Hello...is it me you're looking for?

So I've been MIA since January...didn't realize it had been that long! But after a (very amicable) divorce and way too long without any trips on my calendar, I'm back and traveling again!

Shortly I will be posting photos and reviews of my July trip, which started as 10 last-minute but very planned-out days of relaxation in Honduras and ended up as 24 fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants days of fun and adventure in Honduras and Belize!

I also just got back from 2 fantastic travel conferences in Las Vegas, and will be traveling for most of October, spending time in Florida (Disneyworld), Grand Cayman, San Francisco, and 5 different Tahitian islands! So many more posts to come in the following days/weeks!

Cheers to anyone still checking this blog after all these months...thanks for hanging in there - and hopefully it will be worth the wait!

Caroline

Five exotic gift ideas for everyone on your list!

For the spa addict: Pure Fiji bath, body, and home products

These locally and sustainably produced goodies come beautifully packaged and in 12 splendid natural scents (I especially love the coconut and frangipani), so you're sure to find one that appeals to any nose! With products ranging from candles and aromatic seashells to sugar scrubs and body butter to facial toners and cleansers, and quite a bit in between (including wonderful gift sets) the hardest choice you'll have to make is which ones NOT to buy! Go ahead and treat yourself to a few presents as well - after all, with all of the good works Pure Fiji does in the local communities (see more on that here), every purchase you make helps make a positive difference in the lives of many lovely Fijian people!

Where to buy: PureFiji.com, plus various boutiques and resorts in Fiji (some of the higher-end resorts even have these as their bathroom amenities!)

For the foodie: Tahitian vanilla beans

There are a ton uses for these gourmet pods, from cooking sweet or savory dishes to flavoring sugar or vodka to scenting body lotions or scrubs, and more! You can buy vanilla beans in the US, but they're often skinny and dried out, not to mention lacking the rich flavor of those grown in the Polynesian soil. For those who prefer their ingredients to be locally sourced, these make a perfect gift!

Where to buy: You'll find the freshest and best choices when purchasing these are Le Marche (daily market) in Papeete, Tahiti or direct from harvesters on the islands of Huahine, Tahaa, and Raiatea. Don't have a trip planned to French Polynesia before Christmas? You can also purchase great quality beans (as well as wonderful vanilla extract, paste and other edible and non-edible products) online through Vanilla From Tahiti. But you really should plan a trip to buy these locally in time for the 2013 holidays; leave a few for Santa (or better yet, bake him some cookies with these flavor-packed beans) and you'll definitely be placed on his lifetime "Nice" list!


For the fashionista - or anyone who loves beautiful things: Thai silk from Jim Thompson

Silk scarves, ties, clothing, bags and accessories, and wonderful children's items are all available in the most gorgeous prints from Jim Thompson (the legendary "Silk King" of Thailand, whose disappearance in 1967 remains a mystery to this day). His legacy still produces some of the highest-quality examples of Thai silk work available. My personal favorites are the proud and handsome silk elephants; 3 of them sit on my bedside table for luck!

Where to buy: The full range is available only at Jim Thompson boutiques and a few other stores in Thailand. You can find some pieces at Asia Store in Manhattan or online, though (Ebay also usually has new pieces). But really, think of this as yet another excuse to plan a trip to Thailand - the amazing shopping is just the tip of the iceberg in this incredible, exotic country!

For the hostess: Ornaments from European Christmas markets

Scattered in towns throughout Europe (especially in Germany and Austria), these fun and festive markets featuring every bit of Christmas decor you can imagine pop up in late November or early December ever year. The stalls sell everything from cheap toys to pricey but beautiful handmade tree decorations, in endless colors, shapes, and materials.

Where to buy: The bad news is, you can really only purchase European Christmas market ornaments from, well, European Christmas markets. The good news is, you can buy many almost identical ornaments just about anywhere else in the world!

For the little ones: Delightful animal stories with an evocative Caribbean flair

 

Local author Jo-Anne Mason's 3 books (Trixy the Monkey Who Ate Nevis, The Perfect Shell, and Paddy the Goat who Saved Anguilla) are all perfect for the youngsters in your life; charmingly written and illustrated, they capture children's imaginations and even impart some wisdom about the cultures and customs of these beautiful islands! In general, I would recommend them for children age 3 and up, though my 2-year-old godson absolutely adores his copy of "Trixy", and has started saying "don't touch the fruit!" (will make sense once you read the book) in between asking to have it read to him again!

Where to buy: Boutiques on the islands of Anguilla, St. Martin, and St. Kitts, and Nevis, as well as Amazon.com

I'd love to hear about your favorite gifts to bring back from travel destinations! Drop me a note in the comments section!

Bora Bora day 1 - St. Regis!

After a quick overnight on Tahiti, it was time to continue on to the second stop of my 2-week French Polynesian adventure! I hopped on one of the most scenic flights you can imagine, and after a quick stop on Huahine, I arrived in glorious Bora Bora!

Greeted by a delightful St. Regis staff member, I boarded the St. Regis’s luxurious boat for the 10-minute ride over to the resort. I was checked in on the boat, so upon arrival there was no paperwork to delay my enjoyment of the resort.

After being greeted upon arrival with a chilled towel and freshly made iced tea, I met the wonderful Marion, who took me on a tour of this stunning property.  The largest resort in French Polynesia in terms of acreage, the St. Regis offers not only fantastic luxury, but also a ton of space and privacy. The staff is also the friendliest I’ve ever encountered in French Polynesia, and I was extremely impressed by how many knew my name immediately and greeted me with it every time they saw me!

A few photos of the resort after the jump...

Early morning in Bora Bora

My first morning at the Bora Bora Pearl, I woke just before the sun, at about 5AM. As the first light appeared over the top of Otemanu, I grabbed my camera and headed out for a sunrise walk down the beach and along the pontoons; one of my very favorite things to do!

 

Dawn here is so incredibly peaceful, with only the sounds of nature - the gentle ocean lapping at the beach and against the stilts of overwater bungalows; a gentle breeze rustling the fronds of coconut palms; seabirds calling out as they soar and swoop through the sky; thousands of fishing flitting and flopping as they search for breakfast. At this time of day, you’re almost guaranteed to see a stingray glide gracefully through the water – and this morning was no exception.

As the light got a bit brighter, I saw sand-colored flounder slipping over the ocean floor like ghosts, almost impossible to see but for small flickers of movement. Large schools of beautiful butterfly fish danced a water ballet to the music of the flute fish, as they all flitted and flirted and fed.

And a lone Picasso triggerfish stalked me, waiting for the moment when a part of my body would touch the water and he could seek his revenge for whatever the hell it was I did in a former life that has turned this entire species of fish against me.  (Note: for the back story on all this, click here.) Luckily, I thwarted his sneak attack on my ankle from behind at the last second, and even managed to not drop my camera in the water while jumping out of his reach. Caroline: 1, Picasso Triggerfish species: 47. Pleased to have finally gotten on the scoreboard, at least.

 The pink streaks of sky and golden rays of early morning sun accentuate the already unparalleled beauty of this island to make it seem even more like something out a dream – this must be just what heaven looks like!

Intercontinental Tahiti Resort

I’m currently in a gorgeous Beach Bungalow at the Bora Bora Pearl, reflecting over my fantastic first couple of days in French Polynesia! I arrived late on Wednesday night, and went directly onto my favorite Tahiti resort, the Intercontinental. The Panoramic View Room I was in was lovely, with a stunning view out to Moorea.

After some much needed sleep, I woke to a gentle sunrise and spent some time walking the resort grounds and taking some photos before my flight to Bora Bora.

Next up: St. Regis Bora Bora!