Rihanna gets a full body scan at LAX

The one day I should have been working as a body scanner at LAX was April 27th, 2011.  That's the day my favorite Barbadian singer Rihanna went to the airport to fly away to somewhere less smoggy and gave whoever was working, the thrill of a lifetime.

Thanks for the show Rihanna!

Another DR Nights trip report

Here's trip report from Marcos who lives here in California.  That's about all the info I can give him, but he was happy to share with us his experiences on a quick little run to DR Nights he made in March.  Thanks Marcos for your trip report!

____________

I booked my trip to the resort in January after finding it on your site.   I didn't know if the resort was really that nice but I went to their website and check them out more.  It's a very nice place, let me tell you.  It's bigger than I thought and a lot of fun.

The flight took a long time because I flew from San Diego but once there, 10 hours later, I could feel the tropical heat and I was ready to go.  I planned it out so I arrived at 10am their time, the "red eye" flights are good for that.  Just make sure you sleep a lot before going so you're charged up once there. 

I bought the intro package that came out to be just under $1,000 that bought me 2 nights there plus 2 girls while there.  I know I spend more than that here on the weekends at the clubs and don't always find a connection so I was happy to pay.  I did have to pay extra from the flight, so all in all I spent about $1,800.

After I got a brief welcome at the resort I got a quick tour and unpacked my bags.   After getting organized I went to meet some of the ladies and found 5 of them waiting to greet me.  That was cool.  I got to talking to a few of them and ended up picking out Michelle to hang out with that day.   Michelle and I went to go grab some lunch where we could get to know each other.   She was flirtatious at lunch and kept telling me how handsome I was, that made me feel great.  I also speak Spanish so we had a nice connection going right away.   After about 10 mins of autentica Dominican comida, I felt Michelle's foot sneak up between my legs, I could soon tell it was time to head out!!!

We went back to my room where Michelle suggested I needed a nice massage before heading out to the pool.  By this time it was around 1pm.  Michelle stood there in a bikini and sarong and then told me to "take off my clothes" in front of her.  Who was I to say no?  So I stripped down in front of her as she just looked me up and down.  It was hard not to get hard and she noticed and giggled while slapping my ass and told me to lie down.

She then started to rub my back and arms, it felt very relaxing but at this point I was also very excited.  For about 10 mins she rubbed me down then started to rub her booty on top  of mine and told me to flip over.   Once I did she sat down just below my....you know...and started to rub my chest.  I was hard and she started grinding on me then took my hands and ran them up to her bikini covered chest.  I felt her up then took off her top, things were progressing nicely! 

She then lowed her bare chest onto mine as she stated to kiss me.  Slowley she started kissing her way down my chest to my manhood where she then proceeded to give me oral sex that was amazing.  I somehow managed to last almost 10 mins before cumming really hard.

We took a quick shower to clean up then headed out to the pool fed, sexed and cleaned up.  We hung out by the pool for the better part of the afternoon drinking and snacking.  Around 5pm she headed out so she could get ready for the night.  I went back to my room and caught a quick nap before heading out for the dinner party that night. 

Dinners at the resort are great.  I met up with some of the people I had met by the pool that day and we all chowed down while they had music playing.  Dinner was followed up by dancing at the disco where I saw Michelle again.  We danced more then snuck down to the pool around 10pm for some skinny dipping where I got her to let me take one photo of her, she's so sexy.

We made out in the pool for about 20 mins before heading back to my room for another round of good times.  She stayed with me till about 2pm then I was tired and wanted to crash to get ready for my next day at DR Nights to see what new adventures, and what woman #2 I'd pick to be with.   So for the price, I had an amazing time with two ladies for the 2 nights.  The staff was great, the food was excellent and the best part, the ladies, are fun to be with and "get" what you're there for.

_____________________

Thanks Marcos for your trip report and photo.  For the rest of you, click on the banner below to get in on the fun for yourself. 

What's Easter look like at Hedonism II?

Well if you were at Hedo II for the "Erotic Easter Escapade Weekend" then you knew.  For those of you not lucky enough to be at your favorite resort for Easter, look on...

(The end)

Clearly Jamaican Appleton Rum has some type of sponsorship, either that or everyone was just in the mood for some Appleton Rum over the holidays.   I know I was!!!  :-D

$9 flights from Newark and Boston - TODAY ONLY!

TODAY ONLY...you can score a ticket from Newark to Boston for just $9.  the fare applies only to Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday flights between May 4 and June 15.   If you want the round trip version it's $39.40 when taxes and fees are included.

JetBlue is offering this special to bring attention to their new service out of Newark, NJ.  To get in on the deal go to $9 Jetblue Special.

A Southwest plane slides off runway in Chicago

Southwest flight 1919 slide off the runway on Tuesday April 26th 2011 at Chicago's Midway Airport.  After it came to a stop, the plane with it's 144 passengers and crew, became stuck in the mud just off the runway.  

Heavy rains caused the incident and after a few hours the passengers were on their way.  The other bit of good news?  The nose of the airplane was pointed directly at a White Castle that was across the street.  There were no confirmed incidents of passengers taking advantage of that, but I would have.  :-)

U.S. warns on travel to five more Mexican states

(Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Friday broadened its travel warning on Mexico to include parts of five additional states, including a highway where suspected drug gangs shot two U.S. customs officials in February.

The warning advises U.S. government personnel and American citizens to defer nonessential travel in certain parts of Jalisco, Nayarit, San Luis Potosi, Sonora and Zacatecas.

It outright bans U.S. employees from traveling to Colotlan and Yahualica, two cities in the central-west state of Jalisco near the Zacatecas border due to increasing drug gang violence.

  "Concerns include roadblocks placed by individuals posing as police or military personnel and recent gun battles between rival transnational criminal organizations involving automatic weapons," the State Department warning said.

The restrictions were added to a previous warning against travel throughout the states of Tamaulipas and Michoacan and to parts of the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango and Sinaloa.

Gunmen shot dead an unarmed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and wounded another on February 15 on a highway in San Luis Potosi in a daylight attack that outraged U.S. officials and put a strain on join U.S.-Mexican efforts to battle drug cartels.

The State Department advised against travel on that road, Highway 57D, a major north south route toward Monterrey, Mexico's commercial capital.

The latest warning also provides more specific information on travel in northern Mexico where drug gang wars have been most violent, naming cities and towns that require particular caution. For example, it says U.S. government officials are required to travel only in armored vehicles and in daylight hours in Sinaloa parts of the city of Nogales.

More than 36,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon launched a military-led crackdown on drug gangs in 2006. Mexico last month revealed that it is allowing unmanned U.S. drone aircraft into its airspace to hunt for drug traffickers.

The warning can be seen at: here. 

Casting Call over for Smooth Girl Magazine's annual Jamaica Issue

Smooth Girl Magazine just had it's casting for this years Live from Jamaica issue.   If you're a hottie with curves who thinks shes got what it takes visit Smooth Girl @ Smooth Girl Casting ASAP and see if you can't still get in on the action.  It cost $35 to enter and winners get to go to Jamaica for the infamous photo spread.

I must apologize for bringing you the casting call a touch late, I must have been busy checking out Yaris Sanchez below from last years issue that was live from Jamaica.

UPDATE:  I think the casting is LONG gone.  Whoever they chose will be at Hedo II from May 9th to May 19th, 2011 shooting the calendar. 

*  Click to enlarge any photo 

BONUS LINK:  Yaris's Twitter 
 

Chip-and-pin credit cards coming to America

Do you know what a "Chip-and-pin credit card" is?  Well, most of the world knows except a lot of American's.  But Chase Bank and Wells Fargo is set to change that.  A chip-and-pin credit card is a credit card with a little chip inside that gives out information about your card that you in turn enter a pin on to authorize.

America is the one county yet to embrace the new cards and when us American's travel elsewhere our old fashioned "swipe and sign" cards can sometimes be unusable.  American Express, MasterCard and Visa contracts require merchants anywhere in the world to accept any valid card, including stripe-and-sign cards issued in the U.S. 

And even in a chip-and-pin country, you can still use your U.S. card at most merchants hotels, restaurants, and such although you might have to push a bit. If you can find an attendant, you can have your card accepted.  But at some ATM's, train stations and other out of the way credit card spots your American card might not have a chance at working with their new machines.

For the moment Wells Fargo and Chase are bringing out the new cards in "test" markets but they're catching on and at least trying it out.  I expect other US banks to follow suit and soon, the entire globe will be chip & pin friendly.

Too thick or just right? Celebrity addition!

Tennis mega-star Serena Williams was in Miami splashing around in the waves recently and it got me to thinking...is she too thick for most guys to handle?

Vote below!

   Is Serena too thick?

Here's a way cool digital camcorder!

JVC's new waterproof Picsio, a pocket camera is designed for fun.  Fun, because it's so small, lightweight, easy to use and a cinch to share videos and photos using YouTube, Facebook and other social media sites.  Plus the GC-WP10 is waterproof and can be used underwater up to 10 feet!  (think travel, think hotel, think showers)

$200 from Target.com

Other features include electronic image stabilization to minimize camera shake while recording, 4x digital zoom lens and a time-lapse recording mode and records digital stills up to 5-megapixel native resolution, without interpolation. There's a stereo microphone that can be used to record audio as mp3 files.

BONUS VIDEO

(recorded in the Caribbean with this camera)

Hotels are starting to install less and less tubs

Did you know that just 10 years ago Holiday Inn's would install a tub in about 95% of their new rooms?  These days it down to 55% of their new bathrooms get a tub in lieu of more fancy showers.  The thought has now changed to thinking that business travelers are less likely to lounge in a tub.

(CitizenM Hotel futuristic showers)

Which hotels are getting cool showers?  Lots of hotels are now starting to have glass walls between the shower and guest room like The Andaz in San Diego, some W Properties and The Standard in Los Angeles.   Is that too daring for you?  Other chains like Wyndham Gettysburg in Pennsylvania have 43 foot showers with 5 shower heads blasting you from every conceivable angle.   Or check out the photo above from a CitizenM Hotel room.  It's a glass tube that frosts over once you shut the door, otherwise it's clear.

 Either way, showers seem to be in while baths seems to be going out...

Check out the island used in Castaway, the movie

Remember the big hit of 2000, Castaway?  Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt and a volleyball named Wilson?  Well here's some info about the island they shot a lot of the footage on.  It's an island in Fiji located at the GPS of -17.609277,177.0397.  Below is a Google Map of the island...

View Larger Map

See the beach on the upper right part of the island?  That's where Tom Hank's charter wrote "HELP" in the sand.  And you can visit the island on special tours.  The island itself is 170 acres and these days it mostly leases itself out for private vacations, weddings and other ritzy affairs.

(Qalito or "Castaway" Island)

Bonus link:  Castaway Island Webcam

Jump off the Stratosphere in Vegas for $115

Does losing that $50,000 at the blackjack tables in Vegas make you feel like jumping off a tall building?  Well, now you can...and still live to lose more money!   The Stratosphere in Vegas offers a few adrenaline pumping rides one of which is this free fall from 108 stories above the hot Nevada desert. 

If you're ready to free fall from 855 feet you can buy one of 3 packages...

#1.  $115 gets you the jump and a DVD of the jump

#2.  $130 buys you the dump, a DVD and photo of the jump

#3.  $131 buys you a jump plus a t-shirt and DVD

You can jump on Friday and Saturday from 11am to 2am or Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 1am.  This Skyjump is the only one in America and the highest in the world.   And they're so sure that you'll wanna do it again that they set a special price of $49 if you turn right around, go up and jump again.  Cool!

   

BONUS TIP:  Locals, you can get in on a $81 dollar price if you show valid Vegas ID.

A little more Negril, Jamaica history

Fans of Negril, Jamaica know it as a sleepy city on the west part of Jamaica.  They might know it as home to many resorts including Hedonism II, Breezes, Sandals and many more.  If you know more than most about Negril you might know it was the area where infamous pirate Calico Jack Rackham was captured then sent to Port Royal where he was promptly hung!

* click on any photo to enlarge them

(Negril Craft Market - 1988)

10's of thousands of tourists know Negril as having some of the best beaches, amazing diving and beautiful cliffs that shoot up from warm Bloody Bay of the Caribbean.  Sunsets in Negril are legendary with the sun setting in the west and Negril being on the far western tip of Jamaica making a perfect recipe for natures evening light show.

View Larger Map

But what about some of the not so well know facts and history of Negril?  Let's explore...

Why is Bloody Bay in Negril called...Bloody Bay?  Well, the common answer is that whalers often would pull into the scenic bay and disembowel their whale catches in the late 1800's leaving the bay bloody red.   That could be it.  Other theories are Columbus' ships and the Taino/Arawak Indians engaging in a battle in the bay in 1494 or that there was a bloody sea battle waged there with the British and the Spanish.   Take a choice of any of those, but the whale theory is the strongest.

RANT WARNING:  Speaking of this "hero" Columbus who never actually even set foot in modern day America.  But he did touch down in Jamaica in 1494 where his Spaniard crew captured, enslaved and killed off most of the Arawak Indians.  They were so hard on the natives that within 50 years of landing, most of them were dead from their enslavement.  After killing off most of the natives, the Spaniards then got slaves from Africa to take their place.

Moving on...

(The 'No name bar' in the 80's)

Where did the name Negril come from?  The name for Negril has several possible competing origins.  They all stem from the original Spanish name of Punta Negrilla.  The first claims the name comes from the black cliffs on the West End of current day Negril.  The second stems from the dark color of the South Negril River that feeds from the morass - it has a natural darkened color quite different from the azure Caribbean.  The third one is from the black conger eels that used to be common in the Negril River - as well as part of the local cuisine.  And a fourth comes from the name of a tree similar to the black poplar, the negrillo.

   

 What's up with this battle in the 1700's?  In 1702 British Admiral Benbow sailed to Negril and regrouped his forces after a ill-fated encounter with the French and in 1818 fifty warships and 6,600 men sailed from Negril to tackle the American rebels and were put to fight the battle of New Orleans.

Hedonism II in Negril Jamaica - the bleeding tree of Good Friday

Today is Good Friday.  And there's a legend in Jamaica that a certain type of nut tree "bleeds" when cut open today, on Good Friday.  Supposedly it doesn't bleed any other day of the year, just today.  The tree itself is on the prude beach at Hedo II and a few years back an entertainment coordinator took a few guests down and sliced the tree.   This is what one guest said, "I've seen the bleeding tree bleed on Good Friday with my own eyes."

It's a repeated story in rural Jamaica.  It was said that on Good Friday, if you chopped the tree the sap that oozes out would be a red substance that signifies the blood of Jesus.  Also, it is said that Jesus was crucified on a similar type of tree.  Is the myth true?

UPDATE:  The tree at Hedonism II might now be gone.  :-(

A sick cruise passenger gets dumped into the Artic

Just a few weeks back a 73 year old woman became sick on a cruise ship in the Arctic off the coast of chilly Norway.  What to do?  Transport her to another boat and get her to dry land and a hospital.  But in the process they accidentally dumped the poor old lady and her stretcher in the frigged waters where she bobbed up and down for nearly 7 minutes before they got her back on the boat and off to help.

(Ocean Countess on a better day)

But all is well now, she got transported to Norway then back home to the UK where she's still recovering.   She was on the 800-passenger Ocean Countess which is a ship that's a part of Majestic International Cruises.  The incident is being investigated by the ship's owners and Norwegian rescue authorities.

Unfortunate Update:  The woman in this story has passed away.  4-25-2011

Propeller Island Hotel in Berlin, Germany

Here's a quick review about one wacky hotel in Berlin, Germany.  It's Propeller Island Hotel and it's well known for having some far out rooms.   It's been described as a cool place to stay, for one night.  After that it's just not a standard comfortable hotel.  It's more like staying at a funky art gallery.

* click any photo to enlarge it

     

All rooms at the Propeller Island Hotel and objects were created by the German artist Lars Stroschen.  Much more appropriate than "hotel" is the designation "living in a work of art".  30 rooms with an absolutely unique and personal effect.


See more of their rooms at:  Propeller Island Hotel Rooms.

Rihanna's early years in Barbados

What do most of us know about Rihanna before she made it to America, hooked up with Jay-Z and made it big?  Not much.  After this post, you'll know a little bit more...

In a small town in the Caribbean island nation of Barbados named St. Michael, Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988. Her father is Ronald Fenty, a white Barbadian of Irish descent, and her mother is Monica Fenty, a black Guyanese beauty of Bajan lineage. An oldest child, Rihanna has two younger brothers, Rajad and Rorrey.

(baby Rihanna)

Growing up, Rihanna lived a somewhat trouble-free, normal life on her island home.  She earned her primary education at Charles F. Broome Memorial School and then went to the prestigious Combermere School, a kind of technical high school, for her secondary education.  She crowned the title of Miss Combermere in 2004 and sang Mariah Carey’s “Hero” at the Colours of Combermere School show. 

(a 12 year old Rihanna)

As student of Combermere School Rihanna also formed a trio singing group with two of her classmates.  Her big break in the music scene came in 2003, when one of her close friends introduced her to New York City record producer Evan Rogers, who at that time vacationing with his Barbadian wife Jackie, in Barbados.

(a full grown Rihanna)

 With the help of Rogers, Rihanna made some demo songs in the United States at the ripe age of 16 and sent them to various recording companies.  Her hard work paid off a year later when the impressed record executive Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter who signed Rihanna to his label, Def Jam Records.  

(reportedly Rihanna's childhood home in Barbados)

The rest is history, since her first record label Rihanna has gone on to sell more than 15 million records and 45 million singles worldwide.  She has also achieved 9 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 since first appearing on the chart on June 11, 2005, which is the most by any artist during that time span.

BONUS LINK:  Rihanna at 15 singing Hero

Yosemite National Park has a ton of left over snow!

It's nearly May here in California yet Yosemite National Park has snowpack that's 200% above normal thanks to El Nino.  That's the good news, you can still catch some cool weather before the heat of the summer kicks us all in the nuts.   Plus there are some way cool waterfalls in the park thanks to the extra snow!

The bad news?  A lot of people are trying to get into the park therefore causing waiting lines for one of Yosemite's 900 campsite permits and permits for climbing popular Half Dome.   So what's a good entrepreneurial crook to do?  Purchase the tickets and scalp them on Craigslist!    Dozens of ads are being found offered prime camping slots this summer, marked up to $100 or $150 from the $20-per-night official cost available through the park's contractor, ReserveAmerica.

If you wanna climb Half Dome normally you'd just register for free with a $1.50 handling cost but these are being bought out too for purposes of profit.  

What happens in Vegas...turns into a lawsuit

Here's a story out of Las Vegas that's making news headlines.  The quick 411:  A man and a woman (who's a lawyer) plan on getting married.  The man goes to Las Vegas for his bachelor party.  He comes back to his bride-to-be and she finds text messages on his cell phone that point to a Vegas style affair.  The man denies it, the woman breaks off the marriage and SUES his cheating ass.

(a dancer in Vegas awaits to break up the next marriage :-D)

The story on the 'net points the lawsuit is damages resulted in the failed wedding and that the groom/alleged cheater failed to repay the $62,814 she spent on a wedding and honeymoon that never happened.   The wedding was set to happen in August of 2010 but after finding out about the affair, the pissed off attorney, I mean bride-to-be, decided to cancel and go to litigation. 

The lawsuit, posted on the website onpointnews.com, alleges breach of the promise to marry and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Surfs up with model Esther Baxter

Summer of 2011 is just around the corner and I keep thinking about the beach.  Then I found this photo of model Esther Baxter on a surfboard and now...I'm really ready to hit the beach!   If you live in SoCal you know about the beaches of LA and the great surf spots:  Zuma, Leo Carillo, Venice Beach Pier among others.

(and check out this bonus photo of Esther in a pool)

So what does a model on a surfboard having anything to do with travel or "real" surfing?   Not much, but I found it to be a good excuse to post a curvy woman up on the blog.  :-)

10 mins later... 

Upon further research I found this photo was taken in none other, my favorite location in the world, Hedonism II in Negril, Jamacia!!!   How the heck did this ever slip past me?   She was in Negril in 2008 with Smooth Girl Magazine for this photo shoot.

BONUS VIDEO:  Watch Esther splash around in a pool

Cappadocia Cave Hotel in Turkey

Have you always dreamed about staying in a cave when you travel?  Yeah, me either.  But this place is pretty cool.   Cappadocia Cave Hotel in Turkey Google Map is Goreme's #1 hotel according to the reviews over at TripAdvisor.com.  

And for the prices of $300 to $700 (US prices) you can go to this mountain side hotel and stay in a cave overnight.   Cappadocia Cave Hotel is a quaint 13 room hotel that offered such non-cave like features like free high-speed WiFi internet, free parking and an on-site restaurant.   They also serve a free daily breakfast from 8 a.m. until noon on the terrace of the restaurant.

As LeslieBZ over at TripAdvisor writes about Cappadocia Cave Hotel, "Wow.  Our suite was beautiful and spacious with a fabulous bathroom. Cave-like space with all modern conveniences (cable TV, WiFi, whirlpool bath).  Windows overlooked the Goreme valley; each morning we woke up to the magical site of hot air balloons dotting the sky.  Hotel service and personnel were excellent.  On premises restaurant serves a great buffet breakfast, and you can dine on the terrace with superb vistas.  This hotel is constructed a bit like a three-dimensional maze; one has to go up steps, down steps, under things, across, to get to one's room.  No elevator, so this is not the place for people with walking issues."

Caravansarai Cave Hotel is a former caravan inn, carefully renovated and turned into a cozy hotel.  The hotel offers a variety of charming guest rooms, ranging from standard rooms to cave rooms and stone arch rooms, full of character, perfect for a romantic escapade in Turkey.  And the owner has a long experience in the hotel business and speaks excellent English.  

Visit them further at:  www.caravanseraihotel.com.

How to make money from a travel blog

Ok, so you wanna be like me and make a few bucks off doing something you enjoy?   You can do it.  I started off in January of 2010 and now, 1 year later, I make about $300 a month.  

One tip, don't reinvent the wheel.  Learn from experts, Travel Blog Success - eCourse & Community, like these guys.  They'll get you going RIGHT from the start.  

I've joined up and learned a lot of things about what I should have done and shouldn't have done from day one, but oh well, I keep plugging away.   But had I followed a lot of the tips from pro bloggers in there, I'd been at $3,000 a month or so I bet.  There's still time!  :-D

Hedonism II's very first marketing flyer?

Here's a post that any fan of Hedo II in Negril, Jamaica will surely enjoy.  This is a supposed first brochure to come out of the resort once it got renamed from Negril Beach Village to Hedonism II in 1981.

* click on any photo to enlarge it

  

 

  

  

 

Fan's of Hedonism might note some of the differences from opening day till now.   Like...free cigarettes, horseback riding, the grooovy red room furnishings, daily tug-of-war contests, an underwater vision boat,  and badminton.