From flower to bean to finished product One of Tahiti’s vety special contributions to the culinary world is its fragrant vanilla beans. Having utilized it for baking over the decades, it took this #Windstarcruises event to learn how vanilla actually grows, how it is processed, and why it is such a costly element in stores… Continue reading Journey to Paradise – Vanilla isn’t boring

Aerial view of Conrad Bora Bora Nui Iconic images have shaped many travel dreams and bucket lists over the decades. One of these places I have dreamt about since the 1970s is the image above of the legendary Conrad Bora Bora with its over water bungalows and pristine views. Air Tahiti turboprop in Bora Bora… Continue reading Journey to Paradise – Bonus – Conrad Bora Bora

Windstar Star Breeze in Cook’s Bay Moorea Once our string of 3 covid-19 tests three days in a row was behind us, we were cleared to board our vessel - the recently stretched Star Breeze in Papeete. The first night was uneventful as we all settled in. The next morning though, we arrived in a… Continue reading Journey to Paradise – Moorea and Dolphin discovery

The undisputed jewel of the Society Islands is the stunning Atoll of Bora Bora which we get to enjoy overnight aboard #WindstarCruises. Courtesy of our airline partner Air Tahiti Nui, a special helicopter discovery was arranged for us. It was insanely amazing! Five guests, me among them were strapped tightly in seats of the Thahiti… Continue reading Journey to Paradise – Bora Bora by heli

Our week in French Polynesia began with a bang as we were hosted by the Polynesian President Edouard Fritch. The reception was organized to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Windstar sailing here. As is customary in Polynesian culture, gifts were exchanged and speeches in both French and English delivered. The ceremonial element behind us, local… Continue reading Journey to Paradise – High honor

Last minute test at SFO Eight turbulent weeks have passed since my last blog. Thank you for hanging in there with patience and by staying safe. Omicron in retreat, my good news for you is that another exciting adventure awaits. This time, literally and figuratively “to Paradise” as the French Polynesian Islands of Tahiti are… Continue reading Journey to Paradise – Precarious start

For me, few places on earth have the chemistry and chaotic cacophony of life as Egypt does. Add to that monuments, artifacts, and tombs of unparalleled grandeur and this narrow strip of fertile land along the Nile gets under your skin. There is a spiritual regal-ness that makes Egypt a stand out from the rest… Continue reading Egypt – Farewell to a magical land

The great pyramids of Giza Our historical journey down the Nile is reaching its climax with a full day of exploration of the Giza plateau on this US Thanksgiving day. We started with the step pyramids of Sakkara which served as the necropolis for early pharaohs of Egypt before unification with the south. Djoser step… Continue reading Egypt – Cairo & Pyramids

Nile front clay pot dinner Our last night in Luxor ended with a fabulous clay pot dinner at the Hilton Luxor along the Nile. The illumination is of the Valley of the kings as a fitting backdrop to our outdoor dining setting. Food was fantastic with a rice & lentil mix I will recreate at… Continue reading Egypt – Luxor to Cairo

Luxor temple at night Luxor is packed with amazing sites which meant discovery after dark. We squeezed this visit to Luxor temple in just before it closed for a TV spectacular on thanksgiving day. Want to see the official event, check it out here. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59424084 Official logo Our visit focused on the key elements of… Continue reading Egypt – Luxor & Karnak Temples

Balloons over the Valley of the Kings Docked overnight in Luxor, our full day of discovery started early with a short ferry ride across to the West Bank and by bus to the tombs. Classified as an active archeological site, the valley is home to 65 discovered tombs to date. Many more lie buried awaiting… Continue reading Egypt – Kings, Queens and more

Esna temple Another day, another amazing marvel of the ancient Egyptian world. This time the sunken temple of Esna was on the program. This temple was submerged by decades of Nile flooding and sediment deposits. The remaining covered roof areas served as homes to local villages which led to severe smoke damage. French archeologists are… Continue reading Egypt – Esna & arrival into Luxor

Sunrise over the Nile In the spirit of the sun god ra, we watched the early morning sunrise over the Eastern side of the Nile. A healthy breakfast followed before we set out to explore the sand stone quarries of Gebel al Silsila along the narrows of the river. For millennia this quarry provided sand… Continue reading Egypt – Edfu and the God Horus

Philae Temple from the ferry Our morning began with a fabulous breakfast on the terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel from where we then toured the temple of Philae dedicated to the godess Isis. Rescued from the waters of the Aswan dam as the last UNESCO project in Nubia in the 1970s, this temple is… Continue reading Egypt – Philae and Nile Sanctuary

Old Cataract Hotel No voyage to Egypt is complete without staying at the legendary Old Cataract Hotel run by Sofitel in Aswan. Located in prime viewing of the first Nile rapids, the property has hosted world leaders, movie stars and most famously, was the long term lodging for British Crime Novelist Agatha Christie whom penned… Continue reading Egypt – Aswan and the legendary Old Cataract Hotel