RING IN THE NEW YEAR | Revel in a Dominican Republic Escape at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Punta Cana

Set amid colorful gardens and Venetian-style canals,  escapists can ring in the New Year at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Punta Cana.  This expansive resort faces a white-sand beach and sparkling blue Caribbean waters. With upscale amenities and a myriad of recreational facilities, this all-inclusive resort attracts families, couples, honeymooners, and golfers seeking an active Dominican Republic vacation.

This Dominican Republic resort is located in Punta Cana at Macao Beach. The resort’s extensive recreational facilities include 11 outdoor pools with four swim-up bars, three children’s pools, a lazy river, two tennis courts, and an 18-hole golf course. The 65,000-square-foot spa features 48 treatment rooms, a clay hammam, an ice room, and a steam room with chromotherapy (surcharge). This all-inclusive resort also offers daily activities, a kid’s club, a fitness center, and on-site shopping. Resort amenities include a concierge desk, 24-hour room service, and complimentary wireless Internet access. … Continue Reading

BOHEMIAN LIFE | Tahiti’s Surf Culture and Infamous ‘Teahupoo’ compels Pipeline’s “Expert Only” Surf Travelers episode 1 by WITHINcast film director Eric Schnitzler

HAUTEOC met again with WITHINcast’s Film Director Eric Schnitzler on a day in the life of tahitian surfers featuring his latest film which debuted Withincast, a new series of Tahitian podcasts; an extension his original film “Within.” It’s primary focus is to expose the talent of these local surfriders whose skill level can compete with some of the best in  professional surf world.  ”These guys are seriously putting their lives on the line, just for the love of their waves and the sport.  WITHINcast also focuses on showing the world a bit of Tahitian culture and lifestyle. – Eric Schnitzler”

HAUTEOC: In our last talks Eric, you mentioned that surfing in Tahiti is really unique and lot of folks may not yet identify it as a major surf destination, tell us how its growing and  the surf culture surrounding “Teahupoo”

ERIC: Well, a lot of Surfers are intimidated by Tahitian waves as the infamous “Teahupoo” has been well publicized and is not for the average surf traveler.   … Continue Reading

THINGS TO DO IN MOROCCO | the Magic of KASBAH TAMADOT – Sir Richard Branson’s Stunning Retreat Itinerary

On  a famous ballooning expedition in 1998, Sir Richard Branson bought a magical walled building at the Foothills of Morocco’s High Atlas region near the village of Asni, today its stands as an intriguing landmark comprised of courtyards, staircases, 24 rooms and the most exquisite and breathtaking landscaped gardens.  Kasbah Tamadot, part of the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio has emerged as an inspirational place with the cultural charm of traditional Moroccan design, and an infusion of artistic contemporary elements that breathes an ambience of luxurious serenity with a hint of exotic adventure.
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BOHEMIAN LIFE | One Man’s “Trails of IndoChina” through The Wats and Ruins of Cambodia film by Adventurer Joshua Morin

In  Cambodia Buddhist chanting constitutes the moral fiber of Cambodian lifestyle, in fact, Buddhists believe that life is a cycle of death and rebirth in which the individual passes through a succession of incarnations striving to perfect their souls. Hauteoc Traveler caught up with Joshua Morin a computer software developer whose passion for travel brings to life this spirit in a beautiful film feature on Cambodia an adaptation if you will of those inspiring others to perfect their souls..

HAUTEOC: Hi Joshua, what a beautiful film of Cambodia and her people.  What do you do for a living?

JOSHUA: I work as a computer software developer, originally from Ottawa, Canada, and I have recently been picking up video projects on the side.

HAUTEOC: Nicely done, your projects are grand.  What inspired you to film?
JOSHUA: I met a guy while I was travelling in Africa a few years back who was filming his travels abroad. When I saw the results of his video I was shocked and inspired,  there is something about video that you can’t quite capture with pictures. This started my filming passion. I travel around the world twice a year and Cambodia was a destination that I have always wanted to see. I created four videos from that trip each about a different subject. This video was based on the Wats and Ruins of Cambodia. … Continue Reading

BOHEMIAN LIFE | Nomadic Traveler in French Polynesia the ‘Day in the Life’ of Eric Schnitzler on filming some of the World’s Best in the Surfing Industry

HAUTEOC: In our travels, we meet some great friends a long the way, here we connected with International Freelance Videographer, Eric Schnitzler, who films everything from Weddings to Sports and we learned about his day in the life of the Nomadic Traveler in French Polynesia. His work most notably recognized in the professional surfing industry.

ERIC: My name is Eric Schnitzler, I’m from Big Island, Hawaii but currently reside in Tahiti, French Polynesia.  I’m an international freelance videographer for surfing, bodyboarding and other sports, and also weddings on the occasion.  I enjoy filming because of the memories that come with it and also the opportunities that it gives me to travel.  I’d like to consider myself a Nomadic traveler.  In fact my friends and I used to have a little crew called the ” Knowmads” about 10 years back.  Straight out of high school, I went  to college and got into a career that kept me indoors all day. … Continue Reading