The Cook Islands

Another south pacific island group (see a pattern here?), the Cook Islands are pretty far off the map. OK, not too far, but they are considerably less visited than some of its neighbors. These tiny islands are named after James Cook, the intrepid man who discovered them. With few amenities, this is the best place to find your inner cast away and escape modern life. The islands see similar weather to the rest of the area with temperatures hot and humid all year round.
South Pacific vacations Cook Islands
The Cook Islands
The Cook Islands
The Cook Islands
The Cook Islands
The Cook Islands
View Of The Cook Islands

T-Minus 10 to French Polynesia and the m/s Paul Gauguin

I know the economy is recovering because I haven't been this busy in nearly three years. I'm working on nonfiction book projects, guidebook updates, magazine and website articles, and even an iPhone app! Every minute of the day seems to be spoken for so I am quite literally counting down the minutes until our French Polynesian vacation. Paul Gauguin Cruises, here we come! I can't imagine a better place to unwind.

Next week we'll make the long trip from New York to Tahiti. We've got a one-night pre-cruise stay at the InterContinental Resort Tahiti. We're IC Ambassador members so I'm hoping for an upgrade from a panoramic room to an overwater motu bungalow. To be honest, the upgrade probably won't matter much. We'll roll into Papeete a little before midnight and will be very, very tired! Our plan for the next day is to sit by the pool and relax until it's time to head to the m/s Paul Gauguin.

The seven nights aboard the the ship will be heaven. We're also looking forward to shore excursions, like the Dolphin Watching Expedition in Moorea lead by marine biologist Dr. Michael Poole and Shark and Ray Watching by Glass-Bottomed Boat in Bora Bora.

Leonard will also spend plenty of time at the aft Watersports Marina, where he'll kayak, windsurf, and maybe even try water-skiing.

The only bag we've got packed so far is Len's camera gear. He's carrying the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II these days so we'll be posting tons of photos and high-definition video while we're away and upon our return.

If there's anything you want to know about the new Paul Gauguin Cruises, please let us know!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Big Island Hawaii

Hawaii’s biggest island has everything you could ever want to do and more. But what separates it from the other islands is Volcano National Park. Explore volcanoes, climb through old lava tubes, and watch as new lava oozes into the ocean. Then there are all the waterfalls on the island, too. Big Island has it all. I mean it’s Hawaii- how could you go wrong!? The wet season is from October to March, though the weather is cooler. However, despite being located near each other, weather conditions on each islands can vary greatly so you never know what to expect!

Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii