Staying Fit During a Stay on Hamilton Island

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As an Aussie Travel Expert, aka Aussie Specialist, people are always asking me to tell them my favorite place to visit in Australia. This is almost an impossible task for me because I am so in love with the destination that no matter where I am I am in #myhappyplace. But when push comes to shove, a place I would choose for my own personal rest and relaxation would be Queensland’s Hamilton Island.

Not only is Hamilton Island incredibly beautiful, it has all the things I am looking for in my vacation experience. As some of you know I have a separate little division, let’s call it, of Boomerang Escapes, called Be Fit To Travel. Be Fit To Travel was born out of my own love and passion for staying fit and from the stories I’ve heard from travelers that weren’t able to enjoy their “Golden Years” as planned. I have created a whole page and a closed motivational fitness group dedicated to inspiring and encouraging others to live their best healthy life.


Which brings me to one of the reasons I so love Hamilton Island. Hamilton Island is a place to for me to escape, thrive, revive, and indulge. The key components for returning to your happy place. Hamilton Island has a wide variety of stay options from the luxurious Qualia, to the harbour condos, to the family friendly Reef Hotel. On top of excellent accommodations, the harbour restaurants, and the resorts have mouth watering selections of food to dine on, spas and beaches to relax on, and then oodles of activities to thrive on.

What are some of my favorite sports, fitness items to do while staying on Hamilton Island? Here’s a list of several of mine….

Hiking Passage Peak at sunrise. I love to see the earth come awake and what better thing to do then get a morning climb in for a 360 degree view. There are actually several hiking options.

Snorkel and/or take a swim. Spend an afternoon with the sea creatures exploring their underwater world.

Golf. Take the ferry over for a round of golf and see what you shoot.

Beach walk at Whitehaven taking the path up to the scenic outlooks.

SUP and/or Windsurfing. My personal preference is the Stand Up Paddle board. Always great fun and good core workout.

Catching a fitness class at the resort. My love is yoga.

Staying fit doesn’t have to feel like a workout. When you’ve filled your day with healthy fun activities such as these then its easy to indulge in the food, night entertainment, or lovely spa!

 


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslStaying Fit During a Stay on Hamilton Island
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Passport for Your Palate-Maine Lobster

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Having had the benefit of spending a good portion of my years living in New England, I have developed a taste for the mighty crustacean the lobster. And I am not talking about the adorable and well-loved Sebastian from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” I am talking about fresh lobster from the coast of Maine. Now there are other places along our eastern shores, but Maine happens to be the largest producing state in the nation of lobster.

I’ve been completely spoiled as in our home, for my dad’s birthday, the standard birthday meal is a beautifully cooked piece of tenderloin partnered with a steamed or boiled whole lobster. My mouth waters thinking of the many birthday dinners over the years with this succulent delicacy. What’s even better is my father has continued to spoil me since my leaving New England by treating me to lobster, even mid-day, when I visit the homestead in Vermont.

It is a very easy thing to prepare, provided you get over the fact you are dropping a live creature into boiling water, but other than that I’d say the difficulty is not in preparation, but in eating. It takes skill to take a whole lobster apart. Whereas many have only been exposed to the broiled lobster tail, there is much more goodness to be had from the whole thing such as the tomalley, the liver and pancreas of the lobster. My dad and I love this atop a Saltine cracker.


How to Boil a Maine Lobster

  • Buy a fresh lobster, preferably from Maine ( or be like my dad and get cozy with your local seafood department so you are informed of the latest arrivals)
  • Get a large pot, your largest if you are cooking more than one and fill with water seasoned with a bit of salt. It is better to have too much water than too many lobster in the pot. Use a second pot if necessary depending on the number of eaters.
  • Bring the water to a rapid boil
  • Time to put the lobster in. Do not remove the rubber bands. Use tongs or hand to place lobster in head first to the pot. Place all the lobster in as quickly as possible.
  • Cover the pot.
  • Set your timer. 1lb approximately 8 minutes, 2lb approximately 15 min. Be careful water doesn’t boil over as it will create a mess on your stove top.

When the timer goes off your lobster is done. Signs of doneness, the lobster is a nice red, the antennae easily comes off when tugged, the meat is firm and white, and the eggs if any would be red in the belly along side the green tomalley.

We keep it simple and serve lobster on plate with Saltines and drawn butter. Occasionally, we add a simple cabbage coleslaw as a side and on special occasions we add the steak. Grab your apron, your crackers, and your seafood pick and get ready to eat!


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslPassport for Your Palate-Maine Lobster
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When His Favorite Thing to Do is Fish

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Tom definitely is not the type of guy to lay around on the beach and work on his tan. He likes to keep busy, but mostly he enjoys fishing. So, when we have been able to escape, we try to go to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Despite loving to fish, he doesn’t want to do it from a boat. Tom enjoys fishing right off the beach. While in Punta Cana, Tom has been able to fish right off the beach. He will wade into the water about to his waist and cast right into the ocean. Obviously, he is not fishing in a spot where it is busy with a lot of people swimming and he typically goes first thing in the morning before the beach lovers are out. He travels with a small fishing rod that breaks down into three pieces that he can easily carry on the plane. Once in destination, he will use some local shrimp for bait. He is very good at making friends at the resultant s where he will purchase small amounts of raw shrimp each morning. Always get friendly with the locals.

You would be blown away to see all the different species of fish that he catches each time he goes out. We have stayed at the Dreams Punta Cana on a couple of occasions and he says the fishing is the best here. The water is calmer. We have also stayed at the Paradisus Punta Cana Resort where the fishing was decent, but he had a harder time as the current was stronger and the water rougher at that portion of the coastline. He has found the best time to fish is early morning. He would normally fish from about 6:00am to about 10:00am each morning. Afternoon fishing was not as plentiful. Tom’s tip is to bring extra line and an extra reel, nothing expensive because the salt water is very hard on the equipment. If you have a partner that enjoys fishing, you may want to try the Dominican Republic as your next destination to escape.


Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

She has been planning vacation escapes for the company since 2013 and specializes in Caribbean Destinations. Her primary focus is on the all-inclusive vacation experience for adult or family getaways for individuals and small groups. Sandals and AMResorts are among the specialist certificates she holds.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Andrea WardWhen His Favorite Thing to Do is Fish
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What Do I Do with a Butler?

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During a recent phone conversation with my friend and fellow travel agent Cheryl, from Bay Head Travel, I was inspired to write this blog. We were discussing how are clients are always wondering why they would want, need, or even what to ask their butler for. Clients always ask, “What types of things should I ask my butler to do?” “Will my butler always be around?”

Cheryl and I have both experienced a bit of the butler life. For me, my favorite thing was having my beverage cooler waiting for me at my beach cabana each day. And we will tell you, you only really see the butler or speak to the butler when you want to. They slip in and out, almost like ghost, going very unnoticed except for that which you have asked to be done. Now question is, what do you ask?

My specific experience and examples comes from the elite staff of butlers that Sandals and Beaches Resorts employ. I have had the pleasure as well as my clients to enlist their services. I have also had the pleasure during training trips to the resorts to meet butler staff in person and hear their stories. Now one thing to know is most butlers that you are encountering have gone through rigorous butler training. I know for a fact that all of the Sandals and Beaches Resorts butlers have been trained by The Guild of Professional English Butlers. So, let me share a few things you may of thought of and may not have thought of when it comes to enlisting your butler’s services.

Butlers are there from the get go. Typically contact begins with your butler prior to arrival either directly through you or your travel professional. On the front end they are finding out your favorites, dietary needs/restrictions, medical concerns or anything else that may be of importance in serving you. Upon arrival you are usually greeted with special transportation to your resort along with expedited check-in. Your butler will give you a communication device, usually a phone to reach them during your stay. Sometimes you many have more than one butler assigned to you. They are there to take your luggage and even unpack it for you if you’d like.

During your stay, here are several things to consider asking them to do:

  • Make all your dining reservations in advance
  • Schedule any excursions off property
  • Service you at the beach with your favorite beverages
  • Arrange for special spa treatment or romantic dinner
  • Clean or shine shoes
  • Iron your clothes
  • Draw a bath and have it waiting when you get back
  • Take care of any laundry you’d like to have done
  • Fetch something from the room you may have forgotten, such as a book or sun lotion
  • Add special room touches such as scented oils
  • Have your ice bucket filled every evening
  • Have your coffee ready and delivered in the morning
  • Have your evening drink poured
  • Unpack or pack suitcases

Just a handful of ordinary things to make your life easier and your vacation experience more restful. Vacations are all about taking a break from the daily grind. Your butler will also be there to make your departure a breeze. So, sit back, relax, and ask the butler to do it.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslWhat Do I Do with a Butler?
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