A True Vacation

Vacation used to be a luxury, however in today’s world, it has become a necessity.” --unknown
I just returned from a wonderful, relaxing family vacation in the mountains of North Carolina. What made the vacation so wonderful was just ‘being’ with family and sharing stories and lots of laughter. Although we had some activities planned, most of the time was unscheduled and spontaneous. It was a true vacation as the dictionary defines it: vacation - “freedom, a respite from something, a scheduled period during which activity is suspended, a period of exemption from work.” I had taken some work with me, (thinking I might use the time while flying to and from NC), but I never looked at the materials. My heart wanted the entire vacation experience to be a respite, a time to recharge with no emails, no phone calls, and no work.


I am amazed at how many people take so-called vacations and constantly stay in touch with work. Their mind never gets the rest and quiet it needs, and with out this quiet, the heart and spirit are drowned out. When I was in the corporate world, I remember how often vacations were spoiled by a call from the office. I could be a thousand miles away resting at the beach, and all of a sudden my mind was jerked back into work (and stress) with one phone call. After the call, it was almost impossible to return to the same carefree attitude that I had achieved. And today for most people it is even worse, because they go on vacation with their laptops, business cell phones and pagers; they are never out of touch.


When was the last time you took a true vacation – with no contact with your business or work? What impact is the “24/7” trend having on you mentally, physically and spiritually? What would it take for you to make the break and totally leave work behind for just one week? Does just the thought scare you? What’s your biggest fear surrounding this? Are you afraid that you will miss something important or is it ego or martyrdom saying that the business or office cannot run without you? Remember that one of the signs of a successful leader, entrepreneur or business person is the ability to leave for an extended period and have everything run smoothly while they are gone.


Perhaps it is a need to be connected, be essential or be useful that drives people to constantly be on call. If this is true for you, how else might you get this need met and still have a true vacation from work? Here are some possible suggestions to spur your thinking – vacation with family or friends that need your support or volunteer for a week with a charitable organization, or be a guide and lead others on a trip. If being "disconnected" from work for a week really scares you, then plan a mini-vacation to wean yourself from work. Start with just a weekend or 2 days with NO work (that includes emails and calls). Gradually move up to a full week’s vacation totally away from work and note how you feel during and after – you will be amazed at the results!
The key to experiencing a true vacation is to break from what you have been doing. Give your mind and body a rest and allow your spirit to guide you. When you return to work you will be more creative, more productivity and re-energized. Doesn’t that sound wonderful!

6 Good Reasons to Take a Family Vacation

Family vacations have evolved over the years. There have never been more choices, more variety and more options available for family vacations as there is today. Especially since 9/11, the focus on family and community and played a strong role in our society. The travel industry has noticed and has geared up for families. From all-inclusive vacation packages and cruises, which are equipped with kids clubs and special activities: to resorts that supply a nanny for your stay, it’s never been a better time for families to travel.
Still not sure? Here are just a few of the benefits of taking a family vacation:

1. The family that plays together, stays together.....
It is a time to get away from it all. Away from work, the phone calls, the kid’s activities, the daily to do list. This is a great opportunity to spend time as a family and get to know each other. Go for a hike, build a sand castle, explore a museum. There is more time to talk and spend time together without the daily distractions.

2. Teach your children well....
Travel is an excellent learning tool for kids. They can have the opportunity to learn about things first hand they may have learned in school, read about or saw on TV. Any destination can offer this learning experience whether it is a few hours drive away from you home or in Europe. Family vacations will teach children about different cultures, food, history, geography, climate, environment and so much more. The best part is that it’s way more fun for them then learning it through homework!

3. New experiences they will never forget.....
Family vacations provide a whole new venue for experiences that your kids never would have had otherwise. We took a family cruise last winter, and it was my 9-year-old son’s first cruise. We told him all about the ship and showed him pictures but I don’t think he could quite grasp what it was really going to be like. We landed in Fort Lauderdale and as we were driving to the port, we could see our ship in the distance. He was excited but still very nonchalant. Once we got to the port and pulled up alongside the ship, he looked up and up and up at the enormous ship, his mouth dropped open and he gasped in amazement. That reaction was worth the price of the whole trip and is something I know our family will always remember.

4. Life is an adventure, especially on vacation....
Even if you are not particularly brave there are still many ways to experience the adventures that lie in every corner of our planet. It may be as simple as going to the zoo at your destination and seeing the animals that are local to that habitat or taking a jungle tour though the Amazon. There is so much to see and do, pick the adventures that appeal to your family and do them together.

5. You kids won’t be kids forever....
Doesn’t seem like yesterday that the teenager that just borrowed your car, was in diapers and day-care? Most parents agree that time seems to fly by quickly and those babies are grown before you know it. There will come a time that your children will have lives of their own and sad as it may seem, spending time with Mom and Dad will not be anywhere near the top of their list. Take the time for a family vacation while they still want your company.

6. Time to kick back and relax......
Now this part is important. One of the main reasons to take a vacation is to get some rest and recharge. It is important for everyone so don’t over do it. Try and schedule an active day followed by a more relaxing day. It’s hard to do in some destinations where there is so much to see and do like Disney World, but trust me. The kids will be less tired and cranky and it will give you a reason to come back to the destination again!
I know this all sounds so good, it makes you want to book that trip you’ve been putting off doesn’t it? Well, I will add in a dose of reality here and include a few negatives. There are some natural stresses to travelling. Planes get delayed, kids get cranky, families can have too much of a good thing and get on each other’s nerves. The list can go on, but don’t let that discourage you, the advantages are too numerous to ignore.
So whether you choose to pack the kids in the car or fly to more exotic destinations, the benefits are the same. As far as memories go, we tend to remember the good things; the time spent together as a family, the new things that were discovered, the new friends we made, the places we saw. This is what your children will remember and, the fact that you were there with them to enjoy it.

“Having Your Hobby and Travelling"!

A man dressed in a long velvet robe walks around Carnival Cruise Lines the Liberty quoting Shakespeare and resisting the serf uprising. No, it’s not grandpa in his pajamas off of his meds while on vacation... It’s the Renaissance Faire at sea, and it’s called Theme Travel!
Since the late 1990’s, travel consultants have been coordinating theme tours, vacations, and cruises, in an effort to excite regular travelers and give them something more. Between commuting and the responsibilities of home, travel professionals found that their customers simply didn't have the time to spend on their favorite pastimes or hobbies. The murder mysteries weren’t getting read and sewing projects were collecting dust in a corner. Dreams of being an astronaut were not being realized.The travel industry set about finding a way to combine the excitement of a vacation, with the familiarity of doing something the customer loved, but didn’t have the time to do.

Travel professionals consulted their customers and asked what they wanted in a vacation. What they found was that customers just didn’t want to see the Galapagos Islands, they wanted to participate in and learn about the Galapagos Islands. Customers just didn’t want to eat Italian food; they wanted to cook Italian food. Themes based upon customer’s favorite hobbies and wildest dreams began to be developed.

Vacationers found they could take an exciting Murder Mystery Cruises and actually participate in the whodunit, or take art and wine classes taught by industry professionals while in Sonoma.
And it isn’t just for adults. Children’s programs in film, sewing and art have been developed. Parents have found that their kids can play out their most exciting and happiest childhood fantasies, while they are still children.

Customers have chosen between programs developed especially for them or pre-existing programs offered by a resort or cruise company. Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line found that the programs were so popular that it developed a permanent “Enrichment Program” that features programs in photography, performing arts, antiques, history and archaeology, and the Cordon Bleu Culinary School.

Regent also offers adult and children’s program in environment and marine life program with renowned environmentalist, oceanographer and educator Jean-Michel Cousteau.
With theme travel, families have found that they really can have whatever it is their hearts desire in a vacation. And if they want to spend time working on both their hobbies and traveling, well they can have that, too!

Which Hawaiian Island should you visit?

There are 7 major Hawaiian islands; in no particular order they are 'Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, Molokai, Lanai, and Niihau'. All the Hawaiian Islands together comprise the state of Hawaii. These islands are all similar in that they are volcanic in origin, and generally have the same balmy temperatures with cooling ocean breezes - but there are incredibly different attributes to each island worth learning for the first-time or repeat visitor to assist them in making an informed destination decision.

First, some simple facts for all the islands:

1. Language spoken is English (with some pidgin) and currency is the dollar.
2. Whale season is January to March.
3. Average summer temperature is about 83 degrees and average winter temperature is about 79 degrees.
4. It rains a little more in the winter. (That's the only way to tell it is winter)
5. It gets cold up on the mountains - so bring a sweater if you will be visiting the 3000 foot above sea level or higher.
6. The area code for all the islands is 808.
7. The time zone is Hawaiian Standard - which is three hours before California during Daylight Savings time.
8. The windward (east) facing sides of the islands are generally rainier than the leeward (west) facing sides.

And now, the islands:

Oahu - The Gathering place
Some famous places on Oahu are Honolulu, Waikiki beach, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Oahu is best known because its high population and very developed cities allow the island to offer many different sights, attractions, and cultural shows. Oahu was the first island to develop tourism as an industry. About a million people live on Oahu and about 5 million visit Oahu each year. This can make the island a little crowded but it makes up for that with the sheer amount of choices of attractions for you to visit, from water sports to nature to restaurants to exhibits. Oahu is a good choice for you if you don't mind a lot of people and some traffic in order to be able to experience almost everything Hawaii has to offer on one island.

Kauai - The Garden Isle
Some famous places on Kauai are Lihue, the Na Pali coast, Waimea Canyon, and Hanalei Bay. Kauai is best known for its very beautiful and lush green valleys and the rugged, unspoiled Na Pali coastline. About 70,000 people live on Kauai and about 1 million visit there each year. Kauai has really good beaches and plenty of watersports with a lot of local culture mixed in. Kauai is a good choice for you if you want to see Hawaii at its greenest and prettiest but still want plenty of conveniences ... like a fancy restaurant right around the corner.

Maui - The Valley Isle
Some famous places on Maui are Kahalui and Lahaina, Haleakala (a volcanic crater), and the road to Hana (and Hana itself). Maui is best known for its whale watching and its beaches. About 100,000 people live on Maui and a little over 2 million visit each year. Maui is second only to Oahu with how many people visit each year and it is a very popular vacation spot for college students - so there may be a little partying going on around you -and the island balances this with great beaches, spectacular views, and a lot of nature attractions. Maui is a good choice for you if you want a good balance of the beauty of Hawaii with the conveniences of the cities and don't mind sharing the beach with a few people.

Hawaii - The Big Island
Some famous places on the Big Island are Kona and Hilo, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the active Kilauea Volcano, South Point, and Mauna Kea (a mountain that gets snow in the winter). The island of Hawaii is mostly called "the Big Island" and is best known for its active volcano and its black sand beaches. About 140,000 people live on the Big Island and a little over a million visit each year. The Big Island has 11 different climates and three different colored sandy beaches (green, black, white). The Big Island is a good choice for you if you want to really get into nature and see Hawaii at its newest without a lot of other people around - and if you don't mind driving.

Molokai - The Friendly Isle
Some famous places on Molokai are Kauanakakai, Halawa beach park, and Molokai ranch. Molokai is best known for Kalaupapa (the leper colony) and Father Damien's work there. About 7,000 people live on Molokai and about 80,000 people visit there a year. Molokai is quiet, small, peaceful, and relaxing. It has long, empty, sandy beaches and pretty forests. Molokai is a good choice for you if you want to get away from the rest of the world and relax all day long on the beaches or the golf courses.

Lanai - The Private Isle
Some famous places on Lanai are Shipwreck beach, the Garden of the Gods, and Manele Bay. Lanai is best known for its solitude. About 3,000 people live on Lanai and about 100,000 visit each year. The only accommodations on Lanai are two Luxury Hotels ... one on the ocean, and one on the mountain. You can hang out on the beach all day, or hike or golf without seeing hardly another person. Bill Gates rented the entire island for his wedding in 1994 for exactly that reason. Lanai is a good choice for you if you are not on a budget and want a lot of peace and quiet.

Niihau - The forbidden Isle
Niihau is a small, privately-owned island with a population of about 300 Hawaiians. No one is allowed to visit unless they are invited by someone who lives there.

Unfortunately, in describing the physical attributes of the islands I neglected mentioning the people who live there in the interest of brevity. Once you visit you will see the spirit of Aloha that is shown by the residents of Hawaii and the fascinating Polynesian culture are two of the things that always draw visitors back to Hawaii.

When planning a trip to Hawaii, you can't go wrong with any island, but if you research and choose an island according to your tastes, you can increase your enjoyment of Hawaii. I would also suggest visiting no more than 2 islands in a 7 day period to allow you to experience the most of each island.

Personally, I wouldn't visit more than one island in 7 days if you can help it. All that packing and flying time can really eat into beach and relaxing time.

Nude Beaches in Hawaii

Yes there are beaches that are considered 'nude' by the locals, no it is not legal. Most of the beaches that are considered nude are way off the beaten path, and only found by people wishing to go without their clothes. If you do decide to go to one of these clothing-optional beaches, you most likely will not be harrased by the police - they have much better things to do with their time, but they have been known to ticket offenders if someone complains.

Most beaches in Hawaii do uphold a standard of wearing clothes, but you may see quite a few thongs that make you wonder, even right on jam-packed Waikiki Beach.
Big Island Nude Beaches
# Kehena Beach

Located in lower Puna, this beach is a hangout for the local 'counter-culture' folks (wiccans, new-age hippies, and anyone who prefers to live without modern technology such as electricity) plus the occasional adventurous tourist who can find it.

It is a black sand beach with wicked riptides (there are occasional drownings here) and a steep-descent trail. It is more for hanging out and maybe body-surfing than swimming.

Directions to Kehena Beach
Follow Highway 130 past Pahoa almost to the lava flow. Take a left onto Highway 137 before the road dead ends into the lava and the beach will come up on your right. There are no signs - just look for the parking pull off with ocean views on your right. The beach is down and to your left. The trail is through the vegetation off the highway.

*** Note, there used to be a nude beach on the Kona side to, but the Park Service cracked down on that and it is no longer considered one.

Some people also consider the Green Sand Beach to be nude, only because of its isolation, and the fact that no one (including police officers) can get down there without a four wheel drive or walking several miles. The locals don't consider it nude though.
Nude Beaches on Kauai

There used to be two popular nude beaches on Kauai: Secret Beach and Donkey Beach, but in the last few years the island has found nudity to be getting out of control on other beaches, and has tried to crack down on these beaches in particular. Kauai is a popular destination for families, and many people were getting offended when they went to one of these beaches and their kids saw it. Best not to try it.
Nude Beaches on Maui

Little Beach is the most popular nude beach, and a lot of people visit it. It can be downright packed at times!

You have to find Makena Beach to get there - directions are:
"Travel to Kihei staying on the Pi'ilani Hwy. until it ends in Wailea. Follow the access road (toward the resorts) to the right (seaward) to where it ends at Makena Ala Nui road. Turn left (south) on to Makena Ala Nui road and follow it for several miles until you pass the Maui Prince Hotel. Proceed for another mile and a half. On the right side (seaward) of the road, past the cinder cone (Pu'u Ola'i) is a paved parking lot (past the first dirt road turnoff to Oneuli Beach, Little Black Sand Beach). Park here and walk the rest of the way to the beach."
Nude Beaches on Oahu

There really aren't any (too many people), except for a practically gay-exclusive section of Diamond Head Beach.
Nude Beaches on Molokai

Well, most of the beaches on Molokai are very long, and very empty, especially on the south shore. They practically beg for nudism. The last time we were there we were pretty sure the only other person on the beach was naked, but we couldn't tell because he was so far away. There are no 'designated' nude beaches though.