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Santa Monica is an unforgettable, seaside city in Southern California. Conveniently located a few miles from LAX, Santa Monica is a beach city full of culture, events and sights. It’s where all the celebs come to escape.

While you’re in Santa Monica journeyPod recommends you have dinner at Ocean and Vine at the Loews Santa Monica, The Dining Room at the new Shangri-La, or the new Blue Plate Oysterette.

journeyPod caught up with Loews Santa Monica Ocean Spa’s Director Christine Johnson and Shangri-La’s GM, Troy Pade for some inside scoop. And then check out the upbeat notes of Eli Smith from the Santa Monica record label So Sweet.

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Listen in as we go backstage at Hawaii’s hottest new show called Cirque Polynesia.  This attraction has a little bit of local Hawaiian music and dance meshed with world class acrobats and illusionists.  It’s at the Hyatt on Maui and will have you at the edge of your seat as the performers amaze you from start to finish.  They have the top balancer in the world and the famous Wallenda Family with their death-defying high-wire act 40 feet above your head.

We loved the top notch stunts and showmanship of the cast.  No surprise as the producer has been around shows since he was a little boy.  We catch up with Tuffy Nicholas who shares some great stories about his dad who was a ringmaster with Ringling Brothers and his mom who was a bear trainer!

So if you are looking for things to do in Maui, Hawaii, then stop by the Hyatt Regency and see Cirque Polynesia.

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journeyPod explores the Cayman Islands and some of their many pristine beaches.  We uncover some top diving and snorkeling spots including North Wall and Stingray City.  We chill out at the famous Rum Point with its unspoiled scenery and water sports.

journeyPod gets up close and personal with rare Blue Iguanas.  Finally we hear from a Caribbean expert about the lesser known Little Cayman which provides for a real escape and amazing diving.  journeyPod has you covered with vacation information and travel tips about the Cayman Islands including Grand Cayman Island.

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If you want to get a feel for ancient Hawaii and its heritage, customs and culture, then stop by Kalaekilohana B & B near South Point and Volcancoes National Park.  You can get a Lomi Lomi massage from a local expert.  You can learn how to make a lei.  You can try your hand at weaving and work with Hawaiian tools.

You might even catch a Hulu workshop.  This place is very much in touch with Hawaii’s past.  You can also sample some local coffee that has won awards around the globe.

Check their website for info on the Southern Most Point in the US.

Visit the BigIsland.org for great ideas on things to do around the island.

Photo credit flickr user jsgottwald

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On Saturday, for the first time ever, the Sunset Strip was closed down for the Sunset Strip Music Festival. The line-up featured The Donnas, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Pepper, and Shiny Toy Guns (seen in photo).

In addition to the two stages at opposite ends of the Strip, the clubs along the blocks, including the Key Club, the Roxy, the Cat Club, the Whisky A-Go-Go and the Viper Room, hosted bands throughout the day. People jumped from club to stage and back all day.

One of the many after parties of the evening was at the host hotel, the Andaz. Formerly the, “Riot Hyatt”, the new Andaz played host to many of the rockers, groupies, and fans. Ozzy even dined at RH, the hotel’s restaurant, immediately following his performance. (Be on the look out for journeyPod’s exclusive interview with RH’s Chef Sebastien Archambault.)

journeyPod chatted with Torry Castellano the drummer from the popular girl band, The Donnas –who kicked off the SSMF. Torry gave us some inside scoop on what clubs artists prefer to play on the Sunset Strip and why! We listened to a rare acoustic set from Shiny Toy Guns at the Viper Room and then we got some inside scoop from Michel Morauw on what makes the new Andaz hotel so unique.

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Aloha fellow jetSetters!  We explore the massive and beautiful Big Island of Hawaii.  This place has so much to do so come along for great travel tips and info to get the most of your Hawaii vacation.

We will tell you where to stay and what to do.  You’ll hear about the secluded beaches of the Kohala Coast.  You’ll want to check out the largest volcano in the world erupting and dumping lava right into the ocean.  Volcanoes National Park offers hiking and great views of the volcano plus you can learn about volcanoes and walk through lava tubes.

Enjoy a little podsafe music from Hawaiian artist Kenneth Makuakane.

More info on the Big Island.

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Lake Tahoe–you’re thinking skiing right? Well journeyPod just got back from Lake Tahoe–in August– and we’re hear to tell you that Lake Tahoe is absolutely gorgeous in the summer with tons of activities for all…especially golf!

Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course is rated by Golf Digest as one of “America’s Top Golf Courses.” Challenging yet fair, the course designed by legendary architect, George Fazio with enhancements by Tom Fazio, has been the home of the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship for the last 19 years. Celebrity actors and athletes like Michael Jordan, Dennis Haysbert, Dale Jarrett, Paul O’Neill, Jack Wagner, and Ray Romano play each year.

journeyPod had a chipping and putting lesson with PGA Pro, Ron Blum, and then sat down for a chat with Edgewood Tahoe Marketing Manager, Bryan Davis. Let’s take a listen and then chill to the summertime sounds of South African band, Just Jinjer, and their song “Paradise in Summertime.”

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journeypod was court side today in Hermosa Beach as Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers won their unprecedented fourth consecutive AVP Hermosa Beach Open.

Top-seeded Dalhausser and Rogers beat second-seeded John Hyden and Sean Scott, 18-21, 21-15, 15-9, in the final. 

After capturing the win in Hermosa Beach, Rogers is playing with Shaquille O’Neal against two-time gold medalists Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Sunday for a taping of “Shaq Vs.” If Shaq loses the match he promises to run down the beach in a pink Speedo!

journeyPod chatted with Todd and Phil and also with April Ross, who just returned from Norway where she won the World Championships.

Check out the biggest band in South Africa, Just Jinjer and their hit song, What He Means. You can expect to see big things from these guys in the States very soon! A very special shout out to Denholm Harding, bass player of Just Jinjer.

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journeyPod is your guide to luxury travel around the world. We’ve got the inside scoop from ABC’s popular hit TV Show “The Bachelorette.” We stayed on Hawaii’s Big Island at the beautiful Fairmont Orchid Hawaii resort just like the cast and crew did for the season finale of “The Bachelorette.”

Other celebrities that have stayed at the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii include Janet Jackson, Michael Jordan and Courtney Cox.  Olympic Champion Kristi Yamaguchi had her wedding here, and it is a AAA 4 Diamond oceanfront resort.  Listen to our interview with the property and learn more about the Presidential Suite where Bachelorette Jillian stayed.

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journeyPod is your guide to luxury travel around the world. Come along as we explore the island of Singapore. Our first stop is actually a small island off the coast of Singapore–Sentosa Island. Connected by a bridge, Sentosa Island offers many exciting attractions such as The Merlion, Cafe Del Mar, the Luge, and Tiger Sky Tower. Sentosa Island is also the location of the much anticipated “Resort World,” opening later next year.

Let’s take a listen as Ben Bousnina, General Manager of Rasa Sentosa Resort talks to journeyPod.com. Check out the new song, “Islands of Desire”, by Ichiro Nakagawa.

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