Tag Archives: south pacific

Learning to Cook (City AM)

Posted on 2018-10-08 by tikichris

The Cook Islands is a nation comprising 15 small islands sprinkled across a patch of the South Pacific, roughly halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. As remote as they are spectacular, the collection of islands is reminiscent of Hawaii before its mid-century tourism-boom, and though the largest of its islands is today ringed by boutique hotels, much of the country is untouched and feels wildly tropical. Continue reading →

Posted in City AM, Cook Islands, Hotels, Luxury, Travel | Tagged Aitutaki, City AM, Cook Islands, luxury, Pacific Islands, polynesia, Rarotonga, south pacific, Travel | Leave a comment

Samoa | Culture and Customs

Posted on 2018-01-16 by Petra Shepherd

Petra Shepherd selects Samoa in her search for Treasure Island and shares the cultural bounty of her trip with us. Continue reading →

Posted in Samoa, Travel | Tagged Pacific Islands, Petra Shepherd, polynesia, Samoa, south pacific, Travel | Leave a comment

Cook Islands Idyll | I Didn’t Want to Leave

Posted on 2017-10-09 by tikichris

I can’t think of a warmer, friendlier destination than the Cook Islands nor one where I felt so relaxed and at ease. Continue reading →

Posted in Cook Islands, Cook Islands Idyll, Travel | Tagged Aitutaki, Cook Islands, Cook Islands Idyll, polynesia, Rarotonga, south pacific, Travel | Leave a comment

Cook Islands Idyll | Aitutaki

Posted on 2017-10-08 by tikichris

For a couple of nights during my Cook Islands Idyll I enjoyed the chilled out serenity of the tiny atoll of Aitutaki. Continue reading →

Posted in Cook Islands, Cook Islands Idyll, Drink, Food, Hotels, Restaurants, Travel | Tagged Aitutaki, Aitutaki Escape, Cafe Tupuna, Chef Thomas Koteka, Cook Islands, Cook Islands Idyll, Drink, Food, hotels, luxury, Ngaakitai Pureariki, One Foot Island, polynesia, Punarei Cultural Tour, Punarei Cultural Village, resorts, restaurants, Rumours Café, Rumours Café at Aitutaki Escape, Snorkel, Snorkeling, south pacific, Tamanu Beach Resort, Teking Lagoon Tours, Thomas Koteka, tiki, Travel, Tupuna’s Restaurant | Leave a comment

Cook Islands Idyll | Rarotonga

Posted on 2017-10-07 by tikichris

Most of my Cook Islands Idyll was spent splendidly on the “main island” of Rarotonga: an idyllic base indeed for enjoying all the warmth and wonder that a trip to the South Seas should involve. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Cook Islands, Cook Islands Idyll, Drink, Entertainment, Food, Hotels, Live Performance, Luxury, Museums, Music, Restaurants, Shopping | Tagged Art, carving, Cook Islands, Cook Islands Christian Church, Cook Islands Idyll, Entertainment, HIghland Paradise, hotels, live performance, luxury, Michael Tavioni, Mike Tavioni, museums, music, polynesia, Rarotonga, restaurants, Shopping, south pacific, Storytellers Eco Cycle Tours, tiki, Titikaveka, Titikaveka Cook Islands Christian Church, Travel | Leave a comment

Cook Islands Idyll

Posted on 2017-10-06 by tikichris

The Cook Islands is a nation comprised of 15 small islands in the middle of the South Pacific, roughly (or at least most easily described as being) halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. I spent an ideal week discovering this … Continue reading →

Posted in Cook Islands, Cook Islands Idyll, Travel | Tagged Air New Zealand, air travel, Aitutaki, Cook Islands, Cook Islands Idyll, polynesia, Rarotonga, south pacific, Travel | Leave a comment

#TCTalks | Episode 4 | Rarotonga

Posted on 2017-09-30 by tikichris

For the fourth episode of tikichris Talks I share some highlights from my September visit to the tiny Polynesian country of the Cook Islands. The episode includes an interview I conducted with master carver Michael Tavioni at his Rarotonga studio, a hymn sung in the language of Cook Island Maori during Sunday morning service at the Cook Islands Christian Church in the village of Titikaveka and the sounds of traditional drumming from a performance at the popular Highland Paradise dinner show in the uplands of Rarotonga. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Cook Islands, interview, Live Performance, Music, Podcast, TCTalks, Travel | Tagged #TCTalks, Art, carving, Cook Islands, Cook Islands Christian Church, Drumming, Entertainment, HIghland Paradise, interview, live performance, Michael Tavioni, Mike Tavioni, music, PODCAST, polynesia, Rarotonga, south pacific, tiki, tikichris talks, Titikaveka, Travel | Leave a comment

#TCTalks | Episode 4 | Rarotonga

Posted on 2017-09-30 by tikichris

Tagged #TCTalks, Art, carving, Cook Islands, Cook Islands Christian Church, Drumming, Entertainment, HIghland Paradise, interview, live performance, Michael Tavioni, Mike Tavioni, music, PODCAST, polynesia, Rarotonga, south pacific, tiki, tikichris talks, Titikaveka, Travel | Leave a comment

Come and Get Samoa (City AM)

Posted on 2017-07-05 by tikichris

Samoa has one of the South Pacific’s most beautiful and varied coastlines, complemented by a lush mountainous interior. Continue reading →

Posted in City AM, Luxury, Samoa, Travel | Tagged City AM, luxury, Pacific Islands, polynesia, Samoa, south pacific, Travel | Leave a comment

Beyond the Reef | #TCTalofa

Posted on 2017-01-07 by tikichris

Talofa! Thanks for joining me in remembering the amazing time I had in Samoa. Continue reading →

Posted in Luxury, Samoa, Talofa Samoa, Travel | Tagged #TCTalofa, luxury, Pacific Islands, polynesia, Samoa, south pacific, Talofa Samoa, Travel | Leave a comment

Savai’i | #TCTalofa

Posted on 2017-01-06 by tikichris

Midway during my week in Samoa I spent two full-on days of fun in the sun on the island of Savai’i. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Samoa, Talofa Samoa, Travel | Tagged #TCTalofa, Afu A’au Waterfall, Alofa’aga Blow Holes, Fagamalo Congregation Christian Church, Falealupo Canopy Walkway, Food, hotels, Le Lagoto Resort & Spa, luxury, Mulifanua Wharf, Pacific Islands, polynesia, resorts, restaurants, Saleaula Lava Fields, Saleloga Wharf, Samoa, Samoa ferry, Samoa Shipping, Savai'i, Savaii ferry, south pacific, Talofa Samoa, Travel, Upolu ferry, Virgin's Grave | Leave a comment

Exploring Upolu | #TCTalofa

Posted on 2017-01-05 by tikichris

My Samoan adventure continued as I headed out to explore the island of Upolu. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Samoa, Talofa Samoa, Travel | Tagged #TCTalofa, Food, Fuipisia Waterfall, hotels, Lalomanu Beach, Lupe Sina, Lupe Sina Treesort, luxury, Manono, Manono Island, Mulivai Apia, O Le Pupu Pu'e Coastal Walk, O Le Pupu Pu'e National Park, Pacific Islands, Piula Cave Pool, polynesia, resorts, restaurants, Return to Paradise, Return to Paradise Beach, Return to Paradise Resort, Samoa, Samoa Scenic Tours, Seabreeze Resort, Snorkel, Snorkling, south pacific, Talofa Samoa, Taufua Beach Fales, To Sua Ocean Trench, Togitogiga Waterfall, Travel, Treehouses, Treesort, Upolu | Leave a comment

Around Apia | #TCTalofa

Posted on 2017-01-04 by tikichris

Samoa’s only actual town, Apia is a small but bustling port with a population of around 36,000 people. It served as a great base for me to revive and acclimate myself to island life after my long haul journey from the UK. Here’s a look at the best bits from my time there. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Samoa, Shopping, Street Markets, Talofa Samoa, Travel | Tagged #TCTalofa, Apia, Apia Fish Market, Drink, Food, Fugalei Fresh Produce Market, hotels, Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral, luxury, Mulivai Apia, Pacific Islands, Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, polynesia, resorts, restaurants, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, Samoa, Samoa Cultural Village, Samoa Tourism Authority, Savalalo Flea Market, Snorkel, Snorkling, south pacific, street markets, Talofa Samoa, Taumeasina Island Resort, Travel | Leave a comment

Talofa from Samoa | #TCTalofa

Posted on 2017-01-03 by tikichris

Hey y’all, listen up. I think I might have discovered paradise or, at least, a super close approximation of the ideal tropical island getaway. I’m talking about Samoa, where I spent a magical, wet and wild week back at the beginning of November. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Luxury, Samoa, Talofa Samoa, Travel | Tagged #TCTalofa, Air New Zealand, air travel, Austravel, Food, luxury, Pacific Islands, polynesia, Samoa, south pacific, Talofa Samoa, Travel | Leave a comment

Find Your Sea Legs at Tahiti’s Pearl Regatta (City AM)

Posted on 2014-05-07 by tikichris

Intrepid adventurer Chris Osburn reminisces about his adventures on Tahiti’s high seas. Continue reading →

Posted in City AM, French Polynesia, Travel | Tagged boating, City AM, french polynesia, leeward islands, pacific, pacific ocean, polyneisa, polynesia, polynesian, race, regatta, sailing, society islands, south pacific, tahiti, tahiti pearl regatta, tahitian, tikcihris, tiki, Travel, yachting, yachts | Leave a comment

Top Tips for Tahiti and Her Islands (Travelbag)

Posted on 2013-09-19 by tikichris

Comfortable, convenience and gourmet – what else could you want? How about top notch service, nightly entertainment, and long list of amenities and activities. From its very own lagoonarium to “Overwater Motu Bungalows” and much, much more – there are plenty of amazing reasons to make the Intercontinental Resort Tahiti your base while discovering the joys of French Polynesia. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, Restaurants, Travel, Travelbag | Tagged Drink, Food, french polynesia, hotel, INTERCONTINENTAL, InterContinental Resort Tahiti, pacific, pacific ocean, polynesia, polynesian, resort, society islands, south pacific, tahiti, tahitian, tahitian wine, tiki, Travel, travelbag | Leave a comment

Intercontinental Resort Tahiti (OneTravel)

Posted on 2013-06-06 by tikichris

Despite its lagoon side setting spread across 23 verdant and attractively landscaped acres, this four star resort is but a few minutes’ drive from Faa’a International Airport and only a couple or so minutes further from the relative bustle of downtown Pape’ete. Coming from pretty much anywhere except possibly sailing from another nearby island, odds are you’ll pass through Faa’a, making the Intercontinental a smart and hassle free option. Continue reading →

Posted in Drink, Food, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged Drink, Food, french polynesia, hotel, INTERCONTINENTAL, InterContinental Resort Tahiti, OneTravel, pacific, pacific ocean, polynesia, polynesian, resort, society islands, south pacific, tahiti, tahitian, tahitian wine, tiki, Travel | Leave a comment

A Few Top Tips for Tahiti (OneTravel)

Posted on 2013-05-23 by tikichris

Io rana! I’m just back from spending a week and a half in French Polynesia. Tahiti and her islands are gorgeous – and definitely live up to all the hype! That said – and no matter where you’re coming from – this South Pacific archipelago isn’t somewhere you simply hop over to for the weekend. To make the most out of your time in paradise, here are a few top tips so you won’t have to hit the ground running but instead can assuredly stroll along in leisurely style to the beach. Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Drink, Food, Hotels, OneTravel, Shopping, Travel, Wine | Tagged beer, Drink, Food, french polynesia, hinano, hotel, INTERCONTINENTAL, InterContinental Resort Tahiti, OneTravel, pacific, pacific ocean, polyneisa, polynesia, polynesian, resort, sailing, society islands, south pacific, tahiti, tahiti yacht charter, tahitian, tahitian wine, tiki, Travel, wine | Leave a comment

Just Back from Tahiti. Whoa!

Posted on 2013-05-18 by tikichris

Hey folks. I’m back in town after a week and a half sailing around French Polynesia’s Leeward Islands. And aside from a couple of hours of choppy sailing and a bout of seasickness that I thought might never end, the trip was truly awesome: eating lots and lots of fresh papaya … swimming around in giant bathtub lagoons off wild coasts of far flung specks of land … spotting dolphins … ogling tikis … taking in all the many different shades of blue … I had a a bona fide blast in the tropical breeze. Continue reading →