South Africa bound!

It has been a long time since I've posted here, and there have been some updates from this year that are still to be posted, but I can't let this exciting update wait.....I'm heading to South Africa!  I have a wonderful opportunity to travel with the South African Tourism Board, flying on Emirates Airlines, for two days in Dubai, and then 2 weeks in South Africa....a Big 5 safari will also be included.  Could I be any more excited?  Don't think so!  More to come.....

A ship and her crew - the Safari Explorer experience

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The Safari Explorer

My husband and I are not newcomers to boats.  We lived aboard our sailboat for 7 years and spent 5 of those years bobbing about various ports of call in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. But, we'd never "cruised" before on a ship of this size.  So, though I had some pre-conceived notions, I was still unsure of what to expect on a bigger vessel.  Don't get me wrong, though, she is not a large ship by the standards of many seasoned cruising types. She sports only 18 cabins, and carries a total of 36 guests. And, with 14-15 crew members aboard there is a cosy 2:1 ratio of guests to crew. You know that you will not get lost in the crowd. This is only one of the many many reasons why this such an amazing cruise experience.

The Un-Cruise Philosophy

Un-Cruise Adventures has a unique cruise philosophy. Their mission statement is as follows:

Provide our guests with an enriching adventure travel experience and inspire an appreciation of local cultures and the natural world. 

And, they live up to their mission in every way. Our experience from day one was everything that we expected, and then some. Everything that they do is designed to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the context in which you travel. One good example of this are the series of slides that greet us on the flat-paneled monitor in our cabins each morning.  If you are adverse to turning on your TV in the morning, believe me I can appreciate that, but the little gems that they post on-screen made me smile.....this was our greeting slide.....

And, it was followed by this...

OK, call me a sucker, but I was really ready to "drink the cool-aid" when I read the slide above.

Then, here is the slide for the daily activities....

And then, more cool stuff....Hawaiian words of the day....

Up-close and personal with the wildlife

The experience with the wildlife is unmatched, unparalleled, unsurpassed! Humpback whales, green turtles, spinner and bottle-nosed dolphins, tropical fish and eels in every hue, manta rays. The list goes on. And, we are not talking about distance viewing. We are talking about truly close encounters. Whale sightings were so common they became almost commonplace. The skilled captain would navigate the vessel within the appropriate range of a whale, then idle the engines and sit, while almost invariably the whales would approach within feet of the hull. Pictures are worth a thousand words, so here are a few examples of the wildlife encounters....

Snorkeling, kayaking, paddle-boarding and skiff excursions are key components to enjoying this part of the adventure. The Safari Explorer has two roomy and sturdy skiffs that easily whisked us to our snorkeling or viewing/diving locations. By the way, all of the high quality snorkel gear was provided as well as wet-suits for the night manta ray snorkel excursion.

A luxury experience

Un-Cruise labels this particular adventure as one of their luxury offerings. I've become a little wary of using this word even though I work for an agency that is a member of Virtuoso, the travel industry's leading luxury network. I have found that there are as many different definitions of luxury as there are different types of travelers. Some define luxury as a personal butler at a five star resort. Others define it as a remote exclusive cabin with a killer view and a mosquito net. So, how does Un-Cruise "do" luxury? Very, very well, thank you!

First, these cruises are all-inclusive...everything is covered including all excursions.  Here is a link to their website that outlines what to expect...http://www.un-cruise.com/luxury-adventures. They use the terms "exclusive and personal", "upscale cruising" and "living the good life". They do not overstate or over-promise. It is all of this and more.  What they don't emphasize is what a great job they do of delivering amazing service. Their crew is exquisitely trained. We are not talking "personal butler" here. We are talking about caring, attentive, engaging, enthusiastic people. At every level, from the wonderful service at table (you know it when you see it) to the care and attention they show while overseeing our adventurous activities, these young people will win your hearts and bring smiles to your faces every day. And, they are genuinely passionate about what they do and want to share that with their guests.

Food and drink and plenty of it!

For some, luxury involves enjoying great dining every day, and Un-Cruise excels in this department at every turn. Creative and beautifully prepared dishes await you for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A choice of fresh fish or meat is offered for dinner, with accommodations made for every type of diet. And, in addition to a regular chef they also have a pastry chef on-board. I'm sorry, but no matter how much snorkeling you do, there is a good chance you will not lose weight on this cruise! Fresh baked goodies appear for breakfast, desserts at lunch, irresistible treats in the afternoon before appetizers, and then (sigh....) another dessert to top off dinner.

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart"

These are ancient words of advice, attributable to the philosopher Confucius.  Un-Cruise lives by these words, and they will inspire you to do the same. They really stole my heart and I'll clearly have to travel with them again to find it once more.

Lana'i - the heart of Hawai'i

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We are now aboard our lovely ship...and I didn't think that it was possible to fall in love with a boat again, but it has happened.  There will be more to come about the Safari Explorer and life aboard, but first some details about the second island on our itinerary....the island of Lana'i.  Our ship has anchored nearby and we have taken the skiffs over to the tidy little harbor that greets all seafaring visitors...

Hawaii's most enticing island is one way that Lana'i has been described. But, we have found many descriptions of this unique place.  It is also known as the Pineapple Island, once the home to the Dole Company whose familiar logo sits, aptly, right in the middle of Dole Park.  An incongruous sight, but here at the little park the predominant tree is the Cook Island Pine, imported by Captain Cook in the 1700's.

At the Lana'i Cultural and Heritage Center, a fascinating little museum well worth the time, an interesting map sums this island up for us.  It states, "I waena o Hawai'i, aia o Lana'i".  The full quote is from an old Hawaiian chant, "In the center of the Pacific is Hawai'i, and in the center of Hawai'i is Lana'i".  The word center literally means "heart" in Hawaiian, and I think this is an apt name for this charming place, that has won many a heart of those who visit.

I'd recommend making this museum your first stop, and then take time to wander about the delightful little town once you've gained a flavor of the history of the island.  Here are just a few images from around the town of Lana'i City, although the term "city" is a stretch....there is nothing "city-like" about this stroll-able burg.

A short drive from town one finds a gorgeous bit of island scenery.  The stunning red cliffs of Pu'upehe provided an energizing hike with breathtaking views of the ocean and the island.

Lana'i is currently undergoing some changes, and the locals seem to feel that the changes will be for the better.  Within the last two years, Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, purchased the majority of the island from the former owner Castle and Cooke Publishing Company.  A link to a recent article on how Mr. Ellison is using his influence can be found here, courtesy of Hawaii News Now.

After our small sampling of Lana'i we hope to be back to enjoy the hospitality of the two iconic Four Seasons Resorts.  Meanwhile, we are more than content to return to our ship to relax and savor happy hour in the company of our fellow travelers.

Moloka'i - "talking story" in the old Hawai'i

Moloka'i - Hawaiian by Nature

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They say that the best way to learn about a place is to listen to the locals tell their stories, and in Moloka'i this is particularly true.  The tradition of story-telling and the rich culture of the oral tradition remains strong in this unspoiled corner of "old Hawai'i".

Our adventure with the Un-Cruise yacht the Safari Explorer begins here after a thrilling 20 minute plane ride on Mokulele Airlines from Maui.  Only 9 passengers aboard and a security briefing by the co-pilot as he rotates around from his seat in the cockpit.

A full rainbow greets us as we lift off from Maui bound for Moloka'i

Though many who visit Moloka'i have the opportunity to descend into the valley of Kalaupapa on the north shore and bear witness to the moving history of the work of Father Damien with those stricken with Hansen's disease, our journey took us to another valley on the island, the sacred place of Halawa.

There in Halawa we were welcomed with the traditional Honi greeting and the demonstration of the blowing of the conch shell.  Greg and Gregerson were our guides, their families having lived in the valley for 50 generations, the longest continuous civilization known in Hawai'i.  In ancient times, due to the remoteness and depth of the landscape, the conch shell was used to announce the arrival of a visiting neighbor.  If the person to be visited did not respond in kind, the visitor had no choice but to return home.  As the visitor is welcomed, he then chants his heritage as far back as his memory and time allows. This was a striking concept....the connection with past generations is palpable to these young Hawaiians, and made us think about the responsibility carried forward by each successive family.

At the traditional hale, or home, of the valley, Greg demonstrates how poi is made and the importance of the food source for the family.  This is men's work, and one can see that it takes a great deal of muscle to pound the poi into a smooth consistency, smooth enough so that the revered elders (who might be dentally challenged) can enjoy the nutritious dish as well.  Greg uses a poi board and mortar made of lava rock handed down from his ancestors.

Meanwhile, he weaves a story of an episode in Moloka'i history that will forever be etched in the oral tradition of the valley.  The devastating tsumani of April 1, 1946 lives on in the memories of the families who live here now, and Greg's moving re-telling of that fateful morning when the tidal wave swept through the valley had us all spellbound.  A link to the accounts can be found here courtesy of the University of Hawai'i...tsunami history

We parted the valley with great reluctance.  The beauty of the setting, the warmth of these young people living the lives of their ancestors, and the stunning beaches that graced the entrance to the valley were treasures that will long remain in our memories.  But, we knew that the ship awaited and we were excited to finally be embarking on our Safari Explorer adventure!

The Forbidden Island

"They were strangers to each other, collected by common calamity, disfigured, mortally sick, banished without sin from home and friends.  Few would understand the principle on which they were thus forfeited in all that makes life dear; many must have conceived their ostracism to be grounded in malevolent caprice; all came with sorrow at heart, many with despair and rage. In the chronicle of man there is perhaps no more melancholy landing than this.....". Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels in Hawai'i

This is Moloka'i, the island where heart-stopping beauty was the backdrop to heart-breaking tragedy.
Father Damien spent a good part of his life tending to the needs of those stricken with Hansen's disease and banished to this island, and there is a part of the island where his ghost still lingers....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Damien.

This is where we will begin our journey aboard the Safari Explorer, and will have a day or two to explore the riches of this island, which is considered a step back in time to life in the "old Hawai'i".