
A look at Hawaiian aloha aina culture.
Dark rocks, giant boulders, and aged patches of lava surround us. In the midst of these rock tunnels and small coral caves, our marine biologist guide Pauline shines her torch to find endemic marine animals poking their heads out, curiously staring at us. Instead of the usual colorful spectrum of corals that we see underwater, [...]

On our last day at Pico Bonito, we awoke before dawn, determined to carry out our mission: to search for the famous toucan. The Pico Bonito National Park is home to a myriad of wildlife, ranging from the world famous toucan bird to the Central American aguti, the elusive jaguar and ocelot (a type of [...]

A thick leathery body floated over the glassy green water surface as we glided by the edge of the swamp in our motorized wooden boat. Our local guide Elmer signaled for the boatman to move closer. Once we were within an arm’s length from the body, we found a pair of big marble eyes staring back at us. An enormous [...]

Rising above the island of Maui is the gentle giant, Haleakala Volcano. Standing at 10,023 feet (3,055 m) above sea level, it covers almost 75% of the island. While it’s no longer active, it remains a sacred spot for the native Hawaiians, and one of the most visited sights on Maui. According to Hawaiian folklore, the demigod Maui went to [...]

Big swells, long beaches, tanned surfer dudes and hula girls: that was how I had imagined Hawaii to be. I had always thought Maui was all about beaches, beaches, and more beaches. But I couldn’t be more wrong. We’ve just returned from an action-packed week in Maui, and my perspectives of Hawaii have completely changed. Granted, there [...]

On our recent trip to St Vincent, we spent quite some time liming on sandy beaches and lounging around beautiful resorts; but our curiosity (as always) got the most of us: Surely there must be something to the Caribbean beyond its sandy beaches and luxurious hotels? So we tore ourselves away from the piña coladas [...]

This spring/summer, we have been eagerly chasing the sun – from the Caribbean island of St Kitts to cruising in Fiji, bird watching in Honduras, liming in the Grenadines, and now getting active on Maui. This is the last stop of our island-themed trip before we head back to Spain, so we’re determined to make the most out of it! It’s our first time here in Hawaii (which [...]

By Day Four of our heritage cruise voyage, our luck with the weather gods had run out. That morning, we awoke to pouring tropical rains and a sky covered with thick dark grey clouds. The island of Taveuni appeared outside our window, its silhouette shrouded in a blur of trickling rain. Rugged and green, Taveuni is known [...]

Piles of bright green chili, orange tomatoes, and psychedelic pink dragon fruit distract my eyes, while heaps of Indian spices make my nose tinkle. The air is humid and hot, with the smell of the seawater floating in from time to time. In the labyrinth that makes up the Nadi central market, all sorts of local produce are on offer — from the quintessential kava [...]

The air is hot and steamy, and I’m completely drenched in sweat. Emerald palm trees and beautiful yellow-and-red heliconia surround us but I’m too tired to care. I’m out of breathe and low in energy level, gasping for breathe and working hard to keep up with the rest. By this time, we’ve been walking for [...]

The sun is setting and showering the whole area in sparkling gold as I dive into the warm Atlantic Ocean. The coconut trees on the white pearly beach are swaying, while soft reggae music play gently in the background. As the locals like to say, “We’re on Caribbean time, man.” We’re on Young Island, a [...]

Darkness engulfs us in the thick of the woods, with the yellow beams of our torches and a faint slither of light from the lodge illuminating the way. It’s after hours here at the Lodge at Pico Bonito but instead of downing piña coladas, we are hiking along one of the many trails that criss-cross [...]