Tag Archives: travel photography

April 27, 2020 · 5:35 am

Rarotonga, Cook Islands — An Airbnb Rental on the Beach; Dinner with Friends


Rarotonga

It had been some twenty-six years or so since Ursula and I first visited the Cook Islands. And, with a couple of back-to-back cruises scheduled for Australia and New Zealand, Ursula decided it was time to return on the long journey to Sydney. So, on February 1, 2020, we flew out of Los Angeles for Rarotonga.

Back Again in the Cook Islands

On our first visit to Rarotonga, I visited with the controllers working the control tower at Rarotonga International Airport in the Avarua District on the north end of the island. Here I met Mark Vaikai, with whom I’ve kept in touch off-and-on ever since. Mark is an aficionado of American-style grilling spices, so I stocked up on some for him in preparation of this visit. More on him and his lovely wife Eunice in a moment, but right now let’s take a look at the wonderful little Muri District beach bungalow Ursula booked for our four-night stay:

Rarotonga Airbnb rental near Muri

This charming little place had a kitchen, dining area, two baths, a spacious bedroom, a wonderful living room, and a comfortable back porch with great views of the water:

Rarotonga Airbnb rental near Muri
Rarotonga Airbnb rental near Muri
Rarotonga Airbnb rental near Muri
Rarotonga Airbnb rental near Muri
Rarotonga Airbnb rental near Muri

Our cottage even came with a little friend at the base of the steps:

Kermit the Hermit Crab

Now back to Mark and Eunice, who very graciously hosted us at their lovely home for an absolutely delectable island dinner:

Dinner with Mark and Eunice Vaikai

And here are our charming and wonderfully entertaining hosts Mark and Eunice:

Mark and Eunice Vaikai

By the way, if that name Vaikai sounds familiar to readers of my mystery novel Decisions, it’s because I named the fictitious resort setting of that novel after Mark. As Mark explained to me all those years ago, Vaikai is Polynesian for two of the things you most need in life — Vai (water), and Kai (food). Now let’s take a couple of last looks until this Wednesday’s continuation of this two-week series on Rarotonga:

A flame tree in Avarua

The view from the porch of our Rarotonga beach rental:

Rarotonga Airbnb rental near Muri

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April 10, 2020 · 5:35 am

Fun Photo Friday — Belleview Inn Favorites


Belleview Inn Front Façade

This brings to an end this trip, which started with a fall foliage cruise in Canada, took us to the Kennedy Space Center, and wound up here at the historic Belleview-Biltmore Hotel. I hope you enjoyed the journey. And here’s today’s Belleview favorites:

Look carefully and you’ll see me posing with Ursula

Belleview Inn Hallway — Less creepy than the halls in The Shining!

Belleview Inn Veranda

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April 8, 2020 · 5:35 am

Post Cruise — Exploring the Historic Belleview Inn


Belleview-Biltmore lobby seating area

Today we’re going to browse around the Belleview-Biltmore Hotel and take in the grand interior. Let’s start with the lobby, and the spacious seating area adjacent to the registration desk:

Belleview-Biltmore lobby seating area

This cheerful area even comes with a cozy fireplace:

Belleview-Biltmore lobby fireplace

A short stint down the hall brings you to a wonderful, wood-laden study:

Belleview-Biltmore study

And in this study, opposite the area pictured above, is yet another cozy seating area with an inviting fireplace:

Belleview-Biltmore study

Back to the lobby for a look at the grand staircase and the piano:

Belleview-Biltmore grand staircase and piano

That staircase takes us up to a rather unique look into the original framing used in this 120+ year-old structure. On the top floor, behind a plexiglass viewing window, you can see the structure beneath the walls:

Plexiglass window to the original frame construction

See that bolt-and-nut hardware above? It’s larger than it looks in that picture, so let’s have Ursula place a hand into the frame for a size comparison:

Ursula’s hand for a size comparison of this nut/bolt combination

On this week’s Fun Photo Friday I’ll reveal my favorite shots of this property. Until then, let’s go outside and take a last look:

Belleview-Biltmore front approach

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