Paul The Travel Guy
Let the adventures begin . . .
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San Diego - Gaslamp Neighborhood
Just returned from one quick night in San Diego. I stayed in the very cramped room of an historic hotel, in the wildly popular Gaslamp neighborhood. What a fun place.
The main street is 5th Ave., which is chock full of fun bars and great restaurants. Tough to choose which one, but we ended up at Searsucker. Wow. Great cocktails, and amazing food. There is no shortage of places to get a drink or enjoy dinner, and the next time I visit, I will probably stay close to this very cool street.
Long Beach, CA
I attended a travel show in Long Beach this weekend. Very, very busy. Due to proximity, I stayed at the Hyatt Long Beach, which is attached to the Convention Center.
I must admit Long Beach is not one of my favorite areas, but we had a very good time there. Some good bars and restaurants within walking distance of the Convention Center. Not many places available for breakfast, but good lunch options, and some excellent dining options. The Yard House always delivers with their huge selection of draft beers, and L'Opera was a very nice evening (excellent seafood risotto). A good Irish bar called The Auld Dubliner completed the weekend.
Queen Mary Hotel - Long Beach
Last night, I stayed aboard the Queen Mary Hotel. Unreal.
The Queen Mary was purchased by the city of Long Beach and permanently moored across the harbor from Long Beach. It is now a hotel, convention center, and an amazing historical artifact.
Driving past Long Beach towards the piers, the majestic Queen Mary appears. It was actually dwarfed by a huge Carnival cruise ship moored next to it, and it was very interesting comparing the two enormous ships. One was historic and regal, the other enormous and modern.
Walking aboard the Queen Mary, you are immediately hit with its history. I assume much of what remains on board is original (or amazing reproductions). The cabins are historically accurate, with a touch of modernity. They still have the old hot and cold fresh air vents (they do not work, but look cool), and there are four silver handles in the shower (hot water, cold water, hot salt water, cold salt water). The salt waters are turned off. The porthole allowed for amazing views over to Long Beach and the city lights.
The major appeal for me is the chance to walk this amazing ship. The hidden corners, long hallways, the amazing decks, and all the historical spots on view (captain's quarters, control decks, etc). I was lucky enough to walk the decks both late at night and very early in the morning (don't miss the chance to see the sunrise from the ship). I practically had it to myself.
I met some friends at the Observation Bar, which was a true throwback to the 1930's. Amazing decorations and a great view of Long Beach. If your travels ever take you to Long Beach, you will find no finer experience than aboard the Queen Mary. Very cool.
Los Angeles
Stopped in Los Angeles (actually landed at LAX) to catch up with some friends before heading down to Long Beach. The airport was absolutely insane - not sure what was going on this weekend, but every rental car shuttle bus was chock-a-block full.
I have to admit, I really like visiting the small downtown area of El Segundo. Cool little shops and restaurants. Had a great lunch there, at FarmStand, on what turned out to be a beautifully warm day. The drive down to Long Beach was agonizing, but that's what I get for traveling on a Friday afternoon. . .
Vancouver
Had to spend the weekend at a show in Vancouver, and it required me to fly to Seattle (landing at midnight), drive to Vancouver (2 1/2 hours), then return to SEA for a 5:30a flight on a Monday morning. Why do I do this to myself?
Vancouver was very nice, as usual. Great city. However, the gray skies and rain so normal during the winter is very depressing. Too bad, since the city is really beautiful. Also, I can't handle the incredibly short days (the sun doesn't show until close to 8a, and makes an early departure just after 4p).
I do enjoy visiting the city, and the people are quite nice. The highlight for me is staying at a hotel on the water, the Westin Bayshore, and watching the activity (scullers on the water, float planes taking off for Victoria, ferries crossing, tour boats, etc). I have never visited Vancouver for anything other than business. Next time, I may take Travel Gal and Travel Boy - but will wait for the summer with its guarantee of sunny, long days.
My only disappointment: not enjoying any Nanaimo Bars. Next time for sure!
Royale Takitumu - as good as it gets
While at a conference in Rarotonga, I spoke with many people about what makes a good holiday. Their answers were surprisingly simple: consistency of delivery and a unique experience.
Royale Takitumu may do this better than any place in the world.
Bill and his amazing family have built Rarotonga's premier Villa property. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Bill was blessed with family land that is directly on the island's best beach. There are really no other properties around Royale Takitumu, so the pristine white sand beach and warm lagoon waters are deserted - just a couple of guests from R.T. It is the closest I have come to a private island experience in the Cook Islands.
I was lucky to stay in a LagoonView Villa - it is huge. Very large sitting area with comfy furniture. Fully stocked kitchen (and a huge breakfast basket delivered when I arrived). A large bedroom with air-conditioning (which I did not even turn on!), and a brand new pillow top bed (Bill told me I was the first to use it - I am honored). The bathroom is large, with a jacuzzi tub.
But it is the lovely folks at Royale Takitumu that make this place so special. Bill is so proud of his property, and his pride can be seen in all that he does - the grounds are impeccable, the pool area and lounge are perfect for relaxing, the lily ponds and flowers create a relaxing ambiance, and the beach - oh, that beach is amazing. Mi'i is a lovely hostess at the resort, and she is such a kind and caring person. She makes some hand-made eis and floral head eis that are the pride of Rarotonga.
Bill and I were talking about the many couples who consistently return to Royale Takitumu year after year after year. They are not guests at Royale Takitumu. They are family members, and they all share in Bill's pride in this amazing place. I am lucky enough to consider myself a family member at Royale Takitumu, and when I leave Raro and R.T., it feels like I am leaving my home. I can't wait to go back home to Royale Takitumu. . .
Rarotonga!!
I just love this island!
Every time I arrive here (I have been lucky to have visited 10+ times), it feels like home. Friendly, smiling faces, a beautiful tropical backdrop, a relaxed and laid-back pace. It is perfect. This is one of the very, very few places in the world where I can actually see myself living. Perhaps one day . . .
Highlights of my stay on Rarotonga:
- Fresh fruit! The fruit stand across from Royale Takitumu in Titikaveka has fresh organic produce that makes me cry.
- Fantastic dinner at Vaima. I can't believe I had never tried this place - it was amazing!
- The custard square and decadent brownie at the coffee shop across from the airport. Worth a stop.
- Fish. Any fish. Living in land-locked Colorado, my fish options here can be limited, but while in the Cooks, I try to have fish at every meal, and it never disappoints.
- Lunch at Sails Restaurant on Muri Beach. Great backdrop and lots of activity in the lagoon.
- Dinner at the Sands (formally the PawPaw Patch) and Bamboo Jacks.
- AMAZING show and dinner at Te Vara Nui. Very well done.
- Surprisingly vibrant nightlife at the Whatever Bar - my first time at a nightclub in Raro, but certainly not my last!
But my favorite part of visiting Rarotonga is seeing old friends, meeting new friends, and simply enjoying the amazing beauty and hospitality of this hidden gem of an island. Might be time to start thinking about moving here . . .
Aitutaki - Cook Islands!
Ahhhhhh. Aitutaki. It is so incredible returning to what I consider to be one of the world's most amazing islands . . .
I am visiting the Cook Islands for a quick business trip and conference. My flight to Rarotonga was fantastic - I had a row of three seats to myself on Air New Zealand, and the flight went by very fast. My flight on Air Rarotonga to Aitutaki was a stunner - I love flying into Aitutaki. The views are amazing.
I stayed at Tamanu Beach in a 1-Bedroom Beachfront Bungalow. My bungalow was absolutely beautiful, and the view towards the lagoon was breathtaking. The bungalow had everything I needed - air-con in the bedroom, a huge king-size bed, a large well-appointed sitting room complete with mini-fridge and a television, and a big bathroom with huge shower. The deck was really large, and it was an amazing spot to enjoy a cup of coffee, taking in the views.
Tamanu Beach had an Island Night while I was there. This was one of the best shows I have ever seen in the Cook Islands. And the food! Wow. Awesome. I normally shy away from buffets at Island Nights, but this one was superior.
A great big thanks to all the folks at Tamanu Beach. Can't wait to return soon!
Las Vegas - if for just a few hours
I had a very short meeting in Las Vegas. There is nothing better than going to the airport with nothing more than an iPhone and usb stick. After my meeting, I had a chance to walk through a couple of the large (massive!) hotels, including the Luxor, Excalibur, and New York New York. As always, it is great people watching, even in the middle of the afternoon. For me, Vegas is always a reminder just how many people still smoke, and I am always amazed at how much cigarette smoke lingers in the town. Gross.
Ethiopia Town in Los Angeles
A great big thanks to my friend who took me out to dinner in Ethiopia Town in Los Angeles. Great food (my favorite ethnic food!) in a fun neighborhood. The Rahel Vegan Ethiopian restaurant was just what I needed.
After dinner, I drove all the way to San Diego for meetings the next morning. When I visit SD, I try to stay at the fun and funky Pearl Hotel - a small retro hotel that is very well done.