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Top Caribbean Ports of Call
By Mel and Ronnie Greenberg
The fabled Caribbean Ports of Call are for fun and sun seekers who delight in nature's bounty, vigorously trekking along pristine trails, meandering valleys, and sea cliffs overlooking dramatic craggy seascapes. Water lovers will be lured by close encounters of the underwater kind found in the surf kissed coves and iridescent waters. All are home to every water sport conceivable including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, paragliding, water skiing and sailing over aquamarine waves.
St. Thomas
In between all the world-class shopping, take the St. Thomas Skyride, an aerial tram to the top of Paradise Point, where you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Charlotte Amalie harbor and neighboring islands. Enjoy a delicious lunch here, with a menu that includes popular American fare as well as the featured island delicacy, Lizzie's Flying Fish. Other famous sites on the island include: Coral World, Megan's Bay Beach, Sapphire Beach, Red Hook; Turtle Cove, Coki Beach, and Frenchmen's Creek. A popular side trip is to Trunk Bay in St. John's for an afternoon of beach lounging and sunning or a little water action swimming and snorkeling.
Antigua
Nelson's Dockyard National Park in English Harbour is Antigua's most prized historic possession. The nautical museum, once the Admiral's house and several other buildings stand as a memorial to Admiral Horatio Nelson who made it his base in the 1780s. After visiting the Dockyard, ramble around the extensive fortifications, barracks and powder magazines of Shirley Heights. The top of the Heights is a lookout with magnificent panoramic view of the whole area. Take a ride along Fig Tree Rain Reserve through the lush vegetation bursting with mango guava, orange, coconut and banana trees (fig is the Antiguan name for banana).
Barbados
On the West side of Barbados coral shore beaches of fine white sand stretch along blue green seas with coral reefs fringing the shoreline for excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. The East Coast is another story with strong and constant trade winds and a rugged rocky shore. History buffs will enjoy National Heroes Square, Parliament buildings, St. Johns Church, Bathsheba, Holetown and Sunbury Plantation House. Take a tour of Harrison's Cave, an exotic kaleidoscope of vaulted chambers with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites formed from crystallized limestone. Don helmets and board the electric tram for a subterranean ride through this natural phenomenon. The new Concorde Experience is a state of the art facility where one of seven British Airways Concorde supersonic passenger jets is exhibited. Experience a visual show with light effects simulating take-off and get to view the interior of the plane.
Grenada
Sweet scents of cinnamon, glossy brown nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla, will tickle your senses in Grenada, known as the" Spice Island." Take a driver-guide to view the dense tropical rainforest that drapes the volcanic mountains and waterfalls that cascade down the hillside to groves of cocoa. As you would suspect, sailing is a Grenadian specialty, and charter yachts are available, for sailing around Grenada's coast. There are over 45 beaches in Grenada. Grand Anse Beach has 2 miles of white sand in a sheltered bay, and definitely a favorite .Diving is some of the best in the Caribbean and boasts the largest shipwrecks as well as a volcano. There are at least 30 dive sites including reefs, wrecks and walls, mostly within 20 minutes of Grand Anse Beach.
Dominica
The mountainous island country known as "Nature Isle" is the ultimate eco-Caribbean island. There are three national parks including Morne Trios Pitons that has now been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to the remaining settlement of Caribe Indians, the regions original inhabitants, it's more rustic and reminiscent of how the Caribbean used to be, For soft adventure take the Panoramic Rain Forest Drive where you'll see the rugged green rainforest scenery. To take in more beauty stop at the Botanic Gardens featuring over 40 acres of plants, trees and flowers. Those with the spirit of adventure will want to seek out the treasures in Dominica's waters. Guided by a professional dive master, divers can cut a path through a wall of warm bubbles created by fissures on the ocean floor, or dive the volcano as the locals call it, exploring dramatic drop-offs, caves and wrecks. Trafalgar Falls is one of Dominica's most popular natural attractions, five miles from the capital Roseau. Two major waterfalls cascade side by side out of deep gorges on the face of the cliff. Emerald Pool is a crystal-clear blue-green grotto filled by a waterfall. Birds are common here, especially the hummingbird and occasionally the indigenous Sisserou and Imperial Parrots.
Tortola BVI
Noted for her natural beauty, Tortola has more than 30 bays sheltered by the impressive slopes and lush green peaks that dominate the land. Tortola is also a major center for crewed charterboats and bareboats, each offering different attractions for family members to enjoy. Many well equipped boat charters and other facilities for fishing are also available. Water lovers will find an abundance of extraordinary coral gardens, magnificent undersea walls, caves, sunken wrecks and exotic marine life. Beginning divers will love Painted Walls a shallow dive off the southern point of Dead Chest, while the more experienced will revel in the awesome snorkeling and scuba diving spots at Blonde Rock. For more lay back strolling, splashing and treasure hunting you'll find miles of palm-studded pristine beaches at Smugglers Cove, Cane Garden Bay, Brewers Bay, Long Bay and Elizabeth Beach. A more leisurely afternoon is yours at the J.R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens that offers peaceful walks through pathways covered with colorful vines, a miniature forest and a fern house.
Spiritual Healing & the Setting Sun:
The Lure of the Big Island Of Hawaii
By Tim Wassberg
Lava is the lifeblood of the earth. But the flow of your self is the key. The Big Island of Hawaii is a land of two minds: one West and one East.
The early morning water shines as the waves crest on the edge of the Four Seasons Hualalai (www.fourseasons.com/hualalai/). The view from the bungalow brings warmth as the outside shower cleanses the soul. A ceremony begins as an initial blessing is spoken and the participants are immersed willingly in the surf. The breakfast at Pahu i'a gleams with turkey sausage, scrambled eggs and miso soup. After a quick tour of the grounds, the Hualalai Sports Club & Spa draws one in like a moth to flame. The Polynesian Niu Body Scrub, using full coconut spreads, soothing hands, water and an encompassing neck massage, truly centers the spirit. After relaxing stays in the jacuzzi and the steam room along with a required "cold immersion", the stage was set.
The Kona Village (www.konavillage.com/) was old school: 70s style replete with no internet and no TV. After a zodiac ride offshore at high speed where we encountered three humpback whales, a refreshing shower in one of Kona's signature hales readied one for the night. The dinner enraptured with appetizers of kampachi sashimi and smoked cod in a black bean vinaigrette followed by the combination of tender beef in a bordelaise sauce and succulent lamb. The night continued as the Lava Lounge at the Four Seasons revealed itself.
Early the next morning, a former Olympic kayaker led us into the rock. This area is only possible for those staying at this resort. After climbing to the top of a 200-year-old crater, the view is encompassing. The lava tube descends steadily near half a mile below ground the magma imprints of a former eruption are revealed.
Waikoloa Beach Marriott
Resort & Spa (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/koamc-waikoloa-beach-marriott-resort-and-spa/) swirled with the aroma of food. A local taught the essence of throw nets, delectable sushi of tuna, shrimp and octopus laid the ground work for a bouillabaisse bowl replete with clams, mussels and scallops. Thi was followed by an after-lunch massage by Mandara Spa girls
Vog (volcanic fog) is a state of life on the Big Island. Since the Kilauea volcano started billowing smoke, the west got more of the brunt. The Fairmont Orchid (www.fairmont.com/orchid/) seems unaffected. The Gold Floor, incomparable in view, gave way to relaxing drinks at the pool bar. Dinner, overlooking the ocean, replete with fiddle soundtrack, a generous supply of poke, tender lobster in a creamy sauce and a lava covered chocolate cake topped the evening. The music crescendoed into the night .
Yoga started the morning. Considering your narrator had never attempted such an exercise, the outcome was surprisingly fertile. A wonderful Koloha Coast breakfast followed, rife with tangy shrimp paella and delicious seafood quiche. A treatment of soothing Lomi Lomi massage at the Spa Without Walls focused the mind.
After an afternoon jaunt to Tommy Bahama in the Mauna Lani shops, the Canoe House (www.maunalani.com/d_ch_overview.htm) welcomed the evening. The scallops entwined with ahi sashimi wowed the senses.
The following morning, after a tour of the Ahu Pohaku Ho'omaluhia eco-spa which is located on a mind-blowing amount of land filled with rock altars and open meadows, the journey was transplanted to the west side of the island where the adventure took a spiritual turn.
After interacting with the Wellness Hawaii over a crisp mahi mahi sandwich at Jolene's, we were brought to the McEldowney Waterfall Property on top of a mountain where we exchanged "ha" (breath) with our female guide. A trek over the hilly terrain led us to the center of Keahi, a Hawaiian Healer from the isolated island of Moloka'i. A grand person with wisdom and humor to boot, he is seen as a grand pervader of knowledge and blessings. Placing his hands on one's head, Keahi feels the energy and permeates it through his words. This kind of interaction with outsiders has only recently begun and is a wonderful insight into the spiritual essence of this culture.
Arriving at the Palms Cliff House (http://www.palmscliffhouse.com/) overlooking a majestic cove, the sun burns into the sea. High tea dances with the wonderful strawberry tarts and cheese cakes. Hilo was a short drive away, gazelles and all. Surf crashed into the breakwater as Mehana Volcano Ale (www.mehana.com/mehana.swf), was purchased. The reign of Tim's Tavern began as the club lights swirled.
Kilauea billowed in the morning light. Entering Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (www.nps.gov/havo), the plume of smoke from the crater comes into view. The gigantic swath of the valley consumes vision. Kumu Dane, our guide, led the group to the crest of Uwekahuna Pali where a beautiful hula girl danced in tribute as offerings were made. Far below, the lava spilled into the ocean sending up gigantic plumes visible from Kalapana Village Cafe where a spicy seafood gumbo wrapped in hot sauce along with marinated fish tacos got the blood running.
A walk to the Pacific was like walking on the moon with billowing rock made from a lava flow leading to a black sand beach. Some Hawai'ian Noni juice followed soon after in ample quantities while walking through the green groves of Tiki Nui with its charismatic owner Kimo Blankenfeld, harvester of this elixir of life.
As a Guinness was poured
at the Hilo Bay Cafe (www.hilobaycafe.com/), the contemplation of the day gave way to scallops and angel hair pasta. That night the music played, the dance continued and a toast was made to the spiritual quest, both physical and emotional, that led the blessed to this island of perfection.