier, “Do you want to go see the Concorde?”  I’d have said no.  But now, having done it, I would love to take my family and see it again!

Another thing I got to do was go to Oistins.  On Friday and Saturday nights, stalls are set up with food and crafts.  It’s fun to mingle with the locals over a great meal.  Flying Fish is very popular in Barbados.  Almost every stall had their own way of preparing it.  Every year they have Oistins Fish Festival.  This would mean tons of people and probably 50 stalls.  So, depending on whether you like crowds or not, you can decide whether to go during the festival.

Bajan Roots & Rhythm was a fabulous dinner show.  It has a traditional Bajan buffet, entertainment and dancing.  There was comedy, amazing stilt walking and even a limbo contest (extremely limber!).  We had a blast!  Again, if you wanted to participate you could but there wasn’t any pressure.

Whether you stay at an all-inclusive resort like I did or eat at the one of the Zagat rated restaurants like Champers, you won’t go hungry.  You will find a variety of restaurant options.  From high-end to inexpensive.  The Almond Casuarina (the all-inclusive resort I stayed at) had fabulous meal choices.  Breakfast was a huge buffet.  I was usually gone at lunch-time so I’m not sure what type of dining they have available.  Dinner was a la carte dining at one of three restaurants with a great variety of choices from familiar favorites to local flavor.

Whether you are looking for mild adventurous activities, romantic wedding/honeymoon locations or wild life (human or animal), Barbados has it all.

Thanks to guest blogger Debi King, an agent at Advance Travel. You can reach Debi toll free at 1-866-712-7047 or email her.

by Donald B. MacGowan

Looking across Kealakekua Bay to the Captian Cook Monument, Where Captain James Cook was Killed: Graphic from Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Whether you visit the Big Island for a few days, a couple weeks or a few months, you want to make the most of your time in Paradise. With such a wide variety of natural and commercial attractions, it is natural for the visitor to get a little overwhelmed in the “Option Overload” and not be able to make a balanced and informed decision on what they want to do and how best to spend their time.

Looking Across Kealakekua Bay to the Cook Monument from Manini Beach, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Even choosing which beach you want to spend time on, or where you want to hike can be an exercise in confusion and conflicting advice.  Clearly, visitors to Hawaii could use help making quality decisions about how best to spend their time.

Aerial View of the Cook Monument and Kealakekua Bay, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Kelly Kuchman

Tour Guide Hawaii is excited and proud to announce the release of their new GPS/WiFi enabled App for iPhone and iPod that helps you navigate your trip to Hawaii with hours of informative, location-aware video and information. Although our video guide will lead you to dozens of unusual, untamed and unspoiled spots, let’s look at one of Hawaii’s most significant historical and cultural parks, Kealakekua Bay Archeological and Historical State Park, the adjacent village of Napo’opo’o and the Captain Cook Monument.  We will highlight just a bit of the information you might not be able to find from maps and guidebooks that is available on Tour Guide’s iPhone App. You could easily miss a lot of very interesting places, fun things to do and amazing sights if you did not have Tour Guide Hawaii’s new App.

Kealakekua Bay Archeological and Historical District, Captain Cook Monument and Hikiau Heiau

View of Kealakekua Bay from Napo'opo'o Road; The White Obelisk at the Captain Cook Monument is Just Visible in the Center Right of the Picture: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

A place of both dramatic historic events and unparalleled scenery, beautiful and now peaceful Kealakekua Bay (Pathway of the Gods) opens beneath steep, beetling cliffs on the ancient surfing beach along the shoreline of Napo’opo’o Village. The site of arguably the most important event in the history of Polynesia, home to pods of frolicking dolphins, hosting the greatest density of hammerhead sharks anywhere in the Pacific Ocean and providing some truly breathtaking snorkeling, Kealakekua Bay is one of the most truly magical spots in the State of Hawai’i.

Cook Monument from Napo'opo'oi Beach, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Across the bay from Napo’opo’o stands the solitary white obelisk that marks the lonely Captain Cook Monument rising among the ruins of Ka’awaloa Village. High along the cliff walls can be seen numerous burial caves of the iwi (bones) of Ali’i, and in the late afternoon light, a greyish streak is visible on the northwest wall. Local legend has it that a canon-ball fired by Cook to impress the Hawai’ians left this streak as it smeared and bounced along the cliff. Close in along the beach, historic Hikiau (Moving Current) Heiau stands through the ages, witness to the tsunami of enormous changes that swept through Hawai’i with the coming of Cook and the Europeans, which began right here at Kealakekua Bay.

Perhaps the most sought-after snorkeling area in Hawai’i, visitors frequently kayak from Napo’opo’o to the monument to enjoy the Class Triple-A waters and abundant sea life. However, the monument is also accessible by hiking a trail down from the highway; this hike takes 4-6 hours round trip and drinking water is not available anywhere along the journey.

Kealakekua State Historical Park, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Modern Amenities: Kealakekua State Historical Park and Napo’opo’o Beach County Park stand adjacent to Hikiau Heiau and run along a cobble beach that has fabulous snorkeling although few people go in here due mostly to locals wrongly informing them of restrictions involving dolphin encounters. The dolphin restrictions apply to areas farther out in the ocean than most people swim. There are also pavilions, picnic tables and barbecues, available water and public restrooms in the park.

Hikiau Heaiu at Kealakekua Bay, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Favored to figure prominently in some of the most important history of Hawai’i, Hikiau (moving currents) Heiau is a large, extremely well preserved luakini heiau along the shores of the ancient surfing beach at Napo’opo’o. On January 28, 1779, Cook presided over the first Christian ritual performed in the Hawai’ian Islands when he read the burial service for crewmember William Whatman at Hikiau Heiau.

North from the heiau is a sacred fresh water pond and site of village ruins behind the sand-and-boulder beach. This beach, once glorious grey sand, has been eroding for years and most of the remaining sand was washed away during Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Snorkelers at Cook Monument use the old pier as an entry spot, Kealakekua Bay, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Snorkeling: Swimming to the monument from Napo’opo’o is recommended only for well-conditioned long-distance swimmers used to crossing mile-long stretches of open ocean; the swim takes about an hour each way. Bear in mind that this bay has the highest population density of hammerhead sharks of anywhere on Earth—not that anyone has ever been known to have been attacked. Snorkeling and scuba diving at the monument is unrivaled anywhere in Hawai’i, but access is hampered by lack of navigable roads nearby. The monument may be reached either by boat from Napo’opo’o or by hiking the trail down from the Highway. Numerous tidepools, vast underwater topography, caves and spires, a several-hundred foot drop-off and an abundance of varied sea life including dolphin, hammerhead sharks, eels and manta rays are the highlights of underwater exploration of this bay.

Kayaking: Many shops along the Kona coast rent kayaks to visitors for the short paddle to the monument, and this is highly recommended over swimming the mile of open ocean. Put in at the old concrete pier in Napo’opo’o and expect to take between 30 and 45 minutes to paddle to the monument. Frequently there are locals on the pier who will help you launch your kayak for tips…these people are local residents with a life-long connection to the bay—they are great sources of advice, information, local humor, stories and aloha…and they deserve their tips. Don’t go out if the swells are large, or if there is a strong offshore wind.

Be sure to return to the pier well before dark, remembering that there is little twilight in tropical regions. Take at least a half gallon of water for each person and food—none of either are available at the monument and paddling is hot, thirsty and hungry work, and you will certainly want to rinse the salt off your body before paddling back to the pier. The rewards of snorkeling the crystalline waters at the monument, the immersion in history and the panoramic views of the cliffs lining the bay are certainly more than worth the effort of paddling across the bay.

Dolphin Watchers Prepare to Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

A Word About Dolphin Encounters: Dolphins frequent this bay and you are admonished to keep at least 100 feet from them, although they may approach you more closely. Consider yourself lucky to see them and leave it at that. It is a violation of Federal Law to chase, feed, harass, molest or otherwise annoy dolphins.

Never reach out to touch or feed a dolphin; they are wild animals (this ain’t Flipper!) and will bite. Noting that they are among that class of Cetacea called “Peg-toothed whales”, these bites can be anywhere from a mild nip to life threatening if the dolphin becomes angered.  Always obey the areas closed to boaters and swimmers in the bay, these are “dolphin resting ares” and are important to maintaining the health of the dolphin pods.

Kayakers Amidst a Pod of Dolphin in Kealakekua Bay, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Federal Human-Sea Life Interaction Laws:

• Stay at least 50 yards from dolphins, monk seals and sea turtles.

• It is not illegal for an animal to approach you, but it is against the law to approach, chase, surround, touch or swim with dolphins (or other marine mammals) and sea turtles.

• Do not harass, swim with, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal or turtle.

• Limit observation time to 30 minutes.

• Feeding marine mammals and turtles is prohibited under federal law.

• Report suspected violations to the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964.

Panoramic Views of the Kona Coast are Just One Reward For Hiking the Trail to Captain Cook's Monument: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Hiking: Hiking down to the monument from Highway 11is a great deal of fun—great scenery, wonderful trail and involves complete immersion in Hawai’ian pre- and post-contact history and offers the opportunity for some of the finest snorkeling anywhere on the planet. However, the return hike is hot, thirsty and strenuous; but it is also highly rewarding, granting panoramic views all up and down the Kona Coast. The trail leaves the Napo’opo’o Road just 500 feet below where it drops off Highway 11 near a large avocado tree, right across from a group of three coconut trees, right at telephone pole Number 4. The parking spots and trailhead will show signs of obvious use, usually in the form of recently deposited horse apples from the many trail riders frequenting the area.

Ka'awaloa Village Cart Road to Cook Monument, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

The first avocado tree is the harbinger of wonderful things to come, as the trail passes through an area rich in guava, mango, papaya and avocado that are free for the gathering. The 2.5-mile hike takes about 2-2 1/2 hours to descend, somewhat more time to come back up. After following a jeep road for about 50 feet, the trail turns left when the jeep road turns right onto private property. Although overgrown by tall grass for the next half mile, the trail runs more or less straight down the left side of a rock wall to the sea. As the pitch straightens out, keep to the left when the trail first forks and proceed to the beach. You will strike shore several hundred feet northwest of the monument—stroll through the remains of Ka’awaloa Village along the beach on your way to pay homage to Europe’s most prolific explorer, James Cook. You will want to bring a change of dry clothes for the hike back and the comments about taking water in the section above apply equally, if not doubly, to hiking to the monument. Simply put, it’s hot, thirsty work to get there and back and climbing back to the highway in wet clothes with salty skin is miserable.

The hike along the shoreline to Captain Cook's Monumnet is dangerous and difficult and has several passages that must be swum in dangerous currents and surf, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

It is also possible, but much less safe or pleasant, to hike most of the way to the monument along the shoreline. This hike is an uninteresting exercise in scrambling over boulders along the beach and contains at least two places that have to be swum in dangerously rough water; as such, the safety of this trek is totally at the whim of ocean tides and swells. Highly not recommended.

Bart Hunt Rehearses On Camera for a Video About Captain Cook, Captain Cook Monument, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B.MacGowan

History: It was in this broad bay that Captain James Cook made his deepest impression on, and longest visit with, native Hawai’ians when he first arrived late in November of 1778. And it was along the shores of Kealakekua Bay where he met his tragic end in February 1779 during his second visit. Forever altered from the moment of Cook’s arrival, the evolution of Hawai’ian society would soon change in ways the Native Hawai’ians could scarcely have imagined just days before the Englishman made shore here

Arriving in his ships Resolution and Discovery at the height of Makahiki, a season of peace, worship, hula, games and feasting, Cook was greeted as the personification of the god Lono, feted as a divine guest and treated with feasts, gifts, respect and awe. A god of plenty and agriculture, Lono’s personal sign was a tapa cloth hung from a crossbeam suspended from a single pole, a profile not too unlike that of the sailing ships Cook arrived with.

Hikiau Heiau, Napo'opo'o, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

On January 28, 1779, Cook presided over the first Christian ritual performed in the Hawai’ian Islands when he read the burial service for crewmember William Whatman at Hikiau Heiau. After sailing from Hawai’i to search for the Northwest Passage along the Alaska Coastline shortly thereafter, Cook and his crew had to return to Kealakekua Bay abruptly and unexpectedly to repair a mast. With the celebratory mood of Makahiki over, dismayed about the previous behavior of the sailors and noting that the Englishmen had consumed an inordinate amount of food, Cook and his men were greeted much less warmly upon re-arriving. Tensions ran high and when a group of Hawai’ians stole a rowboat to scavenge the nails. Cook attempted to take Chief Kalanio’pu’u as hostage to insure the boat’s return and to reassert his authority. A scuffle broke out and Cook was killed by the Hawai‘ians in the ensuing melee.

The Shallows Where captain James Cook Fell, Kealakekua Bay, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Captain King’s eye-witness account of Cook’s death is as stark and barren as the cliffs that loom above the site: “Four marines were cut-off amongst the rocks in their retreat and fell as sacrifice to the fury of the enemy…Our unfortunate Commander, the last time he was seen distinctly, was standing at the water’s edge, calling for the boats to stop firing and pull in…” In this battle, five Englishmen died and 17 Hawai’ians, five of them chiefs, were killed. Eight more Hawai’ians were killed in a subsequent melee near the heiau.

Marker in the Intertidal Zone where Captain James Cook Died, Near the Cook Monument, Kealakekua Bay, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Cook’s body was sacrificed to Ku, the war god, at Puhina O Lono (burning of Lono) Heiau, his flesh baked, bones flensed and body parts distributed to various Ali’i. It is said that, as a mark of honor, Kamehameha received Cook’s hair. Ever the astute politician, Kamehameha returned this grisly trophy to the British sailors soon afterward. It is neither polite nor wise to raise this subject with modern Hawai’ians, but noting that the ancient Hawai’ians were habitual cannibals used to ritually consuming the flesh of their vanquished foes, it is reasonable to assume that Cook’s mortal coil received this treatment. In fact, this cannibalistic honoring of Cook as a worthy foe comes down to us in a Hawai’ian wives’ tale of village children stealing and eating Cook’s baked entrails because they mistook them for those of a dog.

Text on Cook Monument Obelisk, Kelalakekua Bay, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Fearing a bloodbath after the initial fracas, Captain Clerke ordered the men of Resolution and Discovery to stand down, and the mortal remains of James Cook that had been returned by the Hawai’ians were buried at sea. Exacting revenge, a few Englishmen snuck ashore on more than one occasion, killing numerous villagers in their anger.

Summing-up the feelings of the crew after Cook’s burial at sea, the ship’s surgeon wrote: “In every situation he stood unrivaled and alone. On him all eyes were turned. He was our leading star which, at its setting, left us in darkness and despair.”

Turquoise Waters of Kealakekua Bay: Photo by Donnie MacGowan_edited-1

In 1874 British sailors erected the current white obelisk monument to Captain Cook on a spot quite a bit distant from where he was actually killed. The area remains a piece of British Territory on American soil and is maintained by Brit sailors passing through.

The cattle industry in Hawaii began on February 22, 1793, at Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island. British Navigator George Vancouver presented to Kamehameha the Great four cows; in 1804, the first horses in Hawaii landed here. Today, many varieties of cow graze contentedly above the cliffs overlooking Kealakekua Bay: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

In the mid-to-late 1800s to the early 1900s Kealakekua Bay was a busy sugar and cattle port and there was a large wooden hotel at the end of the carriage road near the present site of the monument. The concrete pier at Napo’opo’o is the only physical remnant to remind us of this town’s former prominence. Regular steamer traffic bearing passengers, mail and trade goods made this port quite prominent until increasingly better roads began to be built through Kona and Kailua Bay supplanted Kealakekua Bay as a center of shipping and commerce; Napo’opo’o has slowly shrunken into elegant tropical neglect ever since.

Busy Day for Kayakers at Napo’opo’o Pier, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

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Locals sell handicrafts on the precincts of once-mighty Hikiau Heiau, Kealakekua Bay, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Copyright 2009 by Donald B. MacGowan. All rights reserved.

The Captain Cook Monument at Ka'awaloa on Kealakekua Bay, Kona Hawaii: Photo by Donald B. MacGowan

Today is the first day of winter, and I’m having a terrible time regarding the weather, so the main thing is it a mind controlling temperature? Or is it just cold everywhere I go? I wish I could rewind time and had a reservation with Royal Holiday to migrate to a warmer weather on this cold winter, days like this make me want to wake up in Cancun or in Park Royal Los Cabos having an iced Margarita and a bathing suit on and relaxing on the beach while waiting for my spa treatment appointment and a delicious dinner that I didn’t cook but enjoy just as much because I don’t have to do the dishes and pick up after myself, on days like this I wish it where summer or I was in an eternal warm vacation trip on sunny Puerto Vallarta. Don’t you wish so too?

http://www.royal-holiday.com/