When I first told us some of my friends in the Bay Area that I was going to Tahiti, a lot of them thought that it was in the middle of nowhere and it would take me so many hours to get there. But just like in any of my travels, I really want to inspire and add more knowledge even to the well-traveled.

Since late last year United and French Bee, a budget airline, started a direct flight from SFO to Papeete, Tahiti, which would only take eight decent hours. When you land in the capital of Papeete, a small city, you can find a mix of large resorts as well as Airbnbs.

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Mauruuru in Tahitian means Thank You 🙏🏻. Another #hotelcollaboration with @intercontinental Tahiti Resort and Spa in Fa’aa, Papeete. Hope you enjoy 🎥 with special participation of @suzyguttler. More to come on my blog 😊 . . . #visittahiti #mauruuru #frenchpolynesia #papeete

A post shared by Gastronomic MisAdventures (@c3lsius) on Jul 13, 2019 at 10:21am PDT

Disclaimer: I was provided a media rate from the InterContinental Hotel and Tahiti Eden Tours. 

A Warm "Bula"
After arriving in an early morning flight from SFO to Nadi, my travel buddy and I were greeted with a "Bula!" to welcome us to the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa; "Bula" means welcome in Fijian, and I later discovered that some locals even say it with more gusto! I could feel the warm South Pacific morning breeze as we were whisked away in a golf buggy cart to the newly renovated, exclusive 'adults-only' Watui Beach Club. 

The hospitable staff at Watui Beach Club making his rounds with happy hour snacks.

The exclusive beach club is for adults only.

The Watui Beach Club recently re-opened after a renovation.

Decked in yellow-gray color palette, the Watui Beach Club has a more sophisticated vibe than the general lobby area, which has a tour desk with Rosie Holidays and also a check-in airport counter. The beach club welcomes guests with their own open-air reception area and definitely goes above and beyond the regular hospitality expected of an international branded resort. Even though the check in time is in the mid-afternoon, our room was already ready that morning. With a modern, open floor plan of the bathroom vanity and a private deck facing the resort's serene garden, our room exudes a modern, tropical vibe. Plus, free daily laundry is available for beach club guests!

The chic bathroom vanity is adjacent to the bedroom.

The hotel grounds with its modern outdoor furniture.

Located in Denarau island, which was developed starting in the 70s to cater to the bourgeoning tourism industry and is an easy 20 minute cab ride from the Nadi international airport, Sofitel is connected with other big-brand, deluxe international resorts. Once we rejuvenated ourselves with a short nap, we had a leisurely walk to explore the other resorts along the shoreline. Apart from the resorts, the island now houses a golf course, apartments and a port marina with restaurants and retail stores.

Sunset at the Robinson Crusoe Island
After a much-needed downtime in Sofitel, we were once again feeling the tropical breeze as we departed for a late afternoon cruise with Rosie Holiday, one of the large travel agencies in the island, in the Tuva river to the island of Robinson Crusoe. While chasing the sunset though, our boat's motor decided to take a break half-way through the excursion, and our boat carrying about 2 dozen or so tourists was hauled to the island by another boat.

With our little misadventure behind us, the villagers of Robinson Crusoe greeted us with a big "Bula" and welcomed our group with a kava ceremony. Other Polynesian islands also partake in the kava ceremony, but in Fiji, kava or also known as yaqona is a mildly narcotic drink made from mixing powdered root of a pepper plant with water and is served on a half coconut shell. The end result tastes like unsweetened chocolate drink.

Kava is scooped out of the bigger to a half coconut shell.

We were shown the traditional way of cooking meats, creamed vegetables, and other root crops in an underground oven called as lovo. As a former British colony, the island attracted many Indians to settle in country even up this day who are now called as Indo-Fijians. Because of this history, Fijian cuisine is highly influenced with spices from India, and I tasted them mostly through the vegetables served that night. Then after a satisfying lovo dinner, the unique fire dance of the Robinson Crusoe tribe started and ended with an astonishing finale - a combination of fire dancing and fireworks display.

The fire dancing finale. Watch it in the video below.

Fijian Island Hopping is a Must 
An island destination is never complete without island hopping. The port marina in Denarau is the starting point location for island trips to famous islands, such as the Mamanuca group of islands where the famous Tom Hanks movie, Cast Away, was filmed in the island called Monriki. The Turtle island nearby is also the film location of the 80s hit Blue Lagoon, which sparked my interest in island living as a young child.

Besides from a photo op in the famous Help Me scene in the movie, we also went on a unique bush walking tour, in which some of us got to experience firsthand what it's like to be living on the island barefoot, highlighting some other scenes in the movie. Can you find Wilson below?

Tip: Don't go barefoot if you're not used to little spiky bushes on the sand. 

Help me!!!

Reminds me of the Naked Island in Siargao, Philippines. Smooth white sand + crystal blue waters.

Exploring the South Coast 
Our next day was full of car misadventures. Our tour with Discover Fiji had a delay on the way down to the South Coast- what was supposed to be a 3-hour trek turned out to be 4 hours. But despite the set back, we eventually arrived at the Koromakawa Village, where we took a river cruise to a waterfall - this time without a glitch - and then was welcomed back into the village with a kava ceremony and local dancing. In our entire trip, I had the most sumptuous lovo buffet lunch in this village with their authentic Fijian version of pumpkin curry being the runaway winner.

One Last Hoorah 
Most of the flights departing to the US are in the evening, so on our last day, we took a half-day morning tour with Valentine Tours Fiji to the Sri Siva Subramaniya, the largest Hindu temple in the South Pacific, the sleeping giant garden, a village tour, and mud pool.

Tip #1: Be forewarned that the sleeping giant doesn't have a big statue as shown on Tripadvisor and other sites. It got its name from the formation of the mountain that looks like a giant is asleep.

Tip #2: The Tifajek mud pool and hot springs guide is an expert photographer, but please don't go with a white swim attire as it would be difficult to clean thereafter. The hot spring is also 40+ degrees celsius, which helps with sunburn but is really prickly to the skin.

The pond with lots of frogs at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant.

Vinaka Vaka Levu
Before it was time to say goodbye to the Watui Beach Club, we did get to experience their breakfast, dinner and happy hour service. The morning breakfast in the beach club sets itself apart from the usual buffet breakfast since guests are highly encouraged to order from an ala carte menu in addition to the few buffet items that are also available, such as fruits croissants, champagne, and dried fruits. I took note of the unlimited morning champagne to make my own mimosa! What I would have loved to see though for breakfast in this restaurant are more choices on fresh fruit juices and tea instead of powdered juice or iced tea, respectively.


With a more romantic vibe, dinner service is more apt for a celebratory meal, which we did so with New Zealand oysters, more fresh seafood and steak, among others in the menu. We cheered to a relaxing trip that went by so quickly and was blessed with good weather.

In our last hours at the Watui Beach Club, we joined in their happy hour with free wine, champagne and canapes. Then, the staff once again astounded me with their Fijian hospitality when they helped us secure another room to shower and change before our flight because the spa room, which is typically where guest who have already checked out can shower, was broken.

Vinaka Vaka Levu means thank you very much in Fijian!

Despite the locals embracing Fiji time, I was surprised that all our tour pickups were always on-time. So here's a video below to see what it truly means to be in Fiji time - a time to relax and reflect what is truly important in life.

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A post shared by Gastronomic MisAdventures (@c3lsius) on Nov 23, 2019 at 5:28pm PST

Disclaimer: I was offered a media rate by Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Rosie Holidays, Discover Fiji, and Valentine Tour Fiji for this collaboration in Fiji. 

Are you planning a trip to Seoul and looking for an authentic cultural experience? Renting a hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, is a must-do activity! Join me as I share my magical day renting a hanbok at Daehan Hanbok, through GetYourGuide, conveniently located near Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Choosing the Perfect Hanbok

Hanbok Rental Experience

Feeling the kdrama vibes at Gyeongbokgung Palace

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Perched among the lush landscapes of central Bali, HOMM Saranam Baturiti emerges as a beacon of luxurious tranquility, seamlessly blending contemporary elegance with the natural splendor of its surroundings. This architectural masterpiece promises an unparalleled retreat experience for discerning travelers seeking respite from the rigors of modern life.

Upon arrival, even the most seasoned travelers find themselves enchanted by the grandeur of HOMM Saranam Baturiti. As one Grab driver eloquently exclaimed upon pulling up the driveway, "Wow!" Indeed, the property leaves an indelible impression from the moment guests step into its grand entrance. An expansive view of the rice terraces with the property's garden, where herbs and vegetables are cultivated, welcomes visitors, setting the stage for an extraordinary experience that transcends the ordinary.

For guests seeking culinary delights, the resort offers an exquisite dining experience at its signature restaurant, Samiya Restaurant. Here, patrons can indulge in delectable dishes ranging from Western cuisine to Indonesian classics, such as the Bebek Bangah, a grilled duck so tender that the meat effortlessly falls off the bones. Accompanied by steamed rice, kalasan (Balinese long bean coconut salad), and an array of sambals, including the flavorful sambal ulek and sambal matah, every meal at Samiya is a feast for the senses.

HOMM Saranam is more than just a luxury retreat; it is a sanctuary for the soul. Guests can find solace not only in the comfortable rooms but also in the serene atmosphere of the property, where fresh air abounds and the tranquil ambiance invites relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether unwinding by the pool overlooking the verdant landscapes or finding inner peace as you explore the vast surroundings, HOMM Saranam offers a respite from the stresses of modern life, allowing guests to focus on their wellness and well-being.

HOMM Saranam Baturiti stands as a testament to the epitome of luxury hospitality in Bali. With its impeccable amenities, culinary delights, and serene ambiance, the property invites guests to embark on a journey of indulgence and rejuvenation amidst the breathtaking beauty of Bali's highlands.

Going camping? Whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone who is taking their first intrepid steps into the world of outdoorsmen and women, it pays to be prepared, and that being the case, here are seven things you are going to want to pack for your trip.

Before you pack anything you need something solid to pack them in, right? Many people who opt for cheap, low-quality backpacks end up regretting it when their stuff gets soggy or their bag starts to disintegrate before their eyes. So you will want to find something like a Mystery Ranch backpack, which is spacious, solidly constructed, but also light enough that it won’t weight you down. If it has lots of compartments, that’s a real bonus as it will make it much easier to find your flashlight or your rations quickly without having to empty everything else out onto the ground too.

Don’t even think about bringing that old pop-up tent from the back of your garage—the one with the mysterious holes and the missing stakes. You’ll regret it faster than you can say “mosquito swarm.” Invest in a decent tent, preferably one that’s waterproof, windproof, and bug-proof. A tent that stands up to the elements while keeping creepy crawlies out is key to not having a miserable time.

Trust me, no one’s had a life-changing spiritual moment while swatting mosquitoes all night.

Sure, you can buy the bargain-bin sleeping bag, but if you’re not into shivering through the night and waking up with frozen toes, you might want to reconsider. Look for a sleeping bag that’s rated for the temperatures you’ll be camping in. You’ll want one that’s warm but breathable, cozy but not suffocating—basically the Goldilocks of sleeping bags.

Sleeping in the wild is hard enough without the added drama of hypothermia.

It is important to think about some of the leading ideas that you can use to help you have the best possible travel experience. One of the biggest things that you need to get right here is to prepare for the unexpected, so that you can make the most of this moving forward. There are a lot of elements that you need to try to get right when it comes to preparing for your travel adventure as effectively as possible.

There are a lot of things that you need to work on when it comes to making this process better, and there are plenty of elements to think about with this. You have to plan your trip out as best you can, and even though you can’t prepare for every eventuality, it is important to do the best you can to make this work for you in the right way. Here are some of the key ways of being able to prepare for the perfect holiday as effectively as possible.

There are a lot of elements that play a role in helping you to improve your vacation experience, and this is something that you need to make the most of as much as possible. There are a lot of things to think about when trying to prepare for your holiday in the right way, and this is something you need to consider. There are plenty of unexpected surprises that could ruin your holiday, so you need to try to make the most of this. It is important to think about some of the leading ideas that are going to help you prevent long-term problems, and this is something that plays a big role in helping you be able to enjoy the best possible holiday experience as much as possible.

Printing off important information is one of the best things you can do to make the most of this. You need to be able to have access to the important documents and information that plays a role in helping your holiday go without a hitch. There are going to be so many factors that you need to try to get right as much as possible, and this means coming up with some of the best ideas that will help you make the most of this. Keeping your boarding passes, passports, and insurance information all in the same place is really important, and you need to look at the best ways of using this to work for you, and prepare yourself for unexpected problems that might occur.

Getting hurt or injured is one of the more unexpected events that can occur when you are on holiday, and you need to have an action plan for what you might choose to do if you get injured. When you are looking to make the right changes that are going to help you prepare for this, you need to consider the process, research a local personal injury lawyer, determine what you will do if you get injured, make sure you get the right level of insurance, and think about some of the best things you can do when it comes to making this work better for you. It is vital to make sure you come up with some of the best ways of being able to protect yourself in order to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.

These are some of the key things that you need to focus on when it comes to making your travel experience go more smoothly. It is important to make sure you come up with some of the leading ideas that can help you make the most of this. Try to think about some of the leading ideas that are going to help you here, and this is incredibly important.