Maui, Hawaii, USA

© Ellen Barone. Tropical fruits, Ono Organic Farms,

Hawaii has long been known for its agricultural staples such as sugar and pineapple. But on rural East Maui, the tropical climate and fertile volcanic soil  sustains a number of family organic farms growing all manner of exotic fruits. On an afternoon tour at Ono Organic Farms in Kipahulu outside Hana I was knocked out by the freshness and flavor of the tropical fruits grown there. Never had I tasted fruit so pure in flavor.

When Charles “Chuck” Boerner was born on the island of Oahu in 1945, his paternal grandfather purchased land in Hana, Maui, and began what is now a four generation Boerner tradition - organic family farming in Hawaii. Established more than 30 years ago, ONO Organic Farms, Inc. is a 30-acre, certified organic, exotic, tropical fruit, coffee, and chocolate farm in Hana, Maui, Hawaii on the southern slopes of Haleakala volcano.

Owned and operated by Chuck and Lily Boerner and their children, ONO Organic Farms produces thousands of pounds of papaya, banana, avocado, and other tropical fruit every week. These products and others are distributed by ONO Organic Farms to local health food stores, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, individual households, and farmers markets throughout the islands of Hawaii.

On Maui, you can purchase products and produce from ONO Organic Farms on Monday and Thursday from 11 AM to 5 PM at their roadside market in Hana Town, and on Saturday morning in their big booth at the Swap Meet in Kahului (next to the post office) from 7 AM to 1 PM.

Meet the Boerner family for a tour and fruit tastings held by appointment every Monday and Thursday afternoon.  Call 808-248-7779 or visit Ono Organic Farms for reservations.  

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

© Ellen Barone.

Resort guests cross a suspension bridge high above a lush jungle canopy  at Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Eco-lodge, near San Juan del Sur, Pacific coast, Nicaragua.

It’s Central America as you may never imagined - miles of pristine beaches, rainforest running down to the sea, spectacular wildlife and a sumptuous planet-friendly home base to enjoy it all in style.

Singapore, Southeast Asia

© Ellen Barone.

Travelers who love to experience the world food-first won’t want to miss the month-long Singapore Food Festival, an annual culinary celebration held each July throughout the island-nation. As part of the festivities, the ladies from Urasenke Singapore Association educate visitors in the art of serving a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at the Senbazuru Restaurant in Hotel New Otani in Singapore.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

© Ellen Barone. 

 
They’ve been dancing tango for more than 40 years at Bar Sur, an intimate European-style café in the culturally-rich neighborhood of San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

©Ellen Barone.

The Dig, a maze of underwater/ground passageways and tunnels, offers an otherwordly view of sea creatures at the Atlantis resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Kenya, Africa

©Ellen Barone. Lone acacia tree, Serengeti Plain, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, East Africa

 
Following the widespread post-election violence across Kenya, like much of the world, I have watched, first with dismay, and then, with hope, as ongoing peace talks attempt to save the beautiful country from self-destruction. Let’s hope that the recent power-sharing agreement will allow the country to recover from the trauma and civil unrest and restore the country’s optimism for a return to peace.

Wondering if you should go? 

Updated information on travel and security in Kenya may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For further information consult the Country Specific Information for Kenya and the Worldwide Caution Travel Alert, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

Taos, New Mexico, USA

© Ellen Barone.

The luminous hues of New Mexico, and Taos in particular, have long inspired painters and photographers. Its colorful tapestry of banded cliffs, water sculpted arroyos and high desert mountain wilderness seem ready-made for artists. Georgia O’Keeffe once said, “If you go to New Mexico, it’ll itch you for the rest of your life.” It’s true. I came to New Mexico for a week more than a decade ago and returned 14-months later to stay a lifetime. I am at home here in a way I never felt back East, my ‘home’ for some 30 years.

 
Last weekend during a relaxing wintertime escape to the legendary artist colony we were driving back from dinner when this scene lit up before us. Pulling the car over to catch the momentary flash of shimmering pre-sunset light I managed to capture just this one image before the sun dipped below the mesa. The photo stirs up such pleasant memories of the moment that I think I’ll use our new online fine art gallery to order a giclée canvas print for the house.

* You may recall another Taos favorite was featured as photo-of-the-week on May 25, 2007.  

Baja California, Mexico

© 2008 Kevin H. Martin

I’m recently back from hosting a photo-theme yacht cruise in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez aboard American Safari Cruises’ 22-passenger luxury yacht, Safari Quest, where I had the pleasure of working alongside photographer Kevin Martin. Acting as expedition leader extraordinaire and ship’s photographer, Kevin, captured this powerful portrait  during a shore excursion in Puerto Agua Verde on the Baja Peninsula. From the affectionate arm around the boy’s shoulders to his soulful eyes and mud-splattered face, there isn’t anything I don’t love about this intimate image.

To see more of Kevin’s portraits and story telling photography I encourage you to visit his web site at http://homepage.mac.com/kevinhmartin.

For information about American Safari Cruises’ exclusive yacht adventures log on to  www.amsafari.com.

St. Kitts, Caribbean

©Ellen Barone. Turtle Bay, St. Kitts, with the island of Nevis in the distance.

It’s blowing a gale and freezing here in the mountains of southern New Mexico. So, this image of Caribbean sunshine and turquoise water has me schemin’ and dreamin’ about a winter escape. What about you? Let’s go!

Stalheim, Norway

 

© Hank Barone. 

My husband, Hank, captured this lovely photograph of the Stalheim Skleive (gorge) and the surrounding mountains at sunrise from the terrace of our room at the historic Stalheim Hotel in Norway.  Today ,this favorite photograph hangs on the wall of our home library as a daily reminder of that memorable morning.

Apparently this image resonates with a good number of travelers who have also stayed at the Stalheim Hotel, a stop on the famous ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ tour, as it ranks among our most requested images.  We’re happy to announce that it’s now available for purchase as a fine art print, canvas giclee and a wide variety of photo gifts on our newly launched gallery site.

Tucson, Arizona

 
© Pat Osborne.

This week’s image of colorful La Placita Village in Tucson, Arizona, was captured by photographer and friend, Pat Osborne.

An accomplished musician, teacher, professional astrologer, Reiki practitioner and fine art photographer, this creative mother of three is on the move, ever evolving personally and professionally.

Next up for Pat in 2008 is a new gallery Web  site, The Land of Oz, where you’ll soon be able to view (and purchase) her photography. I’ll keep you posted…

San Antonio de Areco, Argentina

©Ellen Barone.

Gauchos, El Ombú de Areco Estancia.  Just over an hour's drive from downtown Buenos Aires, this historic ranch is located in San Antonio de Areco, birthplace of the gaucho tradition, Argentina, South America. 

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

 ©Ellen Barone.

Bow Glacier, one of eight valley glaciers that flow from the Wapta Icefield, and Bow Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Witless Bay, Newfoundland, Canada

©Ellen Barone.
Atlantic puffin, Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, Canada

One of the most enjoyable aspects of a day cruise in Newfoundland's Witless Bay Ecological Reserve was watching these clown like birds take flight. More suited to the water than the air, the Atlantic puffins that inhabit this scenic region provided a photographic challenge and colorful entertainment  for passengers aboard the many excursion boats that frequent the bay. Running spring through fall, these boat tours also provide opportunities to spot icebergs, whales, and other wildlife.

Snow Canyon State Park, Utah

©Ellen Barone.

I'm just back from enjoying a four-day 'Chick's Adventure Package' at Red Mountain Spa, an adventure haven nestled in the red rock bluffs of Snow Canyon State Park in Southwest Utah.

In addition to featuring a healthy dose of luxurious pampering and gourmet cuisine, the spa also boasts an extensive hiking program, offering a daily menu of independent and guided hikes for all fitness levels. November temperatures - with sunny highs in the mid-70s and crisp nightime lows in the 40s - were ideal for daytime exploration in the surrounding spectacular natural setting and enjoying the cozy warmth of the in-room fireplace each evening.

For more information, visit www.redmountainspa.com or call 800-407-3002.

Sicily, Italy

© Ellen Barone.

Springtime in Sicily is glorious, the fields blooming with poppies and wild flowers. And what better way to immerse myself in its natural abundance than from the seat of a bicycle? For eight glorious days, I left behind the frantic pace of daily life, rejuvenating both my body and soul on a cycling holiday that I came to call the 'Tour de Pasta'.


To learn more about my adventures cycling the Sicilian coast with Italian cycling specialists Ciclismo Classico  click here to read 'Tour de Pasta'  as published in Epicurean Traveler magazine.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA.

 

 © Ellen Barone.

Giant patina draperies stain the overhang of ancient cliff dwelling, White House Ruin, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA.

Reflecting one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes of North America, Canyon de Chelly also sustains a living community of Navajo people, who are connected to a landscape of great historical and spiritual significance.

River Danube, Austria

©Ellen Barone.

Schonbuhel Castle on the banks of the Danube River, Wachau Valley, Austria.

Montana, USA

 

 ©Ellen Barone.

Gray wolves, Gallatin Pack, West Yellowstone, Montana, USA.

 

In 1995, the Gray Wolf was reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park after a 50-year absence from the ecosystem. It was at this same time that the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, a unique not-for-profit wildlife facility located in West Yellowstone, Montana, just one block from the west entrance of the park, was notified of several unplanned wolf births at another facility. Since captive-born wolves cannot be released into the wild, the Center agreed to take the pups.

The wolves of the resident Gallatin Pack have developed strong social ties, allowing visitors the opportunity to view and learn about wild pack behavior and promote discussion in regards to wolf restoration and future management plans for the species.

To learn more visit http://www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.org/

Parati, Brazil

©Ellen Barone.

Picturesque Colonial era Parati, Brazil, is a charming UNESCO World Heritage Community. Lined with a colorful array of renovated homes, galleries, restaurants and cafés, the historic town, situated half-way between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, is a popular weekend getaway.

Click here and learn more about this hidden jewel in a New York Times travel video narrated by journalist David Kirby.