Explore Hidden Gems of the South Pacific Islands

Join Zegrahm Expeditions, the Experts in Adventure & jump onboard the Clipper Odyssey this fall.  The ship departs the islands of Fiji 19/September, 2010, setting sail for an in-depth exploration of the islands and remote atolls of the legendary South Pacific, ending in the islands of Tahiti.

The cruise includes Bora Bora, the Cook Islands, Tonga, and Wallis and Futuna. Join expert leaders, naturalists, marine biologists, and ornithologists as we step ashore on idyllic isles to meet Polynesia’s warm and welcoming people, hike through lush volcanic landscapes, and snorkel or dive sapphire waters teeming with marine life.

Activities- Birding, Diving, Hiking, Natural history, Photography, Snorkeling, Zodiac cruises

Day by Day Itinerary

September 19-20 -USA / Nadi, Viti Levu, Fiji
September 21 -Nadi / Lautoka / Embark Clipper Odyssey
September 22 -Taveuni Island
September 23 -Futuna, Territory of Wallis & Futuna
September 24 -Wallis
September 25 -Niuafo’ou, Kingdom of Tonga
September 26 -At Sea
September 27 -Neiafu, Vava’u Islands
September 28 -Sailing the South Pacific Ocean
September 29 -Palmerston, Cook Islands
September 30 -Aitutaki
October 1 -Atiu
October 2 -Sailing the South Pacific Ocean
October 3 -Bora Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia
October 4-5 -Papeete, Tahiti / USA [Read more]

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Aranui III - Freighter to Paradise!

Explore French Polynesia’s enchanting Marquesas Islands aboard the new freighter Aranui III. The 85 cabin Aranui III is custom designed with space and comfort in mind, but retains the friendly atmosphere and experienced crew that makes it half way between a modern-day cruise ship and an old island trader.

The ship’s large, family-style dining room offers French and Polynesian cuisine in a casual atmosphere. On board, you can enjoy the swimming pool and gym, cocktails in the two bars, and a library. Special facilities are offered for fishing, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. You’ll learn about Marquesan history, culture and art from the guest lecturers.

Lifeline for these remote islands, the Aranui III makes monthly 16-day voyages, carrying everything from baguettes to bulldozers, loading copra for the return trip to Papeete. With exhilarating surf landings and fascinating excursions, a cruise aboard the Aranui III offers the rare opportunity to visit islands which remain virtually untouched since the days of the early explorers.

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We Loved Kauai Island Private Home Rental!

Teresa found the most wonderful beach front house for our week in Kauai. She made our trip absolutely perfect and we will use her services again for our next vacation.

Susan, Alison & Michael

Aliomanu Sands

This charming, oceanfront home is located on one of Kauai’s most beautiful beaches. Vaulted ceilings add a spacious feel and the large lanai, accessible from both the great room and the master bedroom, faces the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Step outside for a closer view of nature’s splendor and tropical island breezes will caress you. Relax to the soothing sounds of the sea while you take in this splendid vista.

Step outdoors to a white sand beach and the expansive Pacific Ocean. Lounge on the warm sand, sip a cool beverage and take a leisurely stroll along the water’s edge. Playful dolphins may delight you with their antics and the occasional sailboat in the distance could divert your attention. The tranquil surroundings of this special home invite peaceful moments.

Tempting menus abound at the many retaurants located in neighboring towns. A wide variety of cuisine, including fresh seafood, Italian, Japanese, Pacific Rim, Chinese, Mexican and vegetarian, is offered.

Activities nearby include swimming, snorkeling, fishing, surfing, windsurfing, horseback riding, hiking, shopping, tennis and golf. Non-smoking. 2BR/2BA. Sleeps 4.

If you too would like to rent a private home - at a great price - in Hawaii
Call Me at 1-800-644-6659
Your ‘See the South Pacific Specialist’ at Luxury Hideaways

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A Guide to Maui - My Island Home

Secluded from the rest of the world, the Islands of Hawaii warmly welcome everyone visiting her shores. With a climate perfect for beach going, cooled by trade winds and infused with the scent of tropical flowers like plumeria, gardenia & tuberose, Hawaii is America’s vacation paradise and where I am blessed to call home.

The Island of Maui, also known as the land of the rainbows is incredibly beautiful and diverse. There are four topographical areas of Maui:
1. There is the soft, white sandy stretches of beach and the crashing waves which everyone expects when they visit Hawaii. You will find beach parks & sections where there is no one else on the beach. Your biggest decision will be “how big of a wave do I want to play in today?” or “how much of a breeze do I need to cool off?“ “Or if I’m snorkeling or scuba diving today, which coral reef should I go explore?”

So, after a day or two at the beach, when your skin needs a rest from the accumulating sunburn, jump in your car and explore the other sides of Maui.

2. While on island you must take a drive up the slopes of Haleakala - which means ‘House of the Sun’ in Hawaiian. The terrain is all rolling hills with cows, horses, and every shade of green imaginable.
Spend a few hours in Makawao, which is an old cowboy town; if you arrive early enough, you’ll be able to enjoy a Komodo Bakery donut on a stick - worth the drive in itself. I’ve seen people line up at the door just to enjoy one of their famous cream puffs.

3. The crater of Haleakala appears to be like the surface of the moon. Haleakala Highway is one of the fastest ascending road in the world. Take a jacket and long pants - it is cold up there! See the Silver-swords in bloom, located only on the crater’s edge. There are day hikes into the crater or get up at about 2:00am to drive up in the dark and see the sun rise out of the ocean - it is a spectacular sight! Haleakala houses one of the top Observatories in the U.S.

4. The tiny town of Hana is situated on the east side of Maui in a tropical rain forest. Plan your holiday so you can spend your last few days in Hana and really relax. There are no golf courses and very few televisions or radio in Hana. However, you will find black sand beach, bamboo rainforest, guavas & banana trees, 53 one way bridges and too many waterfalls to count!

Are you ready to pack a bag, grab your sunscreen and join us?

Contact me for more island vacation ideas, lodging & activities at 800 644-6659.

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Wadigi Island was the honeymoon of my dreams!

Hi Teresa,
Oh my goodness - words cannot describe how perfect Wadigi Island was for us! First, for future, we will CERTAINLY helicopter over to Wadigi. After flying for so long on a plane, we just wanted to be there and waiting around for so long was the only “un-fun” part of the trip. So, I know we could only go early if no one was there, but the 2-hour catamaran really did drag on. So, I know you warned us and we should have listened…the extra money would have been worth the helicopter - so next time.

But, WOW when we got there, everything was worth it! We knew it the moment we saw the island. I get teary-eyed just thinking about it. Boof the dog was waiting for us with his beautiful lei on..he was so cute. Tia came over and picked us up on the boat and while we were coming in, everyon was waving and waiting for us.

But we walked up all the stairs and got to the top where the Fijian staff was singing and playing guitars and waiting with a nice welcome drink. We just wanted to take a shower, but afterwards we enjoyed a wonderful lunch. The food was absolutely amazing the entire time…seriously very gourmet. The accomodations were incredible. We loved the outdoor shower and it was air-conditioned in the suites so that was nice too. We ate outside everyday with the breeze blowing. The infinity pool was to die for...we spent a LOT of time there.

Ryan likes to tell people “the water was as blue as the sky, which was bright blue EVERY day.” and that is so true. The weather could not have been nicer. Bright and sunny every day - very little humidity.

While we were there, we went snorkelling several times - Vika always packed us a nice cooler full of sodas and water so we could enjoy a cold drink out on the water. Tia and Meke were so much fun - they took us to all these places and helped us with EVERYTHING. We had never been snorkelling so I was a bit scared and Tia just eased me into the water and I was a pro in no time!

We went tubing and water skiing…we even got Meke to try! It was so much fun. Tia took us to his village (which was no extra cost) and it was very cool to see the different culture. We bought lots of souvenirs from them, which they thanked us profusely for.

So, what did I leave out? Something, I’m sure. But everything was phenomenal. We had the BEST time. It was soooo romantic and we had lots of romantic moments and time to ourselves. But when we wanted someone to help us with something or make us a drink, they were right there. It was perfect - if we wanted to be left alone, you wouldn’t even know they were there…you could walk around nude! But, if you needed ANYTHING, they were right there. Boof was great b/c we LOVE dogs and we missed our boy Jake so much.

You know, when we first booked this place we did it because we knew we would never do something like this again. We wanted a honeymoon we would never forget. And, we got it. However, we are already planning on how we can save enough money to go back!

Well I have taken up enough of your time - I could talk about it forever - I really could. I have my pictures in an album and I have been showing EVERYBODY back here. Everyone is so impressed and just can’t believe their eyes. They were in awe…which is exactly how we were the whole time on the island. I cannot thank you enough for the honeymoon of my dreams…I will never forget it. And we will be calling you in the near future to try and set up going again.
Vinaka!
Angela & Ryan

If you too would like to relax on your own private island in the South Pacific
Call Me at 1-800-644-6659
Your ‘See the South Pacific Specialist’ at Luxury Hideaways

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Cruise New Zealand Aboard Your Own Private Yacht

Cruise aboard the M.Y. Galerna - a fully crewed, luxury charters through New Zealand’s finest coastline - a travel experience for the discerning, unlike any other.

Make your rendezvous with New Zealand as luxurious and uniquely memorable as possible by experiencing this exquisite land from the stunningly beautiful sea surrounding it aboard your own private luxury motor ketch.

The M.Y. Galerna once host to the Danish Royal family, and the artist Salvador Dali, this classic Scandinavian motor yacht, fitted out to the highest specifications, offers guests the ultimate in cruising comfort. Galerna is 87 feet and is fully crewed to provide the ultimate in ocean-going pleasure. Teak and mahogany interiors embrace you; state of art technology and entertainment systems pamper you. All meals and drinks are provided by your gourmet chef.

From the simple joy of ‘taking the air’ on the expansive wooden decks while enjoying the ever-changing southern scenery, to soothing away stresses and strains in the Scandinavian sauna, everything is undeniably first-class. The haute cuisine, centered on the fish and shellfish harvested daily, is superb; the New Zealand wines captivating.

Accommodating up to 6 guests in three stylish guest cabins, each with full ensuite facilities, Galerna offers pleasures to stimulate the most jaded traveler: luxury tenders for exploring shallow areas and rivers, water skiing, wind surfing, wake boarding, game fishing, hunting, archery, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving.

The very best in navigational and marine safety equipment ensures Galerna provides the ultimate in safe luxurious cruising. Enjoying exclusive use of so elegant and finely appointed a vessel as Galerna provides you with the perfect platform from which to discover New Zealand’s unique cruising playgrounds.

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