Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Video Of The Day: Little Girls Surfing in Fiji]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/25/video-of-the-day-little-girls-surfing-in-fiji/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/25/video-of-the-day-little-girls-surfing-in-fiji/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/25/video-of-the-day-little-girls-surfing-in-fiji/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Days at the beach are, for many, the most righteous execution of freedom beneath the summer sun--especially if that beach is in a place like Fiji. A lot of people spend their summers doing something that I haven't yet learned how or even tried to do: surf. Somewhere along the line, I realized that the ocean is kind of terrifying and that the sun can cause skin cancer. I've since let these fears usher me under shady beach umbrellas while admiring the surfing folks beyond. But when those surfing folks are little girls, I feel a bit outdone. This video of these little girls surfing in Fiji uploaded by Sean Hiller has not really been seen. With 6 total views on Vimeo as I write this, I think these courageous and adorable little girls deserve a little more attention than they're getting. (My new mantra: this summer will be the summer I try surfing, this summer will be the summer I try surfing. My new goal: surfing in Fiji).

Continue reading Video Of The Day: Little Girls Surfing in Fiji

Video Of The Day: Little Girls Surfing in Fiji originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>child surferchild surfersChildSurferChildSurfersfiji surfFiji surfingFijiSurfFijiSurfinggirl surfersGirlSurferslittle girl surferslittle girls surfing in FijiLittleGirlsSurfingInFijiLittleGirlSurferssean hillerSeanHillersurfsurfingsurfing in FijiSurfingInFijiWed, 25 Apr 2012 18:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: 'No Kitchen Required' In New Zealand, 'When Maori Attack']]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/video-no-kitchen-required-in-new-zealand-when-maori-attack/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/video-no-kitchen-required-in-new-zealand-when-maori-attack/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/video-no-kitchen-required-in-new-zealand-when-maori-attack/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here at Gadling, we've been keeping tabs on the new BBC America reality show "No Kitchen Required," which is taking cooking competitions to new highs (and lows). Battling for fame and glory are award-winning chef Michael Psilakis of New York's Fish Tag and Kefi; private executive chef Kayne Raymond; and former "Chopped" champ Madison Cowan.

The chefs hunt and gather ingredients to prepare regional cuisine in various locations, including Dominica, Belize, Fiji, Thailand, South Africa, Hawaii, New Mexico and Louisiana. The show is a cross between "Survivor" and "Top Chef," with a dash of over-the-top, Bear Grylls-style drama thrown in, but it's all in good fun and provides a fascinating cultural and culinary tour of little known destinations and cuisines.

Here, we have a teaser clip from New Zealand that features the chefs watching a haka, or traditional Maori warrior dance, prior to having the local community judge their respective meals. Here's hoping they didn't give anyone food poisoning.

Video: 'No Kitchen Required' In New Zealand, 'When Maori Attack' originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bear grylsBearGrylscelebritycooking classescooking competitioncooking showsCookingClassesCookingCompetitionCookingShowscuilnary tourismCuilnaryTourismcultural tourismcultural travelCulturalTourismCulturalTravelforaginghakahangiHawaiiihunting and gatheringHuntingAndGatheringindigenous foodsindigenous peopleIndigenousFoodsIndigenousPeoplelocal foodsLocalFoodslocavoresLouisianamao zedongmaoriMaoZedongNew MexicoNew Ze foodNewMexicoNewZeFoodnokiareality showsRealityShowsregional foodsRegionalFoodssurvivorTue, 10 Apr 2012 14:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Paradise Flooded: Fiji Closes To Tourists]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/02/paradise-flooded-fiji-closes-to-tourists/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/02/paradise-flooded-fiji-closes-to-tourists/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/02/paradise-flooded-fiji-closes-to-tourists/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

fiji floodsTropical storms have battered Fiji in recent days, causing flash floods that have stranded tourists, forced mass evacuations and caused upwards of three deaths. Now, the Pacific island nation braces itself as a tropical cyclone approaches the main island of Viti Levu with forecasted gusts of 68 miles per hour and the certainty of even more damage. Already, the government has declared a state of emergency. Sometimes, you just can't catch a break.

Apart from causing widespread destruction, floods in the main tourist towns of Suva and Nadi have also wreaked havoc on Fiji's tourism industry. Thousands of visitors were forced to remain in their hotels with limited resources until the waters receded and the air embargo was lifted on Monday. They now face chaos at the Nadi International Airport trying to secure flights back home. Australian and New Zealand news sources describe frantic scenes straight from a natural disaster flick.

The photo gallery below offers a glimpse at the current scene on the ground.

Gallery: Flooding in Fiji

Flooding on Viti Levu, Fiji's main islandMore than 8,000 people evacuated their homesFiji's government has declared a state of emergencyFlooding was particularly bad in the tourist town of NadiFlood waters have begun to recede, but now Fiji braces itself for another storm

Paradise Flooded: Fiji Closes To Tourists originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fijifiji floodsFijiFloodsfloodsnatural disasterNaturalDisasteroceaniapacific oceanPacificOceantropical cyclonetropical stormTropicalCycloneTropicalStormMon, 02 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New BBC America cooking show combines travel and adventure]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/new-bbc-america-cooking-show-combines-travel-and-adventure/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/new-bbc-america-cooking-show-combines-travel-and-adventure/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/new-bbc-america-cooking-show-combines-travel-and-adventure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It was only a matter of time before all the eating of rats and scorpions on "Survivor" grew tiresome. Perhaps that's why producer Kevin Greene and "Chopped" producer Chachi Senior created a new cooking series for BBC America that combines exotic locales with dodgy outdoor adventures. There's just one little catch: there's no kitchen.

"No Kitchen Required" takes 2008 Food & Wine "Best New Chef" Michael Psilakis of New York's Fish Tag and Kefi, private executive chef Kayne Raymond (aka the resident beefcake), and former "Chopped" champ Madison Cowan, and drops them into ten remote locations to perform some serious hunting and gathering.

After being plunked down in Dominica; Belize; New Zealand; Fiji; Thailand; Hawaii; New Mexico; Louisiana, and Florida, each chef is handed a knife ("Pack your knives and go," is not a sentence you'll hear uttered on this series) and a few key ingredients. They're then left to fish, hunt, forage, and otherwise scrounge up the remaining ingredients to "create a locally-inspired meal that will be judged by the community."

Despite the gimmicky and somewhat contrived nature of the challenges, there's a lot to love about this show. It's fun, innovative, and despite my raging addiction to "Top Chef," I'm happy to see a cooking show that finally requires the use of local/seasonal ingredients (let's hope there's no blow-darting of endangered monkeys or serving of shark fin). Weaving the regional and cultural element into the concept is genius. Braised nutria, anyone?

The series premieres April 3rd.

[Photo credit: (C) Gilles Mingasson for BBC AMERICA]

New BBC America cooking show combines travel and adventure originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BBCchinacookbook of the dayCookbookOfTheDaycooking classesCooking-Mama-LtdCookingClassesculinary travelCulinaryTravelcultural foodsCulturalFoodsfishingflightfood showdownfood showsFoodShowdownFoodShowsforaginghawaii five-oHawaiiFive-ohuntingjunglelocal foodLocalFoodLouisiana oil spillLouisianaOilSpillNew Mexiconew tv showsNewMexicoNewTvShowsreality seriesreality show castingRealitySeriesRealityShowCastingregional foodsRegionalFoodsTop ChefTopCheftropicsFri, 02 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Bachelorette heads to Fiji for tonight's episode]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/25/the-bachelorette-heads-to-fiji-for-tonights-episode/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/25/the-bachelorette-heads-to-fiji-for-tonights-episode/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/25/the-bachelorette-heads-to-fiji-for-tonights-episode/#commentsFiled under: , ,

the bachelorette 2011One of our favorite parts about hit ABC television series The Bachelor / Bachelorette is the final few weeks. This is not because it showcases the show's main contestant falling in love with multiple men and women, or because of the cheesy "fantasy suite" overnights. It's because of the far-flung and romantic locations the contestants visit that give us inspiration for our own honeymoons ... whenever that may be.

Tonight's episode takes place at luxe resort Namale in Savusavu, Fiji, which, like many of its romance-ready counterparts in the 20-something seasons before, offers private villas, walks around the grounds to nearby rushing waterfalls, private dinners and luxurious spa treatments - a formula that will make it easy for the Bachelorette and one of her finalists to fall in love.

Previous seasons have taken place in Anguilla (CuisinArt Resort), Tahiti (where Carrie Underwood honeymooned after the show wrapped), New Zealand and more. In tonight's episode, castmates head to Namale, located on the edge of the Koro Sea.

Continue reading The Bachelorette heads to Fiji for tonight's episode

The Bachelorette heads to Fiji for tonight's episode originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abcashley herbertAshleyHerbertfijiluxury travelLuxuryTravelnamale resortNamaleResortthe bachelorthe bacheloretteTheBachelorTheBacheloretteMon, 25 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SATW blogs live from Fiji]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/12/satw-blogs-live-from-fiji/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/12/satw-blogs-live-from-fiji/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/12/satw-blogs-live-from-fiji/#commentsFiled under: ,

fijiThe Society of American Travel Writers Freelance Council is heading to the other side of the world for their annual conference. The group of self-employed writers, photographers, videographers, broadcasters, and other travel journalists will be reporting life from Fiji this week, in an effort to bring readers an inside look at the island down under.

Outside of the professional development sessions taking place, SATW members will blog live about their experiences in Fiji, including what to do, where to eat, what to see, and photos that will make you want to hop the flight to Fiji.

The council has already starting blogging live, and readers can follow along on SATW's Tumblr page or follow their adventures via the SATW Fiji Twitter hashtag #satwfiji.

SATW blogs live from Fiji originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fijiislandsatwTue, 12 Apr 2011 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Virgin Blue flight attendant puts baby in overhead bin]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/08/virgin-blue-flight-attendant-puts-baby-in-overhead-bin/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/08/virgin-blue-flight-attendant-puts-baby-in-overhead-bin/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/08/virgin-blue-flight-attendant-puts-baby-in-overhead-bin/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Virgin Blue flight attendant puts baby in overheadA Virgin Blue flight attendant has been fired after putting a 17-month-old baby in an overhead compartment as part of a peek-a-boo joke. Passenger Natalie Williamson was on a flight from Fiji to Sydney with her husband and son when the flight attendant put the baby into the overhead bin and locked it for 10 seconds. "I stood up and there were people laughing and then I said 'Get my son out of there now'," she told Australia's Sunday Herald Sun.

Virgin Blue admits that the incident happened but claims Williamson's husband had been playing peek-a-boo with the overhead bin when the flight attendant joined in. The airline has offered apologies as well as three free flights, but the mother claims she and her child are too traumatized to redeem them, and her son still suffers from anxiety and withdrawal three months after the incident.

[Photo courtesy Flickr user David McKelvey]

Virgin Blue flight attendant puts baby in overhead bin originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firedflight attendantFlightAttendantoverheadoverhead binOverheadBinpeek-a-boopeekabootraumatizedvirgin blueVirgin Blue flight attendant puts baby in overheadvirginblueVirginBlueFlightAttendantPutsBabyInOverheadTue, 08 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Couples can win a trip to Fiji, courtesy of CheapOair]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/20/cheapo-air-launches-a-fiji-contest-for-couples/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/20/cheapo-air-launches-a-fiji-contest-for-couples/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/20/cheapo-air-launches-a-fiji-contest-for-couples/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fiji Contest, CheapOAirValentine's Day doesn't have to be about roses and chocolates. How about a trip to Fiji? CheapOair is playing cupid and giving away a free trip for the couple that wins their "Crazy in Love" contest.

All lovebirds are asked to send in a 30-second video that answers the question "What makes you and your significant other unique?" It could be a hobby or a special talent or anything that shows how the couple is exciting and distinctive. Once uploaded, the video is automatically entered into the contest and showcased on CheapOair's YouTube Channel. The winner will be announced on CheapOair's blog and Facebook page on Valentine's Day.

The lucky couple will win roundtrip tickets from Los Angeles to Fiji, courtesy of Air Pacific, and a 5-night stay at the Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island. And if they're ready to tie the knot, Paradise Brides will even set them up with a wedding coordinator, license certificate and everything they'll need for their big day.

It's contests like this one that make us sad we're not part of a "couple" on Valentine's Day!

[Image via Flickr user YXO]

Couples can win a trip to Fiji, courtesy of CheapOair originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BudgetTravelcheapoaircontestfijiThu, 20 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kiwi teens survive 50 days lost at sea]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/26/kiwi-teens-survive-50-days-lost-at-sea/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/26/kiwi-teens-survive-50-days-lost-at-sea/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/26/kiwi-teens-survive-50-days-lost-at-sea/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

new zealand teams lost at sea found after 50 daysThree New Zealand teenagers believed to have been lost at sea more than a month and a half ago, were found alive aboard their small boat on Wednesday. The boys were described as being physically depleted, having lost a lot of weight and suffering from dehydration, but mentally strong and upbeat.

Samuel Pelesa and Filo Filo, both age 15, along with Edward Nasau, age 14, were lost at sea in early October while attempting to row between two islands in the New Zealand region of Tokelau. When the three boys failed to arrive at their destination, a massive search was conducted, but no sign of the missing teens was ever discovered. 50 days later they were spotted by a tuna boat in a remote area of the Pacific Ocean to the northeast of Fiji, more than 800 miles from where they had started.

The lost boys survived by catching fish from the ocean and eating a seagull that landed on their boat. They also caught rainwater to drink, although when they were discovered, they hadn't had rain for several days, and had resorted to drinking water from the sea, something that contributed to their dehydration.

As you can imagine, the boys' parents were shocked and relieved to discover that they were alive and in reasonably good condition. When search and rescue teams failed to find the missing teens, a eulogy service was held in their honor. Now, their village of 1500 people located on the Atafu Atoll, are all celebrating their impending return.

The boys are expected to be delivered to a hospital in Fiji today where they'll receive treatment until their strength returns, at which time they can return home at last.

[Photo credit: Silje L. Bakke via WikiMedia]

Kiwi teens survive 50 days lost at sea originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure traveladventure-travelAdventureTravellost at seaLostAtSeaPacific OceanPacificOceansailingFri, 26 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Teva giving away adventure vacation to Fiji]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/20/teva-giving-away-adventure-vacation-to-fiji/http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/20/teva-giving-away-adventure-vacation-to-fiji/http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/20/teva-giving-away-adventure-vacation-to-fiji/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Teva, the company that manufactures a host of great outdoor and travel footwear, is preparing to send a few lucky travelers on a once in a lifetime adventure to the South Pacific, where they'll have the opportunity explore Fiji aboard a private yacht, while hiking, snorkeling, and rafting through beautiful tropical locations.

The Teva House 2011 contest will select one lucky winner from the U.S., the U.K., the Netherlands, Korea, and Australia, and award them a trip for two to Tui Tai, Fiji in April of 2011. Once there, they'll spend 10 days living aboard a 140' long luxury adventure class yacht while exploring remote places that few travelers ever have the opportunity to see. They'll occupy their time by hiking jungle trails and snorkeling coral reefs that are 100 miles from the closest resorts, while meeting local villagers who seldom see visitors of any kind.

One of the highlights of the trip will be a whitewater rafting excursion, conducted by O.A.R.S., that will send the travelers down the Upper Navua Gorge on Viti Levu Island. Towering walls of black lava, overgrown with giant ferns and other jungle foliage, are the hallmark of this spectacular trip, which has been described as a "river of Eden" unlike any other place on Earth. That full day adventure will include lunch on a sandbar at the heart of the canyon and a chance to interact with villagers that still travel the river on their own handmade bamboo rafts.

For more information on this amazing trip and to enter the contest, simply go to TevaHouse.com and select the flag of your home country. Then, fill out the form and start working on your tan. It gets very sunny in Fiji.

[Photo credit: OARS]

Teva giving away adventure vacation to Fiji originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure traveladventure-travelAdventureTravelcontestcontestsfijihikingoarsOars RaftingOars.comOarsRaftingsnorkelingTevatravel contesttravel contestsTravelContestTravelContestsWhiteWaterwhitewater raftingWhitewaterRaftingMon, 20 Sep 2010 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Top five weekend travel media stories]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/21/top-five-travel-media-weekend-stories/http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/21/top-five-travel-media-weekend-stories/http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/21/top-five-travel-media-weekend-stories/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Here are some of the best travel stories from this weekend's English-speaking newspaper travel media.

1. In the New York Times, Stephen Heyman profiles six moderately-priced New York City boutique hotels. One of the boutique hotels reviewed even has nightly rates under $200!

2. In the Globe and Mail, Heather Zorzini writes about her night in the apparently quite beautiful Dildo, Newfoundland. (How beautiful is Dildo? Look above.)

3. Tom Neal Tacker dives with sharks in Fiji, survives, and writes about it for Melbourne's The Age.

4. In the Guardian, Tim Bryan bypasses Prague for Brno, giving the Czech Republic's second-biggest city the weekender treatment. He eats and drinks like a champ, all for 2000 Czech crowns (under $100).

5. In the Sunday Times, Martin Symington lists seven great spots across the UK (in Cornwall, Cumbria, Isle of Lewis, the Lake District, Orkney Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire) for observing the summer solstice.

(Image: Flickr/joannapoe)

Top five weekend travel media stories originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadaCzech RepublicCzechRepublicfijinew york citynewfoundlandNewYorkCityunited kingdomMon, 21 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exciting Repositioning Cruises for the Fall]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/15/exciting-repositioning-cruises-for-the-fall/http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/15/exciting-repositioning-cruises-for-the-fall/http://www.gadling.com/2010/06/15/exciting-repositioning-cruises-for-the-fall/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Repositioning cruises are the leftovers of cruising. When cruise ships need to move from one port to another at seasonal cusps, they take less conventional itineraries to get from one home port to another. Repositioning cruises can often be booked for less than more conventional cruises on a per-night basis.

Repositioning cruises are also, somewhat ironically, a good option for independent (even round-the-world) travelers. A well-priced repositioning cruise can deliver travelers from one continent to another, sometimes for not much more than an airline ticket, and also permit visits (however short) to many ports in-between. While RTW travelers seldom look to repositioning cruises for inspiration, they should.

One of the more exciting repositioning cruises on the schedule this fall is Holland America's 43-day Vancouver-Sydney crossing on the Volendam, which will take in Seattle, four ports in Hawaii, American Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, several ports in New Zealand, and several ports in Australia. It leaves September 22. The least expensive stateroom on offer comes to $3899 per person.

Holland America is also selling the above cruise with a termination in Auckland (29 days in total) for $2399.

For less ambitious prospective repositioning cruisers, Cruise Critic has published a useful list of some of the more intriguing shorter repositioning itineraries for the fall: 17 nights between Copenhagen and New York on Costa, leaving September 4; 18 nights between Vancouver and Fort Lauderdale on Holland America, leaving September 25; and 16 nights between Rome and Rio de Janeiro on Princess, leaving December 4.

(Image: Flickr/pmarkham)

Exciting Repositioning Cruises for the Fall originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaBrazilcanadacruisesdenmarkfijihawaiiitalynew caledonianew zealandNewCaledoniaNewZealandrepositioning cruisesRepositioningCruisesround the worldRoundTheWorldunited statesUnitedStatesvanuatuTue, 15 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[For Sale: one tropical island in Fiji]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/08/for-sale-one-tropical-island-in-fiji/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/08/for-sale-one-tropical-island-in-fiji/http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/08/for-sale-one-tropical-island-in-fiji/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Do you have 25 million Euros burning a hole in your pocket? (That's $33 million for U.S. readers!) Then perhaps you'd consider bidding on your very own tropical paradise, which is up for auction on eBay. The 225-acre island is located near Fiji, and is approximately 1 mile long and 1/3 of a mile wide. It reaches elevations of 150 feet and is surrounded by a 5000 acre lagoon that promises underwater visibility to 200 feet and year round temperatures of 80ºF.

That's not all you'll get for your hard earned money however. The island is also home to a "world class" resort. Well, it will be a world class resort when it is finished. It is currently about 80% complete, with another six to nine months of construction time necessary to finish it all up. The resort offers some nice amenities however, including a dining pavilion, full spa, and 21 guest villas, complete with fancy furnishings and hot tubs for two. Access to the island is gained via a 3400 foot long airstrip, which runs right by the 9 hole golf course.

Adventurous travelers will find plenty to do on the island, as the waters are excellent for diving and snorkeling, and there are nine caves available to explore should you choose to go spelunking. Prefer to just sit on the beach sipping a fruity drink? You can do that too, while spotting local wildlife, which includes the leather back sea turtles and rare coconut crabs.

Seems like quite the deal if you've got the spare change available. Sadly there is no "buy it now" discount on this eBay item.

Continue reading For Sale: one tropical island in Fiji

For Sale: one tropical island in Fiji originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelblue lagoonBlueLagoonebayislandisland for saleIslandForSaleislandsresortresortsweirdThu, 08 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily Pampering: Renew your vows in Fiji this year]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/31/daily-pampering-renew-your-vows-in-fiji-this-year/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/31/daily-pampering-renew-your-vows-in-fiji-this-year/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/31/daily-pampering-renew-your-vows-in-fiji-this-year/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sometimes, it's worth celebrating the best day of your life as though it were the first time.

Spend five nights in absolute luxury, and you'll pick up another two! Turtle Island in Fiji is doing the unthinkable. The incredibly upscale resort has put together a package that can't be topped. In addition to getting two free nights when you book five, you'll spend your stay in a two-room beachfront "bure," have all meals covered - including picnic lunches packed for you to munch on the beach - and enjoy all the wine and alcoholic beverages you like. A "bure mama" will attend to all your needs, and activities such as SCUBA diving and sport fishing are included in the price.

And the revisited nuptials?

Turtle Island will set you up with a private vow renewal ceremony on the beach, complete with flowers, champagne and traditional Fijian garb. This will make the photos spectacular, and the resort will provide you with an album to keep the memory with you forever.

The package is good through the end of the year and starts at $2,499 a night. But, that's the price you pay for 14 private beaches, amazing culinary creations and lomi-lomi massages, right?

Rates start at $2,499 per night, per couple. Offer not available during certain blackout dates and scheduled family times. Restrictions may apply. Offer is good now through December 31, 2010.

Want more? Get your dose of Daily Pampering right here.

Daily Pampering: Renew your vows in Fiji this year originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beachbeachesbeachfrontdaily-pamperingdailypamperingluxuryresortresortsvowsweddingweddingsWed, 31 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Old Spice is looking for guys to send on the "ultimate internship"]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/16/old-spice-is-looking-for-guys-to-send-on-the-ultimate-internshi/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/16/old-spice-is-looking-for-guys-to-send-on-the-ultimate-internshi/http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/16/old-spice-is-looking-for-guys-to-send-on-the-ultimate-internshi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Old Spice (yes, Old Spice) is looking for a couple of adventure seeking guys to send on the internship of a lifetime.

In the Old Spice Adventure, the company will send you surfing in Fiji or snowboarding in Switzerland (in lederhosen of course). Interns will be assisted by professional athletes Gretchen Bleiler and Anastasia Ashley.

The winners will spend 5 days on location, performing challenges and keeping Facebook and Twitter up to date on their antics. To help make life on the road a little easier, you'll also get $1000 spending money for each day of the challenges.

Of course, you'll have to convince the people at Old Spice that you are the ideal candidate - and you'll obviously be up against some pretty creative others. So, if you have what it takes, head on over to the Old Spice Adventure challenge site. The contest started yesterday, and you have till April 15th to enter.

Old Spice is looking for guys to send on the "ultimate internship" originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>old spiceold spice adventureOld Spice ChallengeOldSpiceOldSpiceAdventureOldSpiceChallengeTue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily Pampering: Spend Valentine's Day at Turtle Island in Fiji]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/05/daily-pampering-spend-valentines-day-at-turtle-island-in-fiji/http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/05/daily-pampering-spend-valentines-day-at-turtle-island-in-fiji/http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/05/daily-pampering-spend-valentines-day-at-turtle-island-in-fiji/#commentsFiled under: ,

There's only one way to go to Fiji: Turtle Island. The Valentine's Day deal from this luxury resort is nothing short of incredible. Book five nights in paradise, and you'll get two more nights free ... in beachfront accommodations in a two-room "bure." And, all meals are covered, including any romantic lunches you want to enjoy on the beach -- they'll be packed to order! The other activities are covered, as well, including sport fishing and SCUBA diving, and once you're finished exerting yourself, you can relax with two one-hour lomi-lomi (that's four-handed) massages.

The Turtle Island resort has 14 private beaches, five-star gourmet dining ... and those lomi-lomi massages, along with other spa treatments. Personal "bure mamas" will attend to all your needs as you sip top-shelf liquors and champagnes. Only 14 couples are allowed in Turtle Island at a time ... one for each private beach!

Here's where it gets really interesting: if you book by March 31, 2010, you can travel any time by Valentine's Day in 2011.

Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Daily Pampering: Spend Valentine's Day at Turtle Island in Fiji originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beachdaily-pamperingdailypamperingluxuryluxury hotelluxury hotel packageluxury hotel suitesluxury hotelsluxury resortLuxury Resortsluxury travelLuxuryHotelLuxuryHotelPackageLuxuryHotelsLuxuryHotelSuitesLuxuryResortLuxuryResortsLuxuryTravelparadisescubaScubaDivingspaspa treatmentspa treatmentsSpaTreatmentSpaTreatmentsturtle islandTurtleIslandvalentinesvalentines dayvalentines day giftsvalentines-dayValentinesDayValentinesDayGiftsFri, 05 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Zealander auctions off Paris Hilton's boarding pass ]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/02/new-zealander-auctions-off-paris-hiltons-boarding-pass/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/02/new-zealander-auctions-off-paris-hiltons-boarding-pass/http://www.gadling.com/2009/09/02/new-zealander-auctions-off-paris-hiltons-boarding-pass/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A man flying from New Zealand to Fiji on August 12th found a little surprise at his business class seat. Slipped between the pages of his in-flight magazine was the boarding pass of celebutant Paris Hilton, who had traveled to Fiji a few days prior.

Rather than toss the pass, the man decided to put it up for sale on a New Zealand auction site. Despite his claim that is "certainly has no other value" aside from being an unusual bit of memorabilia, as it "doesn't smell of her perfume, have anything to do with panties", the bids started rolling in. The price increased, and the man decided to donate the proceeds of the sale to a local charity.

The auction closed Monday at NZ$710 (US$485). So how would Paris feel if she knew her boarding pass was being auctioned off? Well, she did know - she posted a link on twitter, calling the story "random".

[via Jaunted]

New Zealander auctions off Paris Hilton's boarding pass originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionboarding passBoardingPassbusiness classBusinessClasscelebritycelebrity travelcelebrity tweetsCelebrityTravelCelebrityTweetscharityfamousfamous peopleFamousPeoplememorabilianew zealandNewZealandparis hiltonparis hitlonParisHiltonParisHitlonsouvenirsouvenirsunusualWed, 02 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel surf etiquette]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/02/travel-surf-etiquette/http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/02/travel-surf-etiquette/http://www.gadling.com/2009/01/02/travel-surf-etiquette/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

I was having a grand ole time surfing at Ala Moana Bowls the other day when a rude, disrespecting woman decided to paddle for a wave and proceeded to cut off three other surfers and nearly behead my friend. Growing ever more confrontational in my old age, I began to argue with the lady about her very inappropriate surf etiquette. Profanities were exchanged, I nearly spit in her face, and she nearly punched me. Two perfectly mature female surfers in Honolulu suddenly became mortal enemies over shoulder-high waves just days before the New Year.

This immediately got me thinking about my surfing experiences abroad. I've been fortunate enough to have surfed in some of the most idyllic places in the world, with Costa Rica, West Timor, and Fiji topping that list. While I don't claim to be an expert in the sport, I usually know how to behave in the water -- especially in foreign waters.

Continue reading Travel surf etiquette

Travel surf etiquette originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fijifnihawaiiindonesiamannersmexiconemberalapuerto vallartapunta de mitaPuntaDeMitarespectsurf etiquettesurfersurfingwest timorFri, 02 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Man smuggles iguanas in fake leg]]>http://www.gadling.com/2008/04/12/man-smuggles-iguanas-in-fake-leg/http://www.gadling.com/2008/04/12/man-smuggles-iguanas-in-fake-leg/http://www.gadling.com/2008/04/12/man-smuggles-iguanas-in-fake-leg/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I never get tired of people's inventions when it comes to smuggling stuff across the border. Take Jereme James, a 34-year old Californian man, who tried to smuggle iguanas into the US inside his prosthetic leg.

James was caught and convicted on two counts of smuggling and possessing endangered animals. He allegedly stole three baby Fiji Island banded iguanas from an ecological preserve while on a trip to the South Pacific islands in 2002 and smuggled them by concealing them in the compartment of a prosthetic leg. The iguanas are threatened with extinction because of habitat loss and are considered an endangered species, AFP reports.

OK, so things didn't work out so well for the iguana smuggler who now faces jail. But, how many people actually get away with stuff like that all the time? How many have I been on a plane with?

Man smuggles iguanas in fake leg originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fijiiguana smugglerIguanaSmugglerSat, 12 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lonely Planet lists Ireland as the friendliest country in the world]]>http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/19/lonely-planet-lists-ireland-as-the-friendliest-country-in-the-wo/http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/19/lonely-planet-lists-ireland-as-the-friendliest-country-in-the-wo/http://www.gadling.com/2007/10/19/lonely-planet-lists-ireland-as-the-friendliest-country-in-the-wo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Sometimes you go to a place for its beauty or famous tourist sites. Other times, you simply go for the people.

That's partially how I ended up in Ireland to work after college. In my humble opinion, the Irish are some of the nicest people on this planet. And now, there is documented evidence to support this.

Lonely Planet's remarkable Bluelist now boasts that Ireland is indeed the friendliest, most welcoming country in the world.

While this is no surprise for me, I'd never be able to guess the other countries mentioned in the top ten list. And in fact, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that backpackers and travelers voted the USA in at second; this is great news considering the bashing we've been receiving abroad in the last few years.

In case you are looking for a holiday destination where the people themselves will put a smile on your face you may want to check out the other countries which also made the list; Malawi, Vietnam, Thailand, Fiji, Indonesia, Samoa, and Scotland.

Lonely Planet lists Ireland as the friendliest country in the world originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:31:00 EST