Society Islands - Bora Bora

Snorkeling is delightful in the warm blue waters of Tahiti

World War II Ammunition's depot hidden under the lush jungle foliage and WWII Cannon

Some of the Beautiful gentle People of Tahiti extending their hospitality.

The Lava formed Mountain peaks of Bora Bora - I took the picture from a banana grove.

The colorful lagoon of Bora Bora surrounded by many Motu with sandy beaches and coral reefs.

Dream like beaches! Very romantic!

I believe I have found a Paradise on earth!

Blue waters of many hues, lush green jungles of coconut palms, banana trees, pineapple fresh tropical fruit and flowers galore - some I had never seen before!

It is no wonder the famous french artist Paul Gauguin feel so in love with the lush tropical landscape, blue lagoons and the gentle hearted beautiful people of the Society Islands.

My favorite Society Island is Bora Bora. We went 4 wheel driving through the lush jungles up the mountain and I was absolutely awe struck at the amazing blue hues of the ocean water below. If you like outdoor sports and beautiful scenery Bora Bora is a paradise. A group of us took jet skis around the lagoon and we had so much fun! This was followed by a visit to a motu (a small sand island communally owned) and snorkeling. A real world class diving, surfing and water sports location! The huge coral reefs that protect Bora Bora are a huge attraction to many marine life. If you are a land creature or like indoor sports at the end of the day there is a famous bar you might want to check out called Bloody Mary's.

On the islands I was pretty amazed to see baguette delivery done daily into a baguette box located at the end of the driveway - much like daily mail service! I have never had a better baguette in my life. Oh! that French recipe! Delightful! It is a good thing there are so many activities to work off the good Baguettes and wine!

My husband and I noticed the Tahitian women who are young are incredibly beautiful but they don't seem to age well at all. We kind of thought it might be a combination of wine, baguettes and a lifetime in the sun?

The best time of the year to go to Bora Bora is during their drier winter season May - October. This time of year is not exempt from a occasional downpour but it is usually over quickly and the lush greenery makes it a welcome sight. The Tahitian seasons are opposite of ours in America because they are south of the equator. November - April is the wet or rainy season when you can expect the possibility of hotter more humid weather and some rather intense rains sometimes lasting more than a day.

The Society Islands are very rich in history. This region once ruled by chiefs paddling canoes was taken over by the British and then the French in the late 1700's.

During WWII Tahai was a key ally defence post in the pacific ocean which was at times bombed.

The currency used is the Tahitian Franc however, many people will accept American dollars. Many people are able to communicate in English due to the large influx of English speaking tourists. However, the national languages are French and Tahitian.

If you would like more personalized information on planning a cruise and tours to the Society Islands please contact me I would be very happy to help you plan a cruise vacation of a lifetime.

http://mwolfe.cruiseone.com

Cruise the Panama Canal, see the Gantun Locks, visit with the Panamanian people and purchase Panamanian crafts.

Ouch! Tight squeeze! Here the ship is controlled by the locomotives on the ground.
Dinner on the back of a cruise ship as we go through the amazing locks!

Tattooed and culturally rich people of Panama. World famous Panamanian crafts for sale.


"The little engine that could" pulls the Ship into the locks.
The beginning of the abandoned "French" cut Canal on the Atlantic side

Wow, Wow and Wow! This is a good way to express the unique experience of the Panama canal.
Let's first talk about a brief history of the Panama Canal.
After the French finished building the Suez Canal in 1869 they looked excitingly at the possibility of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in much the same way. This would become the Panama Canal (but not for a very long time). The long laborious process of digging and dredging began in the early 1880's. Unfortunately, diseases such as Malaria and Yellow fever in conjunction with mudslides and flooding claimed the lives of many workers and proved to be a long and costly endeavor. After much loss and many years of failure it became evident that a sea level channel cut through this jungle area would not be feasible.
Under Theodore Roosevelt America officially bought and took control of the failing canal project in1904. The Americans did not have an easy time forging on with the canal project and it's many problems either. The first order of business was to fumigate areas and kill mosquito larvae. Standing water was drained, brush cut back and oil poured over standing water that could not be drained to snuff out mosquito populations. Sanitation became a leading issue to control the mosquitoes and control disease spread by their bites.
In the early 1900's the US government decided to abandon the "French" sea level cut and adapt the current day Lock system. Seeing the locks in action as the water rises and falls passing your ship on through the canal is truly an amazing engineering marvel.
On the Atlantic side of the Canal you will see the abandon cut of the canal going into the jungle and you can imagine the sacrifice of the many men who died trying to make the canal a reality.
I recommend going to all of the lectures on board your Cruise ship regarding the building of the canal because it is very involved as well as amazing. The native inhabitants of Panama appear to be a people unaffected by time. They appear to be a proud, hard working people immersed in a wealth of ancient tradition. Their tattooed bodies and colorful clothing are and outward display that these are no ordinary people. I recommend taking advantage of meeting these people either by taking a tour to their villages (available on some cruises) or letting them come to you for example a day at Gatun yacht club will allow you to talk to these people and purchase their unique and world famous crafts.
I recommend a cruise through the Panama Canal as an experience of a lifetime. You may contact me for assistance in finding the right cruise for you. Large or small, fast or slow up close and personal? I can help you find your perfect match for this special occasion. Contact me at: http://mwolfe.cruiseone.com
Cruise on!!

Make your Travel a more Rewarding Experience!!!

Before you embark on your cruise do some research on the areas you will be visiting. Your experience will be so much more complete if you already have an understanding of the nature, cultures, currency, tourism and trade of the ports you will visit.
If you are too busy to do research let me know I would love to help you plan and learn about your future destinations.
You can contact me through: http://mwolfe.cruiseone.com
Ta - Ta for now!!

Osaka Japan Home of Osaka Castle and Tako Yaki!

Don't go home without trying real authentic sushi!!

Tako Yaki is a regional treat from Osaka Japan

This seemed so surreal to me- Traditional dress-brief case subway. WOW! Only in Japan! Taco Yaki Stand on the grounds of Osaka Castle
Old City - New City - Centurys old contrast
Family deciding on where to go next!

Osaka Japan is a beautiful city it is actually the third largest city in all of Japan. Osaka is a city that is very modern but in the mist of this modern civilization you will find evidence of an ancient city not forgotten.

The Osaka Castle is one of the most beautiful castles I have ever seen. The main tower of the castle stands 8 stories high, situated on about 1 kilometer of land surrounded by shear cliffs of cut rock and surrounded by a moat. From atop the castle tower you can sport an incredible view of the city. You can imagine samurai fighting battles around the castle when it was built in the 16 century. The castle is white and the roof is green with stunning gold adornments accenting the awesome architecture.

The transportation in Osaka is tremendous with high speed trains, subways buses and anything you would expect to find in the most fantastic city's in the world. You can actually take a (nozomi) high speed train from Osaka to Toyko in about 155 minutes. and the same trip on a regular (Hikari) train will take you about 4 hours. Prepaid train tickets may be purchased in vending machines at the train stations and are convenient to have.

If you like sushi you know you should not go to Japan without eating in a sushi resturant.

Do you like to try local cuisine? Then you have to try the Tako Yaki (Octopus balls) they are not sushi they are cooked. Tako Yaki are not balls of octopus they are like meat balls only with octopus! Yummy! check out this funny u-tube I found on the making of Tako Yaki!
If you have the desire to try this delicious treat do it while you are in Osaka or you may never have the opportunity again. This is a dish that is famous primarily in Osaka. There is a take-out food stand at the Osaka castle that has them for sale!

If you wish to know more about this

destination or if you would like to travel here -

contact me at: http://mwolfe.cruiseone.com

Cruise Green in the Galapagos see the Blue Footed Boobie, visit Machu Picchu, and Cuzco !!!!

Yes, You can Cruise Green

The Galapagos Islands is a place on earth virtually unaffected by change. Hosting animals, plants and marine life not seen anywhere else in the world.
Have you ever seen a giant tortoise lay eggs, nest, or watch their eggs hatch? How many times have you seen the blue footed boobie bird do its comedic courtship dance? How about a swim with penguins? Welcome to the Galapagos islands. Imagine exploring the Galapagos islands on a small ship taking zodiacs and kayaks ashore in small groups with naturalists. This is the land that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution. Scientists have found the animal life on the Galapagos to have no instinctive or learned fear of humans so observing the unique wildlife from up close and personal is compelling.
When do you want to visit The Galapagoes?
SPRING:
January is when the Green Sea Turtles lay eggs (and the eggs start hatching in April)
January - April you can see: Giant Tortoise eggs hatching Febuary - march you can see Marine Iguanas nesting
April- the Waved Albatrosses start their mating shows.
SUMMER:
June is when the Frigate birds start courting and the Giant Tortoises begin to nest.
Fall-Winter
September is when the penguins and sea lions come alive with activity.
September- November is when Sea Lions are born
October is when you could see the Giant Tortoise lay their eggs.

Continue this journey through time with a land tour.
Imagine yourself hiking through the ruins of the lost ancient Incan civilizations high atop the Andes mountains. Cuzco is where you will usually fly into on a small plane. The word Cuzco means "belly of the world". The archaeological city of Cuzco was once the center of the Inca empire at about 11,152 feet above sea level and about 115 kilometers from Machu Picchu by bus and train. The surrounding areas are dotted with Incan ruins and winding roads. The native Indians have a presence in the area they are the Quechua Indians who are peaceful people and hard working. Producing some of the most beautiful woven wools my eyes have ever seen. Machu Picchu means "Macho or Manly Peak" Machu Picchu was rediscovered by a professor in 1911 while on an expedition in the Andes. High above the Urubamba river the area hosts over 90 species of orchids with a lush semitropical vegetation and surrounded by mountain peaks galore. Machu Picchu also referred to as the "Lost city of the Incas" it will take your breath away. You will be amazed at how these ancient people constructed this stone city with the quality that puts many modern day masons to shame. In many cases the only thing these buildings are missing are their original thatched roofs. Under the city you will want to explore the mysterious passageways carved by the Incas. Lodging atop the mountain is also a life experience you will not want miss. Contact me I can arrange a fantastic exploration experience for you on land and sea. In areas of Galapagos, Peru, and Ecuador rarely seen by outsiders. my web site is: http://mwolfe.cruiseone.com or email me at Shirley@cruisewolfe.com

Nature Travel...

If it is Nature travel you seek we can handle that also. We can send you on expeditions into the far reaches of our planet. Traveling in small groups with award winning guides, outstanding accommodation's or just plain roughing it. You can journey deep into the heart of the earth's remote and wild regions on river cruises or combined ocean, river and land. If this is what you seek contact me at: http://mwolfe.cruiseone.com