From Here to Halekulani & Aloha Maui
Wanderlust Issue III - April 10, 2020
We're dusting off some oldies, but goodies with a dash of Hitchcock and a splash of Hawaii, taking you around the world and even some close to home favorites in New Orleans, Malibu, and San Francisco. Keep the feedback and encouragement coming. We toast to you, our valued clients.
What We're Watching....
We just as well could have included this in the Off the Shelf suggestions, but this is one of the rare cases we think the movie is actually better than the 850 page James Jones novel. Set pre-Pearl Harbour Day, the film depicts the struggles of army life, sprinkle in a few illicit romances, and a taste of Diamond Head in Honolulu. Rather than Army barracks we prefer the Halekulani in Diamond Head.
Gorilla trekking was one of our most requested trips last year. This Oscar-winning film is based on Dian Fossey's factual experience studying mountain gorillas. Now you can study them, too, but from the comforts of Singita Kwitonda which opened in 2019, to rave reviews of our clients.
Like a character in the movie, San Francisco embodies this Alfred Hitchcock thriller, with beautiful shots all over the city. You can still see remnants of the architecture from the pre-war buildings today. We think it's Hitchcock's best film and you can sneak your own views of the Golden Gate Bridge from our favorite hotel in the city, soon to reopen as a Four Seasons, Embarcadero.
This irreverent Sofia Coppola film earned an Oscar nod for Bill Murray for his role as aging actor meets lonely twenty something Scarlett Johansson both searching the sites and sounds of Tokyo for companionship. Filmed at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, a good portion of the movie is set in the hotel.
Sail Away Songs
In fairness the lyrics aren't really about cruising, but you can still imagine enjoying a drink on your verandah as the wind blows through your hair to these groovy tunes. For our Crystal Cruises clients, we threw in the Louis Armstrong just for you. Embark with our Spotify playlist. No muster required.
Cruisin' - Huey Lewis & Gwyneth Paltrow
Come Sail Away - Styx
Kokomo - The Beach Boys
Boat Drinks - Jimmy Buffett
Sail On - The Commodores
Sail Away - David Gray
Southern Cross - Crosby, Stills, & Nash
Orinico Flow - Enya
Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin
Sea of Love - Phil Phillips
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Off the Shelf
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
A literary sensation and runaway bestseller, this tells the story of becoming, training, and flourishing as a Geisha in pre WWII Japan. You could cheat and watch the movie, but you would only be shortchanging yourself.
Istanbul Passage by Joseph Canon
Post World War II Istanbul sits at the crossroads of East and West which makes it the perfect setting as a den of espionage.
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
Erik Larson's narrative history of the city pre-war, is told from the perspective of America's first ambassador to Hitler's Germany. The best hotel in Berlin is the Hotel de Rome. Despite its horrific history, Berlin is a city in its post WWII and Soviet rebirth that is of the most interesting and vibrant in Europe.
Cabin Fever by Mandy Smith
This tell all from a former Virgin Atlantic flight attendant takes you around the world with the sometimes naughty, sometimes downright risqué life at forty-thousand feet. From the mile high club to performing CPR on a pilot, buckle up for a turbulent ride.
Berry Breakfast Smoothie
As Ranch at Live Oak Malibu alums, we still make our ranch shake at home for breakfast. Just because the Malibu hiking trails are closed doesn't mean you can't enjoy this healthy and invigorating start to the day. Ready for a detox? The Ranch at Live Oak is ready to welcome you.
Makes 2 (10 ounce) servings. Ingredients: 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or a combination; see Note) ½ cup freshly chopped kale leaves (remove the stalks before chopping) ¼ cup chopped broccoli ½ banana ½ cup diced fresh pineapple ½ avocado, pitted and peeled About 1 cup fresh orange juice
In a blender, place the berries, kale, broccoli, banana, pineapple, and avocado. Slowly add the orange juice to the blender carafe, ¼ cup at a time, pulsing the blend. Continue adding more juice and blend until you’ve reached the smoothie consistency you like. Serve immediately, as the nutrients in the smoothie diminish over time.
Each Serving: 165 calories (kcal) 8 g fat 0 mg cholesterol 25 g carbohydrates 7 g dietary fiber 3 g protein 14 mg sodium 1 mg iron
Ingredient Note: Eating fresh or frozen blueberries or blackberries helps reverse the physical and mental signs of aging. Our veins become less at risk of blood clots, our heart tissue becomes stronger and more flexible, our blood pressure goes down. We are less likely to develop autoimmune or inflammatory disease simply by eating a daily 6-ounce portion of these marvelous berries.
Take a Trip to the Big Easy with a Sazerac
According to Arnaud's, the Sazerac was invented in New Orleans and was the country’s first cocktail. While we don't have a favorite hotel in New Orleans, as they are sadly lacking, don't hesitate to visit the Big Easy as we'll keep you busy in restaurants and things to do and see like the National WWII Museum. We think it's one of the best museums in the country.
2 ounces rye whiskey
1 teaspoon Simple Syrup
3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters, if available, otherwise, double the Angostura
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Splash of water
2 dashes of Herbsaint or Pernod liqueur
Twist of lemon
In a pitcher half filled with ice, combine all ingredients except the Herbsaint and lemon twist and stir well. Pour the Herbsaint into a chilled rocks glass and swirl to coat the interior of the glass, discarding any excess. Strain the mixture into the glass, add the lemon twist and serve immediately.
Behind The Scenes at Camelback Travel with Jenna Tornese
Jenna, our food-driven travel advisor, had the pleasure of vacationing with her best friend in the beautiful Wailea area. Her first stop was the Fairmont Kea Lani, a family friendly hotel with plenty to offer including three pools and a water slide! Jenna spent her days poolside, ordering delicious drinks and small bites from Ama, the swim up bar and grill. Her recommendations? The Hibiscus Margarita paired with the fresh Ama Poke Bowl. This was perfect for a sun filled day. They even offered complimentary fresh pineapple that was too delicious to pass up. The Fairmont’s hospitality was unmatched. Jenna’s Tip: If you sign up for the Accor Club program, the hotel offers complimentary cruiser bikes to take around the Wailea area!
Before heading over to the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, she opted for an adventurous snorkeling trip that she highly recommends for her clients. She saw lively coral reefs, colorful fish, and a family of friendly sea turtles. Jenna remembers one of the turtles coming up for air right next to her and she was shocked by how close they got to the visitors! After a busy day of swimming in the ocean, she could not wait to get back to the Four Seasons to eat at Ferraros where she ordered her absolute favorite meal, Pappardelle Bolognese. “It was deliziosa!” Jenna’s Tip: If you want a romantic beachside dinner with a sunset view, this is the perfect setting. Make sure to make a reservation in advance since tables fill up quickly! Not only does the Four Seasons have wonderful dining experiences (If you’re a steak and seafood lover, Spago is a dream), but they also offer complimentary Cabanas and beach loungers which allow guests to completely relax and enjoy their time while on property.
