The Island of Maui

By Linka Po

Maui is the perfect place if you are looking for contact with nature but also social life. "The Magic island" is the perfect combination between luxury and simplicity. At the same place you can find sleepy towns, sunny beaches, funky art galleries or exclusive shops.

The second largest Hawaiian island has tropical climate, temperature and wind speed can vary greatly from one place to other of the island.

You can experience amazing sunrise views at Haleakala Crater, situated 10.023 feet above sea level. Hana Highway, a 55 miles (88km) roadway, offers you a variety of Maui's landscapes, while you arrive to the town of Hana.

Molokini Island is a partially submerged volcano where you can watch humpback whales. Kaanapali area is the best place to watch this enormous animals. Other place where you can get in touch with sea life, is the Maui Ocean Center. At this place you can view different sea species such as fishes, turtles or starfishes.

Hana Bay, a black sand beach, is protected by coral reef and has a circular shape. Hookipa Beach Park is known worldwide for ocean sport activities. The Red Sand Beach, colored red-black sand, is an isolated and very romantic place; nude sunbathing is common at this beach.

Diversity is the main characteristic of The Island of Maui. You can spend your day at Maui beaches and at night you can have a drink at a fancy restaurant. This place is the perfect place for people who likes the big and the small islands activities, all in one. You can have a bit of every island of Hawaii in one island.

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A Cat Island Bahamas Vacation

By Pete Marciulonis

The Hermitage is a bit of an historical oddity, fascinating and strange. The hike up to see this religious site will take visitors through small villages along beautiful trails, full of island flora and fauna. It is located at the top of Mt. Alvernia, which is 206 feet above the sea and the highest point in the Bahamas.

The Hermitage itself is made from the limestone of the cliffs, with each piece painstakingly extracted, shaped and set by hand by the Canadian mule-skinner turned Anglican turned Roman Catholic priest known as Father Jerome. The Father built the structure to scale, designed it to fit his rather diminutive form. Beloved by the island people, the priest passed away in 1956 after reaching the ripe age of 80.

Other historical sites include an Arawak cave, found at Columbus point, and plantation ruins, left over from the islands efforts at joining the worlds cotton growers. Deveaux mansion was once the residence of Andrew Deveaux of the US Navy, who participated in the 1873 battles to get Nassau back from Spain. Another well known ruins is the remains of the Ambrister plantation, near Port Howe.

For those interested in water sports, the Cat Island Dive Center is the place to contact. They operate out of the Greenwood Beach Resort and have a variety of diving and snorkeling packages available, and there are many fine areas to explore, offering a wealth of marine life and fascinating geological formations. They also have water sport equipment to rent.

Cat Island is the sixth largest island in the Bahamas, and boasts extraordinary beaches. There are literally miles and miles of virtually undisturbed beaches, where swimming and relaxing can be done in near complete privacy.

Fine meals can be had at several locations on Cat Island. Hawk's Nest Resort and Marina serves a variety of dishes, but among the best are the fresh, grilled fish and the roasted rack of lamb. Fernandez Bay Village is the place to go for creative and delicious native dishes, served either in the dining room or a patio table by the beach. Greenwood Beach Resort's Bahaman cuisine is complemented by their marvelous breads, which are baked every day.

Cat Island is an excellent choice for vacationers who are seeking a natural beach experience, and enjoy a peaceful and very laid-back atmosphere. The island can be explored at a leisurely pace, which is a much better way to enjoy the local flora and fauna, as well as to enjoy the local culture.
Because it is so much smaller in population than many of the other islands, it's easier to get a real feel for the people and their way of life. Cat Island is an interesting place that will make a lasting impression on its guests.


Pete Marciulonis

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pete_Marciulonis

Big Island, Hawaii Promotes Health & Wellness Travel

By Adam Singleton

Because of the rise in wellness tourism business owners on the Big Island of Hawaii have got together to promote a travel initiative that they collectively hope will prove so successful that it will eventually be adopted by the rest of the state.

The Hawaii Island Wellness Travel Association, composed of 120 business owners and holistic professionals, has set up a meeting with both the Big Island Visitors Bureau and Hawaii County officials to take the initiative further at which they hope to agree marketing strategies, develop effective packaging and adopt a set of rules for health and wellness travel to Hawaii, which they regard as a booming business.

As recently as 2005 almost $50,000 was set aside by Hawaii Tourism Authority to be used to quantify how well wellness tourism could be developed in the archipelago. A leading research company was approached to produce a comprehensive study of the health and wellness tourism market for the state of Hawaii. However, significant progress stalled once the report had been produced, and only now, some two years later, is the idea being re-launched.

One of the most vociferous proponents and advocates of wellness tourism Lew Whitney, co-founder of the Kokolulu Farm and Qigong Center based in North Kohala said: "We've been trying for years to persuade the Hawaii Tourism Authority that this (wellness) offers a great opportunity for the whole state of Hawaii and not just the Big Island." Over the last nine years the Center has offered a range of cancer retreats and meditative healing programs and Whitney admits that it has been a struggle getting the message across to tourism chiefs. However, Whitney highlights that the Center, located on the northern tip of the Big Island, has been successfully trading for almost 10 years, and with little promotional help from the Hawaii Tourism Authority has managed to remain in business, albeit with the help of some charitable contributions.

Indeed, leading research group Mintel produced a comprehensive Market Research document which looked at wellness tourism being offered throughout the world in places as far flung as Japan, Hungary, India, Austria and Thailand. It concluded, amongst other things that markets were expanding as more and more people, of all ages, made their vacation choices based on health and wellness travel demonstrating that that the sector had a bright future.

As more people take to using alternative and natural remedies, tying wellness into hotel deals in Hawaii could herald a bold new initiative that in the long run may well add an extra string to the already well developed tourism bow for the state.

The Realization Of A Island Culture

By Jeffrey Garrido

In the fast lanes of mainstream society it easier to live a pattern of social acceptance then to research the heritage of a people deep within the confines of ones innate spirit. Easily said then done for most, yet even easier to let go and flow with wherever the mainstream may carry us to.
This is the challenge of our young Chamorro's today. To strive in a career of choice and materialistic ideals and dreams made of Benjamin Franklins rather then Abraham Lincolns.

Culture is only a major concern when preceded by "pop" without the realization of truth of origin and the beauty of a heritage and culture that lies beneath the outside appearances of the most fashionable clothes and latest designer shoes. It is priceless going beyond value and baring the hands of GOD and his ultimate blueprint from the very beginning designing our roots of courage, effort, and spirit which often may be misconstrued as arrogance rather then pride. We are an original people of color a product of thousands of years of courage and creative efficiency. It is because of our substance that we cannot forget our beginning. It is the path behind us that allows us to see the future with clarity and move on with all "ANIMU" the epitome of our spirit as a people and culture.

To date, we have learned to harmonize our lives in sequence with those of western emulation. This is our reality. We cannot change this, however we can remember and give rebirth to our cultural practices within our homes and more importantly our hearts. Our strive to know and understand our lively hoods as Chamorro pride, the innate indigenous life of the island, will undoubtedly trickle an effect to others, so they to may experience our valor in who we are and how we roll.

To those away from home, we have not forgotten the warmth of your presence. Although your chair sits empty in the homeland, your memory will always live on in the etches of the Acho’ Latte. Bearring your mark as Chamorro descent and leaving it for all those behind you to walk with pride and live on forever. With this, I say onto you "Na‘I Animu" Respectfully.

Jeffrey Garrido is an advocate for the Chamorro Culture and Managing Partner for Martec Ventures in Guam. Born and raised in native Guam he is married to Erika and they have five wonderful children.

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort - Hilton Head Island, SC

By Richard Neste

World Class Sports and Activities
Fifty four holes of championship golf wind through the Palmetto Dunes community in Hilton Head Island. Spread over three courses, golfers enjoy these challenging links designed by George Fazio, Arthur Hills, and Robert Trent Jones.

The Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center boasts 25 courts. 23 are clay and two are prime Nova ProBounce; eight of the courts are lighted at night, and instructors offer private lessons and adult/junior clinics. Since 1975, Tennis Magazine has ranked the center among the top 50 in the nation.

Over 11 miles of connecting lagoon systems are great for kayaking through Palmetto Dunes. Guided tours are offered on a complementary basis by the community's naturalist. These lagoons are also a great place to do a little fishing and crabbing!

Shelter Cove Harbour, bordering Palmetto Dunes to the west, offers canoeing, deep-sea fishing and sailing charters, and other water sports. The deepwater marina on Broad Creek is accessible from the Atlantic; its 15.5 acres contain 170 boat slips for 120-ft boats. Shopping, dining, entertainment and bike paths create many diversions for residents and vacationers alike.

Luxury Vacation Rentals and Resorts:
If you are planning a vacation for your family this summer and still are not sure where to go, I recommend going to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The first thing I would do is look to book one of the beautiful Hilton Head Island Vacation Home, Condo or Villa Rentals online. This luxury getaway is just forty five minutes away from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

Befitting a resort-residential combination community, Palmetto Dunes contains numerous upscale vacation facilities including the Marriott, Hilton and Disney resorts and several oceanfront luxury hotels in Hilton Head Island.

Highly popular is the Hilton Head Disney Resort, which offers over 120 villas/studio units occupying 20 three-story buildings on its own island in Shelter Cove. The main resort building has a uniquely-shaped heated swimming pool, a waterslide, a wading pool, and a large whirlpool spa. It also has a shuffleboard court, horseshoe pits, and bocce games. Part of the island's Disney Resort is its 13,000 square foot Beach House, covering 3.5 acres of oceanfront land, complete with a temperature-controlled, 50-foot-long swimming pool, a children's soft-floored pool/play facility, arcade games, dressing rooms, covered parking, and a poolside bar.

The Marriott at the oceanfront has more than 500 recently restored guestrooms with a balcony for every accommodation and wireless high-speed Internet. Its popular pool deck features a picturesque two-part swimming pool.

The Hilton at Palmetto Dunes also has balconies attached to each room, as well as separate adult-only and family swimming pools, Hi-Speed Internet, and the Ocean Tides Spa.

Oceanfront and Golf Oriented Real Estate:

Housing options in Palmetto Dunes include private real estate as well as houses and villas ("Villas" is the local term for condominiums.) that are marketed for rental. As a distinctive feature Palmetto Dunes has two security gates manned 24 hours a day. Access into the private residential areas, as well as the resort areas, is strictly controlled. Views include woods, golf course, lagoon, or oceanfront.

Home prices range from $600,000 to $6.5 million, making this plantation one of the island's most exclusive. Villas are priced between $150,000 and $4.5 million. Complexes include Windsor Court, Captain's Walk, Somerset, Hampton Place, Villamare and the Townhomes at South Shore, among others. A few home sites are available for sale in Palmetto Dunes. Lot prices range from the $400,000s upward, as high as $7 million for an oceanfront parcel.

Short History:

The Hilton Head Agricultural Company owned the only 1,900 acres of hunting land left on Hilton Head not already owned by developers Hack, Fraser, or McIntosh,. The tract finally sold in 1967 to the Palmetto Dunes Corporation (outbidding Fraser) for $1,000 per acre.

The Palmetto Dunes community was intended to outshine any previous island projects as a much more intense vacation experience. While other plantations were either major resort destinations or private residential areas, Palmetto Dunes' founders incorporated both ideas by building a second internal gate separating its private residential sector from the ritzy vacation areas.

Later, in 1971, Phipps Land Company and Trans International Properties Corporation of New York together purchased and incorporated the resort. (PLC had earned a success as the first major financial provider for Sea Pines Plantation). Palmetto Dunes was subsequently sold to Greenwood Development Corporation (formed in 1978 by Jim Self of Greenwood Mills) in 1979. Ownership and management of the community was finally conveyed to the Palmetto Dunes Property Owners Association on January 1, 2006.

Whether you are looking to spend your vacation, to celebrate your wedding in Hilton Head Island or to live here, you will enjoy exclusive and preferred tennis, golf and amenity privileges unique to this piece of paradise called Palmetto Dunes - Hilton Head Island.

For more information about Palmetto Dunes Resort and Hilton Head Island please visit:

Hilton Head Vacation, Travel, Real Estate Portal

Hilton Head Island Vacation Rentals

Hilton Head Island SC Real Estate

Rhode Island Divorce Tip - A Checklist Helps

By Christopher Pearsall

A Rhode Island Divorce filing has it's own forms and its own procedure. It can help to have all the forms you need. All the forms you need to file your Rhode Island Divorce Action from any of the Family Court Clerk's Offices.

So what are the typical Rhode Island Divorce Forms you'll need?

1. Summons Form (in Duplicate)

2. Complaint Form

3. Nominal Track Notice Form

4. Notice of Automatic Orders

5. Family Court Statement Listing Children of the Marriage (in Duplicate)

6. Family Services Counseling Unit Form

7. Rhode Island Department of Health Report of Divorce Form

8. Family Court Statement of Assets, Liabilities, Income and Expenses (DR-6)

9. Affidavit of Non-Military Service (if the Defendant Does not Appear).

There are other forms that are necessary in your checklist depending upon the length of the process. Hopefully your divorce process will be short. Let's assume for the sake of argument that you have a very agreeable divorce that leads up to a 10 minute Nominal Hearing where everything is agreed to and is just formally placed upon the record of the court. In that instance your checklist expands as follows:

10. You must prepare an Interlocutory Decision Pending Entry of Final Judgment that must be checked by one of the clerks of court for the vital case information and then ordered (signed) by the Judge and Entered by the Clerk. This is the temporary order of the court that governs the parties before the entry of the Final Judgment of Divorce and should mirror what the judge orders at your nominal hearing.

11. After the expiration of the 91 day waiting period by statute the Judge may then sign a Final Judgment of Divorce which again is checked by the clerk, ordered by the judge and then entered by the clerk to finalize your divorce. The final judgment would, with minor exceptions, mirror the temporary order.

Keep in mind that this is just a basic checklist and details change with each case. Most assuredly Paragraphs #10 and #11 pose the greatest challenge to those people who are representing themselves as well as attorneys who are not well versed in verbage necessary to protect their clients, to include on the record, and insure are in the temporary order and final decree.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. You should not take legal action without legal advice from a licensed practitioner who has been fully informed about your specific circumstances.

Visit http://www.ChristopherPearsall.com for More Helpful Rhode Island Divorce Tips

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Harbour Island Bahamas - Best Kept Secret

By Perry Joseph

Promise not to tell? One of the best kept secrets of the Bahamas is Harbour Island. This romantic little island, known as "Briland" by its inhabitants, is a short hop from the States. A one hour flight from Florida to North Eleuthera followed by a brief cab and water taxi ride gets you to this Bahamas gem in a hurry.

Harbour Island is less than 4 miles long and a 1/2 mile wide. Its long wide beach is famous for its hard-packed pale pink sand. The likes of Fodors and Conde Nast rate it as one of the "best Bahamas beaches." The beach, combined with some great restaurants, hotels and vacation home rentals, makes Harbour Island a destination of choice amongst Bahamas enthusiasts. It's no surprise to find a few "rich and famous" there -- they know they won't be hounded.

Central to Harbour island is Dunmore Town. This quaint and friendly community features old Victorian structures adorned with Bahama's colorful pastel paint schemes. No high rise hotels, fast food or traffic jams on this island!

Golf cart rentals are the transportation of choice. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and just plain walking the beach are some of the popular activities. To be sure, Harbour Island is not known for its shopping and night life nor is there any gambling. If you seek large crowds, wild parties or theme park rides, this is not your destination.

Harbour Island's weather is delightful; especially during late Winter and Spring when there is little chance of rain. Ocean breezes take any edge off of moderately warm temperatures ranging from the 70s to 80s during the day and late 60s at night. Air conditioning during season is unnecessary -- ceiling fans are adequate. Nothing beats falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean through an open window.

Dining out is casual. The better restaurants include Pink Sands Hotel, Coral Sands, The Landing, Rock House, Romora Bay Club and Harbour Lounge. For local fare, Ma Ruby's should not be missed. And there are more... Part of the pleasure of exploring the island is checking out the restaurants. When compared to other Bahamian islands, Harbour Island has one of the best selections of restaurants -- all within close proximity to any place you stay.

On the ocean side, hotels include Pink Sands Hotel, Coral Sands Hotel and Dunmore Beach Club. On the bay side, it's The Landing Inn and the Rock House. On a budget? There are other hotels to choose from. Visiting Harbour Island is not cheap, but if it was, then everybody would be there, right?

Harbour Island's vacation home rentals and villas are numerous. Location and size come at a price. If you desire "beachfront", the better locations are usually on the north and south along the east coast. If you want to save a little, there are some nice rentals in Dunmore Town and others located in the interior of the island. The beach is always minutes away.

Look for home rentals on the internet offering more than a few photos so you know what to expect. A number of rentals are handled by rental or real estate agents who may not provide much in the way of details, descriptions, map locations or photos. Owners who care about promoting their home rental typically have independent web sites and accept e-mail inquiries directly.

The better house rentals on Harbour Island are booked nearly a year in advance of prime season. Those who want the best make early reservations -- many are repeat customers. You can also take a "standby" position on a number of rentals in hopes someone cancels. Ask for referrals and double check policies for deposits and refunds.

If you seek a memorable and relaxed Bahamas vacation coupled with sun, sea, great food and a romantic beachfront that will knock your eyes out, consider Harbour Island. See you on the beach!

Copyright © 2004 Perry Joseph

Perry Joseph is a freelance writer, website developer and frequent visitor to the Bahamas. For more information on Harbour Island, visit his website: Harbour Island Bahamas