I ended up on Hawaiian after recently being faced with a dilema – fly on an Airbus A340 direct to Tahiti and pray we didn’t hit any bad weather, or fly safe and worry free on a Boening 767 with connecting service to Tahiti.  After the recent news about the A330/A340 from the FAA and the European Union concerning even more problems with the pitot tubes (and even more incidents of the computers going down because of it – click here to read about it) well… enough was enough.  I’d rather be on a plane that knows what altitude and speed it’s flying and have to connect, so I decided on the connecting flight on a Boening 767 which meant a connecting flight through Honolulu on the way to Tahiti adding about 2 hours more flight time, and approximately 2 on ground in Honolulu.  In addition to feeling much more secure with my choice of aircraft there were several added benefits to this flight:

1. I would get miles with Virgin Atlantic (Hawaiian is also a member of several other FF programs too).  Air Tahiti Nui doesn’t participate any anyone elses FF program
2. For an extra $200 I could fly first.  More comfort – and bonus miles with Virgin

I’ll definately be flying Hawaiian Airlines again, as long as they continue flying Boeing aircaft. They have great service and very competative pricing.  In addition to flying to Tahiti,  they also fly via Honolulu to Sydney, Manilla, and Samoa from several Major US markets including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland.  For the complete list of services and destinations – check out hawaiianairlines.com.

The M Resort sits about 10 minutes due south of the Strip on Las Vegas Blvd.  They offer as part of their “resort fee” roundtrip scheduled shuttle service between the airport and hotel, and The Strip (Fashion Show Mall) and the hotel.  The airport schedule is fairly convenient, so is the The Strip shuttle – EXCEPT – the last shuttle back is at 9:45pm, so if you want to go to a show plan on a $35 cab ride back to the hotel.  This is really my only complaint about the property.  They really need to extend their shuttle service hours to the strip if they want to be a real Vegas destination.

The property itself is amazing.  Wonderfully laid out to not only entice you to spend your time at the resort, but to spend your time there with friends.  Everywhere you look, in the bars, casino, by the pool there are wonderful groupings of seating areas begging you to sit down, relax, and be social.  A very open layout one area flows into another seemlessly. One minute your in the slots, the next your in one of the bars. 

They really though about this place before they built it.  It’s the not so little things, like all the restaurants, except the buffet, have terraces that look out over the pool area and the strip beyond – AND – they made sure they can be used year ’round.  They have permanent heaters built in to the ceilings.  In the casino area there are “self serve” fountain beverage dispensers, you can get your own soft drinks whenever you want.  Throughout the entire public area of the hotel they play a very agreeable blend of 70s & 80s rock with a little funk, and a little 2000 mixed in.  This place is hip, posh, comfortable, and unpretensious all at once.  It’s fabulous.

The pool area is vast.  There’s plenty of room to get away from any kids AND the jacuzzis are big enough for you and 49 of your friends.  There are lougers, sofas, different varieties of cabanas (for rent), and a huge bar with the latest sports on several flat screen TVs.  Most days there’s also a poolside restaurant serving fantastic food. The one thing that needs improvement at the pool is the service.  The bartenders are great, the waiters and waitresses….  can be a little unobservant.

Another thing they’ve done right – the food!  Simply amazing.  Whether it’s a simple sandwich in their 24hr cafe, or filet mignon and lobster at Terzetto - the food is simply wonderful.  You could cut my filet mignon with a fork – no steak knife needed.  Whatever you are in the mood for, chances are one of their restaurants serves it, from Sushi to Spaghetti. The food menus are extensive, and so are their drink menus…  For wine afficianados – check out The Hostile Grape, their wine cellar which advertises over 200 wines by the glass, the M bar is a Mixed Drink and Martini lovers paradise, and beer drinkers can check out over 96 beers on tap at 32 Degrees. All currently have great summer drink specials.  Check out the website for more details.

The rooms at The M Resort are beautiful, comfortable, and offer comforts you never knew you needed – like a light up “Do Not Disturb” sign.  No “putting the sign out” – just flip a switch.  James Bond would love this place.  Large 42″ HD LCD TV’s with an interactive TV channel listing and resort information, display phone (it will actually show you restaurant menus), Bose “Wave” sound system, mirror embedded TV in the bathroom, wonderful soaking tub, separate shower with bench, lighted makeup mirro, minibar, and laptop sized safe.

All in all – a great place to stay in Vegas.  I’ll be back.  

The next time I’m back in Venice, I’ll be staying at the Amadeus again.  The area’s great too – nice restaurants and shops, and they’re all cheaper than what you’ll find near San Marco.  Oh – the “bad area” is actually next to the BUS depot… not the TRAIN station.

I got a wonderful deal on this hotel through Orbitz, I paid approximately $95 per night – and our room had a balcony with a nice cafe table. The rooms have great character without being too kitchy, and have all the amenities you’d expect from a 4 star hotel.

Check the Amadeus out click here

In Pelhurinho you will find a charming maze of cobblestone streets that are easy and rewarding to wander around. In addition to the many shops, galleries, and cafes, there are a few incredible old churches well worth a visit, including Largo Cruzeiro de S. Francisco. It gives new meaning to the term “Gilded in Gold.” Almost as impressive as the gleaming gold walls is the wonderful blue tile work near the entry. Next door is the Ordem Terceira de Sao Francisco Church and it’s beautiful facade.

There are plenty of opportunities to shop for everything from jewelry to painting to your usual tourist junk. However, it’s definately not the cheapest place to buy your souveniers. If you’re looking for tourist items, catch a ride from H Stern back down the hill and ask them to drop you at the Market. A short walk along the waterfront from the ship, the Market is filled to the brim with tourist items, and while not the bargain that Fortaleza was, the prices are much better than at the top of the hill.

Be careful leaving the market and walking back to the ship. Walk with others if possible. During our day in Salvador 2 ladies were walking back from the market and right at the terminal building, in front of a security guard, 2 young teenage boys mugged the women stealing their purses. The security guard fired a gun at them and they were caugh by police. But, it’s still not a good way to end your stay in port.

As the story above illustrates, as enchanting as the old city is – the modern area at the bottom of the hill, where the port is, is is not a very nice place. It’s dangerous. Don’t walk around by yourself, and take a taxi – or the the free H Stern bus to get up to the old city and back. While the elevators that run up the side of the hill are intriguing, they’re not worth getting mugged or shot.

Sailing out of Salvador de Bahia is well worth being on deck for. You get a wonderful view of the entire city. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many churches.

After a morning espresso and checking email at the internet cafe we hopped back on the shuttle and head for the beach. The main beach is Boa Viagem, and you will find a similar setup to the beach in Fortaleza, cafes on the beach providing patrons with chairs, umbrellas, and beverages. No food. For food you have strolling vendors that roam the beach, and occassionally stop and join in an impromtu game of football (soccer) or hackisack. There are showers and nice toilet facilites available along the beach.

The beaches in Recife has a reef not far off shore – do NOT go past the reef! As the sign on Boa Viagem states “BATHERS IN THIS AREA ARE AT A GREATER RISK OF SHARK ATTACK”. We’re not sure who they have a greater risk than… but we don’t want to find out either. This is also a great beach to people watch. All of Recife comes here to play.

After our day at the beach, we caught the shuttle back to the ship. As the bus makes its way back across the city to the port you’re afforded lovely views of Recife’s many bridges that connect all the little islands that make up the city.

Sailing out of Recife is well worth being on deck for. In addition to another sprawling, never ending row of highrises backing long strands of beach, you are treated to the view of Olinda perched on it’s hillside overlooking Recife.

An alternate plan for a day in Recife: Not into sand and sun? Prefer a little history instead? Head to Olinda and spend your day wandering its 17th century streets. Located just outside Recife on a hillside, Olinda was founded in 1530 by the Portuguese and in 1982 it’s historic core became a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Mercado Central is one stop shopping, eating, ATM, Bureau de Change, and (if it’s open) internet cafe. If you’re arriving on a cruise ship they usually have a shuttle (for a fee) to the Mercado. If you want to see a little something more than the Mercado and the Beach, the Cathedral is just across the street.

As for shopping – Stock up here, it’s more expensive the further south you travel in Brazil. Ladies – you will find wonderful, easy care easy wear casual dresses in the main market. They’re twisted and then tied in a knot (look for baskets full of them) and run about $5 each – they’re 2 to 3 times that elsewhere in Brazil. You’ll also find all types of emroidery, weaving, and your usual tourist t-shirts and such. If you want there are several little restaurants and coffee bars throughout the Mercado you can get a quick bite at. My advice, have coffee but save lunch for the beach.

When you’re done shopping, head to the beach. About a $5 taxi ride from the Mercado. You want to head toward Praia de Iracema and/or Meireles. Have the taxi driver drive along the beach road, called both Avenida Presidente Kennedy and Avenida Beira Mar and have him stop when you see a beach restaurant that looks good. The beach restaurant you choose will take care of you for the rest of your day at the beach. You get beach chairs, and food and beverage service during your stay at the beach (a completely alien concept to American Beach goers – we really need to adopt this idea, it’s wonderful. Although, the Thais have truely perfected it.). Sometimes there’s a small fee for using the chairs, and sometimes they’re free if you drink and eat. The food’s usually really good, and both the food and drinks are cheap So, relax and enjoy.

The water off Fortaleza is warm, and fairly clean – however, you will find some liter swimming with you. I wouldn’t recommend swimming here after a heavy rain storm. There is one golden rule to follow at almost any beach anywhere in the world: If the locals aren’t getting in the water, there’s a reason… and you shouldn’t get in it either. Our day at the beach, the locals were in the water and so were we.

Toward late afternoon we flagged a taxi down along the beach road and headed back to the ship. The fare was around $10. The sail out of Fortaleza is remarkable. The coast appears as a never ending stretch of highrises backing long strands of golden sand. The view only gets better as the sun set.

Driving on Lanzarote is easy, it’s a small island. A friend from the ship had decided to come along with me and we head for the volcano for our first stop. Arriving at The National Park of Timanfaya we parked the car and got on one of the buses that takes you on the tour of the park. The road is winding and the view is desolate. There’s a very good naration about the park during the ride presented in several languages. Although they claim there are 180 different plant species, they must be mostly microscopic. I don’t think we saw 180 plants on the entire tour… When you get back to the visitors center don’t miss the geizer that is to the right and in front of the center. It frequently catches unsuspecting tourists off guard.

Note: Get there early, by the time we left there was no parking and a long line to drive into the park.

After leaving the park we headed toward Puerto Del Carmen and a drive up the coast with lunch along the way. I’m still trying to figure out why there are so many Tex-Mex Restaurants (usually right next to an Irish Pub) on Lanzarote… We had a wonderful lunch at a seaside cafe and then continued on up the coast back to Arrecife and the Marco Polo.

Originally a couple friends and I had discussed trying to visit Taroudannt, but decided it was a little too far (about 2:30 hr drive) from the ship. Instead we hired a taxi for a quick tour around town and then a stop at the beach front to have a look around. I recommend just going straight to the beach and spend a few hours there. Have a nice lunch, and if it’s warm enough enjoy the sun and sand.

His friend picked me up at the port and we headed for our first stop – the Hassan II Mosque. This is the only Mosque in Morocco that non-Muslims are allowed to enter. Upon arriving at the Mosque I met up with my guide, who was leading a group through and had me join them. The location of the Mosque on the water with one entire wall with a series of doors that open to the water, and the sheer size are awe inspiring. One of the largest modern relgious buildings in the world, I’m not sure which is more impressive: the detail and handcrafting of the incredible woodwork, or the fact the Mosque was entirely built from DONATIONS. There were NO State funds used.

After visiting the mosque, the driver took me to the most interesting stop of the day – the old Catholic Cathedral. Now a museum featuring exhibits on the various desert tribes of Northern Africa. While the exhibits were very well done, the most interesting feature of the church were the stained glass windows. Most weren’t religious, including a wonderful series featuring the signs of the Zodiac. This is one stop that if I hadn’t been with a guide I would have missed completely, and it was the highlight of Casablanca. None of the tours from the ship stopped here either.

Leaving the church we went for a scenic drive around Casablanca and picked the guide up again, now that he was done with his Tourism Board duties and we head to the resort/beach area of Casablanca for a lovely lunch at a seaside hotel. The setting was great, and my guide was very interesting company. Seems he used to hang out in the bars in Tangiers back when Jimmy Hendrix was there.

Finishing lunch we continued on to do some shopping stopping at a couple of stores that I’m sure were owned by a relative (that figures for this part of the world), and ending up roaming around the Central Market. I found a couple inexpensive paintings, always a good souvenier. They don’t weigh much and they’re easy to pack if they’re not too big.

After returing to the ship, we were treated to an incredible sunset as we sailed out of Casablanca. The sky looked like it had been lit on fire and glowed behind the Hassan II Mosque. I couldn’t have asked for a better farewell to my day in Casablanca.