Los Angeles ~ After five rigorous, albeit exciting weeks of filming what will be four of the most action-packed episodes in ESCAPESEEKER history, I’ll be the first to admit (as I momentarily say goodbye to any semblance of humility) that I was totally inspired to entitle our upcoming Chile feature, “CHILE:  Long, Lean, and Simply Spectacular”.  Frankly, back in February when our Advance Research Team (ART) including our Chief Stills Photographer, Weston Hall explored a big chunk of Chile–from its most southern tip, to its northern high desert, and across the Pacific to incorporate its mystical island of Rapa Nui–we felt as though we had just uncovered the world’s best kept secret!  It took us an entire month to complete the ESCAPESEEKER Advance Research (Phase I) of the Chile episodes selection process.  We returned to the U.S. with a wealth of images to guide my script-writing, (Phase II) of the Chile project.  Weston’s images were jaw-dropping, and I would spend countless hours sifting through them one by one, providing just the inspiration I needed to write four distinctly different episodes highlighting each of the four major Chilean regions we had visited.  Eight sleep-challenged, food deprived days later, I came out of isolation and handed my Producer, Christina Tucker  Wise, all four scripts from which she began constructing our filming rundown.  And, on April 1, 2011, our ESCAPESEEKER film team  arrived in Santiago, Chile’s historic capital, to acclimate to our new time zone before we began the most ambitious filming assignment (Phase III) in ESCAPESEEKER history.

I’m happy to report that on May 7th we returned to Los Angeles after successfully  completing the most unforgettable filming adventure of a lifetime!  In the next few days, I will be  giving you an inside peak into our Chilean adventure beginning with our First stop–Puerto Montt, just an easy 1:40- minute LAN Airlines flight from Santiago:

Our first Chile domestic flight, in case you wish to duplicate our adventure:  LAN #061:  SCL/PMC

ESCAPESEEKER meets the Captain and crew of the Nomads of the Seas‘ Yacht,  The Atmosphere, for the first time…anticipation, excitement builds as I realize The Atmosphere is even more beautiful in person!

Day 1 of Filming:  CHILE: Long, Lean, and Simply Spectacular! Well, SPECTACULAR is exactly how it feels boarding this private vessel specifically designed to explore the clear waters of Northern Patagonia. There is truly no destination too difficult to reach for this luxurious Yacht, The Atmosphere, complete with its accompanying Bell 407 Helicopter.

FROM FISHING NIRVANA TO HYDRO SPEEDING–PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR HEART-STOPPING ACTION WITH  NOMADS OF THE SEAS

After settling into our respective cabins, it didn’t take long before we were whisked away in the Bell 407 Helicopter piloted by the Yacht’s owner, a superb sports’ enthusiast,  and President of Nomads of the Seas, Andrés Ergas.  Our first mission–to find a “virgin river” and fish where no man–well, ok, at least no woman has ever fished before!

Andrés Ergas, the ultimate Angler! Fly-fishing the most beautiful rivers in the world has been his life's passion, and he will gladly admit, "Chilean Patagonia is one of the most wonderful places on earth!"

Not only is our fly-fishing destination selected for its singular beauty, but the fishing condition is incomparable.  The humid and cold southern forest hosts an abundant variety of rainbow and brown trout as well as salmon species.  With the Bell 407 Helicopter, Anglers can access a variety of options–from cold crystal clear rivers with varied flows to winding inlets, and spring creeks, lakes or lagoons.

With seasoned guides at my beck and call to teach and advise, I decided it was definitely time for me to get serious about learning the art of fishing.  There’s one quick realization–the Patagonia fish are really smart, after all, they live in the most pristine environment on earth, and can be very selective about what they eat.  So a study in Patagonian entomology is not a bad idea.  Or you can do what I did, and just examine what the pros are using!

Just another example of what you can expect to catch in these crystal clear Patagonian rivers.

IF FISHING DOESN’T PROVIDE ENOUGH GOOSE BUMP-PRODUCING ACTION FOR YOU…HOW ABOUT SOME WHITE-WATER BONDING?

Our voyage to the central-southern areas of Chilean Patagonia covers over 750 kilometers/405 nautical miles from our embarking point of Puerto Montt to the Taitao Peninsula.  Zealously protected by nature, this is one corner of the world that has areas yet to be discovered.  So we decided to explore via raft.  WOW!  What an outstanding team bonding experience!  Take a peak at these snap shots of our day of “Deliverance”…unbelievably fun!

On approach...the adrenalin begins to pump...

Oh No! Keep the cameras out of the water!

Whose idea was this?

We're literally ROCKIN'!

We look back at what we just survived and breathe a sigh of relief...especially because all of our filming equipment in the other filming raft survived it too with not even a drop of moisture! Way to go Jason!

Exploring the Patagonian wilderness for several days can work up quite the appetite.  But no worries, you’re on The Atmosphere, where the Chefs take every aspect of fine dining very seriously.  Here are just a few examples.  And for a dessert lover like me, the toughest decision was choosing which one to savor–so more often than not, I opted to taste all of them!  I know what you’re thinking.  Yes, you’re right–just because I’m in the wilds of Patagonia doesn’t mean my appetite has to go wild too!  But look, can you blame me?

Oh the sweet ESCAPESEEKER life!

Tasting Chile was one tough assignment.  But someone has to do it!

The Chefs on THE ATMOSPHERE take the Art of Dining to a whole new level.

This  Nomads of the Seas al fresco style dining needs no explanation.

Simply stated, Nomads of the Seas‘ Yacht, The Atmosphere affords its special guests a once-in-a-lifetime, incredible experience.  It is one the entire ESCAPESEEKER team shall never forget.  We look forward to sharing it with all of you in  the upcoming ESCAPESEEKER 4-episodes special series entitled, “Chile: Long, Lean, and Simply Spectacular!”

The hardest part of the Nomads of the Seas experience was having to say “Goodbye!”

In the meantime, feel free to log in tomorrow when you can get a sneak peak at Part 2 of  our Chilean Adventure as we explore the most southern tip of the South American continent from our ESCAPESEEKER base,  HOTEL SALTO CHICO, the only luxury hotel located within the breathtaking Torres del Paine National Park!

Join us on ESCAPESEEKER, when we prove once again that there’s no destination on earth too far, too difficult, or too SPECTACULAR to reach!

Hasta luego amigos…

Mel aka ESCAPESEEKER

For more details on our ESCAPESEEKER Chile adventure, please go to:

www.nomadsoftheseas.com

www.lan.com

or feel free to write me at:  escapeseeker@gmail.com  I would love to hear from you!

Patagonia, Chile — The entire ESCAPESEEKER film team is currently on assignment in Patagonia–the southernmost region of the American continent and one of the least populated areas in the world.  As such, our internet access is unpredictable, and limited at best.  We look forward to posting our latest adventures upon our return to Santiago–Chile’s vibrant, modern capital, were cyber access will be much quicker and more consistent.

In the meantime, please feel free to visit our ESCAPESEEKER Facebook page for the latest brief updates on our team’s 5-week filming assignment:  CHILE:  Long, Lean, and Simply Spectacular!

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=hp#!/pages/ESCAPESEEKER/367501815104

Please stay tuned…as we strive to bring you the greatest escapes in the world.

Love,

Mel and the ESCAPESEEKER team

Story by Mel Gee Henderson

Select Images by Weston Hall

Isla de Pascua – I had been forewarned by many who have been fortunate enough to visit the world’s most remote island of RAPA NUI that I should  “be prepared to be mystified,” even adding, “there’s something inexplicable about the island that will touch your soul.”

RAPA NUI aka ISLA DE PASCUA aka EASTER ISLAND (Photo by Explora Rapa Nui)

With such an intriguing introduction, I could barely contain myself when our LAN Airlines flight landed on this far-flung island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean—the exact location: Lattitude 27:05 South; Longitude 109:20 West.  In simpler terms, the island is 2,236 miles (3,700 kilometers) from the South American continent, at its nearest point—the Chilean coast.   In other words, we flew approximately 4.5 hours flight across the ocean from Chile’s capital of Santiago—just enough time for a nice pleasant flight, or for two full length feature films!

For those of you who are not well-versed on Rapa Nui, please allow me to provide a quick overview of how this island came to be.

IN THE BEGINNING…

Three million years ago, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean at a depth of almost 9,843 feet (3,000 meters), a huge volcano began to rise up—giving birth to Poike, the first of the big volcanoes, which now forms the eastern edge of the island.  Five hundred thousand years later, a second eruption southeast of the first gave rise to Rano Kau.  And, finally, 300,000 years ago Maunga Terevaka rose up, creating the far northern tip of Rapa Nui, which has a surface area of 64 square miles (166 square kilometers) and a maximum width of 7.5 miles (12 kilometers)—now, that’s one impressive volcano!

It was 1,400 years ago that Rapa Nui’s first human inhabitants arrived from French Polynesia.  These inhabitants developed their own system of hieroglyphic script (the rongo rongo) which experts have yet to decipher, as well as the building of massive statues called “moai” carved out of volcanic rock, to honor and pay tribute to their ancestral kings, village chiefs, according to my conversations with renowned, UCLA archeologist, Dr. Jo Anne Van Tilburg, (pictured below) who was right in the thick of unearthing this newfound moai. This project is the first controlled, scientific archaeological excavations ever undertaken in the interior of Rano Raraku Quarry. It is also the first stone conservation and preservation pilot program in Rano Raraku.

All but one of the 22 standing statues (moai) in Rano Raraku Quarry interior have been previously exposed through unscientific and undocumented digging. According to Dr. Van Tilburg, there are 1,025 moai found throughout the island!

Hundreds of years passed before any new explorers reached the island.  The first to arrive—Dutch mariner Jacob Rogeveen, who gave the island the name of Isla de Pascua or Easter Island because it was on Easter in 1722 that he set foot on this mystical island—yes, even then, writings reveal that it was already providing guests with plenty of mystic!

The ancient culture of Rapa Nui still thrives today, even though at one point, the population had dwindled down to 111 inhabitants.  Today, the island’s approx. 5,000 inhabitants are very proud of their culture, which they have preserved and passed down (oral history) from generation to generation.

MEET RAPA NUI NATIVE, MIKE RAPU

No one exemplifies the innate survival instincts of the Rapa Nui people like MIKE RAPU, the co-partner of the EXPLORA lodge on the island that bears his name:  Posada de Mike Rapu.

It's such a privilege to get to know Mike Rapu and learn first hand how this once upon a time, impoverished boy, became the self-made respected leader of Rapa Nui.

Mike (pronounced Meeke) Rapu, co-partner of Explora’s lodge– Posada de Mike Rapu, our ESCAPESEEKER base during our entire Easter Island exploration. Mike was born and raised on Rapa Nui by his grandfather who considered him more like his own child–the youngest of 12 children that is! Although Mike grew up poor, he felt privileged to live on his beautiful island surrounded by the sea.  His uncle often took him fishing, where he learned to swim after him with a bag of speared fish, which in turn lured the sharks!  It was during this time that he really began to embrace the world that lies beneath the sea.

It is in these crystal clear waters where Mike honed his skills as a diver. In 1989, he set up his own diving center at the Hanga Roa Otai fishing cove, one of the most important on the island. I can’t wait to capture on film what lies beneath as I dive with Mike in Rapa Nui’s deep blue waters.

In 2000, he beat the South American record for free diving (apnea), managing to dive to a depth of 71 meters (233 feet) and staying underwater for 3 minutes, 48 seconds. A year later, he broke his own record, descending to 79 meters (259 feet) while training. It’s nice to know, ESCAPESEEKER is in great hands!

He is also a great cook. In fact, in his book “La receta de Mike” (Mike’s Recipe) he presents his own gastronomic ideas for rescuing the culinary tradition of Rapa Nui. Mike promises to cook for our entire film crew when we return. We’re going to hold you to that Mike!

Posada de Mike Rapu, our ESCAPESEEKER suite during our Rapa Nui exploration was exactly that--SWEET!

It did not surprise me to learn that EXPLORA had chosen to partner with Mike Rapu to build its EXPLORA RAPA NUI destination.  EXPLORA firmly believes in working with the local community, and promoting the well-being of its inhabitants.

EXPLORA believes in providing tools for community development as well as providing work opportunities to the local people.  For example, in Rapa Nui, almost all their guides and 60% of the hotel team are of Rapa Nui ethnicity!

Our outstanding EXPLORA guide, Christian, took the time to introduce us to this young Rapa Nui native who is living off the land. It was as if, we'd gone back in time. He generously shared his own "Catch of the day" that he had been grilling in an open fire. Christian articulately translated for us, and it is these kinds of unplanned moments that make exploring the island even more special.

EXPLORA firmly believes that the community is the caretaker of traditions, artistic forms, myths, languages—and believes these cultural manifestations are treasures to be cherished.

And, this was clearly evident in the way they partnered with Mike who directed the entire construction of the structure that now bears his name.

A great deal of thought went into the design and construction of Posada de Mike Rapu to ensure that no matter where you are at the hotel, you're getting the best vantage point of the island's pristine landscape.

It rests on a base of stones extracted from the site where the lodge is built.  These stones were gathered, transported and worked by local hands.  The lodge is designed like an alter, on which the living areas have been built using wood brought from Chile and worked with a carpenter’s precision.  On my first night at the lodge, I actually found myself lying in bed staring at the ceiling, and the entire suite, pondering how it was built so beautifully!

Explora Rapa Nui pool, is exceptionally inviting at sunrise! What an outstanding way to get the day started.

Posade de Mike Rapu has all the amenities you would not normally expect to find in such a remote place.  EXPLORA has turned traveling into an art form—by giving guests tailor-made explorations—experiences that expand the mind and enrich the soul—while also providing a luxuriously designed, purposeful home to return to at the end of each daily adventure.

We cannot wait to return to capture on film the RAPA NUI “mystique” that our entire team admits we openly embraced.  You must stay tuned to ESCAPESEEKER if you want to learn more.  On the other hand, if you can’t wait that long, why not plan out your own EXPLORA “art of travel” journey now.  You know I firmly believe there’s no time like the present to joyfully embrace all that our beautiful world has to offer!  With one click below, you’ll be set to go in no time:

http://www.explora.com/explora-rapa-nui/

Standing on the edge, with a volcanic crater on one side and the sheer cliff below, my view of the horizon seemed endless! It gave me a real sense of just how remote RAPA NUI is.

The EXPLORA Rapa Nui exceptional experience is worth whatever distance you have to travel…especially if you’re a true ESCAPESEEKER!

Here’s to BLISSFUL, ENDLESS ESCAPES…

Ten Cuidado,

Mel aka ESCAPESEEKER

Beginning our approach towards Dunas de Chulacao...the beautiful horses at Explora's stables are so well cared for...to explore the unique landscapes of Atacama on horseback, well, it doesn't get any better than this!

Weston's usual "quick draw" outfit enables him to never miss the perfect Kodak--oops, I mean NIKON moment! I've always known he could shoot on snow skis, but shooting the Atacama sand dunes from a horse? Well, Weston, you're taking "drive by shooting" to a whole new level! We're all impressed and grateful for the stunning documentation of our non-stop Chilean adventure!

San Pedro de Atacama, CHILE –  ESCAPESEEKER Advance Research Team prepares to put the finishing touches on our indescribable,  ambitious and unforgettable assignment:  To travel the full length of The Republic of Chile in 16 days, seeking out the most SPECTACULAR ESCAPES this long, lean ribbon of land has to offer!   Chile is 4,300 kilometres (2,700 mi) long and on average 175 kilometres (109 mi) wide. Its diverse climate ranges  from the world’s driest desert – the Atacama in the north from where I am currently writing this report–to it’s more Mediterranean climate, the vineyard-dotted landscape in the center, to a rainy temperate climate in the south–showcasing the breathtaking Patagonia peaks.

Weston Hall, "Escapeseeker" and Roy Henderson, members of the Advance Research, pinching ourselves time and time again at the magnificence of the opportunity we have been given to explore this awe-inspiring country of Chile.

With the tremendous in-kind support of LAN Airlines USA and Turismo Chile, on February 6th our team, comprised of yours truly, Weston Hall, our Chief Stills Photographer, and Co-Executive Producer, Roy Henderson,  began our journey from LAX onto LIMA, changing planes and continuing on to Chile’s capital city–Santiago, where we then boarded LAN’s domestic flight to Punta Arenas.  At Punta Arenas airport, we were picked up by the team from EXPLORA PATAGONIA to begin our 5-hour drive to Hotel Salto Chico, the only  lodge at the center of Torres del Paine,  our first home base while we explore Chile’s breathtaking Parque Nacional.

Waking up to this view of El Paine Massif from our suite at Hotel Salto Chico is the ultimate gift for traveling the long distance. Our team would do it again in a heartbeat! Covering an area of 242,242 hectares (598,593 acres), the park was declared a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1978, ensuring that its preservation will be enjoyed by future generations. Thank you UNESCO!

ESCAPESEEKER CHILE Research, Part 1: Explora Patagonia, Hotel Salto Chico

Gives whole new meaning to the term, "Room with a view"...You too, can ask for Suite #5

Get ready to GASP! I’m happy to report that upon setting our eyes at this unbelievably beautiful El Paine Massif of Parque Nacional as it is further illuminated by its reflection in the turquoise waters of the Lago Pehoe, no one on our team even felt the fatigue of traveling the long distance from Los Angeles to Patagonia to witness such tremendous natural beauty.   We were welcomed by Rosario of Hotel Salto Chico who made absolutely sure we were happy with our accommodations.  As a matter of fact, we were more than satisfied.  Take a look…kid you not, this image of our room has not been photo-shopped…what you see is what you’ll get when you step into this EXPLORA Patagonia destination!

After unpacking, we were introduced to Cristobal, “Cris” (a native of Santiago) who had been assigned to serve as our guide during the next 3 days of our Patagonia research.  Cris was very thorough at providing us with various Explora excursion options based on our objectives.  Cris explained that Patagonia was very close to his heart, ever since his parents brought him to Parque Nacional as a young child, and year after year his family would return.  As Cris expressed, “Patagonia eventually guided my choice of studies in school and ultimately my choice of profession, as it filled me with such a love for nature, and it doesn’t get any better than Patagonia!”  He adds, “I love guiding for Explora…the people I meet are exceptional, and I cannot think of a better job than telling people about my beautiful country.  It’s also a great way to stay in shape!”

Cris retrieving me from Hotel Salto Chico dock so we can begin our horseback riding experience with the Explora Gauchos. Can you imagine riding through the Patagonia pampas at sunset? Pinch Me Moment # 55! I love the EXPLORA Patagonia life...

We agree Cris.  If only we didn’t eat so much of the delicious cuisine offered to us at every meal, we might have actually lost some pounds.  But after exploring the park each day–often on foot or horseback, and lasting many hours–we were more than happy for the glorious and diverse menu.  You may wonder, how can we eat so well while located in such a remote pristine part of the world?  Well, it’s all part of what EXPLORA calls “Luxury of the Essential.”

For EXPLORA, Luxury is about the experience, not the appearance, as each destination strives to offer luxury by focusing on the essential, on providing exactly what the travelers need to make every aspect of the journey as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible.  And that concept also inspires the food that is prepared–original flavors, many from recipes that are indigenous to the region which have been used for centuries by the local people.  The food we quickly discovered is designed to be healthy and well-balanced–exactly what our active bodies were craving –the fuel we needed to continue trekking and exploring.

Elegant, nutritious dining in the middle of the most remote, pristine National Park...simply unexpected, but sincerely appreciated. Roy, Cris, and I make the very tough decision of choosing the Chef's evening special!

If you’re looking to find an ideal “escape destination” that provides more than just a luxurious room…one that offers mind-expanding, soul-enriching, often life-changing experiences that makes you feel alive and well…EXPLORA is tailor-made for you.

Our talented film team cannot wait to return to capture Patagonia’s pristine beauty, and her abundant wildlife in sheer high definition cinematography.  We, too, like EXPLORA, will strive for authenticity and excellence as we pay our cinematic tribute to this incredible region of the South American continent.  CHILE, you sure know how to grab at our hearts, and never let go, from the moment we set foot on your soil, all we want to do is to keep on exploring, delving into your geographic diversity.

GLACIER GRIS...we hiked 13 kilometers to arrive at the point where we were able to board this vessel designed especially to navigate these iceberg filled waters. Millions of years ago, successive waves of geological and glaciological phenomena gave rise to the complex geography of this park, including valleys, rivers, lakes and glaciers such as this one which have broken off from the southern Patagonian ice field, one of the earth's largest freshwater reserves.

Ari Bermann (our Santiago Guest Talent) and Joyce Zylberberg, ESCAPESEEKER Associate Producer-Chile. Ari and Joyce are the perfect examples of Chilean hospitality and kindness. These two extremely bright, hard-working, Chileans may explain why the future of Chile grows ever brighter. I'm thrilled to be able to capture the vibrant energy of Santiago as seen and experienced through Ari's eyes!

But for this ESCAPESEEKER, the real bonus is getting to know so many new Chilean friends.  Your warmth, and ever present, “Hola, Como Estas,” immediately makes even the lone foreigner feel like a part of the Chilean family…and ultimately, it is these Chilean smiles and welcoming eyes that is the window to the country’s greatest treasure:  It’s people!  Our team feels so ever blessed to have the opportunity to share our experience with our travel-loving audience.  I hope you will continue to welcome the world with open arms, as you have our ESCAPESEEKER team.

Con sincero agradecimiento, Vamos a regresar lo antes posible.

Here’s to Endless Blissful ESCAPES,

Mel and the entire ESCAPESEEKER team

PS:  Stay tuned to ESCAPESEEKER CHILE, Part 2:  ISLA de PASCUA, (Easter Island), RAPA NUI, the world’s most remote inhabited island.  It is separated by 3,700 kilometers (2,236 miles) from the American continent at its nearest point:  The Chilean coast.  Pitcairn Island, the nearest inhabited place, is almost 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) to the southwest.  You won’t want to miss a single beat (or picture) of our ESCAPESEEKER report, when we prove once again, that there’s no destination on earth too far, too difficult, or too SPECTACULAR to reach!

Pre-underwater activities, I thought I better leave some tracks on the sand in case I need to be found.

With each Rapa Nui hiking adventure, we are rewarded with an unforgettable view of the endless horizon. That's when you realize just how remote this island truly is!

The RAPA NUI EXPLORA Guiding Team!

With our expert EXPLORA guides, we were able to learn more about the ancient culture of the island, the ancestral archaeological remains of previous generations, especially through the moai, which at last count stands at 1025! The island's mystique is ever present. I cannot wait to utilize nature's light to project the island's mystical energy on film...just as shown on this 15 moai image by our Chief Stills Photographer, Weston Hall.

In our continuing series, “In Their Own Words” –Fiji episode, Guest Talent, Rochelle Vallese submitted the following story:

Dear Mel,

Thank you again for making this pinch me moment possible.

Love,

Rochelle

Rochelle's Fijian "Pinch Me Moment"...I think it was the Fijian Crested Iguana's also

Yadua Taba Island, Fiji — Have you ever imagined being transported millions of years back to the age of when dinosaurs roamed the earth?  There is a place among the islands of Fiji that inhabits a Jurassic Park feeling.  It isn’t and easy place to get to, but worth the effort.  You take a sea plane ride from one of the main islands to a tiny island inhabited by a small tribe of beautiful Fijian people.  That isn’t where this land of a time past is located, but where you must perform a ritual with the island Chief to afford you permission to take a boat ride to the sanctuary island of Yadua Taba which is uninhabited except for a most stunning resident–The Fijian Crested Iguana.  Once your boat arrives, you don’t have to venture far through the lush green vegetation to find these gorgeous iguanas who can be quite shy.  It is a jaw dropping moment to be in the presence of one as it transforms it colors right in front of your eyes.  In an instant, you find yourself quite and still, sensing an immediate respect for them and their home.  You then inhale a sweet breath of pure nature at its finest and an overwhelming moment of  peace blankets you as your eyes meet this wondrous animals eyes.  In that instant you feel everything is perfect.

Thank you Rochelle for your beautiful story.  You and Jerry added so much to our team’s experience!

To see more of Rochelle’s Pinch Me Moment, feel free to click to the link below:

http://escapeseeker.net/episode/fiji-pure-paradise/

Jessica's Postcard Perfect Island: Rangiroa's "The Blue Lagoon"

Jessica Lynne Maughan Gee, Production Assistant for Tahiti/Rangiroa episode writes, “SO SO SO SO many pinch-me moments to choose from!

One of the most peaceful/exciting/fun/terrifying days of my life was in Rangirora.  We spent the day at what is called, “The Blue Lagoon.”  Early in the morning a boat picked us up and took us on an hour boat trip to a tiny island.  As we pulled up on the boat the island looked like it was straight out of a postcard.  But before we had reached the island, the boat turned off and our guide said, “we walk from here.”  Not two seconds later another crew member pointed out a shark fin in the water… and then another… and then another.  There were small black-tip reef sharks ALL over!  I am horrified of sharks.  I got REALLY nervous knowing that we couldn’t get to this perfect little island for the film shoot without walking through waist-deep shark infested water.  I built up enough courage and treked through the water.  The closer we got to shore, the smaller the sharks got.  We spent the day relaxing in the sun, eating delicious barbecue fish  and coconut bread and enjoying paradise.  As the day went on, I got more and more nervous knowing that I would have to walk back to the boat through the sharks again.  Our guide invited us to swim in the water with the sharks.  Yeah, right!  I begged my husband not to, but he did anyway.

Welcome to our new special ESCAPESEEKER Blog Segment entitled,

IN THEIR OWN WORDS…

Today, I gave each of our regular core team members and former guest crew/talents an opportunity to submit a story with supporting images of their favorite  ESCAPESEEKER “Pinch Me Moment”… And, of course,  why are we not surprised when the first one to arrive is from none other than CHRISTINA TUCKER WISE, our extremely efficient PRODUCER.  As a matter of fact, she managed to get her story written and submitted along with her favorite photos while on assignment for the SAG Awards!  You never cease to amaze us Christina.  You give whole new meaning to the term,  multitasking.  Ok, team, we’re waiting for the rest of you to catch up.  Get those stories submitted and I will post as they arrive.  Thank you.  Christina, I love your story…it brings back wonderful memories of France.  So let me not waste a minute more.  Presenting “Pinch Me Moment” #1 by Christina Tucker Wise:

A favorite pinch me moment during our Escapeseeker travels was the hot air balloon ride over the vineyards in the Champagne region of France.  As someone who really appreciates fine bubbly, being in this area was a treat unto itself but then to really get a bird’s eye view was truly spectacular.  But like most things, it’s who you are sharing your experience with that really matters.  Squeezed up in the balloon basket was Mel, our director and my then fiancé, now husband Jason, our cameraman Jackson and our new friends David and Juliette from the Royal Champagne hotel, along with the balloon operator.  Going up was easy but as our trip came to an end it was the landing that started to worry us a bit.  Right as the sun was setting, the balloon came down and the basket tipped sideways tossing us all out into a beautiful lavender field.  It seemed like the perfect occasion to celebrate our survival and the beautiful sunset with a little champagne with our new friends.

Christina, let’s give everyone a glimpse of this Pinch Me Moment you just articulately described.  At the end of the day, ESCAPESEEKER is really about creating UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES…and when those experiences are shared, the JOY is multiplied.  Thanks again for this reminder.  I love our ESCAPESEEKER team!  Just click below, and repeat after me…Vive la France!

http://escapeseeker.net/episode/tour-de-france/

This just in…from the snow-covered landscapes of Bridgewater, Connecticut, I just received this beautiful description from TERRIE LEE COOK, a guest participant, of what she calls  her ESCAPESEEKER AHA MOMENT!

Terrie prepares to board the stunning private yacht, Happissima belonging to our special host, Giovanni Russo. We were told by his many friends that no one epitomizes and lives "La Dolce Vita" like Giovanni...and Terrie and the ESCAPESEEKER team were thrilled to spend the day with this beloved Italian known throughout the Amalfi coastline. I should mention, the minute we set our eyes on Giovanni, we couldn't believe it...he was right out of Central Casting: Tall, tan and movie-star handsome. You know he is, if the guys even said so!

Amalfi Harbor, Amalfi – After being picked up by Giovanni, a native and charismatic Italian gentleman, we were brought to his small, beautiful, private island of L’galia via his yacht.  We enjoyed a delicious meal alfresco, then visited his guest house, chapel and home (a tiny castle).   Afterwards I sat in his small, stone, infinity pool overlooking the Mediterranean.  The water was fed by the ocean below and I felt weightless.  It was at that moment when I thought I must be dreaming, this is a piece of Heaven on Earth! ~Terrie Lee Cook

To see more of Terrie’s Amalfi experiences during her time with the ESCAPESEEKER team, take a look at this AMALFI episode trailer…and it will become crystal clear why this became the AHA MOMENT for her.  Thank you Terrie for sharing your story with us.

http://escapeseeker.net/episode/amalfi-coast/

Peyton McCollum, guest photographer, recalls her favorite ESCAPESEEKER moment:

Hi Mel,

When I think back to my wonderful memories with Escapeseeker, one particular adventure sticks out in my mind.  As part of the Advance Research Team (ART) for French Polynesia’s ‘Oh Heaven’s Heaven’ episodes, the team was given the opportunity to explore the waters of Rangiroa, an atoll famous as a diver’s paradise.  We were cruising along in a dinghy looking for optimal snorkeling sites when our guide spotted two enormous manta rays just below the surface.  Water camera in hand (always!), I didn’t hesitate… I blame being an Aquarius, but for whatever reason I cant stay out of the water, safety comes second.  I dropped backwards, hearing the muted screams from the boat to “get out of the water!”  But in those few precious moments when I was alone with the giants I was able to capture the attached photo and sigh in awe at just how lucky were are to be on this Earth. Soon thereafter I was hoisted to the surface.  Sorry to admit it, Mel, but I’d do it all over again!  Mauruuru!!

The ultimate "Kodak Moment" as captured by our fearless photographer, Peyton McCollum in the waters of Rangiroa, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia.

We noticed during our ART exploration throughout French Polynesia that Peyton McCollum could be spotted a mile away!  You may think it’s because of her long Irish rooted-red locks, but that’s just one of the reasons.  Peyton is was always surrounded or trailed by children who are fascinated by the continual clicks of her Canon 40d.   She captured countless beautiful smiles of Tahitian children as a result.  Peyton has another passion, Nature Photography.  When Peyton came on board for our initial research visit to French Polynesia, she captured plants, flowers, bugs, and shells that weren’t even on our radar screen.

Peyton sees what others do not.

Peyton sees what others do not.  She is truly remarkable.  I honestly believe her ultimate true calling in life is to be a Nat Geo expert photog.  She has the patience of an angel and can ride out any weather waiting for her subject(s) to appear.  Why do we love having Peyton on our assignments?   Beneath her photog exterior, this Duke grad is brilliant to boot!  And if there’s something I love–it is being surrounded with inspiring, talented, brilliant, fun-seeking, ESCAPESEEKERS!  You can see more of her work on http://www.livingorange.com The image below of the vessel, Nomade Yachting’s Ti’a Moana, which carried our nomadic ESCAPESEEKER Advance Research Team throughout our exploration of the Society Islands, was also captured by Peyton.  Needless to say, we hated to see our research assignment come to an end.  But thanks to our talented photography team, we have countless images to help remind us of just how heavenly our adventure truly was!

I guess you can say, my six children, now all grown, were the original members of the ESCAPESEEKER "cast" who did not hesitate to accompany me on my global assignments, even while they were young. Today, they still share my insatiable wanderlust to explore the wonders of this world...so many pages to turn...so little time...

“Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” ~ Mark Twain

Mark Twain’s words made such in impression on me as a young girl that I made it my life’s goal to travel the world.

Family Adventures: Our Family Glue! Our children learned early on that they could fall asleep almost anywhere. Thanks to astute linguists, in addition to English, we have Russian, Czech, Spanish, French, languages covered.

And, as soon as my children could walk and talk, I took them with me—sometimes one at a time, two by two, and occasionally all six would accompany me on my journalism assignments that often became global adventures.  They began to understand the complexity that can sometimes accompany our  travels, but more importantly they developed a sense of how crucial it is to establish good rapport with everyone you meet.  In other words, I did not permit the “holier than thou” attitude to ever exists.  Rather, I emphasized teamwork and encouraged a “mission possible” attitude.  (By the way, these are all part of our ESCAPESEEKER PRINCIPLES that we still abide by today.)

Traveling soon became our family’s passion.

I have always strived to instill in my children the desire to learn...and nothing fueled my educational efforts like travel. I've always worked hard, and I made sure that we always saved up for travel. As the children got older, they preferred the travel experiences over the acquisition of toys, clothes and other material goods that we quickly found to be a passing fancy. In contrast, to this day, every member of our family has a favorite travel story to tell.

We have reaped all the benefits travel affords, but more importantly, we feel a far greater bond with people of all faiths, from all walks of life because we dared to venture out of our comfort zone.

Now that my six children are grown and three of whom are now raising their own families, it is fulfilling to see them not even think twice about hopping on a jet with their babies, or packing a van full of the necessary gear that babies require, especially for long distance road trips.

Brady, a backseat driver in training, as he continually advised his Mama, "Be very careful", especially when we came side to side with giant semi trucks.

For example, I recently accompanied my daughter, Christina and her two-year old twin toddlers, on an eleven-hour road trip through the Arizona desert to the Rocky Mountains of Utah, and I could not believe how well she had orchestrated the entire trip, complete with video monitors for each child, healthy (non-choking) zip-lock bag full of their favorite treats/tommytippee cups filled with water (so no risk of milk spoiling);  she mapped out our first stop (Christina pre-determined where the cleanest bath rooms with baby-changing rooms would be found en route), as well as the best health-conscious restaurants that welcomed children–so we could avoid the fast food variety and its high caloric burgers/nuggets options.  I basically came on board as “Van Attendant” and with a Road captain like Christina, the job could not have been easier.  We had an unforgettable road trip, complete with memories of my attentive grandson, Brady saying to his Mama as we passed the giant semi-trucks, “Be very careful Mama, drive carefully ok!”  There was also the time we were approaching our hotel’s elevator as another couple was getting on, and Brady announced, This is my Grandma Mel, My Mama, my sister, Olivia, and I’m Brady, and we are on a road trip!” I guess this precocious 2-year old just wanted to make sure everyone was informed.  Maybe we have another future journalist in the family?  The couple just smiled in amazement at the eloquence and enthusiasm of this little fellow.

Olivia kept us entertained with her repertoire of songs. By the way, she prefers Opera. Have you ever ridden in a car for several hours with an opera singing toddler? Pure magic! Ok, maybe for the first hour.

As we arrived at our final destination and gathered with the other members of our large family for the special blessing of the newest addition to our family, Baby Finley Dva Gee, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy for being blessed with such a tremendous family of skilled travelers who are willing to go the distance to participate in our family’s special events.

It didn’t seem that long ago when I was the one hauling an entire Suburban full of kids…when I used to plan out every detail of our travel adventures–whether via plane, train, boat or 4-wheel vehicles–I did not let having children stop me, or the fact that we often traveled on our own.

To all families of all varieties out there–including single Moms, single Dads who love to travel but are worried about what inconveniences and challenges traveling with children might entail–well, it’s definitely not a stroll in the park.  But I can happily confirm the following:

1.  the priceless memories will be long lasting (definitely lasting longer than the “IT TOY” of last Christmas),

2.  the bonding time aka “family glue” invaluable,

When we asked our youngest, Gabes, where she wanted to travel, she selected IBIZA! She was only 9 years old...I think she had help selecting this Spanish destination from her teenage sister, Miristi.

Big sister, Christina has always adored her baby brother, Brennen, who now towers over her...but the close bond remains, not only with them but with all the siblings. Keeping the family close and united is what I consider my life's greatest accomplishment.

3.  the mind-enlarging, intellectual benefits far outweigh the immense work preparation, and costs it may require (i.e. several of my children speak other languages in great part motivated by their travel experiences and playing with other children who were multilingual),

4.  the resiliency, fearless, open-minded attitude, the compassion for other people of other cultures that our family developed is immeasurable.  Poet, Maya Angelou eloquently describes it this way: “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”

5.  the most priceless gift of all, GRATITUDE.  My children, our entire family, developed a grateful heart for the opportunities we have been given, for the people we’ve met all along the way, for the ability to see with our eyes the majesty of this beautiful planet earth, to feel with our hearts and know that beneath all of our obvious differences, we are very much alike, that we all need to know that our lives matter, that we are treated with respect no matter our station in life, and that we are all striving to make our children’s lives better than our own.

Those who know me well, know that I firmly believe that nothing cures the “blues” or the “blahs” like an airplane ticket.   Try traveling to one of the world’s dramatically beautiful destinations, and you’ll never be able to deny the existence of our Creator as you feel your revived spirit soar!  Our family has proven that the world is full of amazing, interesting friends just waiting to be met.

Stay tuned tomorrow when I give you an insider’s glimpse into our life on the road as seen through the eyes of our ESCAPESEEKER team. In the meantime, here are just a few of my ESCAPESEEKER PRINCIPLES of TRAVEL that may also help ensure your own travel experiences become those of which dreams are made:

*Absolutely No Whining, Ever

*Remember, there’s no language or cultural barrier that a Smile cannot overcome.

*Every time you land on foreign soil, take off your American lenses and see the country through the natives’ eyes.

*Above all, Be Respectful of the foreign soil you have been given the privilege to explore.

Here’s to a Spectacular 2011, and to Blissful, Never-ending Escapes.

With love,

Mel aka ESCAPESEEKER

The 2011 ESCAPESEEKER featured destinations are making our hearts throb!

ESCAPESEEKER, "There's no destination on earth too far, or too difficult to reach!"

Los Angeles - When astronauts first went into space they looked back at the Earth with human eyes for the first time, and called our home the Blue Planet. And it’s no surprise. 70% of our planet is covered with oceans. The remaining 30% is the solid ground, rising above sea level.  Well, we can devote an entire lifetime, and it would still not be enough time for ESCAPESEEKER to discover all there is to see and learn about the 30% solid ground.  And, of course, we love exploring the oceans too–so even more reason not to waste any more time as we announce our 2011 ESCAPESEEKER FEATURED DESTINATIONS:

January and February are devoted to several very important advance research assignments.  However, beginning in MARCH, the ESCAPESEEKER TEAM SPRINGS INTO ACTION, and we couldn’t be more thrilled!  Check out this year’s breathtaking global roster, and you’ll understand why we’re beaming from ear to ear, as we hit the South American continent, not once, but twice:

Utah's License Plate boast "The Greatest Snow on Earth"...well ESCAPESEEKER is absolutely ready to put it to the test!

MONTAGE...the name synonymous with impeccable service...A luxurious retreat without the attitude...

March 4-12th – Our Rossignol skis are being fine-tuned in preparation for this exciting WINTER WONDERLAND feature episode anchored around MONTAGE DEER VALLEY. (www.montagedeervalley.com)  And if we may be permitted to put our own spin on the famous song lyrics of the same title…

We've practiced, and now we're more than ready to absolutely test Utah's slogan: "The Greatest Snow On Earth!"

ESCAPESEEKER…we’ve conspired,
As we dreamed by the fire
To face unafraid,
The plans that we’ve made,
SKIING in a Winter Wonderland.

When it snows, ain’t it thrilling,
Though your nose gets a chilling
We’ll frolic and play, the DEER VALLEY way,
SKIING in Winter Wonderland.

ESCAPESEEKER CHILE episodes will take our adventures to a whole new level!

March 24 – April 13th - CHILE, CHILE, CHILE! This ambitious filming adventure will enable us to capture CHILE by land, by air, and by sea!  From it’s capital city, SANTIAGO, to the northern desert of ATACAMA, to the remote EASTER ISLAND, located 2,237  miles off the coast of South America, to its southern tip, PATAGONIA, one of the least populated areas in the world–we’ll bring you the very best CHILE has to offer:  It’s unique culture, intriguing history, varied landscape, and engaging inhabitants–together we’ll get an insider’s look  through the eyes of the inspiring locals whose lives will make us think twice about what we’re doing with ours!  Of course, in the ESCAPESEEKER tradition of seeking out the most luxurious escapes–our exploration will be anchored around Chile’s outstanding EXPLORA destinations (http://www.explora.com); NOMADS OF THE SEAS (http://www.nomads.cl/nomadsnew/intro/index.html); and yes, our Chile “launching pad” will be  The RITZ-CARLTON, SANTIAGO –a very nice pad indeed!(http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Santiago/Default.htm)

NOMADS' helicopter, a Bell 407, is one of the worlds most fully equipped units, featuring IFR single-pilot capabilities to face almost any weather condition.

"THE CITY OF LIGHTS"...What is it about Paris that makes us fall in love with her over and over again?

April 24 – May 1st – PARIS, MON AMOUR

“A flash…then night! Fleeting beauty, whose glance sparked me into new life, am I ever to see you again except in eternity?” Sentiments expressed in a famous Paris poem by Charles Baudelaire, who understood like almost no other how to capture in words the exquisite charm of the City of Lights. This April, as Paris’ winter blossoms into Spring, our ESCAPESEEKER film team will return to capture in moving pictures what Mr. Baudelaire expressed in words! We’ll take you on a cinematic journey through the streets of Paris to reveal the dramatic and the tranquil, the historic and the everyday.  My love affair with Paris began 16 years ago, and since then, I’ve returned year after year (often multiple times per year)…and no matter the season, no matter the circumstances, the city never ceases to enchant as I find myself saying, over and over again, “Paris, Mon Amour!” Our ESCAPESEEKER PARIS, MON AMOUR will be anchored around the Park Hyatt Paris~Vendome, a perfect, art-infused, cosmopolitan hotel beautifully located in the heart of the legendary Place Vendome.  (http://paris.vendome.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp)

The thunderous power of IGUACU Falls as seen from Brazil...

PASSION...BRAZILIAN PASSION!

"A River Runs Through It" takes on whole new meaning in the immense country of Brazil!

The world will soon converge on Brazil. In the meantime, ESCAPESEEKER will seek out its hidden treasures as we explore this incredible country!

The Rhytmic Beat of this Sizzling South American metropolis, RIO DE JANEIRO, never ceases

May 12 – 26th -  SIZZLING BRAZIL, is on everybody’s minds these days. Brazil, the fifth largest country in the world (after Russia, Canada, China and the United States),  with a total area of 3,287,612 sq mi), including 21,411 sq mi of water, spans three time zones.  The Brazilian economy is the world’s eighth largest economy and one of the world’s fastest growing  major economies. Economic reforms have given the country new international recognition, as proven with its win of the 2014 World Cup venue, and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

ESCAPESEEKER decided it better find out what the sizzling hot BUZZ is all about, and we hope you’ll join us as we explore this majestic country.  If you think you have what it takes to be a member of our ESCAPESEEKER team, write us at:  escapeseeker@gmail.com and tell us WHY!  It might be a good idea to start taking Portuguese lessons now…and it won’t hurt to brush up on your Soccer moves too!

STUNNING SUNSET at THE LODGE AT KOELE...the little island of LANA'I afforded us so many unexpected "Bigger than Life" experiences...we cannot wait to return to capture it all on film...

THE CHALLENGE AT MANELE BAY...We're so ready to meet this golfer's paradise challenge!

June 3-9th - LITTLE LANA’I:  BIGGER THAN LIFE

There’s so much about this tiny island that we did not know.  Not only does it possess two world class 5-star resorts (http://www.fourseasons.com/manelebay/), along with its championship golf course, The Challenge at Manele Bay–but it also provides guests with the most unexpected surprises they would not expect to find on any Hawaiian island!

It was once again, one of those very lucky introductions that led me and my ESCAPESEEKER team  to one of Hawaii’s most admired artist, MIKE CARROLL, a resident of Lana’i City.  By the way, Lana’i City has no stoplights whatsoever.  So if you’ve come to the islands to unwind–Lana’i is the perfect place!  And, as we often find in our efforts to discover the special individuals whose inspiring story is TV-ready–Mike is exactly that–SPECIAL.  It’s interesting that more often, the incredibly talented people we meet, are the ones who are genuinely down-to-earth, and generous with their precious time.  Mike is no exception…and we cannot wait to share his inspiring story in the Lana’i episode entitled, “Little Lana’i, Bigger Than Life!”

Stay tune, as we share Mike’s journey with you.  How does a successful professional Chicago artist find the courage to give up the career he built for two decades, and start all over in the tiniest of islands–Lana’i? Well, you’ll soon find out.  If you’ve ever dreamed of making a life-changing, soul-transforming step to pursue your life-long passion–this is one episode you will not want to miss!  And by the way, fortunately for Mike, his beautiful wife of 30 + years,  Kathy was as keen on turning a new chapter in their exciting new  life’s journey. I’ve gotta tell you…their inspiring story is now on my top ten favorites!

ESCAPESEEKER LANA'I episode will be anchored around the beautiful Four Seasons Resorts, Lana'i...talk about a "Pool with a View"...why not join us in June for an unforgettable Summer in Paradise?

We truly appreciate all of the tremendous individuals, supporters from every corner of our BLUE PLANET who have helped us every step of the way to achieve the creation of this exciting, diverse roster of AMAZING ESCAPESEEKER destinations.  We cannot thank you enough for working so diligently to connect the dots for our ESCAPESEEKER film team.  Can you believe this list only takes us to the middle of 2011?  How can 2011 possibly be any more exciting than this?  Well, we shall find out…and we hope you’ll be with us for the thrilling, escape-seeking journey!  We just learned from London that there’s an amazing luxurious escape in the middle of the Indian Ocean that would like to be on ESCAPESEEKER.  Can you guess which island this might be?

We’ve gotta tell you, “WE’RE ABSOLUTELY READY!”  Or, as our Director of Photography, Jackson Myers, and Director, Jason Wise  like to say, “BRING IT ON!”

On that note, here’s to NEVER-ENDING BLISSFUL ESCAPES…

With love from around the world,

Mel and the entire ESCAPESEEKER team

ESCAPESEEKER Team cleans up pretty well after an extensive week of shooting!

If ever there was one singular image that captures my innate insatiable wanderlust...this is it...captured by photographer, Lisa Hensley while I was standing above the "Garden of the Gods" on the island of Lana'i. I'm looking out across the 9 mile stretch of sapphire blue ocean towards the island of Molokai. It is the singular, spontaneous picture such as this that's truly worth a thousand words! Thank you Lisa for encapsulating the essence of ESCAPESEEKER...and for sharing the magic of this littlest known island, LITTLE LANA'I: BIGGER THAN LIFE!

After reviewing the thousands of images in our ESCAPESEEKER still archives, we’ve selected this image above by Lisa Hensley for our 2011 official ESCAPESEEKER poster.  Upon hearing the news, Hensley remarked, “I am so blessed to have been in the right place at just the right time!  I mean, really, we were in the “Garden of the Gods”–how could we have not gotten the perfect shot!  Great navigating from our driver, great eye on behalf of the photographer, and great posing from the model, all added up to perfection.”

Lisa Hensley is not alone in this sentiment.  In October, 2010, Upon seeing Hensley’s image of ESCAPESEEKER at Garden of the Gods, renowned artist, Mike Carroll, a Signature Member of the Plein Air Painters of Hawaii decided to duplicate the image in oil.  On December 3, 2010, Mike’s priceless gift arrived at my home, framed and ready to take center stage in our private art collection.  I guess you can say that my moment in time atop that rock garden has been “immortalized” not once, but twice by two gifted artists!  Thank you Lisa and Mike for your talented and immeasurable contribution to ESCAPESEEKER!

I wish to also extend a special Thank You to Christina Noakes whose fearless, “go for it” attitude, driving and navigational skills not only led us to this very spot…but she made sure we made it safely back to the Lodge at Koele. http://www.fourseasons.com/koele/

We look forward to returning in June to film our ESCAPESEEKER feature episode entitled, Little Lana’i, Bigger Than Life!

Aloha,

Mel aka ESCAPESEEKER

*****

IN THE MEANTIME, IF YOU WISH TO WALK IN OUR ESCAPESEEKER PATH…

Garden of the Gods...Ancient Hawaiian legend states that the rocks and boulders here were dropped from the sky by the gods tending their gardens. Hence the name, Garden of the Gods. These beautiful and unique rock formations were formed by thousands of years of erosion creating pinnacles and buttes in a remote canyon area. Colors of red, purple, and ochra earth and crusted lava create a striking lunar landscape. The area is mostly dry and often windy, making the unearthly rock formations even more eerie. The best time for viewing is early morning or late evening when the sun’s rays strike the minerals in the rock and bring out their most dynamic colors. Axis deer and mouflon may be seen grazing on the few bits of vegetation that grows here. These wild animals and several others have almost destroyed the small plant life in many areas of the island and are a favorite game of hunters that come to this area.Ancient Hawaiian legend states that the rocks and boulders here were dropped from the sky by the gods tending their gardens. Hence the name, Garden of the Gods. This site is located about 7 miles outside of Lanai City. The dirt road is well marked but only a 4-wheel drive vehicle can manage the rutted and rugged trail. WARNING:  If there has been any recent rains, the road if may be closed and unsafe for driving. This road leads all the way to Ka’ena Point and Polihua Beach.