Tag Archives: Authentic

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Polynesian Cultural Center

Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaii

Boykov / Shutterstock.com

Sprawled out across 42 acres, the Polynesian Cultural Center is a one-of-a-kind Polynesian-themed open-air park and living museum. Located in the northeast of Oahu, Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Center focuses on seven Polynesian island nations, each with their own traditional village that visitors can explore.

Island Villages
The seven Polynesian islands that are represented at the center are Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, Aotearoa, Tonga, Tahiti, and the Marquesas. Their individual villages are laid out in a way that makes it easy to explore one after the other, providing visitors with a unique insight into some of the true treasures of the South Pacific. Each village features cultural activities, demonstrations, and arts and crafts that come from their island, resulting in an excitingly diverse experience. From learning how to make coconut milk with your bare hands at the Samoa village to trying out the traditional log drum of Fiji to being taught a few basic hula movements, this is a great way to immerse yourself in authentic Polynesian culture. The center has recently introduced some new activities to some of the villages, with the most popular being learning how to make fire by rubbing two sticks together at the Samoa village, practicing Tahitian spear throwing with the locals, and taking a canoe tour all the way from one end of the center to the other.

Ali’i Luau
The luau is a tradition that dates back to ancient Hawaii, and the Polynesian Cultural Center’s award-winning Ali’i Luau is a fantastic way to take part in an authentic Hawaiian celebration. Set against a backdrop of lush tropical gardens, cascading waterfalls and a shimmering lagoon, the luau is held in a covered outdoor venue, with lively Hawaiian entertainment to enjoy alongside the authentic Hawaiian feast. The food is usually the highlight for most visitors, with the menu featuring dishes such as Kalua pork that has been slow-cooked over a stone fire, Shoyu-glazed chicken, Panko-crusted tropical fish with a tangy lemon butter sauce, and Poke, as well as a tantalizing selection of starches, side dishes and desserts. Since the Polynesian Cultural Center strives to be as authentic as possible, no alcohol is served at the luau, or anywhere else on the site.

Ha: Breath of Life
Every evening at 7:30pm, the Polynesian Cultural Center hosts an award-winning show in their 2800-seat theater, making it the only place on the island that casts over one hundred performers each and every night. Telling the story of islander Mana, the show combines traditional Polynesian dance with surround sound music, flaming knives, and special effects, with each production costing around $3 million to put on. Tickets are available by reservation only, so be sure to book well in advance if you want to be guaranteed some of the best seats in the house.

Since the tours and activities at the Polynesian Cultural Center only begin at noon, this gives visitors plenty of time to explore the surrounding areas in the morning. After this, the center will no doubt keep you busy for the rest of the day, with its village tours, traditional luau and award-winning show all worth experiencing.

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Loma Linda Vegetarian Eateries

Vegetarian food

Situated in California’s San Bernardino county, Loma Linda is considered to be one of the healthiest communities in the United States. One of the reasons for this is because a large portion of the city’s residents are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, which advocates healthy lifestyle choices – something that almost all of its members follow. When it comes to diet, the church recommends that this be plant-based, as this is much healthier, meaning that the city is packed with delicious vegetarian eateries.

Happy Family
While Happy Family may be quite a basic eatery, it serves up delicious and authentic-tasting vegan and vegetarian Chinese cuisine. The menu is filled with hundreds of traditional Chinese dishes, with the meat-free alternatives looking so much like the real thing that the restaurant is constantly assuring customers that they are indeed meat-free. While the faux meat dishes are tasty, the vegetarian dishes are the true standouts. From the spicy Szechuan Style Tofu to the Crispy Oyster Mushrooms to the Crispy Shitake Mushrooms with Beansprouts, Happy Family serves up such tasty vegetarian dishes that even the meat lovers won’t miss the meat.

Patio Pantry
Situated on the Loma Linda University campus, Patio Pantry is attached to the Loma Linda Market, and makes good use of its easy access to fresh and healthy vegetables. This cute café serves up mainly lacto-ovo vegetarian dishes, along with a good selection of vegan options. Their made-to-order sandwiches are popular with those seeking a quick and healthy lunch, while they also enjoy a steady crowd during breakfast hours for their pancakes, waffles, omelettes, and their one-of-a-kind Spanish Potato. Patio Pantry also puts together some of the tastiest fresh juices, ensuring that you have a healthy way to stay refreshed and hydrated. While Patio Pantry can often get rather busy, especially at lunch times, all of their meals have a take-out option, and, thanks to the cafe’s central location, can easily be enjoyed in one of the nearby parks.

Tess’ Place
Tess’ Place is run by a Loma Linda doctor, who wanted to provide the city’s residents with fresh gourmet soups, sandwiches and salads. The restaurant puts a strong emphasis on ensuring that everything that they serve up is fresh, from their pastries to their soups. The in-house bakers create fresh bread each and every day, and the menu features a great range of vegetarian options, from the vegetarian speciality sandwiches to the fresh vegetarian and vegan soups to the speciality salads that make us of some unique ingredients. Their daily specials are always highly anticipated by their regulars each morning, and they are also posted on the restaurant’s social media accounts, so that you can be sure not to miss out if they are cooking up one of your favorite dishes.

Plant-based diets have been proven, time and time again, to be beneficial to a person’s health, and this is why the residents of Loma Linda not only enjoy a longer lifespan than the average American, but also live their lives feeling much healthier and happier.

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Things to Do in Dubai

Dubai is known for its extravagance and glitzy lifestyle, but the city also has a strong sense of tradition and culture. From taking in the view from the top of the tallest building in the world, to exploring traditional Arabic street markets, here are some of OROGOLD’s favorite things to do in Dubai.

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa
From the moment that you first set eyes on the city, the Burj Khalifa will immediately catch your attention. This is the tallest building in the world, complete with the fastest lift in the world to whisk you up to the very top. Although the ride only lasts for a few seconds, it is most definitely exhilarating, and not something that OROGOLD would recommend for the faint of heart! The view is incredible, and the building itself is a feat of engineering, depicting Dubai’s desire to reach new heights. OROGOLD recommends visiting the top of the Burj Khalifa at sunset, as the golden glow that gets cast over the city makes the view even more memorable. You should also try to purchase your tickets a few days in advance, as this will save you a considerable amount of time on the day itself.

Gold souq in Dubai Mall.

Philip Lange / Shutterstock.com

Shopping at the Souks
‘Souk’ means marketplace in Arabic, and these traditional street markets are a great place to pick up some bargains. The Gold Souk is the most famous one in Dubai, and features over 300 jewelers showcasing a variety of gold goods. The Spice Souk, just a few minutes walk from the Gold Souk, is another popular market, with narrow alleyways crammed with shops and stalls selling endless arrays of colorful spices. For perfumes, head to the Perfume Souk, which is just east of the Gold Souk. Finally, the Textile Souk is another OROGOLD favorite, and is great for buying all sorts of fabrics, as well as unique garments and souvenirs.

Desert safari, Dubai.

Seqoya / Shutterstock.com

Desert Safari
Dubai’s vast deserts are where the Bedouins used to roam many years ago, and are definitely worth a visit if you want to experience these historic times for yourself. A four wheel drive will take you to a traditional Bedouin campsite, where you will be able to try an authentic Arabic ‘shisha’, as well as enjoy a barbecued meal. Depending on your personal preferences, your day in the desert can be filled with a variety of activities, from camel trekking to desert driving to falcon watching, or even learning how to belly dance. There are many different companies in Dubai that offer desert safaris, so be sure to research your chosen one well in advance so that you know exactly what will be included.

Dubai is a city that OROGOLD would recommend everyone visit at least once in their lifetime. While the new megastructures, such as the Burj Khalifa and all of its engineering glory, may dazzle you at first, you are likely to also enjoy the traditional side of Dubai, as well as the laid-back desert lifestyle. OROGOLD recommends that you try to experience all of this, in order to really be able to enjoy all that Dubai has to offer.

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Hawaii’s Most Indulgent Spas – OROGOLD Reviews

Woman enjoying a spa session

When in a setting as tropically idyllic as Hawaii, there is nothing better than pampering yourself with a couple of treatments at a luxurious island spa. From a spa without walls to a completely customizable pampering experience, OROGOLD brings you the most indulgent spas in Hawaii.

Pure Kauai, North Shore, Kauai
For a truly indulgent, completely customizable spa experience, head to Pure Kauai, on the north shore of Kauai. With private chefs to cook you healthy meals, yoga instructors, personal trainers, facialists and some of Hawaii’s best massage therapists, you can’t help but feel as though you are in paradise. In addition to the immense relaxation that you will feel at the spa, there is also a large outdoor aspect to Pure Kauai, and OROGOLD absolutely loves the other activities on offer, including surf lessons, all day hikes, canoeing, horseback riding and much more.

The Spa Without Walls, Kohala Coast, Big Island
This al fresco spa without walls has both oceanfront and waterfall treatment huts, where they offer a range of rejuvenating treatments. From the Hawaiian lomilomi massage and foot wrap to the Kahinu body treatment, each session is intensified by the sweet scent of the wild orchids and gardenias all around, as well as by the sound of crashing waves, giving you the ultimate in blissful experiences. There is also a steam room, a dry sauna, and a small boutique for you to purchase any of the signature spa products that you are likely to have fallen in love with.

Spa Grande, Wailea, Maui
Being located in the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa, an $800 million resort that boasts 780 rooms and 9 swimming pools, means that, even before entering the spa, you can almost guess just how indulgent Spa Grande is going to be. Measuring 50,000 square feet, and with 40 different treatment rooms, Spa Grande offers a variety of experiences, but their speciality is hydrotherapy. In addition to the huge jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, you will also find Japanese furo baths, Swiss showers, waterfall massages, and ‘speciality’ baths, created with local botanicals and mineral salts.

Mauna Lani, Kohala Coast, Big Island
Located amongst the vast lava fields of the Kohala Coast, this spa belongs to the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows, and is one of the most spiritual spas that OROGOLD has found in Hawaii. The walls of the showers, as well as the edges of the pathways, are formed from real lava, and the grounds are filled with beautifully fragrant medicinal herbs and plants. All of the therapists seem to exude a calming, healing energy, many of whom are Native Hawaiian and have been performing authentic massages for years. To indulge even further, take a look at staying in one of the five bungalows, each with their own butler service, as not only can you relax in one of the most exclusive bungalows in Hawaii, but therapists will also come to your bungalow to give you private treatments.

Hawaii is known for its ancient healing powers, and this is reflected in the many traditional spa treatments that you will find on each of the islands. Whether your back is filled with painful knots, or you simply want to relax in a Japanese bath, you can be sure that you will leave Hawaii feeling more rested than ever.

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OROGOLD’s Timeless Destinations: Bavaria, Germany

The historic monastery in Amorbach.

With its unique history, rural traditions and independent streak, the Free State of Bavaria, the largest German state, epitomizes authentic German icons that have been made famous worldwide. From men dressed in lederhosen enjoying beer and pretzels in front of an Alpine backdrop, to fairy-tale castles in dark forests to half-timber geranium-covered houses in quaint little towns, the region of Bavaria is one of the most timeless in Germany.

Regensburg, Bavaria.

Regensburg
Regensburg is one of the few German towns that managed to come out of the second world war with no major damage, making it the most well-preserved medieval city in Germany. The Porta Praetoria, a gateway built by the Romans remains in the Old Town, as do plenty of other Roman settlement remains, just one of the many historical aspects of Bavaria that OROGOLD believes makes it timeless. With over 1500 listed buildings, 984 of them being on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the architecture around the city is one of Regensburg’s treasures. Although a city with deep roots in its heritage, it is a lively and vibrant place, with plenty of entertainment and dining options tucked away in narrow lanes.

Rothenburg, Germany

Rothenburg
Rothenburg is the main tourist destination along Germany’s Romantic Road, and with its cobbled lanes and towering walls that have held on to their charm throughout the years, it is easy to see why Walt Disney chose this medieval town as the inspiration for the village in the 1940 Pinocchio film. Rothenburg has the strictest preservation orders in the whole of Germany, often making the town feel like a medieval theme park, but OROGOLD recommends staying overnight, because once dusk sets in and all of the day-trippers have returned to their home towns, the floodlit cobbled streets are all yours for the evening.

Berchtesgaden, Germany

Berchtesgaden
Nestled into Austria and framed by 6 towering mountains, the Berchtesgadener Land is a stunningly beautiful corner of Bavaria, said to have been formed when angels distributing the wonders of the planet were startled and dropped them all here. In Berchtesgaden you will find the Watzmann, the second highest mountain in Germany, and the serene waters of the Konigssee, one of the most photographed bodies of water in the country. In the past, salt was the main income source for the region, and is still important to all the wellness centers today, leading it to be declared a ‘health resort region’ and placed on UNESCO’s biosphere list. One of the main attractions in the area is Eagle’s Nest, a lodge that was built for Hitler up in the mountains. There is also a popular dark-tourism destination, the Dokumentation Obersalzberg, a museum that documents Berchtesgaden’s sinister Nazi past.

A region steeped in history, tradition and natural beauty, Bavaria’s cheerful villages and romantic landscapes have earned it a place on the list of OROGOLD’s favorite timeless destinations around the world. Any season is good to visit the region, as the winter months offer skiing and winter sport opportunities, while the summer months are perfect for idly wandering around the Bavarian towns and soaking up the vibrantly authentic atmosphere.

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OROGOLD’s Timeless Destinations: Texas Hill Country

A flowing waterfall with giant gnarly roots and cypress trees in Texas Hill Country,

Being the second largest state in the US, Texas seems to have it all, from the bright lights of the big cities to the simplicity of the small towns to the stretches of white sandy beaches and other natural wonders. Texas Hill Country, the pride of Texas, comprising of 25 county regions, has a landscape of rugged hills, underground caverns, countless creeks, unique vegetation and open roads that seem to go on forever. Once an independent nation, the 25 million residents of Texas are bound together by a shared history and culture, and their pride in their state’s heritage is why OROGOLD considers these Texas Hill Country destinations to be timeless.

A cowboy riding riding into the night.

Bandera
Bandera, the self-proclaimed cowboy capital of the world, was once part of the ‘Wild West’, and clings to their roots more than other country towns, giving visitors a taste of an authentic western atmosphere. Bandera hosts many rodeos, from local open competitions to top-name rodeos, attracting talent from all over the country. Bandera is also known for their honky tonks, and several nights a week sees many of these bars open their doors to customers. If you want to catch some live country music, the weekends are the best time to visit. The area around Bandera is also sprinkled with many different dude ranches, from ones that cater exclusively to visitors to working ranches that allow visitors to help out with day-to-day tasks, giving them a true western experience. For more outdoor activities, the Hill Country State National Park has some picturesque horse riding trails, and is also great for fishing and walking, while the Medina River is extremely popular in the summer months with swimmers, inner-tubers and canoeists.

Historic public library in Fredericksburg.

Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, founded by German immigrants in 1846, is home to a thriving German community, as well as one of the most successful wine industries in the country. Texas is the fifth largest wine producer in the country, and most of this comes from Hill Country, with over 20 different award-winning wineries on your doorstep that you can visit. Fredericksburg is also known for its German influened cuisine, as well as its delectable Texan BBQ delights, and OROGOLD especially loves the variety of dining establishments available, from outdoor patios to indoor Biergartens (beer gardens). Fredericksburg is also an ideal place to learn more about the German, Native American and military history of the region, with the impressive state-of-the-art National Museum of the Pacific War being a great starting point, followed by a tour of the private ranch of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States. For some timeless outdoor adventure, head to the nearby rock climber’s playground, the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a looming dome of pink granite that rises 325 feet above the small stream that flows around its base.

From the fine craftsmanship of its German towns to the pocket canyons and sparkling rivers, the Hill Country is the geographic and emotional heart of Texas. The gentle hills doused in wild-flowers, relatively untouched by the oil industry, and its deep cowboy culture roots makes the Hill Country OROGOLD’s favorite timeless destination in Texas.