Category Archives: South Pacific & Hawaii

Maui: The Magic Isle – Ka’anapali, Lahaina & Hana

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The second largest island and likely the most popular one. Maui is known as the paradise of endless sunshine and glorious beaches. It will surprise you to know that it has a smaller population than you would imagine! Small towns and resorts spread throughout the island. Maui’s beaches have repeatedly been voted as some of the best in the world. If not the beach you can always explore the majestic peaks of the West Maui Mountains or venture into the lush green rainforest of Waihe’e Valley. No visit to Maui is complete without a drive along the road to Hana. Take your time to truly enjoy this magical experience!

Maui Attractions:

‘Iao Valley State Park – This peaceful and lush area centers around Kukaemoku, a towering rock that soars 1,200-feet high and is best seen in the early morning. The State Park offers plenty of hikes that will take you through rich foliage, natural pools and mountain views.

Whale Watching:  – During the wintertime (December – April) on the Auau Channel (between Maui, Lanai and Molokai) is one of the absolute best places in the whole world to go whale watching. If that’s one of the main activities you want to do on your vacation, this is your place.

Maui Beaches – There are over 80 beaches to choose from on the island, with a total of 120 miles of shoreline. Makena State Park is one of Maui’s largest beaches. Lazing in the sun, swimming, surfing, beach-combing, how amazing is that?

Haleakala National Park – Maui’s highest peak on the island. Can you imagine watching a sunrise with your loved one at 9, 740 ft atop the Haleakala crater?

Historic Lahaina Town – This former whaling village has been transformed into more than 40 art galleries and restaurants. If you are on Maui during whale watching season you will likely join an excursion departing from Lahaina Harbor.

Road to Hana – Over 600 turns and 54 bridges will take you along the world-famous Road to Hana. It is an unforgettable experience! Make sure you take the time to slow down and enjoy the ride – you will find picture opportunities around every corner. At the end of the journey you will find the town of Hana. Make sure to stop by the charming Hasegawa General Store, a local institution since 1910.

Honolua Bay – is famous for its Big Wave surfing during the winter time

Tedeschi Winery/Maui Winery – Ever wonder what Hawaiian wine tastes like? This is your opportunity!

Snorkeling at Black Rock – Kaanapali Beach is one of Maui’s finest and Black Rock provides some great fish watching.

Written by STEFANIE PICHONNAT

STEFANIE PICHONNAT
Stefanie Pichonnat is the Hawaiian Travel Specialist at Cumar Gold Travel, a boutique travel firm specialized in creating and customizing personalized travel itineraries. You can contact her at stefanie@aav-travel.com

 

in conjunction with

STEPHANIE JELLETTE

Stephanie Jellett is interning as a travel writer and social media manager at AAV Travel. You can contact her at stephanieljellett@gmail.com

O’ahu: The Gathering Place – Honolulu, Waikiki & the North Shore

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Home of the state capital, Honolulu, Oahu is the third largest of the six islands. Known as the “Heart of Hawaii,” it is home to most of Hawaii’s population, and also a popular tourist destination. It is where you find the perfect blend of city and island experience, and one of the most famous beaches in the world – Waikiki Beach. It is the most urban of all the islands, with electric nightlife, endless shopping and contemporary dining. However, people oftentimes forget that they can also experience the rustic charm of old Hawai’i by venturing inland or with a trip to one of many quaint surf towns of the North Shore.

This is the best island if you want an energetic and activity-filled getaway!

O’ahu Attractions:

Waikiki – Once was a playground for Hawaiian royalty, but now serves as the island’s main hotel/resort area. It is famous for it’s beaches and is perfect for surfing! Here you can also find the Waikiki Aquarium.
‘Iolani Palace – The United States’ only royal palace.
North Shore – This surfing mecca’s winter waves attracts the best surfers from around the world. Though the waves in the summer are much smaller and more gentle, making it a great place to learn how to catch a wave for the first time. Here you will also find the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Haunama Bay – Famous for its spectacular snorkeling
The Pali Lookout
Kualoa Ranch – home to many movies and shows like Jurassic Park, Lost, Hawaii 5-O. Many different adventure tour options await.
Waimanalo Beach – stunning stretch of white sand beach with turquoise blue water. Perfect for that romantic pic-nic or a day of family swimming.
The Bishop Museum – A beautiful historical and cultural museum

and of course

Pearl Harbor – This National Historical Landmark features five different sites that memorialises the December 7, 1941 attack. You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy this!

Written by STEFANIE PICHONNAT

STEFANIE PICHONNAT
Stefanie Pichonnat is an O’ahu Master Agent and Hawaiian Travel Specialist at Cumar Gold Travel, a boutique travel firm specialized in creating and customizing personalized travel itineraries. You can contact her at stefanie@aav-travel.com

 

in conjunction with

STEPHANIE JELLETTE

Stephanie Jellett is interning as a travel writer and social media manager at AAV Travel. You can contact her at stephanieljellett@gmail.com

Where to Stay in Fiji? Vomo Island Resort — A Romantic and Active Island Getaway

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Just 15 minutes north via helicopter or seaplane from Nadi International Airport on the main island, Vomo is a luxurious island resort with endless possibilities. Vomo is the northernmost island of the Mamanucas, just before the Yasawa island chain begins.  Mount Vomo is located on the its eastern side, and those who dare to conquer it can get a breathtaking 30 degree view.

Your Stay
There are four different types of accommodations to choose from on Vomo. There are 28 luxurious beachfront villas with a personal deck and a place to lounge. Imagine waking up in paradise and only being steps away from the sandy beach. There are also private hillside and garden villas that are below the lower slopes of Mt. Vomo and offer breathtaking views of the gardens, island or ocean.  Both the beachfront and private villas sleeps either three adults, or two adults and two children.

The Royal is your own private getaway of true Fijian style living. With a maximum of six guests, there are three ensuite rooms, separate dining, kitchen and living areas, entertainment space and a great outdoor oasis–with your own private pool. Does it get any better than that?

If you need more room, The Residence offers up to eight guests their own private island lifestyle at their own compound. There’s a full kitchen so you can cook up something yourself or choose on-site catering. There’s also indoor and outdoor dining, entertainment area, and there’s a free 24 hour butler service. Another perk, you’ll get sunset canapés and a bottle of champagne on arrival.

Kid’s are welcome in paradise
At Vomo, they understand that family is important. Which is why the resort is family-friendly. There is a “kid-village” facility (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) specifically for the children. All ages are welcome, but children under four are to be accompanied by a parent or a ‘baby butler’ (an additional charge). If you are there with your children and want to enjoy the spa for a couple hours, the staff at the kid village will keep them entertained with group activities, treasure hunts and crafts. The kid village is a complimentary service available during the day and into the evening. You can relax and know that your kids are having just as much as you are!

The Fun Never Ends
At Vomo, you can have endless amounts of fun–on land and the water! From building sand castles on the beach, splashing around in the pool, windsurfing, Hobbie Cats, paddle boarding, single and double kayaks (also glass bottom kayaks!) and who can forget snorkeling?! You can snorkel off the beach or go on a guided excursion offered everyday at 11 a.m. Snorkeling around Vomo and the close by private island is absolutely spectacular! Hands down some of the best we’ve ever experienced. The new PADI Dive Centre is great for all levels of experience–beginner to advanced–and they offer an array of courses.

There’s plenty to do on land as well to keep you busy. As a guest you have access to the tennis courts, gym, hiking and jogging trails, badminton and volleyball nets. There’s also a 9 hole-par 3 golf course on the island. So for golf lovers, you won’t have to worry about letting your swing get away over your vacation. And what a better way to spend a beautiful morning out on the course, underneath coconut trees?

For additional costs, there are also other activities available at Vomo, such as: deep sea fishing, sunset cruises, island hopping tours, Fijian village tours and trip to Cloud Break for surfing.

A Personal Touch
Vomo can even be booked for private hire, like a destination wedding, special occasion or corporate event. Imagine having a whole island for just you and your guests! The staff at Vomo will be at your service to make sure everything is perfect, just for you. 

Or to add a little romance into your stay, you can book a private picnic for two on the sister island, Vomo Lailai. The best part? You’ll be dropped off with a gourmet picnic, chilled drinks and a two-way radio, and it’s only a two minutes away by boat. You can stay as long as you like! When you’re ready to return back “home” you can just radio in and staff will come pick you up, or simply just swim back. It’s your own little deserted island.

Vomo is one of the more “lifestyle” oriented resorts in the Fijian islands. Almost a bit hip if you like. US viewers might even recall the resort being featured in the “The Bachelorette” Season 7. Here is a short clip of the final Rose Ceremony where Ashley stands at the beach with Vomo Lailai (little Vomo) in the backdrop.

Aren’t those drift wood flower decorations just gorgeous? Fijian resorts are generally a wonderful option when it comes to destination weddings. Perfect to elope to!

Another famous guest of the island was Prince Albert of Monaco. Him and his new wife stopped there on their honeymoon.

Written by STEPHANIE JELLETT
Stephanie Jellett is interning as a travel writer and social media manager at AAV Travel. You can contact her at stephanieljellett@gmail.com


in conjunction with AAV Travel’s Fiji Expert



STEFANIE PICHONNAT
Stefanie Pichonnat is the South Pacific Specialist at Cumar Gold Travel, a boutique travel firm specialized in creating and customizing personalized travel itineraries. You can contact her at stefanie@aav-travel.com

Review – The LikuLiku Resort Fiji

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Rated number three in the Top 10 most romantic islands in the world by “Island Magazine” USA, Likuliku is not only beautiful but also unique to the Mamanucas. This adult-only island resort is located on its own island, located about 25 km/16 miles from Nadi International Airport. There are several options to reach Liku Liku including a daily catamaran ferry service departing from Denarau Port. Depending on what time your flight arrives in Nadi this is a great option, or if you come in too late you might want to choose a sea plane or private boat charter to avoid having to spend the first night in Denarau.

Your Getaway
As soon as you step foot on Liku Liku’s pier you will feel as if you have been welcomed home. You will be welcomed with a traditional Fijian song, drink, cooling towel and a beautiful shell necklace. Take a deep breath, it’s time to relax and let it sink in. You have just arrived at one of the world’s most beautiful resorts and you are here to stay – at least for a little while.

Liku Liku is the currently the only Fijian property with over-water bungalows. 10 private over-the-water bures are linked by a bridge pathway from the beach. Imagine sitting on your private deck directly over water. Your spacious Fijian style bure boasts a glass floor so you can watch the colorful fish swim by while sitting in your living room. Step out onto the deck and there’s a ladder for water entry. If you just want to relax, you can even enjoy the view of the lagoon from the bathtub.

Liku Liku also offers a fantastic selection of deluxe beachfront bures, set right on the pristine sand. These bures come with your own private pool and the ocean is just a few steps away. The Deluxe Bures and Overwater Bungalows are perfect for honeymoon couples wanting to romance and looking for that extra touch of luxury.

Soothe your Body and Soul
Feeling run down? Get rejuvenated by a Fijian style massage at the Tatadra spa (meaning House of Dreams–how does that NOT sound appealing?!). The experts will send you into a state of relaxation you didn’t know existed with their Pure Fijian products. While being pampered, you can bask in the warmth and be soothed by the breeze. All overlooking the beautiful lagoon. The best thing about it all, Fijian spa services are very affordable in comparison to any other location in the world.

Experience LikuLiku
Get ready to indulge yourself with gourmet dishes that range from freshly-caught seafood to mouth watering breakfast pastries and mud-crab omelets with chilli and papaya relish. New Zealand born Ihaka Peri is the executive chef at the resort, and you can count on every meal being fresh and creative–all while eating beachside. There’s also a hotel bar. The Masima Island Bar is the go-to spot for sipping back fruity cocktails and it’s the place to be on a Friday night.

There’s plenty of aquatic activity to go around on the island. For adrenaline junkies there’s: water-skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing and kneeboarding (all at additional costs). Or for a more relaxed time on the water, rent a kayak or try windsurfing.  Take a swim in either the hotel pool or lounge in the lagoon. High tide is the best for snorkeling off the beach, near the jetty or off your own over-the-water bures. The area is a protected marine reserve, so you’re guaranteed to see lots of rainbow-colored fish. If you are an avid scuba diver and want to dive on a daily basis, LikuLiku might not be your best choice. However, if you want to dive for a day, scuba diving is handled off the island, but it’s definitely worth looking into to. They have lessons for all levels of experience that range from going deep to Maolo’s barrier reef, or checking out calm inner reefs. You can expect to see lots of colorful, hard coral, turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, moray eels and of course, tropical fish!

There’s just as much excitement back on land! Discover the ancient archaeological sites that spread across the island, hike the nature trails or plan a guided bush walk. If you want to experience the Fijian culture you can also visit the island’s two villages. Or if you really want to slow things down, taking a nice long walk along the beach is highly recommended–take in the paradise that surrounds you, feel the warmth of the sun, breathe the Fijian air, and dig  your toes in the sand.

Convinced?
Liku Liku is a wonderful place to relax and unwind. The luxurious, adult-only atmosphere is very romantic and perfect for a peaceful getaway. Allow yourself to be seduced by LikuLiku’s luxurious charms. Great dining, upscale rooms, serene spa experience, and who can forget the all the great activities? Your paradise awaits!

Written by STEPHANIE JELLETT
Stephanie Jellett is interning as a travel writer and social media manager at AAV Travel. You can contact her at stephanie.jellett@maine.edu

 

in conjunction with AAV Travel’s Fiji Expert

STEFANIE PICHONNAT
Stefanie Pichonnat is the South Pacific Specialist at Cumar Gold Travel, a boutique travel firm specialized in creating and customizing personalized travel itineraries. You can contact her at stefanie@aav-travel.com

Turtle Bay Resort — O’ahu North Shore, Hawaii

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Five miles of sandy beaches, natural authentic beauty, and completely remote, Turtle Bay Resort is the only hotel and resort located on the North Shore. Situated an hour north of the bustling cities of Honolulu with its busy Waikiki beachfront, you’ll get to experience what it feels like to escape from the world and immerse yourself in the laid back island lifestyle.

Imagine sitting on a beach chair, enjoying the sun and a fresh breeze, sipping a Kona Big Wave, overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean whilesurfers are trying to catch a wave. This is one of the many experiences you can have at Turtle Bay. Talk to the staff and you will quickly understand the magic of the place. Many have left their high-paying careers in big cities to come here to find the perfect work/life balance.

 

Aloha!
Aloha! Is likely the first greeting you will hear arriving on O’ahu. Hawaiian’s are proud of their native language and they love it when visitors know a little bit about it. The most challenging part for English speaking people is the pronunciation. This Hawaii language guide can help with it.
Aloha and mahalo are very important. Whether you’re passing a local on the street and say aloha, or paying for dinner and thank your waiter by saying mahalo, having those two words in your vocabulary will go a long way.

Here are a few other common Hawaiian words to help you out:

  • Pehea ‘oe — How are you?
  • Maika’i no au — I am fine
  • ‘Ono — Delicious or tasty
  • Malihini — Newcomer or visitor
  • KOkua — Help or need of assistance
  • Kala mai ai’u — Excuse me
  • Aloha au ia ‘oe — I love you

Experience Turtle Bay Resort

Under new management since 2010, millions have been invested into upgrading this unique property.Today you can expect sleek, sophisticated rooms and an overall modern, luxurious, casual surfer vibe. The resort has 452 up-scale, oceanfront accommodations. Choose from either beachfront cottages and villas or pick a guest room or suite–majority of the rooms at Turtle Bay have a stunning ocean views as well. What’s really spectacular is going to sleep to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore–and it’s not from a sound machine that’s on repeat, you’re really listening to the soothing sounds on your front door.

Not only do you get five miles of pure beachfront beauty to walk along, the resort also has endless activities that you can keep yourself busy with, such as: horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking and tennis. You can even go to surf school and learn how to catch a wave. Water sports include: snorkeling, paddle boarding, kite surfing, kayaking and fishing. There’s also a 36-hole championship golf course designed by pro golfers George Fazio and Arnold Palmer near by. You can also learn some of the traditional Hawaiian culture by trying hula and ukulele lessons and lei making.

The Nalu Kinetic Spa will give you a multi-sensory experience: hearing waves crashing on the shore, beautiful views of the swells, and the new Wave Therapy will gently rock you back and forth as if you were floating in the ocean. It’s a great way to experience the ultimate relaxation. The spa was also named one of the nation’s top 10 Organic Spa’s in 2013–and there’s good reason for it! There are various kinds of treatments that you can choose from, whether you want a private seaside massage, body wraps, reflexology, or couples massages, you’ll be guaranteed to find something you’ll love and the treatments are reasonably priced.

Have you ever dreamed of having a private beach wedding? At Turtle Bay, you’ll be guaranteed to get just that. Ranked in the top 10 of Hawaii’s best honeymoon destinations, tying the knot beachside or at the oceanfront chapel will feel like a dream come true; it’s the perfect romantic couples escape. After ‘I Do:’ Imagine yourself, just recently pronounced man and wife. You get ready for a private dinner on your lanai with your own personal butler as you watch the sunset. Afterwards, you walk hand in hand down the beach, feeling the soft sand between your toes and listening to the soothing sounds of the waves coming on shore. You come back to your cottage and it’s decorated with rose petals leading to your own personal exotic spa….where you relax and toast to your new life together as a married couple.

Haleiwa
Just a short drive from Turtle Bay Resort, Haleiwa (pronounced hah-lay-EE-wah) is a small community and is also known as the surfing capital of the world. Though this town may be little, it definitely brings its A game! Don’t expect to find Waikiki here, expect a laid back surfer town instead. There’s no shortage of shopping in downtown Haleiwa, whether you’re looking for high-end shops or affordable authentic Hawaiian-made gifts to bring back home, you’ll be sure to find something! Surf shops, art galleries featuring local artists, and specialty shops are also located downtown. If you are into photography and want to take home a authentic North Shore souvenir stop by Clark Little’s gallery. His images are amazing!

Turtle Bay’s Webcam is a great place to catch a glimpse of the waves (heads up: the link first runs an ad before connecting with the webcam).

Or, if you like videos, check out this clip about a typical day at Turtle Bay Resort:

Have you ever stayed at Turtle Bay or visited the North Shore? Share your experiences with us, leave a comment, we’d love to hear from you! Dreamed of planning a vacation to O’ahu and its magical North Shore? We can help! E-mail us at info@aav-travel.com or visit our website at www.aav-travel.com        

Discover the Beauty of Abel Tasman National Park–New Zealand

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Turquoise blue water from Tasman Bay surrounding you, gentle waves splashing in the distance as they come up on the beaches, feeling the soft sand between your toes, a slight breeze in the air as the warm sun beats down–you’re not in Kansas any more, you’re in a paradise called Abel Tasman National Park. One of New Zealand’s finest coastal National Parks, Abel Tasman may be the smallest park but it’s a gigantic playground for adventurers and those looking to turn-off from the rest of the world and relax.

Create your own adventure
At Able Tasman, it’s up to you to decide the adventure–whether you want to take a day trip, or use several days to explore the park. You can choose from one day pass, three day pass or five day pass. The Able Tasman Coastal Track is 32 Miles (51 Km) long and perfect for walking, but keep in mind this isn’t a circuit track and you’ll need other forms of transportation at either end of the trail. You can always switch it up and decide to sea kayak some of the trail for whole new experience! Though there are no kayak rentals on the national park, you can arrange for a rental before you enter the park. Or, you can check out the awesome full-day and half-day guided kayak tours here.

Whether you want to adventure off into the park, take a boat tour and watch the dolphins swim alongside, kayak with seals, beachcomb, explore the parks natural flora and fauna and wildlife, there’ll be something for all types of vacationers to enjoy.

Accommodation
At Cumar Gold Travel we really love to work with Clare & Peter at the The Resurgence Luxury Eco Lodge. This luxury boutique property is a great home base for  active couples who enjoy good food and nature. Set in 50 acres of wilderness with 5km of bush tracks it doesn’t get any more luxurious close to the park. The Resurgence offers rooms at the main house, or if you love privacy, luxurious stand alone cottages. Clare & Peter offer several packages including food and activities and will go out of their way to help you create the experience perfect for you. Activity options include day trips to Abel Tasman (hiking and kayaking), hiking to nearby Mount Arthur, a visit to a winery and much more. When you get home from your explorations and are ready to relax you will find a hot tub and salt water pool, gym and yoga area. You can also get pampered with massages, reflexology, reiki, facials and aromatherapy from their on-call therapists.

Travel Tip: Protecting your electronics on the water
Have you ever gone kayaking or boating and you wanted to bring your phone and wallet with you but you just didn’t know how to keep it dry? Have you ever taken your phone out then a wave hits your kayak and you drop your phone…and it’s gone to its watery grave? If you found yourself saying yes to these situations, or have been in similar ones, then you know you’re fed up with having to purchase new phones when something like this happens.

Whether you’re an avid adventurer or new to water activities, obviously you’ll want to take photos or videos to capture your experience. For $30 plus shipping you can get a waterproof case from Epic Kayak that allows you to store and use your phone in the bag. The bag is waterproof up to 30 M (100 ft) and the magnetic strips won’t interfere with your phone or credit cards. If you don’t feel like spending money on a waterproof bag, you can always go the el cheapo route and use a Ziploc bag. It’ll keep 99 percent of sand and water out and you can still use your phone’s touch screen through the plastic.

Let us plan your next adventure to New Zealand! Contact us at aav-travel.com 

 

 

Learn Village Culture — The Mamanucas Islands-Fiji

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To get the most out of your trip to Fiji, aside lounging at the beach, exploring the island and enjoying various fruity drinks, if you have the opportunity to get invited to a Fijian village–don’t pass it up. It’s an experience of lifetime to be welcomed into a village and immerse yourself in a new culture. You should definitely expect culture shock; Fijian’s have very little, but are very full of life and happiness.

First off, it is considered incredibly rude if you show up to a village uninvited and start wandering around. If you become friendly with the locals and they invite you back to their village, bring kava root to the Turaga Ni Koko (head of the village) as a gift of thanks. From there, your host will most likely have you participate in a welcoming (kava) ritual in the Vale ni Bose (meeting house)–meaning they accept you into their village. Many resorts organize village visits for their guests. This is probably one of the easiest ways to get to experience the village life as you will have a guide accompany you making you aware of the ceremony and its rules of respect.

The ceremony consists of drinking yaqona from a coconut shell which solidifies the friendship between strangers. Sitting around the yaqona bowl and chatting is very common afterwards–it is also the best way to get to know the villagers. You’ll quickly find out that they are very curious people and will most likely ask a lot of questions and want you to take their photo. Keep in mind when taking photos: it is allowed, but remember common courtesy–ask if it’s all right to take a photo before you start clicking.

What not to Wear
When visiting a village it’s important to remember that you’re the guest and that you’re entering a new culture. What may be OK at home, may not be OK at the village. The rule for any village is to dress modestly. Proper dress for women would include below-the-knee dresses or slacks. Women should not wear shorts or walk around in a bikini and men should not be bare-chested. This is not acceptable and considered disrespectful and may have a negative reflection on the hosts. It is also considered rude to wear a hat-so either leave it behind or put it in your bag. The easiest way to make sure you are dressed appropriately is by wearing a sulu. Sulus are traditionally worn by men and women in Fiji and many resorts offer their guests a sulu as a welcoming gift.

Bring a gift 
Many villages are in need of basic supplies. A great gift to bring are school supplies for the children for instance. They don’t need to be fancy. A few pencils, writing pads… it all makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

Behavior
Remember growing up as a kid and your parents would teach you to be polite and on your best behavior? Well, remember all they’ve taught you. Fijian’s are probably the most polite, courteous and generous people you will ever encounter in a lifetime. So reciprocate the kindness. Here are a few tips when invited to stay inside a traditional bure:

  • Accept the offer to stay indoors rather than to pitch a tent outdoors. It sends a message to the villagers that your hosts bure is unpleasant.
  • Take off your shoes and place them on the doorstep.
  • Avoid standing upright inside because it is considered bad manners.

If you’re lucky enough to get invited back to a village to visit, make the most of it. It’s a whole new experience from being on your island resort. You’ll learn to appreciate the little things in life and give you a new outlook on how people live. Fijian’s are great hosts so show your appreciation and give thanks.

Learn the Island Lifestyle — The Mamanuca Islands-Fiji

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Located in the heart of the South Pacific, the Mamanucas are a chain of 20 islands and have some of the most established resorts in Fiji. From the Nadi International Airport (NAN), you can travel to your island destination by either ferry, private boat, sea plane or helicopter. The Mamanucas are a playground for lovers and families alike. Even though there are several adult-only islands, there are islands that are perfect for family getaways. Once you step foot on any island, you’ll be greeted by the warmth of Fijian hospitality. 

What to Expect 

Majority of the population in Fiji speak Fijian and Hindi, but English is also very prominent. Bula! That’s one word you’ll hear anywhere you go while traveling in Fiji. It’s like our ‘hello!’ or ‘how are you?’ Pick up the habit of saying Bula in Fiji, you’ll notice that you’ll get a friendly response.

The islands are all very different. So it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for and to do some research about each one. Questions you need to ask yourselves are: Do you want to snorkel directly off the island? Do you want to dive? Do you like to hike?… Islands vary greatly and these are important factors that will enhance your experience. The one thing every island offers is great beaches. And there is always an abundance of water activities available. Diving is very popular and great for beginners! Here’s a list of a few  activities you can expect to enjoy on your trip:

  • Snorkeling
  • Deep sea fishing
  • Island hopping
  • Para-sailing
  • Kite surfing
  • Kayaking
  • Village tours (if invited)

Some of these activities will be included in your stay at your resort, but additional activities will be at your expense, so make sure to budget ahead of time what you’d really like to do.

What to Eat

Just like the various activities on the islands, there are many local as well as foreign influences in the cuisine.  Many of the island chefs come from Australia or Asia which greatly plays a role in Fijian cuisine. One excellent chef you can find in the Mamanucas is Lance Seto who is an award-winning food and travel writer, author… currently based at Castaway Resort. No matter what chef though, you can expect to eat lots of seafood while you’re there.

The most famous Fijian delicacy likely is Kokoda (pronounced Ka-con-da) which is raw fish marinated in lemon juice and coconut milk. Often served with peppers, onions and tomatoes. Making good Kokoda is challenging. Fijians shave their own coconut and the right amount of each ingredient is very crucial, almost like a pastry recipe. If you are curious to try, check out Vomo Island Resort’s recipe:

Your Adventure 

Though Fijian accommodations are a wide variety, whether you choose a luxurious private resort, a more modern affordable island or a budget traveler, your Fijian adventure will give you the chance to escape from the real world and transport you to a stress-free paradise.

Want to travel to Fiji! Contact Stefanie at AAV Travel via email at info@aav-travel.com or visit the website www.aav-travel.com for more information.

For more images from Fiji, check out photo gallery on the Facebook.

Destination Wedding – Tahiti

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Tahiti is a dream destination for many couples. Turquoise-blue lagoons, overwater bungalows, scenic backdrops and colorful traditions are what make this destination paradise. No wonder Tahiti is many couples’ wedding dream destination.

Until just recently however, it was really hard to legally getting married in Tahiti. One of the requirements was for the couple to stay on the islands for at least 30 days prior to getting married which made a legal wedding nearly impossible.

However, the French Republic passed a new law in 2010 which allows non-residents to wed as early as the day they arrive in French Polynesia as long as they have submitted their paperwork to city hall 45 days before the ceremony. The legally binding wedding will take place at the city hall, and the wedding ceremony, typically held at a beachside resort, follows.

A good destination wedding planner can help you go through the necessary aplication steps which are not complicated, but time-consuming. In general, Tahiti is not the easiest travel destination in terms of planning. International flights, ground transfers, inter-island flights, excursions, accommodations and more make the help of a romance travel concierge invaluable.

Posted by: Stefanie Pichonnat can be reached at 812-917-2149 or stefanie@aah-travel.com

Hawaii- How to Pick The Right Island for you

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2009 is a great year for Hawaii! After a big decline in tourism to Hawaii in 2008 the islands and resorts have come up with some great value packages to attract visitors to the islands in 2009. Hawaii is even listed number seven on New York Times’ list of “Top 44 Places to Go in 2009”. This is probably the first time ever in Hawaii’s history that resorts offer free nights, add-on values, airfare credits and even free car rentals.

So let’s say you’ve decided to travel to Hawaii in 2009. Whether it be for a honeymoon, a destination wedding, a family vacation or a business trip. How do you pick the right island or island combination for you and your party? The Hawaii Guide has come up with a simple “Which Hawaii Island to Visit?” grid system that will help you choose the right islands for your visit.

Especially during this time of discounts and savings it is a very good idea to work with a travel agent when it comes to your Hawaii vacation. Not only will they be able to help you with sort through the available deals but they will also be able to save you a lot of time when it comes to efficiently connect between islands, make sure you are staying on the right side of the island to avoid rainy days, help you pick the best luau and also arrange those very special events such as a destination wedding for you.