LAFAYETTE'S HERMIONE LIBERTY
SHIP WELCOMED TO NEW YORK JULY 4TH, 2015
REPLICA FRENCH SHIP HERMIONE
SALUTES AMERICA'S LIBERTY STATUE
A replica of the Hermione, the 18th century ship
that brought French General Lafayette to America,
sailed the waters off New York on Saturday (Jul 4),
leading a flotilla marking the Independence Day
holiday.
NEW YORK: A replica of the Hermione, the
18th century ship that brought French
General Lafayette to America, sailed the
waters off New York on Saturday (Jul 4),
leading a flotilla marking the Independence
Day holiday.
The faithful reproduction of the majestic
French frigate glided past New York's famed
Verrazano bridge, where it was joined by
scores of other boats and ships.
The flotilla then made its way toward
Liberty Island in New York Harbor past a
symbol of the two nations' enduring
friendship - the towering Statue of Liberty,
a gift to the US from France in 1884.
The Hermione replica - which took almost two
decades to build - departed France's western
coast in mid-April, retracing a 3,700-mile
(6,000-kilometre) journey across the
Atlantic.
It arrived in New York earlier this week for
July Fourth festivities and had been docked
at Pier 15 in south Manhattan on the East
River.
The original three-masted Hermione brought
General Lafayette to America to rally US
patriots fighting for independence from
Britain.
The ship arrived in the US nearly a month
ago, stopping first in Yorktown, Virginia,
where American forces led by General George
Washington and French soldiers scored a
decisive victory over the British in 1781,
prompting their capitulation. The original
Hermione was used in that battle.
On its way to New York, the ship stopped
again in Mount Vernon, Virginia, just
outside Washington, then in Annapolis and
Baltimore, both in Maryland, and in
Philadelphia. It will move on to Boston and
then to Canada.
New York was the last city liberated by
Washington's troops, in 1783.
The metropolis now known as the Big Apple
served briefly as US capital, from 1785 to
1790.
November 15, 2015
Costa Diadema
COSTA CRUISES NAMED AGAIN
QUEEN OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
Costa Cruises named again
Queen of the Mediterranean
Porthole is one of the most
important US cruise magazine featuring
exciting editorial and stunning photos on
cruises, from ship reviews and destinations
to life onboard and ashore. Porthole Cruise
Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards are
determined, each year, by thousands of the
publication’s readers who vote on their
favorite cruise lines in a variety of
categories.
“We are very honored of receiving this
award. It’s a further recognition of how
much consumers appreciate our Mediterranean
cruises. It’s very important for us since we
consider the Mediterranean sea as Costa
Cruises’ home. During its 67 years of
history the company introduced unique
innovations in this strategic area, such as
winter cruises, cabins with private balcony
and the neoCollection experience” – said
Mario Zanetti Vice President Revenue
Management, Air & Sea, Itinerary Planning of
Costa Cruises – “In 2015 we deployed 12
ships in the Mediterranean, offering 27
different itineraries, ranging from three to
13 days, with 69 ports of call in 14
countries.”
Most important innovations include the new
flagship Costa Diadema, ambassador of
Italy’s finest, with 7-day cruises offering
guests the chance of visiting in a single
cruise Florence and Rome, two of the most
popular Italian cities, and beautiful
Mediterranean cities like Barcelona and
Marseille. In addition, Costa Mediterranea
introduced one week cruises from Trieste and
Venice to discover Croatia, Greece and
Montenegro.
Among the wide range of cruises in the
Mediterranean Sea, in 2015 Costa proposed
Costa neoCollection itineraries with Costa
neoRiviera, Costa neoRomantica and Costa
neoClassica, which offer “slow” cruises away
from the bustle of mass tourism in the
eastern and western Mediterranean, including
destinations declared UNESCO World Heritage
Sites.
Furthermore, designed for those who would
like to experience a Costa cruise without
having a full week available or are
interested in a short break to relax, Costa
ships offers 3/4/5-day mini-cruises in the
Mediterranean Sea departing from Savona.
July 25, 2013
Join the legendary environmentalist and
oceanographer aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin
Explorer. Environmentalist. Educator. Film Producer.
For more than four decades, Jean-Michel has
dedicated himself and his vast experience to
communicating to people of all nations and
generations his love and concern for our water
planet. Paul Gauguin Cruises is proud of our 14-year
association with Mr. Cousteau and honored to welcome
him aboard these upcoming sailings of the m/s Paul
Gauguin:
2014
Join us and enjoy an opportunity to meet Mr.
Cousteau in person. As our special guest, he will
offer a series of lectures with videos of his work
in the world’s oceans, as well as accompany several
dives from the ship.
About Jean-Michel Cousteau
In 1999, Jean-Michel Cousteau's passion for the sea
led him to found the Ocean Futures Society, whose
mission is to explore the world’s oceans, inspiring
and educating people throughout the world to act
responsibly for its protection, documenting the
critical connection between humanity and nature, and
celebrating the ocean’s vital importance to the
survival of all life on our planet. Mr.
Cousteau serves as president and chairman of the
board.
Reaching millions of people globally through this
organization, Mr. Cousteau has produced
environmentally oriented adventure programs and
television specials, public service announcements,
multi-media programs for schools, web-based marine
content, books, articles for magazines, and public
lectures.
As Chairman of the Board and President of Ocean
Futures Society, he also travels the world, meeting
with leaders and policymakers at the grassroots
level and at the highest echelons of government and
business, lending his reputation and support to
energize alliances for positive change.
In addition to these milestones, Mr. Cousteau has
produced more than 80 films and received numerous
prestigious awards, including the Emmy, Peabody, 7
d’Or, and Cable Ace Awards.
Since 1989, Mr. Cousteau has also served as a
syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times.
In this capacity, his articles have appeared in more
than 60 newspapers worldwide.
In the course of these activities, Mr. Cousteau has
been recognized for a number of “firsts” in a
variety of arenas. For example, in February 2002, he
became the first person to represent the Environment
in the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Salt
Lake City, joining luminaries including Archbishop
Desmond Tutu (Africa), John Glenn (The Americas),
Kazuyoshi Funaki (Asia), Lech Walesa (Europe), Cathy
Freeman (Oceania), Jean-Claude Killy (Sport), and
Steven Spielberg (Culture).
In another “first,” on Earth Day 1997, he led the
first undersea live, interactive video chat from the
coral reefs of Fiji, celebrating the International
Year of the Reef and answering questions from
“armchair divers” throughout the world. And in 1998,
he participated in a live downlink from the Space
Shuttle Columbia to CNN to highlight the
International Year of the Ocean, discussing NASA’s
contribution to ocean awareness with astronaut and
marine biologist, Rick Linnehan.
Not surprisingly, Mr. Cousteau has received numerous
awards throughout his career, including the
Environmental Hero Award, presented to him in 1998
by then-Vice President Gore, and in 2003 he was
inducted into the International SCUBA Diving Hall of
Fame.
An architect by training, Mr. Cousteau began his
career by founding Living Design, an architectural
firm that specialized in marine architecture and has
a long history of innovative design in the field of
architecture and the ocean. More recently, he has
been involved with the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji
Islands Resort, an environmentally and culturally
oriented family resort, conceived as a model to
prove to the business community the economic
benefits of environmental concern and design.
He is the son of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau.
------
Hotels
The Brando Resort officially
opened and welcomed its first guests
Theodore Koumelis - 03 July 2014, 08:26
Tahitians say hello with flowers and good bye
with shells
From the moment you arrive, you will have your
first Polynesian experience with traditional
Polynesian lei made fem the fragrant Tiare
flower which means "las Orana" or "Hello" and "Manava"
or "Welcome". As you leave, Tahitians will share
their appreciation for your visit with a
traditional shell lei necklace made from tiny
polish made from tiny polished shells from the
sea meaning "Nana" or "Goodbye" an "Maruru" or
"Thank you! TETIAROA, French Polynesia - The
Brando, an exquisite luxury resort
on French Polynesia's breathtakingly beautiful
private atoll of Tetiaroa, composed of a dozen
idyllic islets surrounding a sparkling lagoon 30
miles north of Tahiti, officially opens today to
guests.
Setting a new world standard, The Brando is a
pioneering model of sustainable technology with
seawater air-conditioning and
renewable energies, without any sacrifice to
luxury or comfort. Designed to
reflect Polynesian lifestyles and culture, the
all-inclusive resort features 35 deluxe villas,
each with its own private beach area and plunge
pool and offers carefree luxury in the midst of
pristine nature. Exclusive and private, access
to The Brando is a 20-minute flight from Tahiti
by Air Tetiaroa to Tetiaroa's
airfield.
"There is nothing like The Brando in the
world, and we look forward to sharing this
paradise with our guests and making their stays
with us truly memorable and life enriching,"
said Silvio Bion, General
Manager, The Brando.
The award-winning cuisine of Guy Martin of
the Michelin two star restaurant Le Grand Vefour
in Paris is featured in all dining venues and
in-room dining. The resort's two restaurants
showcase Polynesian-inspired dishes, East/West
fusion and classic French cuisine. Les Mutines
is The Brando's fine dining restaurant with a
world-class wine cellar. The Beachfront
Cafe offers indoor and beach dining. The
resort's Te Manu Bar features lagoon views and
private tree-top seating areas reached on
walkways through a palm canopy. Bob's Bar is a
casual setting on the beach.
The Brando's Varua Polynesian Spa specializes in
the finest holistic treatments which are
inspired by ancient Polynesian traditions
coupled with modern techniques. The spa includes
private massage and treatment villas, steam
baths, a tea and relaxation lounge overlooking
the pond, a yoga shelter and a special spa suite
for couples high up in the palm trees.
An abundance of activities are available at The
Brando including snorkeling in a coral garden,
paddle boarding, kayaking, Polynesian canoeing,
scuba diving, tennis, biking, swimming,
exploration of the untouched private islets
surrounding the lagoon, and guided tours by
naturalists. The resort also has a Library and
Explorer Center where guests can read books
about French Polynesia and attend lectures and
demonstrations about Polynesian culture, history
and lifestyle.
Onsite research scientists will speak
with guests about their research and the species
of birds and marine life found on the atoll. A
luxury pearl shop and a boutique are also
located on the property.
The Brando was inspired by Marlon Brando's
original vision to create a venture of
sustainable development that resonates with
visitors and fosters opportunities to get to
know both the place and people of
French Polynesia.He was passionate about
preserving Tetiaroa's natural
beauty, biodiversity and cultural richness and
was determined to find a way in which it could
be a center for research and education and a
model of sustainability.
In 1999 Brando asked Richard Bailey of Pacific
Beachcomber S.C., a long-time resident
of Tahiti who shared his passion for the
environment and who had created some of the
region's finest resorts, to help him conceive a
plan that would help him achieve his dream.
Together, Brando and Bailey pursued a vision of
creating the world's first and foremost
post-carbon resort—an island where innovative
new technologies would enable a
self-sustaining luxury environment for resort
guests, residents and scientific research. The Brando
is the legacy of that shared vision and the
resort is committed to protecting the precious
biodiversity of Tetiaroa.
"The mission of The Brando is to provide one
of the most luxurious, authentic, and enriching
travel experiences available anywhere, in
an environmentally sensitive, sustainable and
culturally rich manner," said Richard
Bailey, President and CEO of Pacific
Beachcomber. "We are committed to preserving
and protecting the natural splendor and precious
biodiversity of Tetiaroa; respecting and
supporting Polynesian culture, hospitality
and traditions; and striving to be a model for
the rest of the world."
An Ecostation on Tetiaroa has been established
in pursuit of Brando's dream with its operation
entrusted to Tetiaroa Society, a 501 (c)(3) U.S.
non profit dedicated to inspiring sustainable
interdependence through education, conservation,
and creative science. Current projects include a
survey of the archaeological sites of Tetiaroa,
a GIS mapping of the atoll, and
ocean acidification research. Guests of The
Brando will be able to experience first hand
Brando's vision of having a "University of the
Sea" by visiting the Ecostation, interacting
with scientists in the field, and
actively participating in studies conducted by
some of the world's leading
research institutions.
The Brando is also working closely with Te
Mana O Te Moana, a
Tahiti-based nonprofit organization devoted to
the conservation of marine wildlife—particularly
the green sea turtle on Tetiaroa, but also
marine mammals, sharks, rays, and coral reef
across French Polynesia. Pacific Beachcomber has
collaborated closely with Te Mana O Te Moana
over the past ten years. Te Mana O Te Moana is
consulting on implementing excursions on
Tetiaroa's lagoon and motu and is also
developing a variety of
youth-oriented educational programs. The
organization has developed educational
materials and programs approved by the local
authorities, reaching more than 50,000 school
children to date.
African
coastal, river and lake cruises
 Africa
Travel Magazine's Associate Editor/ Publisher
Muguette Goufrani (left) first visited Africa on a
cruise from Europe along the Gold Coast and Ivory
Coast. While Muguette and her family enjoyed every
aspect of the cruise, she liked Cote d'Ivoire so
much, she ended up working there for several years
as a travel agent and automotive agency credit
manager. The same thing happed to her during a trip
to Gabon. More of her
Ms. Goufrani's views on Cruising Africa to appear
during 2001 in this section and in print.
Comments
from our ATA presentation to the
Peace Through Tourism Conference,
Glasgow, Scotland, 1999:
"You've seen what the Cruise Industry has
done for Alaska and the Caribbean, with their
floating hotels and a vast armada of pocket cruise
ships.
Can you imagine what would
happen if Africans built a profitable cruise
industry around their most ancient means of travel?
Just think of romantic adventure cruise
opportunities on our lakes, rivers and our
historic, exotic coastline? The Gold Coast, the
Ivory Coast, the Cape of Good Hope, the Indian
Ocean Coast and its treasured islands, the Red Sea
and Suez Canal. Yes, as Mr. Salia says about
Africa, "Water transport is generally neglected and
undervalued." Perhaps this sleeping giant will also
awaken."
Written by
Jerry W. Bird, Editor, Africa Trave Magazine:
Presented by Hon. Mike Gizo, Tourism Minister of
Ghana
We are
currently compiling our editorial selection for the
Africa Cruise Section. In the meantime, here are
some popular cruise web sites:
Africa Red
Sea Cruises
http://www.orientlines.com/Africa/redsea01.html
Major
cruise ship companies site
http://www.leaderships.com ............
Small Ship
Cruise Lines
http://www.smallshipcruises.com
River
Cruises, ec.
http://www.prowsedge.com/
Cruise
Alaska in the wake of
Haida Chiefs and Great Explorers
By Angela
Warner
"From the soaring
tree-clad mountains, to the looming glaciers, to
the breathtaking waterfalls, the passing panorama
is just so vast, so overwhelming, it would take the
most cynical and world-weary not to be impressed by
it." See previous page
on this
site.
William
Kelly
At our Air &
Marine Tourism Conference, we had the pleasure of
hearing a talk on Cruising by Mr. William Kelly of
Vancouver. A trained journalist and veteran travel
writer, William Kelly is an expert on cruising. His
company, Ocean Cruise Guides, has published a
series of guidebooks which are distributed
worldwide. Current titles include Alaska By
Cruise Ship, Caribbean By Cruise Ship and
The Complete Cruise Handbook, used by travel
agents and cruise passengers as a reference source
and indispensable guide when cruising.
http://www.just-alaska-cruises.com/
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