Travel Gal Office Hours and Philosophy
January 28, 2012
Travel Gal Office Hours
Our office hours are 8am - 5pm Monday - Saturday (Hawaii time - which is 2-3 hours behind west coast time) however, as a service to my Clients, when I am not in the office I transfer the 800 number to my cell phone as I have Clients all over the world and if they need to reach me - I want them to feel secure that I am there for them.
Philosophy
My Clients come to me while searching for recommendations for the best vacation experience for their time, preferences & money invested. I’ve been told its nice to know someone who can sift thru the sales, promos and pretty websites to get the bottom line when planning a holiday. Instead of “just selling travel”, I am in the business of assisting with a travel experience. This is my mission.
Travel is about experiencing a new, exciting destination. Travel is about the smells, the sights, the sounds and strange food, meeting new people, learning about a new culture and seeing the world thru another persons way of life.
I am the Owner of Luxury Hideaways, located on the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii. I love living here and enjoy sharing my “kamaaiana” knowledge with my Clients!
My specialty includes the South Pacific Islands of Hawaii - where I live, as well as Fiji Islands (been there 5 times), Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand.
Quite often Clients come to me originally for South Pacific travel and then return the following year for assistance in other areas of the world - thru my contacts with Park Avenue Travel, a Virtuoso agency, my Clients have “a friend in every port”!
For instance,my Client broke her arm in Poland, thru my Virtuoso connections, we were able to get her into see one of the top Doctors in the country and she only missed 3 days of her trip and was able to continue on with her holiday!
I’ve been fortunate to travel thru Europe twice, (most recently spending a month in a villa in Italy), visiting Rome, Cinque Terre & Pompeii and the cruising Mediterranean Sea.
So, where do you want to go? Lets get started!
Teresa Nelle
Luxury Hideaways
800 644-6659
Specialties
Extensive knowledge about travel in and around Fiji; Australia, Tahiti, Hawaii, Italy and New Zealand; Planning Destination Weddings, family travel
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Travel Gal Returns to the island of Molokai
December 28, 2011
I am returning to the Hawaiian Island of Molokai after 5 years, this time my Mother and sisters are joining me. I am planning an “Experience Molokai” on a 4 day excursion. We will stay at Hotel Molokai (a genuine luxury hideaway) from all things mainstream - which is styled after a Polynesian village and located on Kamiloloa beach. It is a tiny oceanfront resort complete with a bar and restaurant - by the way, it’s the only place to get draft beer on the island! The hotel is “community minded” as they offer a Polynesian show every Friday night as well as host a community party once a year - this year its on January 24th - we will be there.
When visiting Molokai you will experience authentic Hawaii with unspoiled coastlines, serene seascapes, untamed wilderness and no building taller then a cocoanut tree. In the central town of Kaunakakai, absent of traffic lights and virtually unchanged since the early 1900’s.
This charming paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town is also the island’s main harbor, where some locals still fish for their dinner. Stroll down to Kaunakakai Harbor to the end of the state’s longest pier, extending well past the reef - just you, the local fisherman and the sound of local boats slowly jetting out of the harbor.
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Feast at Lele is the Best Luau in the Islands
September 23, 2011
The Feast at Lele is located in Lahaina, at the South end of Front Street - 505 Front Street, on the water. Lele is the ancient name for Lahaina, and on this beach is where the royals would entertain and feast. It is no wonder then that this is now the home to the “Cadillac” of luaus, the Feast at Lele – an intimate and sophisticated evening with Polynesian cuisine and entertainment.
Each presentation is designed with authenticity in mind. The tour begins in Hawaii; then they journey to New Zealand, Tahiti and end with Samoa — the show is very entertaining and beautiful. The luau is very elegant and I love that it is a sit down dinner with wonderful entertainment, food and drinks.
What makes Feast at Lele special among luaus is that it is a sit down dinner (no standing in a buffet line!), with prIvate tables reserved for the number of people in each party. The setting is spectacular, and every table offers a panoramic view.
The Menu is designed by Executive Chef James McDonald and he presents a celebration of Polynesian cuisine with each course progressing through the islands of Polynesia to match the entertainment: first course from Hawaii, second course from New Zealand, third course from Tahiti, fourth course from Samoa and fifth course is dessert. Traditional Polynesian staples like banana, taro and sweet potato chips served with a tropical ginger and ogo seaweed salsa. You will not leave hungry and will love the authenticity of this fabulous luau.
If you want to celebrate a special occasion like an anniversary, honeymoon or birthday - the Feast at Lelel is “doin’ it island style”.
For more Island style ideas call the Travel Gal at 800 644-6659 or email teresa@luxuryhideaways.net
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“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” - Lin Yutang
September 21, 2011
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The Annual Pailolo Challenge-Canoe Race from Maui to Molokai
September 19, 2011
Early Saturday morning marked the annual Pailolo Challenge Canoe Race between Maui and Molokai scheduled for a 9:00am start at D.T. Fleming Beach. I arrived at 730 am, along with 2 greyhound busses of paddlers from the Westin Villas. Hundreds of paddlers fly in from all islands for this event. It is one of the last canoe races of the season that runs from the end of May until the beginning of August. Paddlers train all year for this 26 mile race. Last year approx 100 teams participated in the Challenge.
Driving my little car down toward Fleming beach, there was a light mist in the air - the Hawaiians would call it a blessing, I looked out onto the water, there was a rainbow - I think the blessing is in the rainbow.
As I was setting up my little mat on the hillside to ensure a great view, I began talking story with an older Hawaiian gentleman resting at a picnic table. I asked him if he ever paddled the Pailolo channel - oh sure yea he says, “Back in ‘58 it was just a bunch of us guys getting together, nothing organized like this, just guys having fun. We later formed the Lahaina Canoe club in about 1960.’” Someone asked him if the 1st place team in the Pailolo challenge won any money, he replied, “No, but they give choke prizes, its done for sport and good times.”
There were a few hundred people on the beach and grassy area, team members preparing their canoes, family and friends wishing safe passage and a general excitement in the air. I spotted an old friend of mine that was in the race, he shared that in an effort to prepare for this race, the paddlers have already spent the season racing against the other dozen or so Canoe Clubs around the islands. Also they’ve paddled quite a few practice runs for the 26 mile race by paddling their one-man canoes over to Molokai, then hopping onboard the ferry for the trip back to Maui. The Molokai ferry allows paddlers to carry a one-man canoe onboard, stacked in the back of the ferry.
I’ve also learned, each team consists of 9 - 12 members. Each canoe is assigned an escort boat (most of the escort boats were small commercial fishing boats) that carry the extra paddlers on board as there are only 6 seats on each canoe. It takes an average of 3 hours or more to paddle across the channel. The paddlers change out 1 seat every 10 minutes thereby allowing each paddler to paddle for an hour, then take a break and watch the action from the comfort of the escort boat. He continues on that It’s pretty much a straight shot from D.T.Fleming Beach to Kauanakakai Harbor. Just paddle to the Kamalu Buoy and turn toward Molokai.
Pailolo Channel is one of the windiest channels in the Hawaiian Islands. The tradewinds blowing between Maui and Molokai funnel the waves into perfectly spaced bumps that offer a great ride virtually all the way from Fleming Beach to Kaunakai Pier 26 miles away.
As 9:00am was fast approaching, the canoes were carried down to the shorebreak, everyone sporting their team colors. There were lots of spectators milling about, taking pictures and generally getting in the way. As the paddlers launched their canoes across the waves breaking on the shoreline, the first 6 paddlers climbed aboard their canoe and began paddling out to meet up with their assigned escort boat. The rest of the team members jumped in the water and began swimming out to meet the escort boat as well. The canoes lined up on the horizon, the gun sounded and the race began - 26 miles to Molokai…..
Of course I was still on the beach on Maui but I knew when the race was over and everyone was safely in, all of the teams would be greeted with flower leis, hugs, ono grinds, cold drinks and lots of aloha - next year I’ll need to plan ahead to meet the canoes and share in the good times on Molokai. Ahh life on an island in the middle of the sea….
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Big Wave Watching Season - Check into Turtle Bay Resort!
September 16, 2011
From November to February, Oahu’s North Shore waves average heights of 16 feet. For about 20 days during this peak season, waves swell to 36 to 50 feet in size. On occasion, winter waves have topped 100 feet. It’s awe-inspiring to watch, but surfing these massive waves is best left to the pros. The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing will take place November 12 - 20, 2011.
Turtle Bay Resort & Ocean-villas information
One of the closest and best hotels to stay in to see all the action close by is the Turtle Bay Resort & Oceanvillas - a little luxury hideaway tucked into the North shore. Here is some info on the resort:
Oceanfront resort
Set on 880 oceanfront acres just four miles from the renowned Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach.
Beach cottages
Each of the 400 guestrooms and beach cottages offer oceanfront views and gracious Hawaiian service.
Spa, surfing & golf! - need we say more?
Enjoy dining choices from poolside casual to upscale gourmet, and recreation options including Spa Luana, 10 tennis courts, horseback riding, surfing, and 36 holes of championship golf.
What to Expect: Set along five miles of secluded shoreline, coves, and bays, this 880-acre Oahu resort encapsulates the North Shore’s natural beauty. Adjacent to the resort’s east side is Kuilima Cove, protected by a reef from ocean swells for prime snorkeling and swimming. On the resort’s west side is Turtle Bay, site of surfing tournaments.
Amenity Highlights: Spa Luana offers a range of locally inspired massages and body treatments such as the Hawaii Coffee & Macadamia Nut Scrub. Turtle Bay Resort’s pool complex has a 70-foot main pool area, two secluded spa tubs, a large children’s pool, and an upper-level pool with a rock waterfall and 80-foot waterslide. Other leisure options include two championship golf courses, tennis courts, and surfing lessons.
Insider Tip: Though it can’t be seen, only imagined, there is an underwater canyon in front of the resort that humpback whales follow when returning to their summer home in Alaska after wintering in Hawaii. A Honolulu newspaper rated the resort as one of the 10 best whale-watching places on Oahu.
For more information and special rates call the Travel Gal
at 800 644-6659 or teresa@luxuryhideaways.net
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Travel tip: How to Pack for a Cruise Holiday
September 10, 2011
1. Plan your wardrobe so you can wear an article with 2-3 outfits;
2. Coordinate your jewelry, belts and shoes so you can cut down on items packed;
3. Generally there are 2 “dress up” nights; pack accordingly;
4. Be sure to bring good walking shoes;
5. Wear your walking shoes and heaviest coat on the plane so they don’t take up too much room in your suitcase and weigh it down;
6. Buy small plastic containers to transfer your lotions so you are not carrying more lotions/crèmes then necessary;
7. Pack your medicine in your carryon bag in case your suitcase is lost;
8. If you are traveling to a foreign country, check with your bank to exchange a few hundred dollars so when you arrive you are not immediately searching to exchange your money;
For more tips, feel free to call the Travel Gal at 800 644-6659 or email Teresa@Luxuryhideaways.net
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Hawaiian History Tip - Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs on the Big Island
September 8, 2011
Insider tip of the day: If you are vacationing on the Big Island of Hawaii, be sure to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You will enjoy an easy to moderate hike to the archaeological site of Pu`u Loa which traverses older lava flows to one of the Hawaii’s most extensive petroglyph fields.
To access it drive past Halema‘uma‘u Crater, where the ash-laden fume cloud reminds you that you are on the edge of Kilauea Caldera, and down Chain of Craters Road. Park along mile marker 16, where a small sign marks the trail head through a barren volcanic landscape, ending at a boardwalk viewing platform encircling a large petroglyph field dated geologically between AD 1200-1450.
From the trail head, the hike is 2 miles roundtrip (expect 1.5 hours). Petroglyphs are fragile, so stay on the boardwalk — walking on the lava surface will fragment petroglyphs and destroy them. Bring water and wear sunglasses and a hat.
For more insider tips contact Teresa@Luxuryhideaways.net or call 800 644-6659
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Time to plan your winter escape to the Islands
August 31, 2011
Do you hear a little whisper in your ear? Perhaps the swaying palm tree or ocean breeze? Are the islands of Tahiti calling you? Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Taha’a, Huahine…come and explore lush green valleys, numerous waterfalls, pineapple and vanilla plantations. Private island beach picnic on a deserted motu? Champagne & lobster are a great combination!
Do you dream of strolling along a white sand beach with swaying palms, hiking spectacular mountain peaks, or snorkeling in the multi-hued lagoons of a tropical island?
In an overcrowded, overdeveloped and overcomplicated world, Tahiti and her islands offer a welcomed trip back. Go back to a time of simple, natural beauty-where no structure is taller than a palm tree. Time to begin planning your winter vacation…
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Hawaiian word of the day - Kokua (koh-KOO-ah):
August 31, 2011
Kokua means to help, cooperate, assist or support. It means to care and share with each other. Your client may see signs on Maui that say: “Please Kokua.” That means to please understand and please cooperate.
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