Humpback Whale Resources

There are some great Whale Watching Videos on the web, here are a few more that we think all you “whale watching fans” will really enjoy:

• Watch as National Geographic photographer and Whale Trust co-founder Flip Nicklin reveals the mysteries of Hawaii’s humpback whales. Then go on an amazing whale watching tour in the channel – Watch Here
• A good amateur video of a whale watching tour – Watch Here
• National Geographic has some great information beside the video above. Here are some facts and an audio clip of the Humpback Whale song.

Traveling takes us away from who we have become, allowing us to remember who we want to be.  ~Gary A Reichel

Find Yourself Again

While on this journey of life, the curiosity to learn seems to wane. I don’t think it is a situation of not wanting to learn, or that we get tired of learning …I think we just get tired. Work is seldom 9 to 5, and the pressures that go along with most jobs are NOT easily left at the office. With all the stress and responsibility the weekends are usually spent trying to catch-up on sleep and household projects.

There is little that can be done about the limitations on our time, but at what cost are we just “surviving”? At what point does a job start to encroach upon life? When is enough, enough? The answer is not simple, but let me try, “You know work has become too great a part of your life when there is nothing else to talk about. Everything you do is work related. If you are not talking about work, you have nothing to say. Your conversation at the dinner table is, about work. Work. Work, work.”

More Than A Vacation

The line between the home and office has become blurred and there is no time for growing or learning. With one exception …your next vacation! Time off. Ahhhh -the gooood life. Sleeping in and staying up late. Maybe drinking a little too much, but there is no boss. No meetings. Nothing really matters, because you are on -VACATION.

But once you are recharged, how about adding something a little extra special to your vacation. A vacation where you learn something new. A vacation where you get a new skill that allows you to explore a new world. I’m not just talking about a foreign place, I’m talking about SCUBA Diving on Maui.

As a diver you are weightless and can move in all directions. You approach the freedom of a bird as you move in three dimensions in a fluid environment. DENNIS GRAVER, Scuba Diving

A New World.

SUCBA Diving. Suiting up and descending 60 feet with compressed air on your back, a mask, fins and a regulator. Weightless. Everything is quiet except for the sound of your breathing and bubbles. The world is your oyster. Become an Open Water Diver -get SCUBA certified.

SCUBA Diving Maui

There is book work, but nothing too difficult. There is some physical activity, but that should not be a problem if you are in moderate shape. There is the trill of the unknown. A new experience. It is not dangerous, but …there is some risk. And as exciting as the certification process is, once all the training is completed the real fun begins. Exploring the reef. Swimming with the fishes. Adventure while you travel. An opportunity to float weightless above coral and lava rock formations with fish, turtles, eels and invertebrates peering back at  you. It can will change your life. The colors, sounds and sights are truly like nothing experienced from the surface.

SCUBA Diving On Maui

The certification process varies depending on where you get certified. However, typically it begins with “…a few days of classroom sessions …and confined water sessions. Two thirds of your course will be conducted at one of several beautiful diving sites -depending on conditions. Upon completion of the course, as a Certified Open Water Diver, you will be qualified to participate in SCUBA diving worldwide.”

There is also an option called referral certification. This is when you do your course work and confined water dives at home, allowing you to finish the open water portion in Maui. This is a great option, so look into this as you plan your vacation.

SCUBA Divers

Activities On Maui -SCUBA

I’m not promoting any diving companies, but here are a few Maui SCUBA Diving resources:

• SCUBA diving on Maui
• Ed Robinsons
• Lahaina Divers
• Maui Dive Shop
• Photos of diving in Maui

More Than A Vacation

Maui and Kaanapali Beach have some great SCUBA diving. I’ve written quite a bit about diving on Maui (I was a Divemaster on Maui for about 3.5 years)  and I have stayed at Gail’s Maui Vacation Condo. Both the diving and condo are wonderful and I’m sure you will enjoy both.

If you have any diving stories, or there is something you learned while traveling -our guest would enjoy reading about it below.

Artist on Maui

Art enthusiast who enjoy visiting small local galleries will enjoy a website called, Maui Info Source. The site offers links to over 60 Hawaiian artist from, Anna Gold to Wyland. Furthermore, Maui-Info-Source provides a small thumbnail of the artist work providing a clue to the style and technique of the artist. There is also a link to the artist’s website where the visitor can view a portfolio; all in all, this is a great place to start searching for that perfect work of art.

Maui Info Source

The Maui Arts And Cultural Center is another great web site that offers information on Maui events. That being said, if you decide to visit Maui, to either attend an event (or just visit the island), Gail’s Maui Condo is a beautiful studio on Kaanapali Beach, located at The Whaler. The unit is on the seventh floor facing the courtyard with an ocean view. It’s paradise. For more info visit – Maui Vacation Condo

Maui Vacation Condo

Art In Southern California

For travelers looking to visit Southern California, ArtSceneCal has links and information about regional art galleries and museums, this includes the western contiguous states. The site also has some obscure galleries with a wide variety of styles and taste. Some of the galleries require an open mind -to put it objectively.

Southern California Art Scene

Art in Charleston South Carolina

The art scene in Charleston, South Carolina, is very active. For travelers wanting to visit a museum, the Gibbes Museum of Art is a good option. The museum offers special tours of Colonial, Charleston Renaissance, and Contemporary art collections. Charleston also offers a lot of smaller galleries featuring local artist. Generally, these South Carolina artist are influenced by: contemporary at, the civil war, east-coast beaches and southern living.

Gibbs Museum Of Art

Since I currently live in Charleston, I want to add a comment about The Spoleto Festival. The festival takes place during spring, attracting thousands of visitors. The organizers of the Spoleto Festival describe the event as, “…a dedication to young artists, a fascination with contemporary effort, an enthusiasm for providing unusual performance opportunities to recognized masters in their fields, and a commitment to all forms of the performing arts.” This 17 day festival is an exciting time around Charleston and for the art lover it is a great opportunity to enjoy the arts.

Spoleto Festival Charleston SC

Museums And Galleries In Europe

It is hard to beat Europe when talking about museums. Europe is home to many museums and galleries that exhibit some of the greatest works of art in the world. With such a variety of museums to choose from, knowing what exhibit is “coming soon” can be valuable information when planning a trip. Thankfully there is a website called ArtCyclopedia. Specifically, there is a section dedicated to art museums in Europe.  It should also be noted, ArtCyclopedia is a good resource when searching for museums in the United States; so be sure to explore the site -lots of good stuff.

Art-Cyclopedia

For a lot of people traveling and art go hand in hand. Some travelers prefer museums, while other like galleries, events and festivals. No matter the preference, depending on the city, country or time of year, travelers can enjoy “their idea of art” while traveling the world.

Art Links

Here are some other links to a few interesting art sites:

• This is a fun web page, it lists the most expensive paintings sold. Visit here – Paintings Sold
• For something a little different, here is some good digital art. Visit here – Digital Artist
• Hotel art is a very interesting site, showing how artist have designed various hotel rooms. Visit here – Hotel Art
• For artist around the world, this site is a good place to start. Visit here – World Artist
• Finally, here is an artist that specializes in urinals. Yep. You gott’a see these. Visit here – Urinal Art

As always, if you have a favorite artist, or you are an artist -make sure to tell our readers in the comment section below.

Debordieu Beach, South Carolina

South Carolina, a state with a checkered past stretching back to early America. A rebel state that holds the distinction of, “…starting the American Civil War in 1861″. But South Carolina is not all about American history. There are are dozens of other attractions that draw thousands of visitors to the state year round. Specifically, during the warmer months visitors flock to the shore enjoying warm water and wide open beaches; Aka -what I call, the “softer side” of South Carolina.

For those of you who like the beach, South Carolina can be hard to beat. With miles of coast line, vacationers are treated to a wide variety of beaches. Some beaches are crowed, located near surf shops, bars and hotels. On the other hand, some beaches are private and remote, with little activity and small crowds.

Where is Debordieu?

Located along the South Carolina coast, Debordieu is a small private beach community approximately 90 miles north of Charleston. Unlike the better known beach towns like: Folly Beach, Myrtle Beach or Kiawa, Debordieu is often overlooked. But this private beach community is worth looking into if you like elegant homes surrounded by nature, marshes and ocean views.

Debordieu Beach South Carolina

South Carolina Beaches

Recently my wife and I spent a few days at Debordieu.  The beach house we stayed at was on the shore and surrounded by nature. No crowds. No cars. No bars. Instead we saw dear, foxes and birds. Nature was everywhere and the longer we stayed the harder it was to leave.

Sunrise At Debordieu Beach, South Carolina, photo by Sally Lemmon

South Carolina Vacation Rental, On The Beach

If you are thinking of vacationing in South Carolina, Debordieu is a great place.  The beach house we stayed at sleeps 12, making it perfect for a family reunion, a large family, or an extended family vacation. The home is clean and well cared for, offering views of the ocean with beach access out the back door. Although we did not take advantage of the golf course, tennis courts or pool, guest of the beach house have access to these amenities via Debordieu Beach Club –here is the link to where we stayed,  Beach House Rental, South Carolina

Beach House Front & Back

So how does Debordieu compare to other beaches?

As you may (or may not know), previously I wrote about great beaches around the world. Some of them include: Anjuna Beach, Pink Sands Beach and Kaanapali Beach. Each location is special, offering different experiences for the lucky visitor. This is also true of Debordieu Beach. It is not better than Folly Beach or Myrtle Beach, just different. However, compared to Folly Beach and Myrtle Beach -Debordieu is defiantly more remote and quiet. So if seclusion is your goal, Debordieu can deliver.

Georgetown and Debordieu

There are a few small towns around Debordieu, but historic Georgetown is the town we decided to meander around. It does not look like much from the highway, but don’t be fooled. Downtown Georgetown is a great place to visit. And the food -WOW! We ate breakfast at Thomas Cafe. Real southern cooking with a capital C-O-O-K-I-N-G.  I had Cornbeef hash, it was perfect. My Eggs -wonderful. The home fried potatoes, you guessed it, they were cooked just right. But wait …I’ve saved the best for last -Biscuits! Golden, light, buttery -Biscuits. A real treat! These biscuits were delicious. Arguably, they were a close second to a restaurant in Charleston, called Pooches Porch -so if you like biscuits, and you are in Charleston, you must try Pooches Porch. Finally, it would be wrong not to mention the seafood omelet my wife had. It was topped with a creole sauce that was, on-a-whole-other-level! Crazy good!!!

Thomas Cafe For Breakfast, Georgetown South Carolina

Beautiful Beach, Great Food

If you are looking for what I call the “softer side” of South Carolina, Debordieu and Georgetown are worth a visit. Especially if you like good food, a great beach and some real …quiet time.

Downtown Georgetown, South Carolina

If you have a favorite restaurant or beach please let us know!

Red Sand Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Fun In The Sun? Solitude? Get Away From It All? It seems like everyone has their own definition of, “the perfect beach”.  So when deciding on a list of “Five Beaches You Must Visit”, I wanted to cover the gantlet. From the white sand, to the pink sand. The tropical to the …not tropical. So with these guidelines I sat down to discover five beaches that offer something for everyone.

Strangest Beach

Anjuna Beach, Goa, India

I want to start with a beach unlike any other. A beach that I consider …strange. In most cases a beach is not described as, strange. Beautiful, yes. But strange, not so much. Personally, I haven’t decided if “strange” is a positive (or negative) description. Perhaps that is best left for you to decide? However, Anjuna Beach in Goa, India has earned this distinction in my book. Why? Start with the ” full moon parties”. Next, add the hippies that are attracted to the “full moon parties”.  Top it off with a few drugs and you get, strange.

Most Pristine Beach

This title was not easy to award. Matter of fact, this was down right difficult. It came down to a few beaches, but after I read a description of Maupiti Island of Society Archipelago in French Polynesian, I was convinced. Maupitit sounds as “pristine” as it gets. Here is an exert from on what you would expect if you visited Maupitit,

Today, Maupitit island “…is slowly entering in its atoll phase, leaving white sandbanks in the middle of the lagoon. Still saved from tourism, you will not find any deluxe resorts on the island, but traditional family pensions. Nor will you find restaurants, discos or bars in Maupiti but only true relaxation, calm and peace like it used to be a few decades ago…”

Maupiti Island of Society Archipelago

Raw Beach

Put some steep cliffs along the coast, add a water fall and large rock formations just off the shore – and I would like to announce my winner for, “best raw beach”. Congratulations to, Mc Way Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park; located in Northern California (photo taken by Don Baily)

Best Vacation Beach

To qualify for the best vacation beach, I started with the idea of what I feel a vacation should be. Fist, complete relaxation. Second, a place where restaurants are within walking distance. Third, the water is warm. Forth, there are activities. And fifth, nice weather.  So, does a beach exist that fits my requirements? Again, this was not easy. But for my money the best vacation beach is …Kaanapali Beach on Maui, Hawaii.

Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Prettiest Beach

This was easy, when there is pink –you get pretty. So when the sand is pink, you guessed it, you get the prettiest beach; and ( I might add) the most likely place to spot a mermaid if ever there was one! Ladies and gentlemen I proudly present, Pink Sands Beach, Harbor Island in The Bahamas.

Pink Beach, Harbor Island, Bahamas

Generally, “the beach”,  can mean different things to different people. It can be a place to relax, or a place to play. Some people like to socialize while lounging in the sun, while others prefer to find a secluded place where they can read, sleep or (perhaps for our hippie friends) meditate. Fortunately there are as many beaches around the world as reasons for visiting. Taken together the ocean and sand are two things that define what makes a beach. However, the infinite number and combination of: sand, surf, rocks, amenities and weather are what makes each beach a, special beach.

Let us know what beach you would add to the list.

Banyan Tree Lahaina

In Lahaina under the Banyan Tree a Hawaiian man sat with a ukulele positioned across his lap. His Hawaiian shirt covered a broad back and big belly. He absently smiled at the passing tourist as they passed by. Unnoticed, I watched from a bench I found just moments before. I had not heard the man play, or sing. My expectations were not high, but it was a beautiful Maui morning and I had nothing to do but enjoy my role as tourist.

Banyan Tree Lahaina Maui

I watched as his big fingers gave a tweak to the low string. He was tuning the ukulele while adjusting his posture getting ready to  play. Within a couple strums the familiar sound of the ukulele came to life.  “Not bad I thought,” as he ran through a cord progression without any problem; actually it was quiet good. But the real surprise came as the giant man sung in an ancient tone. It was raw in a grass roots kind-of way, transporting me back in time, when I imagined there were no tourist, restaurants, or shops. Just a simple island life.

Discovering Maui

This momentary glimpse into the real Hawaii was an wonderful experience. I did not expect to discover Maui outside of the museums, but life is full of surprises; and at the hands (and mouth) of a large Hawaiian man who played and sung under the Banyan Tree I was taken back to a different time.

Lahaina

The entire town of Lahaina is filled with these little glimpses of what life must had been like before all the shops and restaurants. Capturing this image is not that difficult once you start exploring the beaches and streets of Lahaina. I’m sure these moments are different for everyone and while my experience was unique for me …someone else will discover Maui in their own way.

If  you have a special moment about Maui, or traveling, please fell free to share it with our readers.

Lahaina

The Lava Rock Fountain

Kaanapali Beach was developed in the 1960s by Amfac. The project focused on developing a mile long stretch of beach along Maui’s west coast. During the 1970′s a luxury condominium resort was built, it is called The Whaler. Recently, The Whaler completed a three year project to improve the property.  Today construction is done and the shovels have been put away, so now I pose the question, “was the project worth it?” In my point of view the answer is, “YES”.

The Whaler On Kaanapali Beach

Out of all the properties along Kaanapali Beach,  I have always felt The Whaler had an “inviting” quality that made it special.  Not that the other properties on Kaanapali Beach are “not welcoming”, they are. However, The Whaler has always encouraged groups by the pool, a cold drink at the barbecue, or a pot luck at the picnic benches. So when setting out to redo the landscaping I was concerned. I did agreed the property was in need of renovation, but in the pit of my stomach I was afraid they would destroy the ohana feeling. I worried the renovations would create a new look that included a “new feel”. That was three years ago, today I’m reveled to report The Whaler was not changed, but …renovated.

Change Was On The Horizon

On the surface the courtyard and pool were the primary concerns; and for good reason. The Whaler had started to go from simple elegance, to tired and worn. In years past The Whaler had made some improvements, like putting new carpet in the corridors. These changes helped but the problems that surrounded the courtyard, pool and lobby were only getting worse. This feeling was shared by almost everyone and the majority of people were anxious to make the necessary investment.

Making The Old Shiny and New

With the project completed I’m happy to see the changes have made The Whaler better. The Whaler kept the original focal points like: the iconic bridge, pond and lava waterfall. Only now the pond has a new shape. The plants, grass and trees are also new.  The wooden bridge has been updated and the lava rock fountain is five times the size, with cascading waterfalls that spill to the waiting pond -it is just perfect. At night tiki torches are lit around the lava fountain and ambient lighting cast a romantic tropical mood though out the courtyard. It all amounts to a slice of topical heaven.

Courtyard From The Seventh Floor (Unit #762)

Looking Forward, But Not Forgetting

The Whaler has been around since the 1970s. During those years a lot of people have become attached to the property. For owners, guest and employees it was a little scary to think that everything was going to change. But thankfully that is not what happened. Upon completion of the project The Whaler has maintained the familiar charm, blending of new and old with respect to over forty years of Whaler history.

Capturing Our Journey

To capture our journey along the unbeaten path, the camera becomes priceless. For some it is about point and click, instructing our family models to “say cheese”. For others is about capturing a feeling, an angle or moment. And, as many travelers have found some great shots only require knowing a few basic photography tips and tricks that can be learned from reading photographic articles before leaving home.

Digital Photography

A journal In Time

Traveling is not only about discovering other cultures, but it is about discovering something about yourself. A travel journal can help keep those feelings fresh for years to come; and there is no right or wrong way -there is only your way. It is your journey. But with a few tips on How to write a travel journal, your completed journal may become one of your most cherished books on the shelf.

Keeping A Travel Journal

Books For The Traveler

From a novel to a short story. A guidebook, or some poetry -the hardest part can be choosing which books to read while on vacation. Eight Books You Shouldn’t Travel Without, is a great blog post about the different types of books that someone might enjoy while relaxing by the pool, or while sailing into the horizon.

Great Travel Blog

With time our feelings can dull and memories wane. The treasures we discovered along our trip can get buried beneath the tasks of our daily lives. The inner child that we let free to discover, can become as distant as the foreign lands we visited. To keep those feelings alive and that child closer to home: photographs, journals and books are a great way to relive those cherished moments; until we can return again.

If you have a favorite trip, photo or moment while traveling we would love to hear about it.