The next time you find yourself in Austin, Texas consider taking a day off from sightseeing or business and unwind courtesy of some Texas style Southern hospitality. Start your day off by driving outside of central Austin and heading toward the hills dotted with Texas wildflowers that comprise the Hill Country.

milk + honey spa
Your first stop is Bee Cave, Texas where you can treat your body at the milk + honey spa located at the Hill Country Galleria. Voted best day spa in Texas by Les Nouvelles Esthétiques, this spa will pamper you in a modern atmosphere that still maintains a low-tech and friendly welcome. In particular, their Swedish-style Lux Massage can be customized to treat your particular needs. During this massage, you will sink into a warm neck pillow with hot steamy towels as you luxuriate in therapeutic hot or cold packs depending on your body needs.

A Lux Massage can range from 60 to 120 minutes and includes a choice of aromatherapy or hydrating body butter. Other treatments include facials, waxing, body treatments and natural nail therapy. Afterward, you can stroll along the galleria’s stores for some high-end suburban shopping.

Salt Lick BBQ
Following your spa and shopping excursion, continue your tour of Texas’s Hill Country by taking a 30 minute drive over to Driftwood for lunch at the Salt Lick BBQ. Be sure to sample their pork ribs plate served with potato salad, cole slaw and beans. Bring along some cash as this down home establishment doesn’t take credit cards.

Wine Tasting on the Texas Wine Trail
Afterward, stop by Salt Lick Cellars winery located right next to the restaurant and sample some Hill Country wines in their tasting room. Then pick up a map of the Texas Wine Trail wineries at Salt Lick Cellars and continue touring some of the local wineries located in the Hill Country.  Those who want to continue shopping can take the 40 minute drive back into Austin and check out the eclectic shops along South Congress Avenue.

The Kimber Modern
After 3pm, check into the Kimber Modern, a hotel with a feel of a guest house. Personalized keyless entry means you can avoid standing in line waiting to check-in and out. As you walk up the stairs and into the hotel, you will notice you’re entering a playhouse for grownups. The multi-deck courtyard features a secluded haven where you can take a nap on a hammock; sit with a few friends next to their 25-foot all glass water feature or simply wander around and sample the art on display from local Texas artists Martha Gannon, Margo Sawyer and Valerie Fowler.

Be sure to stop by the Common Area for happy hour. Sink yourself into one of the egg chairs as place your glass of wine or beer bottle on the Eames surfboard coffee table.  If you must stay connected, the Virtual Concierge located in the common are contains a computer, printer, copier and scanner. If you must plug in to your laptop or smartphone, complimentary wifi can be found throughout the hotel.

South Congress Avenue
Start the night off by strolling up along South Congress Avenue and check out the range of restaurants geared to satisfy a range of tastes. After dinner stop by the Continental Club (1315 South Congress Avenue) located a few doors down from the Kimber Modern and check out some of Austin’s local music talent.

Then return to your room for a relaxing bath. Treat yourself with the Malin and Goetz bath products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion) and then slip into a Kimber Modern Robe. For the ultimate in luxury, consider upgrading to the White Suite where you will be treated with a Maple king bed, a Kaldwei bathtub that can fit two, a fully stocked complimentary mini bar and a 400 sq. ft. private deck.

Wake up to a self-serve gourmet breakfast in the common room. Then relax in the courtyard or your private deck with a cup of coffee or a gourmet tea until you check out at noon.

What & Where:

milk+honey spa (Hill Country Galleria; 12700 Hill Country Blvd D1-110; Bee Cave; 512-236-1115)
Salt Lick BBQ (18300 FM 1826; 512-858-4959)
Kimber Modern (110 The Circle; Austin; 512-912-1046

Sustainable Tourism, also known as Responsible Tourism, creates better communities to live in and better destinations to visit.  It minimizes negative economic, environmental and social impacts.

With Responsible Tourism, travelers often enjoy otherwise remote locations while making positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.  At times, there is even a volunteer component.  To follow is my list of 52 Perfect Days of Responsible Tourism.  These are my all-time favorites, sure to please.

1. Visit the remote villages at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in India to observe Nepalese folk dances, songs and skits showcasing an amazing local history.

2. Travel to the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.  With its 2000 feet high walls, you can expect to see lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, many birds and other animals.

3. Visit the Katitawa Salasaca Community located near the village of Baños, Ecuador for volunteer work with children at local school.  This amazing program was reviewed in the New York Times.

4. Check out the Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondawels in Mpumalanga, South Africa.  This canyon consists mostly of red sandstone and is one of the largest canyons on Earth.  The huge, round rocks, are thought to be reminiscent of the houses or huts of the indigenous people, known as rondavels.

5. The Knuckles Mountain Range in Sri Lanka, a newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for ecotourism and rare untouched beauty.

6. Enjoy a visit to Humacchuco in Peru for a day of untouched mountain beauty, authentic food and gorgeous vistas.

7. Observe coral reef evaluation on Pramuka Island, Indonesia followed by island exploration.

8. Make a trip to Qutab Minar located in Delhi.  Built in 1192, it is the tallest minaret tower, Humanyun’s Tomb and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. Visit Akchour Village, Morocco, for viewing the amazing waterfalls and hiking to the natural arch named God’s Bridge.

10. Travel aboard an antique train from Kandy to Rozella, both in Sri Lanka, to experience views of one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the world

11. Visit Freiberg, Germany known as the jewel of the black forest.  The community is a “sustainable model district” and uses solar power is used to power many of the households.  There is a farmers’ market every day except Sundays and Freiberg is a foodie heaven and most restaurant kitchens use local ingredients.

12. The shimmering, neon green curtain of the Northern Lights also known as the Aurora Borealis makes for unforgettable nights in Edmonton.  Head north to Fort McMurray, Alberta’s northernmost city, to experience the mysteries of constellations that spellbind residents and visitors alike in the crisp night sky.

13. Travel to the Chimborazo Fauna Reserve Community in the Centre of Ecuador, volunteer with a local school at more than 10,000 feet in elevation; enjoy spectacular panoramas of the upper Andes.

14. Experience the grasslands of Gorumara Park in Dooars, India for sighting the Asiatic one-horned rhino.  Gorumara offers great diversity of plants and animals as well as a large variety of flora and fauna.

15. Visit Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda where the mighty River Nile explodes through a narrow gorge with deafening perfection.

16. Kick around a fútbol with new friends in the soccer loving community of Vicos, Peru then linger longer with the school children.

17. Visit to the ancient and disappearing Sri Lankan tribe known as the Veddhas.  These original hunters know the way to view the wild elephants.

18. Take a tour of Red Fort UNESCO World Heritage Site and Jama Masjid, the biggest mosque of India and a wonderful preservation of Indian heritage.

19. Check out Yellowstone in Wyoming for the charismatic wolves.  Reintroduced in 1995, these amazing predators often make an appearance in Lamar Valley.  Also, likely to be seen are elk, bison, coyote, bear, moose and deer.

20. Majestic baobab trees are an interesting feature in Arusha, Tanzania, dwarfing the animals that feed beneath them, even the up to six thousand elephants.

21. Travel to the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Hoedspruit, South Africa to learn about local conservation efforts.  Visit orphaned, injured and even poisoned animals, get an ‘up close and personal’ experience of these incredible creatures.  Attend a guided tour during which they hear about these problems and the challenges associated with conservation and habitat protection.

22. Harvest your meal like a local at the Gomagoda organic farming project in Sri Lanka.

23. Visit the Galapagos Islands.  The weather seems always perfect.  97% of the islands are protected and the fauna is truly “other-worldly” from pink iguanas, birds with blue feet, sally lightfoot crabs and armies of giant tortoises – most larger than your easy chair at home!

24. Travel to the National Reserve of Talassemtane National Park in Morocco.  This location is currently being considered as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the rare endemic species of fir trees.  Moroccan Fir is unique only in this particular place.

25. Visit a Hawksbill turtle hatchery in Jakarta Bay, Indonesia to get hands on experience with these amazing creatures.

26. Try participating in building an adobe mud kitchen construction to include cooking source installation in the Andes Mountains of Peru.

27. Participate in a local Sri Lankan custom of an unforgettable river bath experience.  Explore the riverbanks viewing amazing flora and extensive wildlife or enjoy a tuk-tuk ride back to the village of Kandy.

28. Visit perhaps the most famous and beautiful monument of love; the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.  It was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his pretty wife Mumtaz Mahal and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

29. Travel to Jaldhaka, India famous for the Hydel Power Station.  The cost of hydroelectricity is relatively low, making it a competitive source of renewable electricity. The hydroelectric complex produces no direct waste, and has a considerably lower output level of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide than fossil fuel powered energy plants.

30. Journey to the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico in the Greater Antilles group for El Yunque National Forest.  It is the sole tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System and offers a stunning example of immense biodiversity.

31. Visit the Mayan ruins in Altun-Ha, Belize  then enjoy a nature viewing cruise down the Belize River for sightings of crocodiles, manatee, iguanas, exotic birds, bats and monkeys.

32. View elephants, buffalo, bushbucks, lions, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of bird species outside Kampala, Uganda.

33. Travel to Cotopaxi National Park is a protected area in Ecuador.  The volcano that lends its name to the park is located within its boundaries and is among the tallest active volcanoes in the world.

34. Visit with Aboriginals at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. The area is home to a plethora of springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings.

35. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site from the 5th century A.D. Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the Matale District of Sri Lanka.  This unforgettable lion rock citadel is also renowned for its ancient paintings.

36. Take a panoramic seven hour journey to the remote Peruvian town of Huaraz.  The spectacular landscapes along the way will amaze as you ascend to the 10,000+ feet altitude!

37. Lake Manyara in Tanzania is a serene and beautiful alkaline lake that hosts thousands of flamingos and a diversity of other bird life.

38. Travel to the historic Agra Fort, another UNESCO World Heritage Site located in India.  This was the location that four of the mighty rulers from the Mughal dynasty ruled their enormous empire in the Indian Sub-Continent.

39. Visit the ancient tea gardens and historic Buddhist monastery in Lava, India.  The Dalai Lama, on his visit to Kalimpong in the year 1956 presented a set of rare manuscripts “Kangyur” of 108 volumes to the monastery.

40. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site from the 1st century B.C. Dambulla Rock Temple also known as the Golden Temple.  This still functional ancient edifice remains the best-preserved in Sri Lanka.

41. Walk the streets of Chefchaouen to visit the blue medina, observe local life of Berber people and contemplate the Andalusian architecture which still persists today.  Meet local teachers and students eager to exchange stories.  Assist with the school for garden beautification project then participate in bread making workshop.  This is the life of typical northern Morocco.

42. Watch local artisans utilize recycled materials to make crafts, jewelry and other household items in Jakarta, Indonesia.

43. Trek the Mindo Tropical Rain Forest in Ecuador, locally known as “Cloud Forest.”  There is community effort to restore forest areas between Mindo and the Nambillo River.  You will learn about the tropical rain forest, experience new sights and sounds while visiting established environmental stations.  This is the only growing forest in the world!

44. Tour the amazing Kruger National Park in South Africa.  It is one of the greatest game reserves in the world; offering vast, unspoiled and beautiful wilderness.  See the world as it was thousands of years ago, the Big Five safari will not disappoint.

45. The Elephant Pilgrimage in Pinnawala has been designed for nature lovers.  10% of the world’s elephant population is concentrated on the small island of Sri Lanka.

46. In Gorubathan, India, participate in various community awareness programs teaching on various subjects such as HIV/Aids, Human Trafficking, Child Labor, Drug Addiction, Medical/Eye Screening or other necessary community outreach.

47. Travel to the gorgeous island of Roatan, Honduras where eco-adventure awaits.  Zipline through the jungle treetops, visit a monkey sanctuary and a farm for the protected black iguana, found only on Roatan.  Later dine like a local on green iguana, an island delicacy.

48. Volunteer in New Delhi, India visiting homes in the slums to see the lifestyle and culture as well as to interact directly with the villagers, share ideas and experiences to educate locals to improved living conditions.

49. Soak up Polynesian Cultural Heritage in Laie on the island of Oahu, Hawaii for the ultimate display of the cultures, diversity and spirit of the nations of Polynesia.

50. Go bicycling in Copenhagen, Denmark a city with a rich history of maritime industry, business, culture, and tourism.  This is It is perhaps the most environmentally conscious city on earth.

51. Travel back in time to the Ecuadorian Upper Amazon Basin.  The area is home to several indigenous nations such as Secoyas, Huaorani, Shuaras, Sionas, Cofanes and Quichuas, each one with its own characteristic features such as language, customs and own vision.

52. Spin the globe and live your passion.  The only boundaries are your imagination!

Key Biscayne is a narrow strip of small islands connected to the lower-downtown area of Miami via a large bridge known as the Rickenbacker.  The Rickenbacker causeway has become a Mecca for road biking enthusiasts due to it’s wide bike lanes and amazing views, and today I’m going to take you on a journey through both space and time as we uncover some hidden history that may soon be gone, and some new biking activities many haven’t taken advantage of yet, to create a day where either the views or the biking will take your breath away.

First we’ll need to get you a bike (if you don’t bring your own), so let’s head over to Mangrove Cycles around 10AM to start the day.  You’ll need a Mountain Bike – don’t let the wide bike lanes and flat asphalt of the causeway fool you – that is for cyclists, and we are headed to the woods.  You’ll want a helmet and water bottle too, trust me.  Even on our leisurely jaunt we’ll still want hydration and safety first, always.  If you don’t have breakfast on the mainland before we get started, you can grab a healthy bite at KB Burgers just down the street, with smoothies/wraps abundant, and a casual, fitness-friendly atmosphere as well.  We’ll back at KB’s for lunch so you may want to wait…

Now let’s take advantage of the slightly-cooler morning weather and tackle Virginia Key Beach’s new Pro-worthy, but general-public friendly, Mountain Biking trails (helmet mandatory).  It’s about 3.5 miles from Mangrove Cycles to Virginia Key Beach Park, so it’s a good leisurely warm-up before hitting the trails.  Ask Mangrove Cycles to give you precise directions to the Mountain Bike trails before you head out.

The Advanced and Intermediate trails are very technical (I wiped out twice on the Intermediate trails and I’m a decent bike rider) so stay on the more relaxing green trail if you aren’t an advanced rider, and enjoy a hilly, wooded view that is very NOT Miami.  Pine trees, raccoons, turtles, and woodland birds whisk you away from the beach environment, even though you are 100 yards from the sea.

On the way to the bike trails, you’ll have passed a sign that says “Jimbo’s” and you may have smelled Smoked Salmon and seen some colorful broken down cars and buses – that is where we are headed next, once we catch our breath.  Jimbo’s is a historic Miami oddity, that may be closed this year after over 50 odd years in existence (the land it sits on is public, but due to “squatters rights” and so far Jimbo’s has survived through many attempts to take the land over).

Play Bocce Ball, sample some tasty smoked salmon (not your cold-smoked, thin-sliced, bagel variety – this is hot-smoked with hardwood in a brick smokehouse, and the flavor is intense, rich and savory).  Have a beer if you want – the technical riding is done, and you are on vacation… Relax.  Look around and you may recognize backdrops from almost every TV show shot in Miami – they all shot at Jimbo’s for one reason or another, since it looks like a deserted Island meets Caribbean Fish Shack meets Hippy Commune.  If you take the short walk to the Northern end of the Key, you’ll see South Beach and the Port of Miami as well.

Since we are biking and it’s hot out, we’ll want to fuel up for the afternoon, so now we are headed back to KB’s for a small bite, since we still have some riding to do so we can hit the beach in Crandon Park.  My personal favorite at KB’s is the Kaiser Burger but that may be a little heavy for biking, so I might opt for the Snapper Burger marinated in Lime Juice or a Frullato Italiano (fresh fruit and soy milk frappe) instead.

Next, we’ll ride to the beach in Crandon Park.  Crandon Beach is very different from South Beach, with Crandon being way more expansive, secluded, and family-friendly.  The water is shallower and with fewer waves, so it’s a perfect spot to soak in the sun while sitting in the water.  During the week it’s very secluded and on the weekends it has a small amusement park for kids at the south end of the park, with a carousel and playground.  I suggest riding the bike trail along the entire beach front until you find a spot you like, and then enjoy your afternoon, which will loosely resemble the Corona™ TV ad everyone would like to impersonate.

At this point, if you rode around Crandon Beach Park a little, you’ve probably gone about 9 miles.  The tenth mile will be the ride back to Mangrove cycles.  Take a final dip in the ocean, and then rinse off at the fresh-water showers at Crandon before heading back to return the bikes.  I suggest packing a change of clothes (like khaki’s/collared shirt for example) so that after dropping off the bikes you can enjoy a sunset dinner at The Rusty Pelican and take in the views of the marina and the red sun setting over Downtown Miami and Brickell, before heading back to the mainland.

What & Where:

Rent mountain bikes at Mangrove Cycles  (260 Crandon Boulevard  Key Biscayne; 305-361-5555; www.mangrovecycles.com)

Eat breakfast or lunch at KB Burger (26 Crandon Boulevard Key Biscayne; 305-365-5399; www.kbburger.com)

Mountain biking and Jimbo’s (4201 Rickenbacker Cswy Key Biscayne)

Eat dinner at the Rusty Pelican (3201 Rickenbacker Causeway  Key Biscayne; 305-361-3818; www.therustypelican.com)

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It might surprise you that the culinary delights in and around Ensenada reach far beyond their famous fish tacos and a Margarita at Hussong’s Cantina.  A trip to the oldest cheese cave in Latin America, wine tasting and the oldest French restaurant in Ensenada all add up to one surprisingly perfect day in Baja.

Begin your gastronomic adventure by heading south of Ensenada on the Ojos Negros #3. It’s a pretty drive that takes you up into the mountains and winding through a pass very reminiscent to the famous La Rumorosa with giant boulders as landscape. Once over the pass it opens into a valley and an expanse of green fields and beautiful farmland.

Cava de Marcelo

Continue on until you reach kilometer 43.5 and make a left. Traveling in Mexico is still an adventure with the sparse use of signage—making it a real travel experience.  Continue down the paved road until it turns to dirt and drive another 3 kilometers and follow the signs for Cava de Marcelo.

There aren’t any huge signs announcing you’ve arrived, so continue past the cows and milking facilities until you see a grass area with a wooden structure and picnic benches.  You’ll be greeted and offered coffee or tea. If it happens to be chilly you’ll also be offered blanket for your lap or shoulders.

The guided tour begins with a short walk to the cheese making facility. This includes a visit to the Halston cows, milking areas and explanation of the process of the art of making cheese. During this part of the tour, you’ll have a chance to try a few butters and fresh cheeses.

Next, a walk to the cheese cave building. The interior is dimly lit with just a few windows on the entrance level and is decorated with photos of the many generations of the Romenetti family. They have been making artisanal cheeses by hand since 1911 and use a recipe from Uruguay that dates back to 1750. They currently produce 6 tons of cheese a month.

Head downstairs to the cave where you will find a dim room with café style tables. The walls are encased glass shelves with cheese in the various stages of the aging process. In fact there are up to 10,000 cheeses in the cave that see no natural light. The cave’s humidity, temperature and darkness are what create the ideal temperature for the aging process.

Now for the really fun part. Take a seat at one of the many tables and prepare for a cheese and wine tasting.  You’ll taste cheeses aging from 5 months to 3 years accompanied with green apple, homemade jam and bread.

After the cheese tasting make your way outside to the picnic tables for lunch. Cava de Marcelo serves a full lunch –most prepared on an outdoor grill. Enjoy sangria, beer, lemonade or another glass of wine. Start with the Grilled Portabello Mushrooms with melted basil cheese or roasted tomatoes with fresh basil served with bread and habanero chili. The grilled sardines with a ricotta sauce made up of tomatoes, cactus and raspberry vinegar and topped with spinach and cracked chili powder are amazing. Also delicious is the smoked marlin served cold on bread with capers and onions with an accompanying salad. These are just some of the delicious choices.

To truly enjoy the Cava de Marcelo experience plan to spend about three to four hours.

San Rafael Winery
With a full belly, continue the afternoon by heading back in the direction of Ensenada about two miles to the 39 Kilometer mark to the first dirt road and make a right at the 300 meter road sign to the San Rafael Winery.

Owned by the Hussong family as in “the Hussong family”, the San Rafael Winery and tasting is a don’t miss experience. Ludwig, the great grandson of the founder of Hussongs Cantina attended Oenology and culinary school in Napa Valley and puts both degrees to use at this working winery. Start with a tour of the wine making and barrel room where you’ll learn that they harvest their grapes by hand, crush and de-stem them outside and then start the wine making process. San Rafael Winery produces three single varietals (Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot) and nine blends for a total production of 4,000 cases a year.

After the tour head up to the house for a tasting. If it’s a warm day you’ll have the bonus of sitting on the outside deck that looks over acres and acres of grape vines. What sets San Rafael Winery apart from many others is Ludwig’s commitment to personalized tourism; he and his wife will help organize a day trip to the Ojos Negros area or to Ensenada.  Whether you’d like a street food experience in Ensenada or a private dinner cooked by him at the winery, just email and he’ll work with you to create a great Baja experience.

Back to the wine! Tastings start with a plate of cheese, crackers and jam and the only white wine they make—a blend under the Delina label—a crisp and light wine with a fruity aroma and hints of pineapple and peaches. Next we tasted the 2009 Merlot from their premium label: Ojos Negros; an intense flavor with subtle textures. A lot of browns in the color and the weather gives this wine a softer flavor. Our final taste was their flagship Meritage Bordeaux blend called Passion. This was a lighter red with fruit forward flavors. My favorite? The Merlot.

El Rey Sol: Mexico’s Oldest French Restaurant
Make your way back to Ensenada for a dinner that will be a one of a kind experience. It’s not often if ever you’ll get the chance to savour fine French food in Mexico. Not only is El Rey Sol the oldest French restaurant in Mexico (opened in 1947), it’s the oldest restaurant in Ensenada. It’s a fine dining experience that offers the wonderful flavors of French cuisine and a few traditional Mexican dishes.

This is an old school dining experience complete with waiters in suits and table side service. For a perfect dining experience linger and enjoy the meal and service. If you’re adventurous start with the escargot de Bourgogne or the crocodile ribs. If you are a traditionalist, the French onion soup is delicious. The Caesar salad is made table side and a must – it’s one of the best you’ll find anywhere—in fact they won 1^st place for the best Casaer salad in Baja recently.

For the entrée try the Skate (a type of fish) in a burnt butter and caper sauce or one of the many delicious French or Mexican inspired dishes. Desert should not be missed here—French pastries are hand made in the restaurant and rival anything you would find in Paris. To accompany your pastries order a Mexican coffee—which is made table side and as much fun to watch being made as it is to drink.

Hussong’s Cantina
If you are up for a final nightcap head a few blocks to Hussong’s for a Margarita—it’s the birth place of this famous drink. Story has it that a bartender created a special new concoction for the daughter of a German ambassador and her name was Margarita—and that’s how this famous drink came to be. Hussongs is the oldest bar in Mexico and was issued the second liquor license ever granted in the country.

Hotel Pasada El Rey Sol

When it’s time to finally rest your head for the evening head to the Hotel Pasada El Rey Sol located on Avenida Blancarte across from the El Rey Sol restaurant. Rated #2 on Trip Advisor for hotels in Ensenada, they are moderately priced and in a great central location. The owner, Jean-Loup Bitterlin is president of the hotel association in Ensenada and was the first to install electronic locks on the doors and TV’s in the rooms. He is a true pioneer helping to propel many of the changes happening in Ensenada over the past several years including the regentrification of 2^nd street (which is a beautiful walk street with cobbled side walks and high end stores and restaurants). So rest assured, you’ll get a great night sleep!

What & Where:

Cava de Marcelo ( http://www.lacavademarcelo.com.mx/) Reservations aren’t necessary, but are appreciated.

Driving Directions
From Ensenada, take the road to “Ojos Negros”.
Driving East on the road to “Ojos Negros”. You’ll pass “Ojos Negros” Town on Km 40.
On Km 43.5 turn left, you’ll see a sign from “Rancho La Campana”.
Drive straight on the concrete road.  When you see “El Empaque” and “Rancho Buena Vista” the concrete ends, just keep driving.
When you see the orange house just turn left and there you’ll see the entrance of “Rancho La Campana”.

San Rafael Winery (www.bodegassanrafael.com/)
El Rey Sol (www.ensenadaexperience.com/el-rey-sol-restaurant.php)
Hussong’s Cantina (www.cantinahussongs.com/)
Posada El Sol Rey Hotel (www.ensenadaexperience.com/posada-el-rey-sol-hotel.php)

Large Australian cities – think Sydney or Melbourne – are all very well.  But if like me, you’re seeking a taste of the REAL Australia, head for the tourist capital of tropical Far North Queensland – Cairns!

If you can’t find something to do in this laid back northern city on Australia’s east coast amidst some of the most staggeringly beautiful scenery anywhere – well … maybe you should just head back home.  To your own planet!

Every day in Cairns has ‘perfect day’ potential.  But how can an each-way-bet girl like me choose between world class attractions like the reef, rainforest, northern beaches, botanic gardens, islands, hinterland, wildlife, markets, fishing, shopping, skyrail, railway, scenery, bird watching, entertainment and dining for the ultimate perfect day?  Impossible!

Well, almost.

For the best introduction to the center of the tropical universe, pack the most into the shortest time and whet your appetite for more at the Cairns foreshore and Esplanade walk.  It’s where al fresco dining, wildlife, fitness, scenery, swimming, picnicking, history, sports, markets, shopping, relaxation and my personal favourite – people-watching – come together perfectly in just one day!

But spend a day on the here at your peril!  Because just one day in Cairns won’t be enough.

Completed in the early 2000′s, the foreshore redevelopment is so well done that many visitors don’t notice the ‘beach’ is really a mudflat unsuitable for water activities.  That’s because the distractions are so compelling – like the scenery, activities, harbor, artificial lagoon and infinity pool and many other points of artistic and historic interest.

And the people-watching!

Mangroves, mudflats and migrating birds mean serious bird watching at the esplanade’s quieter northern end where you can sit and watch wading birds from as far away as Siberia.  The boardwalk’s viewing platforms, telescopes and interpretive signs give you a better than average chance at identification – or at least getting a closer look at anything else of interest!  If that doesn’t do it for you, it’s just as much fun spotting the serious birdwatcher – or ‘twitcher’ – at play or on tour!  Look out for distinctive clothing and behavior; equipment like binoculars and bird books can also be a dead giveaway …

But ‘twitching’ isn’t just for hardcore birders – if you’re still on the foreshore at sunset, enjoy the spectacle of hundreds of colorful rainbow lorikeets settling down for the night!

Prepare for disappointment if you’re expecting koalas or kangaroos – but in a fair exchange (!) you may see creatures like this young fruit bat lurking in the Moreton Bay fig trees … In fact, look UP before parking your vehicle – a day under a tree full of fruit bats won’t make you (or your car hire company) very happy.  But hey!  Paradise sometimes has a price!

Walkers like me tend to find exercise stations superfluous – but the sometimes gratuitous display of rippling muscles can be distracting, or even inadvertently hilarious!  Weirdly though, some folks actually use the stations to exercise so your open admiration or laughter isn’t always appropriate.  Be careful what you admire/find comical!  And if all else fails, plenty of young male travelers strip down to their board-shorts without apparent provocation to play beach volleyball and other games on the lawns around the pool with no doubt about their attention-seeking motives!

In fact, watching young travelers make their moves and practice their pick-up lines on other young travelers while you relax with a drink and snack in the shade is quite possibly the ultimate leisure activity of all time!!

Just watch out for sunburn.

By all means admire the colorful sculptures and artworks along the trail – but to leave a lasting impression on Australia’s far north, why not immortalize a superfluous shoe or other random object on this interactive living artwork?  You’ll be part of Cairns forever – or at least until the next tropical cyclone!

And if you’re wondering what the plane on a pole, anchor, cenotaph or cannon scattered along the walk are all about, an interpretive brochure from the Cairns and Tropical North Visitor Information Centre at the southern end will not only tell you the Esplanade walk is one of a network of five historic walks around Cairns, but also the historic significance of all of the above – and more!

Luckily, it’s easy to combine historic edification with gastronomy at the many cafes, bars and restaurants lining the Esplanade and side streets.

And gelato bars.

Use my extensive market testing of multiple flavors over several visits to select the best gelato combinations: banana and coconut, mango and macadamia or blood orange and pink grapefruit!  And my favorite?  They’re all good, but I’d go back to Devine Gelato any day! I’d have tested more if not for serious danger of throwing up. But a detour off the Esplanade to Rusty’s Markets for Cairns best fresh produce will cure any gelato frenzy, no matter how decadent.  And trust me – the euphoria of virtuousness this brings will outweigh any guilt you may otherwise feel from shopping all the way there and back!

You don’t have to leave the Esplanade to go shopping though – from 5:00 pm the Cairns Night Markets open!  Every night!!

Follow the trail around to the marina to admire the yachts – gasp as you estimate their collective worth – or just watch the fishermen on the jetty, or cruise boats returning day trippers from the off-shore islands.  All beautifully offset against the vast and virtually unspoiled headland across Trinity Inlet …

And as the daylight fades and the sun sets behind the Kuranda Range, you’ll realize the trap into which you have fallen.  Yes, this perfect day is just an elaborate tropical paradise teaser!  In the balmy evening the thought of leaving after just one day is unimaginable when for each new Cairns attraction, another perfect day in paradise awaits!

Want more information about Cairns?  Visit Amazing Australian Adventures for other things I’ve seen and done in and around Cairns (and elsewhere in Australia) and visit me on Flickr for more Cairns photos.

What and Where:
Cairns and Tropical North Visitor Information Centre, 51 the Esplanade, Cairns;  ph Toll Free 1800 093 300

Devine Gelato, 5 Aplin St, Cairns City;  ph 07 4041 4959 (Aust)

Rusty’s Market, 44 Spence St, btw Grafton and Sheridan St, Cairns; Open various hours Fri-Sun;  ph 07 4051 5100 (Aust)

Cairns Night Markets, 71-75 the Esplanade, Cairns; 07 4051 7666 (Aust)

Red Nomad OZ Bio:
Alongside the great Australian destinations and experiences of 21+ years travel to every Australian state and territory, I’ve also unearthed many off-beat and downright bizarre oddities!  Amazing Australian Adventures is a non-chronological collection of my Australian travel findings – and I’m always discovering more!  Red Nomad OZ is not my real name …

Why not drop in and say g’day?!

Amazing Australian Adventures at http://rednomadoz.blogspot.com
Twitter at @RedNomadOZ
Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rednomadoz/

The Lower East Side (L.E.S.) was once the stomping grounds for an 18^th century melting pot of immigrants (Dutch, German, Jewish, Italian, Ukrainian, etc). Today many parts still remain true to this cultural heritage.  The neighborhoods beginnings, history, and gentrification are highlighted through an authentic tour of several dining establishments with City Food Tours. They graciously introduce tourists and New Yorkers alike to the many delicious gastronomic pleasures in the East Village.  City Food Tours shares with locals and visitors many of these  easily missed restaurants. The tour is well worth it for foodies, history buffs and lovers of New York. Experience the tastes and the stories of each location on the two hour Lower East Side Artisan Food Tasting Tour.

Listed below are a few of the stops of the City Food Tours

Gem Spa

Not to sound too judgmental, but when taking a food tour of New York City’s  East Village, and the first stop is Gem Spa, some people just might ask for their money back.  Rest assured, this is the ideal location to begin a culinary sight seeing tour, even though the appearances seem a bit rough around the edges.  Gem Spa has been a resident of the East Village for 75 plus years.  Receiving the title of Gem Spa in 1957, this original newspaper stand and old-time soda shop opened in the early 1920’s.  Though most of the items from this soda shop are long gone, Gem Spa remains a popular stop for one of New York’s old-fashioned egg creams.

Drawing close to nonexistence, the egg cream has sadly become a rare find in the city.  However, the name “egg cream” is constantly under debate.  With the addition of no egg at all, a classic egg cream consists of: milk, chocolate syrup (U-Bet is the brand to use), and seltzer water.  The outcome is nothing more than a fizzy glass of chocolate milk.  Honestly, quite tasty.

East Village Meat Market

The East Village Meat Market is the local butcher shop.  The windows and display cases are filled with very Old World handmade (yes, everything is handmade) meats and charcuterie that are at the top of New World food trends.  This Ukrainian owned and managed butcher shop offers Ukrainian and Polish meat specialties: salami, hams, headcheese’s, and sausages.  They also offer other native food products like pierogi (dumplings traditionally stuffed with potato). Tasted on this tour were the shop’s peppered studded salami, rye bread, and mustard.

Veselka

Somewhere over the Veselka (Ukraininian for “rainbow”), lies a 24 hour 7 days a week operation.  Veselka established itself in the East Village in 1954.  Beginning as a candy and newsstand on the corner of 2^nd Avenue and 9^th Street Veselka remains a family owned restaurant serving up some of Ukraine’s conventional fare.  A favorite breakfast spot for locals and a new favorite for spot-on beet Borscht for yours truly.

Milk Bar

Christian Tosi, the pastry chef/owner of Milk Bar is definitely one who thinks outside of the box.  Affiliated with David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar and other line of hit restaurants, Milk Bar is simply the most creative place I have walked into in quite some time.

Tosi has taken her ideas and creations and has intelligently trademarked them in order to keep competitors from claiming them as their own.  The mere size of a New York City kitchen (think on a very small scale), Milk Bar’s menu hangs on the wall.  The signature items, not to be missed: Cereal Milk (just that, milk that tastes like cereal) in bottle, soft-serve, and milkshake form. Compost Cookie (Coffee grinds? Potato chips? Pretzels?) Tosi took on-hand ingredients from her pantry and threw them in to a cookie…brilliant. Crack pie (so good it’s addicting).

Veniero’s

Last stop is dessert.  Veniero’s originated 115 years ago as a pool supply store that quickly flopped as the number of pools in the city are were slim to none.  Luckily it became a full-blown bakery (and now restaurant) offering some of the finest Italian pastries in the city.  Cases of canolis, tarts, eclairs, cheesecakes, and cookies have customers flooding through the doors and picking a number for their order.  Open for 115 years, Veniero’s has to be doing something right.

All in all, the City Food Tour is a class act not only for “foodies,” but also for anyone with an interest in New York, its history, and current hot spots.  City Food Tours offers a number of daily tours as well as private events and dining programs. Check out their website for more information: www.cityfoodtours.com

What & Where:
City Food Tours (email joyce@cityfoodtours.com, or call 212-535-TOUR)

The BEST part is: they`re made of fleece! They’re great for ANY, any kind of trip!!!
Plus, they prevent you from hearing SNORING parents (if the music is on!)

If you get them, make sure you get a GREAT blanket to go along!!!

AcousticSheep SleepPhones are available on Amazon for about $39

Connect with SleepPhones
Website: www.sleepphones.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SleepPhones
Twitter: @SleepPhones

Step back in time to the fantastic diner foods of the 1950s when you eat at our establishment. Woody’s Burgers is a burger restaurant in Palm Springs, California, offering good eats and live music for your dining enjoyment.

With more than 25 years of combined experience and an extremely friendly staff, we make your experience at our counter one you won’t forget!
Personalize Your Burger
Who said you had to settle for ordinary burgers? Stop by our burger restaurant to make your dream burger come true. We have all kinds of toppings, meaning almost all unusual requests can be accommodated.

Music & Entertainment
While you’re sinking your teeth into one of our juicy burgers, you’ll also be enjoying a fun-filled environment. We have live jazz complemented by cold beer and full-body wines to complete our party atmosphere.

Madame Pele
 
 
 

Robert Sepulveda, a storytellers and guide at Oahu Ghost Tours shares the 52 most haunted spots on Oahu. Read on if you dare!
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1. The Nu’uanu Pali Lookout– In 1795 The Battle of Nu’uanu took place pitting future King Kamehameha from the Big Island of Hawaii against the Chief of Oahu Kalanikupule.  Kalanikupule’s forces were defeated with the culmination of the battle taking place at the edge of the lookout where 300 to 500 of Kalanikupule’s warriors were forced off the edge.  Their bones still remain at the bottom of the cliff.

2. The locals know not to bring pork through the tunnels of the Nuu’anu Pali Highway going from the Windward side to the Leeward side.  The powerful demi-goddess of the volcano Madame Pele made an agreement with her once lover and rival the half man-half pig demi-god Kamapua’a to split the island in half.  They never wanted to see each other again after having a falling out.  Madame Pele stays on the Leeward side which is dry and to her liking.  Kamapua’a stays on the Windward side which is wet and to his liking.  If you try to bring pork which is a part of him from his domain into her domain, she will stop you.

3. Take a trip down the old Nuu’anu Pali Drive to the infamous Morgan’s Corner.  From the 1920’s to the 1950’s Dr. James Morgan owned a villa near a sharp S-turn where cars would often crash, hence the name.  In 1948, A 68 year old widow was murderer at the hands of two escapees from a prison work detail. Some say she still is heard screaming for her life.  People have also seen a teenage girl with a halfway decomposed face jump roping down the road.  She had been murdered by strangulation of her own “lucky charm” jump rope and tossed into the bushes by the road.  There is the story of a depressed teenage girl who had run away from home and hung herself on a tree near the turn.  Her body nearly separated from her head as the result of decomposition.  Some people see an apparition of girl hold her own head.

4. Travel up the road another ¼ mile to a forgotten palace.  Kaniakapupu (the singing of the land shells) is the only known structure (ruins) that is linked to King Kamehameha III.  A ¼ mile hike in through a narrow passage of bamboo trees will take you to a haunting and powerful reminder of the royalty of the past whose spirits still watch over the palace.

5. Kapena Falls – At the base of the Nuu’anu Valley, there is a beautiful waterfall where it is said to be the lair of Poki – the guardian dog of Nuuanu.

6. The Queen Emma Summer Palace is halfway up the valley and it is there that the Queen’s ghost still is seen and felt by the staff.  Also the ghost of her son Leiopapa’s dog still loyally awaits his return.

7. The Ancient Heiau (Temple) of Ulupo rests on the edge of Kawaianui marsh near Kailua town on the Windward side of Oahu.  This temple is said to be somewhere between 400 to 800 years old.  Some say Hawaii’s elf-like race known as the Menehune were responsible for it being built.  Even though today this is an active spot of worship, restoration of the Hawaiian culture, and where to worship the god Lono (god of agriculture, peace, and renewal) at one short period in history this might have been a sight used as a Luakini (human sacrifice) Heiau for the god of war Kuka’ilimoku  (god of war).  Also some say that there tens of thousands bones interred within the walls of the Heiau.

8. The cliffs of Makapu’u offer a scenic view of the eastern shores of Oahu.  It is there that Madame Pele last stayed before moving on to the Big Island.  People sometimes see an old lady in white hitchhiking along the highway there (as well as the Pali highway).  That is the human incarnate form of Madame Pele and it is said you need to show her respect and kindness by offering her a ride.  She will usually go along for the ride before disappearing into thin air.  Failure to offer the ride may have serious implications.  Makapu’u is also a place known for the Akua’lele (flying god).  These are fireballs said in lore to be powerful conjured up spells from one who practices the ancient ways of Hawaiian sorcery.

9. Nearby Makapu’u is Alan Davis beach.  It is there that a rock formation known as Madame Pele’s chair faces the ocean.  Hike to the chair and gaze upon the view Madame Pele looked out onto.

10. There is a spot at the top of Poola Street just past the Kalani high school that people say is haunted.  Some have said that there once was a Heiau that sat on the spot which now if you drive your car over and put it in neutral, the spirits will push you uphill.

11. 11^th Avenue Bridge Ghost – In the town of Kaimuki, there is said to be a ghost of a young girl that lurks on the overpass bridge.  She died there while walking home.

12. Kapiolani Park in Waikiki: hundreds of years ago a great battle took place.  Since that time citizens have been reporting to the police hearing battle cries, figures dressed in ancient battle gear and more.

13. At the Diamond Head tennis courts there is said to be the ghost of an angry man who smells of rotting flesh.  People see him walking back and forth along the area as if guarding something.

14. In the heart of Waikiki along Kuhio beach sits a police substation.  In front of the substation sits the four Wizard Stones.  Story has it that hundreds of years ago there were four strange men who had come from a far off place the Hawaiian people did not know. They were said to have the power to heal people.  At some point they were summoned to return back to their home, therefore they transferred their healing powers into these four boulders so that people today can still ask for healing.

15. The University of Hawaii located on the slopes of Manoa Valley sits on what is the oldest Ahupua’a (community land system of old) on Oahu.  It is also home to an abundance of hauntings.

16. The Mokihana dorms is where students still see the ghost of a young student who committed suicide by hanging in one of the dorm rooms.

17. Frear Hall dorms is where students have seen the namesake Mary Dillingham Frear still walking the halls wearing white and holding what appears to be a key ring for the dorm rooms.  Often her sighting is accompanied with the scent of perfume.

18. Hamilton Library – custodians and students have heard strange noises and seen apparitions lurking along the aisles and in the bathrooms of the library. One janitor reported seeing a young woman dressed in a pink muumuu (Hawaiian-style dress) walking around the Mauka (mountain side) wing of the first floor.

19. The very back of Manoa Valley is where the beautiful Manoa Falls is located.  This is there area where once only the Ali’i (royalty class) were allowed to dwell.  They saw themselves as living gods.  On many nights (especially Po’kane – night of the walking dead) their spirits walk the path there.  It is also said that powerful entities that were never born roam there.

20. The Hilton Hawaiian Village is where workers and visitors alike have for years seen an older lady wearing a red Mu’u’mu’u dancing and wandering among the many hallways or even on the beach only to disappear into thin air.  Some people say this is the fire goddess Madame Pele, while others say this is a village Kupuna (elder), as the hotel sits on what was once an old Hawaiian fishing village.

21. The Iolani Palace– Where ghosts and spirits from the Hawaiian Monarchy still linger to relive the past.

22. The Hawaii Theater – Where a Chinese custodian was murdered years ago and his ghost is seen from time to time.

23. The Leio’papa Albert Kamehameha building – where the 4 year old son of King Kamehameha the IV and beloved Queen Emma is still said to roam the halls as people have seen the shadow of a little boy.  They have heard singing in the stairwell and seen the wet footprints of a little boy.

24.  The Kawai’ahao (means the waters of Hao) Church and Cemetery – High Chiefess Hao from Kaimuki would cleanse herself in the natural spring of Hao every once a year.  She is still seen by the fountain where the spring sat.  Also on the grounds there is the crypt of King William Lunalilo – “The People’s King” is laid to rest.  It is said that every once and a while the security guards will hear someone whisper “please bring me my tobacco”.  The king was an avid pipe smoker.  In the cemetery there is a young boy who is often seen running around.

25.  The old Kaka’ako Fire Station is known to be a place where the firemen would encounter the “choking ghost”.  This entity comes in the middle of the night to sit on your chest and choke you.  Today the place is flooded with orbs (spirits) that can be captured by cameras.

26. Washington Place – The old governor’s mansion is still home to the spirits of Queen Liliu’okalani and the late Governor Burns.  This was the queen’s home until she passed on it 1917.  Every so often she will check in on what is happening in her home.  The governor spirits once took two ladies on a tour of the mansion before they later learned from a security guard that the governor has been dead for over 25 years.

27. St Andrews Cathedral – Queen Emma was the driving force behind having the brought the Anglicans to Hawaii.  Her spirit often pays a visit during the Day of Ascension to the church which she inspired.  Her favorite piano is often heard playing her favorite tunes when no one is sitting there.

28. One of the most haunted spots in downtown Honolulu is the State Capitol itself.  It is the burial site of hundreds who died in a massive Measles epidemic in 1822.  The king’s guards once had their barracks on the site before the building was moved in 1965.  They still watch over the area.  A security guard who passed over still makes his rounds in the building.  A construction worker who died during the building of the Capitol is still sometimes seen working.

29. Take a walk down Fort Street Mall in downtown Honolulu – At one time long ago Oahu’s largest human sacrifice Heiau – Pakaka was located there.  Part of the human sacrifice ritual involved beheading the person being sacrificed.  Merchants say they see headless apparitions walking the area very late at night.

30. On the corner of Merchant and Alakea street in downtown Honolulu sits Kaua’nono’ula (Rain with the red rainbow).  Said to be a gathering spot for the Wailua (ghost), it is where they gather energy.  A building right across the street was the site where an electrical worker heard an eerie bloodcurdling scream while rewiring the building one night.

31. Near the State Supreme Court is a large banyan tree.  In many cultures they refer to these trees as the tree of the dead.  From time to time people will hear what sounds like children crying.  The area once had an orphanage in the 1800s.  Were there any children buried nearby?  There are no records, but the one thing we know about Banyan trees is that their roots drop from its branches and will “walk” over an area to grow in no time at all.  It is believed that the roots often find its way into the subterranean lava tubes in the area.  These lava tubes are filled with the hidden bones of old Hawaiian Ali’i (Royalty).

32. Puowaina (Hill of Sacrifice) is the Hawaiian name for the Punchbowl Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.  Though the name seems to capture the essence of those laid to rest there from the various Pacific region wars, the names meaning has a much darker history.  In the ancient days the hill was used for human sacrifice by the Hawaiian Kahunas.  There still are restless ghosts who roam the area.

33. The Dole Cannery Theater was built on the grounds of an old Hawaiian Heiau that had a tragic history.  Many years ago a school bus crashed into the temple killing most of the children on board.  Today people can still hear the voices of children in the theater and especially in the bathrooms.

34. The H-3 Freewaywas built over two Heiau’s amidst heavy protest from the Hawaiian Community.  Some say this is a cursed freeway. Construction workers saw equipment sail through the air.  Rocks that were displaced would roll back into place and the sounds of chanting and people talking would permeate the area.  To this day many will still not use this freeway.

35. Pearl Harbor’s Ford Island is located at the center of the harbor.  There is an underwater cave that was the home of a powerful shark god.  Just days prior to the famous attack by the Japanese there were two guardian stone (Pohaku) that suddenly disappeared.  Today the spirits of those who died in battle are often seen and heard throughout various places on the island.

36. Kipapa Gulchnear Mililani Town - this was the site of a major battle in Hawaiian history. The bridge that spans the ravine has been the site of numerous head-on freak accidents. The gulch is said to be one of the paths of the Huakai’po (night marchers).  Underneath the bridge area is also said to be a sight where the Hawaiian kupua (shapeshifter) Kaupe appears from time to time manifesting as a halfman-halfdog standing over 7 feet tall.
    

37. Wahiawa Elementary School (1402 Glen Aveis the location of sightings of the infamous Green Lady, (a scaly female creature). It has been reported from as far across the world as Connecticut to Canterbury.  For decades, the people of Wahiawa have claimed to see the same apparition, appearing in the wooded area next to the school.  Some say this could be a Mo’o wahine (dragon lady) that has been a part of Hawaiian lore since the dawn of time.

38. Kukaniloko – The royal birthing stones located in Wahiawa is considered the bellybutton of Oahu and the home of many spirits of royalty who still watch over the scared area at night.

39. Hau’ula is the site of Pounder’s Beach.  There one can often hear the sound of a lost child’s cry or a woman wandering through the water looking for her child.  Both drowned one night in the rough seas there.

40. Waimea Falls Park is located on the north shore of Oahu.  At the center of this park is a pond that is home to a drowning spirit. This spirit requires a sacrifice of a soul and every so often throughout history someone will end up drowning in the pond, but the body will not be located until there days later (the time the ritual takes).

41. Pupukea Heiau is the largest Hawaiian temple on Oahu and home to many sightings of the ‘nightmarchers’ and the blowing of the couch shells that accompany them.

42. Mokuleia Beach is where a beautiful enchantress said to be the Mo’o Wahine will lure a person to their own demise.

43. The old Barbers Point Naval Air Station beach is said to be where one night a guard was called to check on what appeared to be a VW parked in an off-limits area on the beach.  When he got there he found a young woman asleep in the car.  He tried to rouse her, but she wouldn’t awaken so he walked back to his car a called in the license plate only to get a skeptical response from the dispatcher. After convincing the dispatcher that he was not pulling a joke on her, this security guard learned that for years other security guards have reported seeing this car and woman at the beach.  She had been raped and killed at that beach long ago.  When he ran back to find the car, it was gone.

44. Kaneana Cave near Makua beach in Makaha is the lair of Nanaue (a shark-man).  There is a passage to the sea far back in the cave.  After capturing a victim he would bring them back to the cave to devour them there.  His ominous presence is till strong there.  This cave is also where mankind was brought to form there by the Akua (god) Kane.

45. Kaena Point which is the western most point on Oahu is called a Leina (jumping off point).  It is there that the Amakua (family totem animal) will guide a recently departed soul to in order to make a choice.  The choice is whether or not you want to jump into Po’pau’ole (Hawaiian spiritual realm).

46. Mokapu Beach near the Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station is where the Hawaiian people would bury disfigured babies who were thought to bring bad luck to the people.

47. The Ihilani Resort in Ko’olina on the West side of the Island is one of the most beautiful resort areas on the island. The 17^th floor of the hotel is said haunted by a guest who got sick on her vacation and suddenly died there.  She will often slide doors open and shut in the middle of the night.

48. Mauna’ala (The Royal Hawaiian Mausoleum) is where the Hawaiian royalty from the modern Hawaiian Monarchy are laid to rest.  Walk the grounds during the day and feel their spirits walk with you.  It is said that there is also a tree there where some of the spirits hang around.

49. Kapa’a Quarry Roadis where many lives have been claimed by the treacherous winding curves.  It is said that there are many ancient altars that line the road near the area.  People have also seen phantom hitchhikers and the Menehune there as well.

50. Waipahu Street – When Oahu was invaded by King Kamehameha the Great, so many warriors were killed that the dead were lined up from Waipahu gulch all the way to Mililani Valley miles away. Chanting, marching, and drums can be heard along the street and are said to be the Nightmarchers, the ghosts of the ancient Hawaiian warriors.

51. Kualoa Beach Park – Stories abound of the Hawaiian ‘Nightmarchers’ and other restless spirits roam the area from the valley on down to the beach park.

52. The Mission Houses Museum by day is a historical setting where you can see what it was like for the missionaries who first came to the islands.  After dark and even at times during the day people see the missionaries of old going about their as if time had stood still.

To check out Oahu’s haunted side connect with Hawaii’s #1 Nighttime Tour; Oahu Ghost Tours and make sure to request Robert as your guide!
 
Website: www.oahughosttours.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Oahu-Ghost-Tours
Twitter: OahuGhostTours