Jetsettersblog

Dr. Rod Salm, who attended the the Asia Pacific Marine Meeting of The Nature Conservancy www.nature.org held at Rydges Sabaya Resort, Port Douglas, in August 2010, said he was amazed at the health and vigor of the corals he saw when he snorkeled and dived at Agincourt Reef during his visit.

A marine conservation scientist focusing on coral reefs, Salm has worked extensively throughout the world’s reef systems and has just passed his 40th anniversary of working in marine conservation.

Raised in Mozambique, he has studied coral reefs around the East African Coast, the North and West Indian Oceans up to the mouth of the Red Sea, and the Caribbean and Indonesia. Currently he is Director of Transforming Coral Reef Conservation for The Nature Conservancy, a US based global organisation whose charter is to preserve the diversity of life on earth.

“I’ve been fortunate to see reefs almost before other humans during my early career,” he said. “In 1973, I worked with a group studying the Crown of Thorns starfish phenomenon and we began in the Torres Strait and followed the Great Barrier Reef all the way down to Lord Howe Island.

My strong memories of Agincourt Reef during that trip were a great deal of dead corals in the wake of the starfish plague.

“This week, I had the opportunity to go out with Quicksilver and I was keenly interested to see how the company managed the mass tourism experience.

“I dived and snorkeled, and I was impressed by the management of the day by Quicksilver, and by their reef platform and its surrounding corals.

“I was actively looking for evidence of human damage to the corals and I saw none. When you consider the volume of passengers Quicksilver carries to Agincourt, this is quite amazing.

“While I was snorkeling, I saw the most impressive evidence of the healthy state of the corals. As a conservation scientist, my focus is discovering aspects that demonstrate resilience to climate change and I found a great deal of evidence that the corals at Agincourt are in a very positive state.

“In fact, the corals from the top of the reef down to a depth of 5 metres were as healthy and vibrant as I’ve seen anywhere with good colour, no disease and active growth.

“What impressed me most was the coral closest to the surface, where the tips extend often into the sun at low tide and dieback is apparent due to this, had thriving growth – the corals were actually mushrooming over the exposed dieback and this is one of the most healthy indicators I could have wished for.”

Dr Salm said there had been extensive coral bleaching in Thailand, Indonesia and in Palau in the wake of the El Nino effect recently, and that places such as Aceh, Sumatra, were experiencing a coral mortality rate of around 80%.

“Having seen this firsthand, its such a positive contrast to see how well your Great Barrier Reef is faring,” said Dr Salm, who is in charge of regional marine science and strategies for the Asia Pacific region for The Nature Conservancy.

The Port Douglas meeting was attended by 40 delegates from Micronesia, Melanesia, Indonesia, Australia and Hawaii. The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people, and is represented in Australia by the organisation’s offices in Brisbane and Melbourne.

As the weather cools down, things are heating up at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat with an array of exciting events planned for the coming months: Stinson Walk – 2nd October: Retrace Bernard O’Reilly’s famous journey through mountainous rainforest terrain as he searched for the survivors of the ill-fated Stinson plane crash over 70 years ago.

Experience one of Australia’s iconic walks on this rugged yet rewarding journey.

Nature Conscious Retreat – 24th – 26th September:

Take time for yourself to de-stress, detox and commune with nature in the luxury and comfort of O’Reilly’s. Meditate while walking, sitting on the roots of millenarian trees or next to waterfalls to clear your mind, uplift your spirit, align to the life-force of trees and water, and ground yourself.

Forest Weekend – 29th – 31st October:

Join our visiting experts for an introduction into the complex world of the rainforest.

Learn about the different make-up of trees and leaves within the rainforest.

33rd Annual Bird Week – 31st October – 7th November:

This year we will celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Bird Week, and with regular sightings each year of over 200 species it is sure to be a fascinating week.

Bird Week is an internationally acclaimed festival of birds and features key ornithologists and guest lecturers from around Australia. A unique program of activities is offered to ‘birdos’ which includes guided walks, 4WD excursions, lectures, spotlighting, bird counts and audio visual presentations.

www.oreillys.com.au

Whale watching on the Gold Coast provides a fantastic opportunity for you to get up close and personal with the largest living mammals on Earth.

The waters along the Gold Coast are commonly referred to as the Hump Back Highway with approximately 25 000 viewing opportunities during last year’s annual migration up and down the coasts of Queensland.

The advantage of having to travel just 10 minutes by boat to witness these giants of the sea in their natural habitat, ensures a fun-filled couple of hours whale watching with plenty of time left in your day to appreciate the many other attractions of the Gold Coast.

Running from June through to November the Gold Coast boasts the longest whale watching season in the country.

Gold Coast whale watching departure points include Marina Mirage, Sea World, Sea World Resort, The Spit and Surfers Paradise.

The whale watching season marks the migration of the Humpback Whale from Antarctica to warmer Queensland waters before they return with their newly born after covering a mammoth distance of 8,000kms during their amazing journey. During the Gold Coast whale watching season, visitors are given the rare opportunity to spot Humpback Whales, whale calves, dolphins, Killer Whales and ‘Migaloo’ the famous white Humpback.

www.VeryGoldCoast.com

The award winning Sea World Resort & Water Park has unveiled its new, ultra cool kids club. With 8 of the latest X Box 360 game stations, a movie theatre regularly screening children’s movies, fuseball table and other fantastic games, the kids club is the icing on the cake for every child’s dream theme park holiday.
It also hosts a wide range of fun and fabulous games and activities like face-painting, arts and craft and team sports which are guaranteed to keep the kids amused. Sea World Resort & Water Park General Manager, Ernst Pfister said “Our aim is to create a superior holiday experience for families and the new kids club will make a visit to Sea World Resort & Water Park even more special for the kids.”

“The kids club, is a great option for entertaining the kids, but it’s also the perfect choice for parents seeking some quality time for themselves.” “It’s a win/win for the whole family!”

Families can visit Sea World Resort & Water Park and experience the new kids club with the new VIP Package.

Available for a limited time only, the package includes 4 nights for the price of 3 and 2 adult tickets with unlimited entry to Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet’n’Wild Water World until 30 June 2011

PLUS 1 day admission to Paradise Country for all guests PLUS Kids eat FREE from $796.

For more information, contact 1800 074 448 or visit www.myfun.com.au

Welcome back to the nostalgic Stork Club in New York City.

NEW YORK, NY — Its been nearly 50 years since the Stork Club closed its doors to the public, but it’s now possible to visit Sherman Billingsley’s famous night spot once more.

The club is back with a snazzy new website that brings out all of the celebrity filled memories it was so well know for. The fantastic and fun nights live on and will be preserved forever at www.storkclub.com , even though the brick and mortar Club remains closed.

The Stork Club was easily the most famous night spot in the world during it’s heyday.

On any given night, celebrities from all over would congregate at the club and mingle with other celebrities and normal folk.

Walter Winchell became know as the original gossip columnist due to his constant reporting of the club’s celebrity happenings. He was there often, and people loved his columns.

The most exclusive & prestigious spot in the Stork Club was the famous ‘Cub Room’. Sherman Billingsley kept this room reserved for only his most prestigious guests. He even hung some of their portraits as part of the room decor.

For those who weren’t privileged enough to enjoy the Cub Room, the main dining room was still a fabulous place. The dance floor was close by, and music seemed to never end allowing for all kinds of dancing.

Billingsley ruled the club with a tight grip. Billingsley banned anyone who fought at the club. He wouldn’t allow unescorted females to enter the club in the evening. Sherman also developed hand signals to notify his staff of his wishes.

Billingsley’s club became so well known and popular that he was asked to write the first entry on Nightclubs for the Encyclopedia Britannica. The Stork Club appeared in several movies of the day as well.

Head over to http://www.storkclub.com  to get more information.

This new site, put together by Sherman Billingsley’s family, contains great historical photos, memorabilia, video clips and more!

You can also keep up with the Stork Club on twitter at

http://www.facebook.com/storkclub.

The Stork Club was the New York’s Yorkiest Place!

Giddyup!Our list of the best in the west ranch getaways
Quintessentially western Canadian?

That’d be a ranch vacation, partner. Try the cowhand experience—mucking out the stalls at sunrise and crooning by the campfire—or just hang out on the porch with a good cup of cowboy coffee. Happy trails!

Homeplace Ranch, Priddis, AB

Stay at this guest ranch for a good grounding in western horsemanship, with day trips into the Rocky Mountains and special Horse & Personal Awareness Weekend stays to get in touch with your “inner rider.” www.travelalberta.com

Willow Lane Ranch, Granum, AB

Set in the pretty Porcupine Hills about one-and-a-half hours south of Calgary, Willow Lane is a working cattle and horse ranch run by LeAnne and Keith Lane. Bunk down in a B&B room in the ranch house or take the private cabin, and join the cattle drives or calving. www.travelalberta.com

Historic Reesor Ranch, Maple Creek, SK

An historic spot on the edge of Cypress Hills, this hands-on guest ranch offers a taste of family ranching heritage, from “Old Log Barn” (the lovely ranch house B&B) and cozy cabins to the chance to ride the range or watch the aurora borealis dance in the big prairie sky. www.sasktourism.com

La Reata Ranch, Kyle, SK

Ride the grassy plains or the velvety hills of the beautiful Saskatchewan River Valley west of Swift Current from this working cattle ranch, where you’ll find wide-open spaces and spectacular sunsets. www.sasktourism.com

Echo Valley Ranch & Spa, Clinton, BC

Join a former corporate CEO and his Thai ex-pat wife living out the cowboy fantasy in the rugged mountains of central British Columbia.

This creative couple has combined a horseback-riding experience with an authentic (and world-class) Thai spa. Start the morning with a Thai stretching exercise, ride tall all day, then work out the kinks with a massage by a professional Thai therapist. www.hellobc.com

Myra-Canyon Ranch, Kelowna, BC

This BYOH (Bring Your Own Horse) property is a stunning, contemporary spot for a “bed, bale and breakfast” stay on the edge of Kelowna, next to Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park and near the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. www.hellobc.com

Siwash Lake Ranch, 70 Mile House, BC

A luxury wilderness ranch set 1,200 m (3,500 ft) above sea level in BC’s Cariboo Mountains, this four-and-a-half-star back-country lodge (rated by Canada Select) offers spectacular riding, fishing, paddling, mountain-bike riding and gourmet dining—all powered by off-the-grid renewable energy. www.hellobc.com

Falcon Beach Ranch, Falcon Lake, MB

Rugged Whiteshell Provincial Park, 75 minutes east of Winnipeg, is home to this guest ranch. Join an easy, guided trail ride and bunk down in one of the rental log cabins—with your own horse in tow. www.travelmanitoba.com

video:

The Guest Ranch Experience
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CtBD-YXUYw

The Real Cowboy Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8s8ZCrJWSI

At One&Only Palmilla, Award-Winning Resort Boasts New Educational Programme and Largest Mexican Wine and Tequila Collection in Mexico

Delight in the impressive new wine and tequila offerings at One&Only Palmilla, featuring the largest Mexican wine collection in the country with over 200 labels from emerging territories and regions.

In addition to wine, the resort offers more than 53 exclusive labels of tequila by the glass with private or group tasting sessions and food pairings offered by Wine Director Manuel Arteaga at the resort’s signature open-air restaurant Agua.

“We are very excited and proud to introduce our guests to the many wines and tequilas of Mexico,” says Arteaga, Wine Director.

“By educating our guests on the older vintages and newer wineries in emerging regions such as Baja, we have succeeded in both raising the profile of Mexican wine while at the same time providing an authentic and unforgettable culinary experience.”

The Wine List

The One&Only Palmilla wine experience serves as an exceptional introduction to the region’s vineyards and cuisine.

When creating the wine list, Arteaga focused on regional styles and varietals that complement the culinary offering of the resort versus brand names.

Through the 220 label collection visitors can learn about new, up-and-coming Mexican boutique wines as well as savour prestigious older vintages.

In addition to Mexican wines of every possible variety and style, the list also boasts 1,500 international trendsetters and all time classics from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, USA, Chile, Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

There are wines in every price segment, for every budget. Local Mexican vineyards in the property’s selection include: Sinergi, Villa Montefiori and Paralelo.

The Tequila Tasting

With the Tequila Tasting experience, One&Only Palmilla introduces guests to the world of fine tequilas.

Each tasting, curated by Arteaga, starts with a brief description of the tequila production process, regions and categories from White and Reposado to Anejo and Extra anejo.

The description is then followed by a guided tasting of seven high quality tequilas beginning with non-aged White Tequila to Extra Anejo which is aged a minimum of 3 years.

Hosted at Agua, the flights are customised based on the clients’ preferences and tastes.

Dinners, Tastings and Events

Hosted by Arteaga and his team of wine waiters, Mexican wine tastings are priced at US$75/person at Market and US$55/person at Agua and are paired with a five course tasting menu.

Tastings are hosted at Agua, an open-air, palapa-style restaurant serving a richly flavorful hybrid of Mediterranean fare with native Mexican influences dubbed “Mexiterranean,” by Executive Chef Larbi Dahrouch or at the new Market by Michelin-Starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

For a private tasting, One&Only Palmilla can organise a Dinner Under the Stars experience.

Priced at US$695 for two people, guests are treated to a private dinner for two in the Cove, a secluded area of the resort.

The meal comes complete with private butler, wine sommelier and chef to prepare guests a custom menu with signature items that can include: Grilled Peppers Salad, Panela Cheese, Mole Negro; Roasted Parrot Fish, Bouillabaisse Emulsion, Cherry Tomato Niçoise; and Roasted Pork Chop, Chipotle Reduction, Black Beans, Sweet Potato and Banana.

About One&Only Palmilla

The renewed One&Only Palmilla resort maintains the classic Mexican ambiance which has made it a favorite among an international ‘who’s who’ since its original opening in 1956, while expanding and recreating the legendary property for a new generation of travellers.

The resort features 173 spacious rooms and suites, each luxuriously appointed and offering magnificent views of the Sea of Cortez, along with three restaurants, the indoor/outdoor One&Only Spa, two pools including a children’s swimming and activity area, a new Executive Conference Centre, and the property’s renowned Chapel, which makes One&Only Palmilla a favourite for weddings.

The resort also boasts the 27-hole Palmilla Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus.

About One&Only Resorts

Created exclusively for the luxury resort market, One&Only Resorts are conceived as hallmarks of excellence. Set in some of the most beautiful locales in the world, each award-winning resort offers guests a distinctive style and personality borne of its local culture, a genuine hospitality and a lively energy that is unrivalled. These properties include One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives; One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius; One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai; One&Only Ocean Club in The Bahamas, One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico and One&Only Cape Town, South Africa. One&Only The Palm, Dubai will open in October 2010.

More information on One&Only is available at www.oneandonlyresorts.com

Los Cabos CVB Welcomes New Boutique Hotel in Todos Santos

Guaycura Boutique Hotel & Spa Joins Los Cabos Hotel Association

Los Cabos, Mexico – The Los Cabos Convention and Visitors Bureau announced today the addition of the beautiful Guaycura Boutique Hotel & Spa to the Los Cabos Hotel Association.

Located in the magical town of Todos Santos, approximately an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, the hotel opened in March 2010 within a historic local building that was refurbished over a two-year period.

Located in the center of Todos Santos, the Guaycura Hotel offers a stunning combination of history and modern luxury. Providing guests with an intimate and warm atmosphere, the fourteen-room boutique hotel is positioned to become the first five-star property within the charming town of Todos Santos.

Guests can enjoy a full-service restaurant, spa, pool, two bars and library while located only steps away from the center of town.

For intimate gatherings or destination weddings, La Palapa overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is the perfect location providing guests with the best view in Todos Santos.

“We are so pleased to welcome the stunning new Guaycura Boutique Hotel & Spa to the Los Cabos Hotel Association as our first hotel in Todos Santos,” said Gonzalo Franyutti De La Parra, President of the Los Cabos Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We feel it will be a wonderful way to introduce visitors to this magical town as an extension of Los Cabos.”

Todos Santos and the Guaycura Boutique Hotel & Spa are easily accessible from two international airports, the Manuel Márquez de León Airport (LAP) in La Paz and the San Jose Del Cabo Airport (SJD) in Los Cabos.

Los Cabos, located at the tip of the 1,000-mile long Baja Peninsula, is home to award-winning hotels and resorts, championship golf courses, rejuvenating spas, world-class sport fishing and much more. With a unique landscape of dramatic desert and white sand beaches, Los Cabos is an exotic escape within easy reach of most U.S. cities.

With non-stop flights or convenient connections available from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Missouri; Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York/Newark, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, California, Seattle and more, Los Cabos is both accessible and exciting.

For more information, images and videos from Los Cabos, please visit www.visitloscabos.travel  follow us on Twitter @LOSCABOSCVB and visit our Facebook and YouTube accounts.

Retail reconnaissance of the celebrity kind is hotter than ever along star-studded Robertson Boulevard, LA’s insider spot for top pop fashion.

New edgy international boutiques are opening up and down the boulevard — many newly christened U.S. flagship stores — signaling that LA is indeed the epicenter of style. Among the newest is the French trendsetter Paul & Joe, which opened its U.S. flagship boutique in May.

“We’re not only the first Paul & Joe boutique in the U.S., we are also the only Paul & Joe boutique in the world to carry everything — women’s, men’s, children’s, shoes, accessories and make-up,” said Julien Haggiag, Paul & Joe’s wholesale director. Moods of Norway — the break-all-the-rules Nordic designers of menswear in shocking pinks, plaids, stripes and prints; and women’s styles to match — chose Robertson for its first U.S. and flagship boutique in July.

Christian Louboutin, the French guru of star stilettos worn by the likes of Madonna, matching handbags, flats, and a few menswear items, moved from Beverly Hills to open on Robertson last September.

All Saints hit the Robertson scene last November, with its first boutique on U.S. soil — bringing British cool to LA men, women and kids, with apparel and accessories.

Beach Bunny Swimwear brought its must-wear bikinis for the Kardashian sisters and other beach-babe hotties to Robertson, with its flagship store opening in April. The Splendid flagship store — the first stand-alone Splendid store in the world — opened on Robertson last November, making LA the only place on the planet where celebs can shop off-the-clock for the entire line of their favorite casuals, from Ts and sweats to dresses in the Splendid Mills, Splendid Mills Jr., Splendid Girl, Splendid Littles and main collections.

San Diego-based Pacifica Host Hotels has assumed management of the historic La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, Calif., and has the option to purchase the property.

La Valencia features 113 guestrooms, suites and villas and is known among locals as the Pink Lady of La Jolla.

Situated atop La Jolla Cove, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the hotel is in the heart of downtown La Jolla.

Built in 1926, La Valencia also has been known as a Hollywood hideaway. The hotel is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide and National Trust Historic Hotels of America.

For more information, call 800-451-0772 or visit www.lavalencia.com