Maupiti

Did you know that Bora Bora has a sister island?  This smaller and lesser known island is Maupiti.  There are no resorts on this island. Locals offer family pension houses for travelers.  The language is here is entirely French (...very surprising for French Polynesia huh?).  The population here is approximately 1,700 people. It is a relatively simple island consisting of only three villages. Below is the vicarious stroll through Maupiti...

Mulligans of Paradise

On the island of Moorea, French Polynesia, there is a course that is designed by, the golf legend, Jack Nicklaus. Green Pearl first opened in 2007 and is full of stunning views and opportunities to feed the Mahi Mahi white spherical treats.

Hole #7 (below) is Pearl Green's signature hole known for this beautiful view below while hacking away towards the green.

The Tiki Bar

Today's tropical special is Blue Hawaii.  It was invented in the 1950's in Wakiki's Hilton Hawaiian Village.  It's popularity came from an Elvis Presley movie also by the name Blue Hawaii.  The recipe is as follows:

3/4 oz light rum

3/4 oz vodka

1/2 oz Blue Curacao liqueur

3 oz pineapple juice

1 oz sweet and sour mix

Combine and mix well and say ALOHA to this!

Drinks Mixer

Halloween

It is nearly Halloween and this post is to show off my amazing Hawaiian costume....

Aloha Friday: Aloha Oe

One of the earliest Pacific Islands tunes to receive attention outside of the islands is "Aloha Oe". Written in the late 19th century in Oahu, it served as a farewell from Colonel James Harbottle Boyd to Princess Liliʻuokalani.  

LYRICS

(Hawaiian)

Ha`aheo ka ua i nâ pali

Ke nihi a`ela i ka nahele

E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko

Pua `âhihi lehua o uka

Chorus
Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho`i a`e au
Until we meet again

`O ka hali`a aloha i hiki mai
Ke hone a`e nei i
Ku`u manawa
`O `oe nô ka`u ipo aloha
A loko e hana nei

Chorus

Maopopo ku`u `ike i ka nani
Nâ pua rose o Maunawili
I laila hia`ia nâ manu
Miki`ala i ka nani o ka lipo

Chorus

LYRICS
(English)
Proudly swept the rain cloud by the cliffs,
As on it glided through the trees
Still following ever the "liko"
The "Ahihi lehua" of the vale...

Chorus
Farewell to thee,
Farewell to thee,
Thou charming one who dwellst among the bow'rs.
One fond embrace,
Before I now depart,
Until we meet again.

Thus sweet memories come back to me,
Bringing fresh remembrance of the past
Dearest one, yes, thou art mine own,
From thee, true love shall ne'er depart.

Chorus

I have seen and watched thy loveliness,
Thous sweet Rose of Maunawili,
And 'tis there the birds oft love to dwell
And sip the honey from thy lips.

Chorus

Below is the famous Aloha Oe in action...

(Instrumental Version)

Elvis Presley's Version



Lilo and Stitch Aloha Oe

The Sunshine Seven

This site was created about a month ago and some great posts have disappeared out of easy viewing.  Through this post, I am collecting some of the highlights for anyone that may just now be reading the site for the first time.

What is Pacific Dreamland? 
(This one is mandatory for first-time readers)
The Pacific Crown Jewel - St. Regis 
Easter Island
Sounds of the Islands - "Honestly"
Ocean Serenity
Tupai
Sounds of the Islands - "Dreamland"

On that note, have another round of Mai Tais as there is more Pacific Island magic on the way...

Going Coconuts

There are no shortage of palm trees on the Pacific Islands, which means there is no shortage of coconuts.  In fact, I have decided to create a section all about uses for the coconut.  The first featured use is the coconut milk which comes from the grated coconut meat inside.

The next is coconut oil which actually has more than a few uses itself.  This site actually lists 101 uses for coconut oil....  ranging from cooking to lotion to even a natural deodorant.

In closing of this section of "Going Coconuts", how about some Coconut Creme Pie?

Waikiki Coconut Cream Pie
Ingredients
1 whole pie crust, baked and cooled
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups milk
3 tbsp cornstarch
3 whole egg yolks, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tbsp butter
1 cup Shredded coconut
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp sugar for whipped cream
5 tablespoon Shredded coconut, for garnish 

Preparation

In a one-quart saucepan, combine the sugar and milk. Heat over medium heat. Mix the cornstarch with the egg yolks.
When the milk mixture is hot, remove about 1/4 cup and blend with egg yolks. Stir until smooth, then add slowly to remaining milk mixture. Cook, stirring, over a low flame for 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and add vanilla, butter, and coconut. Blend until butter is melted. Cool and gently pour into pie shell. Chill for about 2 hours.

Just before serving time, whip the cream with sugar until stiff. Carefully spread over pie and top with grated coconut.

source

Only on Pacific Dreamland where "anything tropical is fair game"....

Sounds of the Islands

It is that time again....

I introduce a smooth island rhythm off of their self-titled  debut album that released in summer of 2010.  Put your lounge chairs and umbrella drinks together for "I'm Your's" by The Green.

LYRICS

So girl whatchya gonna do...
Can't you see it that I'm falling for you...
You got me going crazy and you know it's true
Playing silly games without me knowing the rules
Now girl I know you've been a little confused
You can't decide which guy to choose
No other man can love you like I do
And deep inside I know you love me to...

I'm your's pretty girl, save me from this world of confusion, lady can't you see you were sent to me for a reason. (x2)

Oh girl only time will say, whether or not you chose to swing my way
I give you love each and every day
Make you smile when in clouds of gray
Now girl I'm going to treat you like a queen
The fact you've got a son doesn't change a thing
It's cool with me because I'll provide for three
Oh baby girl why won't you stay with me

I'm your's pretty girl, save me from this world of confusion, lady can't you see you were sent to me for a reason. (x2)

[Instrumental]

I'm your's pretty girl, save me from this world of confusion, lady can't you see you were sent to me for a reason. (x2)

I'm yours, I'm yours, I'm yours pretty darlin' (x2)

I'm Yours performed live in Waikiki, Hawaii.

Overwater Bungalows

Paradise at it's finest...for everything else there is MasterCard....

Ocean Serenity

If you have ever been by the shore or out on the ocean, you would probably say there is something mystical or perhaps supernatural about the experience.  Below is a piece I created from my collection of sunrise and sunset pictures.  

French Polynesia Shoutout

Today is an exciting day for Pacific Dreamland.  I am thrilled to see some views coming from French Polynesia.  This post is a shout-out to all of you from these beautiful islands.  

Niihau

There is an island of Hawaii that few have set foot on.  One that has earned the reputation of  "The Forbidden Island".... I am talking about Niihau here.  The story behind the island is that it was purchased in 1864 by Elizabeth Hutchison Sinclair for $10,000.  It has been handed down to her descendants, The Robinsons.  The only way to get here is through a tour run through the Robinson Family.  For those who wish to experience Niihau, here is a vicarious opportunity with some photos.

The Forbidden Island tours information is located here.

IRIE

What is "IRIE"?

IRIE is an island concept for a state of inner bliss.  It is most popular in the Caribbean but IRIE is used in Hawaii as well. The letters make up an acronym for:

          I           

          Respect

I 

            Eternally

How did I find out about Irie?

          

 I was looking around Itunes and came across a song by the name of  'Feeling Irie' (look for this song in a future "Sounds of the Islands" post).

my new hat....

The Pacific Crown Jewel

It's mid-term time and the school work seems to piling up like Mt. Otemanu....so here is my quick vicarious escape to the happy place that is Bora Bora.  Today's feature is an overview of the five star Intercontinental Resort.

Sounds of the Islands

Today, I introduce a one man band by the name of

 Scott Woodruff is the star of the show here starting off by playing one musical instrument at a time in his college years while his friends were into heavy metal.  It shortly after became his full time job after playing in California.  He composed the spaced-out instrumental classic that I now consider the anthem of Pacific Dreamland.... behold "Dreamland" by Stick Figure!

   

Taste of the Pacific

Name that fish....

(Would you like to phone a friend or ask the audience?....Sorry, no 50-50 lifeline here)

The answer is Mahi Mahi.  This fish originated in Hawaii.  The name means "very strong".  

Mahi Mahi Polynesian Style

Ingrediants

• 1 lb mahi mahi fillet
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 1 pinch ginger
• 1 pinch clove
• non-stick olive oil flavored cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together soy sauce, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
3. Add to mahi mahi in a ziploc bag and let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
4. Spray non-stick baking pan with cooking spray.
5. Place fish in pan.
6. Drain juice from pineapple, reserve.
7. Combine pineapple juice with curry powder and pour over fish.
8. Add pineapple chunks and pepper slices on top of fish.
9. Wrap pan tightly with foil.
10. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees, then uncover and bake for 5 minutes more, until fish flakes easily with fork.

source

The Tiki Bar

Today's Tiki Bar Special is.....(drum roll)

Maui Wowie

• 25ml midori
• 75ml malibu
• orange juice
• pineapple juice
• dash grenadine

It's a drink to go pineapples about...

Aloha Friday - Aloha Tower

Ever heard of Aloha Tower?

Aloha tower is a landmark of Oahu, on the island of Honolulu.  Built in 1926, it is the state's largest clock and the standout reminder of the Aloha spirit.  Below is a video of the view from the Aloha Tower observation deck.

Site Updates

This message is for a couple of quick notes about the site.  

First off, there appears to be a script error when viewing this page on certain browsers.  I expected that this would be a problem due to the large amounts of pictures and videos.  I am currently working on a solution, meanwhile, I would recommend using Google Chrome for navigating this site if it is an option to you.  

Second, I am thrilled to see that the Adsense ads have appeared on this site and that for the most part are very relevant to the posts you are reading... so relevant, in fact, that I will even be writing about some of my fellow advertisers (Paul Gauguin for example) in my future island posts.

Lastly, if you have any suggestions, questions, comments, or concerns please do not hesitate to comment.

Tupai

Approximately 19 kilometers north of Bora Bora is an island in a very peculiar shape.

Introducing Tupai, the "heart" of French Polynesia.  The only residents of this island are coconut plantation workers. Rumor has it that Tupai was featured in season six of the Bachelorette fantasy dates (you really do not know what will come up here at Pacific Dreamland!).  Here is a fly over clip that captures the heart beginning in Bora Bora.  



The Pacific Crown Jewel

"The red light of the sun is slowly descending.  The sky is all I see, it's never-ending..."

This "Pacific Crown Jewel" message is to share a fantastic video that gives an overview of the resort St. Regis in Bora Bora.  It is a resort on a motu facing Mt. Otemanu.  It simply just has to be witnessed...

+1 this post if you would 'love' to play on the tennis court shown in the video....

Sounds of the Islands

Last week, I posted a timeless (well at least in Hawaii) classic "Honestly".  This week, I am featuring a Hawaiian reggae band here who became famous right out of high school.  I am talking about

Instead of graduation party crashing, they brought to life an incredible island vibe.  Today's "Sounds of The Islands" selection is "Ups and Downs" which was released in the summer of 2010.

Fun Fact: Ups and Downs was the very first Hawaiian song that I stumbled upon.

The Pacific Crown Jewel - Bora Bora

There is one island in the Pacific Ocean that needs no introduction.  It is part of the French Polynesian Society Islands and may very well be the most beautiful place on Earth. 

Bora Bora

The word "Bora" means "first born" and it is easy to see that this island is the first and only of its kind.  There will be several posts on this Pacific Crown Jewel.  The first of which I am using to link a video that shows how stunning just the landing itself is. 

 Setting foot on this island someday is the heart of Pacific Dreamland.

LOST

As I said in my opening post... "anything tropical is fair game."  Today's feature post is what may be a stroll down memory lane for you.... a scene from the series Lost filmed in Oahu.  I actually did not watch this show and do not know much about it but nonetheless it was a major production in the Pacific Islands.  

Viewers, tell about your experience with the TV show Lost.

Easter Island

There is a very mysterious island also in the island nation of Kiribati by the name of Easter Island.  The attraction that has given this island its famous and mysterious reputation are the Maois scattered throughout the island.  The Moais statues were carved out of volcanic rock approximately 1500 years ago and there are approximately one-thousand of them on the island.  Not much else is known about them.  Below are some photos of the Moais:

Site Updates

This is just a quick note about two new additions to this site.  The first is the popular posts option on the right which I feel is a great addition for easy access to my first post defining "Pacific Dreamland."  The second is that Google Adsense finally seems to be in the works, and hopefully will be completely up and running soon.  With that, stay tuned for another island post coming shortly.

Out Islands: Palmyra Atoll

Can you name an island that is a territory of the United States in the Pacific Ocean? Does Palmyra Island come to mind? Population is supposedly 4-20 temporary residents.  One thing I hope to do with this blog is to draw attention to islands that most of us may never know of otherwise.  Below are some photos of this hidden gem of the island nation Kiribati.

Aloha Friday - Akaka Falls

Happy Aloha Friday! There are no shortage of waterfalls in Hawaii.  There is one in Hilo located on the Big Island that really draws a crowd.  Akaka Falls State Park consists of a circular tropical forest loop that passes by two waterfalls along the way.  One of them, of course, being Akaka Falls towering from 400 feet tall and the other is Kahuna Falls (100 feet).  If you are a flower fanatic (not me but may be of interest to someone), you may find interesting tropical flowers such as the one directly below to marvel at.

Now...the moment we have all been waiting for...the falls