Fiji

Just about my favorite thrill…

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Buffett List #2: Fly in a seaplane

“It was a beautiful day, the kind you want to toast. We were tree top flyin’ movin’ west along the coast. Then we landed in the water, just about my favorite thrill!” ~ Jamaica Mistaica, Jimmy Buffett. Banana Wind. MCA Records. 1996.

As the song tells, Jamaican militants then fired at Jimmy’s seaplane, disrupting the bliss of a water landing. In Jimmy’s words some asshole started firing as we taxied towards Negril and mistook him for a ganga plane. Instead of resentment, Jimmy forgave and generated this great song.

So what does a pirate girl Parrothead do for her 40th birthday?! A milestone like hitting middle age was a perfect excuse to check a big item off My Buffett List. Time to experience Jimmy Buffett’s favorite thrill for myself!!!

We flew on Turtle Airways from Nadi to the Yasawa Islands. It really was a beautiful day with perfect conditions. And being safely on the other side of the world, no Jamaican militants fired at us!

I’ve got all the essentials- swimsuit, flip flops, and Jimmy!

The Turtle Airways lounge, with our first well-working WiFi in over a week in the South Pacific.

Glad this wasn’t our plane! Perhaps it had a mistaica too?

Getting ready to board…I’m not sure if this smile will ever leave my face!

Here we go!

Leaving the major island of Fiji, Viti Levu, and heading to the far reaches of the Yasawa island chain.

A little tribute to the inspiration for this adventure. In his book A Pirate Looks at Fifty, Jimmy shares the unfolding of his innate passion for sea planes. His words inspire anyone with a love of wandering and water to give it a try.

“These planes possess that inherent romantic spark that still calls to a few crazy people who think taking off and landing on the ocean is about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.” ~Jimmy Buffett. A Pirate Looks at Fifty. United States: The Random House Publishing Group, 1998.

The views were amazing and then some. WOW!

I think I could stay there for a while…

Our awesome pilot.

Amazing blues and vistas.

I’d like to jump right in!

Approaching our destination.

Landing by Turtle Island for our next mode of transportation- boat, of course.

https://www.turtlefiji.com/

Right next to the famous Blue Lagoon.

Thanks Turtle Airways! Their staff was extremely responsive with plenty of Bula spirit during the booking process. Your only worry during flight is choosing which side of the plane to absorb the limitless views of South Pacific beauty!

http://www.turtleairways.com/

I could get used to this kind of runway!

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Heading off by boat to our new home away from home on Tavewa Island…to be continued!

 

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Duke’s on Sunday

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Buffett List #8: Travel to Hawaii and visit Duke’s on Sunday…
Duke’s on Sunday, Take the Weather with You. Mailboat Records. 2006.
Lyrics by Henry Kapono Kaaihue, sung by Jimmy Buffett

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Okay, serendipity helped a little here. Over the course of our 10 day trip to Hawaii in 2016, I must’ve sung these lyrics to Jimmy’s version of this Henry Kapono song a thousand times. I had not researched where the real Dukes was located, just assuming it was out of reach.

On the last day of our awesome time on Oahu, hours before catching our red eye flight, we took a leisurely walk along the beach in Waikiki. I happened to glance up from the glistening shore to see a crowd at none other than Duke’s. You can guess what day of the week this happened to be. And you can surely imagine my Parrot Head

enthusiasm when it quickly clicked…Here I am…at Duke’s on Sunday…oh yeah, that was the place to be!

“Feelin’ good and feelin’ right, sunset is out of sight
Another beautiful Hawaiian day, everything’s gonna beLet’s get toget and do this again
Maybe I’ll see you here next week my friend

At the beach at Waikiki, that’s where you’ll find me
Here on the southside, Beach Boys paradise

Duke’s on Sunday”

Around Oahu.

The iconic North Shore. In addition to some beach time, we got up close with some locals with https://sharktourshawaii.com . It was a Fins Up shark experience!

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“Stashed his trash in Ecuador, bought a good suit of clothes.”

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Buffett List #7: Stash some trash in Ecuador!

Havana Daydreamin’, Jimmy Buffett. Havana Daydreamin’. ABC Records. 1976.

Stashing some trash in Ecuador…it was real “basura” at Los Frailes National Park, a short and inexpensive taxi ride from Puerto Lopez.
“Bought a new suit of clothes”...well, just a beautiful sweater in the famous Otavalo market about 90 minutes from the stunning high altitude capital, Quito.

Beautiful Los Frailes National Park on the Pacific Ocean.

Quite the crowd at this beach!

We took a day trip by boat the Isla de la Plata, aka Poor Man’s Galapagos and about an hour boat ride from the fishing village of Puerto Lopez. I would highly recommend booking with Aventuras la Plata http://www.aventuraslaplata.com/es/inicio/ . The blue footed boobies were adorable!

We saw so many magnificent creatures- whales, sea lions, many birds, and, of course, my favorite sea turtles! We had the chance to snorkel with beautiful tropical fish in the cool Pacific waters.

What a spot! This is surely a slice of life in Margaritaville… at the Hotel Pacifico in Puerto Lopez. It was a perfect way to relax after a day of adventure.

After a short drive out of town, you’re rewarded with a great view of Puerto Lopez.

While tourists come for the beaches and wildlife, Puerto Lopez is still a vibrant fishing village. The numerous frigates circling the area vouched for the authenticity.

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Sea of Heartbreak

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Buffett List #6: Seaside Heartbreak with an Irish Lamb

“I wish you were mine again my dear. I’m on a sea…of heartbreak.”

Sea of Heartbreak, Jimmy Buffett. License to Chill. Mailboat Records/RCA. 2004.

Experiencing the Ring of Kerry on my trip to Ireland in March 2018 was a highlight for sure. While you can drive a rental car, I most recommend the ease of a bus tour. There is never a bad view of the Wild Atlantic!

In Ireland, it was all about the lamb! Standing by the Wild Atlantic on the Ring of Kerry, I held a one day old lamb. It was love at first snuggle💓 Letting go of my lamb left me in a “sea of heartbreak”. For sure, “the pleasure was worth all the pain”.

This little lamb was so generous with his smiles, nuzzles, and lamb love.

We were bonded for sure!

He even fell fast asleep in my arms. Though our moment was brief, it was an experience to treasure for years to come. Standing by the Wild Atlantic on a gorgeous Spring day with a sleeping baby lamb…

As heartbreaking as it was to say good bye, it was time to move along the beautiful and rugged Irish coastline.

It was a postcard perfect day along the shore but a little too cool for swimming, even by Irish standards.

I loved the view from the other side of the pond!

Could a day on the Ring of Kerry be complete without a stop at the Red Fox? Of course not.

And lastly we entered the world of a very enchanting forest. Undoubtedly the fairies were there somewhere!

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“We can go hiking on Tuesday, with you I’d walk anywhere.”

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Buffett List #5: Go hiking on a Tuesday

Come Monday, Jimmy Buffett. Living & Dying in 3/4 Time. Dunhill. 1974.

What better way to celebrate an anniversary than to take a hike- together, of course. And on a Tuesday, just as Jimmy suggests in Come Monday, we set off on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia on May 3, 2017 in honor of our 9th anniversary.

What amazing sights, sounds, and smells as you wander through the woods…And wandering on the AT brings through numerous towns and interesting sites like this old schoolhouse complete with Trail Magic. In this case, it included snacks, cold drinks, and toiletries that were all free to hikers. Thanks for the Magic!

After almost 18 miles this day, I think I would’ve hitched a ride on a train for sure.

But in the end, the journey is well worth the effort, just as in marriage. While there may not be a beach or margarita in reach, hiking allows for an escape from everyday life. And it offers the perfect way to honor the beauty and accomplishment of another anniversary!

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“There’s a woman goin’ crazy on Caroline Street…”

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Buffett List # 4: Be a Woman Goin’ Crazy on Caroline Street (Key West, FL)

A Woman Goin’ Crazy on Caroline Street, Jimmy Buffett. Havana Daydreamin’. ABC Records. 1976.

Nothing inspires me to hop in my car and head south to Key West than hearing these lyrics! And why not let this tune take me there for the Key West Half Marathon in January 2016.

Like any road race, the excitement builds while awaiting the start early in the morning.

It was a thrill to run down Caroline Street in the Key West Half-Marathon in 2016.

Chickens on the beach- all part of running the roads of the Conch Republic.

The best kind of waste receptacles- Keys’ life!

2016 in Key West: As they say, I guess I’m only half crazy…on Caroline Street.

A successful finish- what a view to welcome you back to the Key West Seaport.

https://www.keywesthistoricseaport.com

Running Swag!

And what better way to finish of this feat on foot than with a feast at Caroline’s Cafe on Duval Street. I recommend the portobello mushroom sandwich!

https://carolinescafe.com

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Viva Las Vegas!

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Buffett List #3: See Jimmy perform in Las Vegas!

Viva Las Vegas, Jimmy Buffett. Welcome to Fin City. Mailboat Records. 2012.

I packed up my Parrothead gear, and headed west in October 2013 on an early flight from Tampa International. Not too early for a little Parrothead spirit- FINS UP!!

We stayed at MGM Grand on the Vegas strip! The concert is at MGM- a major convenience.

The pool at MGM Grand is lovely…

But we couldn’t miss checking out the coolest Parrothead tailgate party at The Flamingo on the famous Vegas Strip!

No chance of feeling out of place in this crowd- the getups were over the top!

Quite a festive crowd on a beautiful day in Las Vegas!

Back to MGM Grand to finalize the wardrobe. Concert gear is ready!!!

Ready for the show!

The man himself- Viva Jimmy in Vegas!

What a great show- and a great trip “home” through the casinos at MGM Grand. The concert coincided with a rodeo convention with some fun concerts in the casino. Much better than being stuck in post-concert traffic!

In addition to being a huge Buffett fan, I love a laugh through National Lampoons vacation movies. We stumbled upon the wedding chapel from the closing scene of Vegas Vacation right by the Stratosphere.

And no trip to Vegas can be complete without the Fremont Street experience- classic Vegas. Ride the bus over from the Strip- it’s cheap and easy.

What a view from the top of the Stratosphere. Vegas Baby!

Living out any adult fantasy is possible in Vegas- we lived it up at Machine Gun Vegas, feeling the power of full auto. They provide transportation to and from your hotel on the Strip.

https://machinegunsvegas.com

Closing it out with a little tribute to Margaritaville, Vegas style at the Margaritaville Casino at The Flamingo. https://www.margaritavillelasvegas.com/casino-copy

While I didn’t have much luck in the casino… any Parrothead knows that seeing Jimmy in Vegas is ALWAYS a winner!!