Happy New Year!

The Ghunnies temporarily stowed their scuba gear and traveled to Italy and France in search of the Colosseum, The Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the statue of David, the Duomo, the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Venice canals, the Bridge of Sighs, the Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower, L'Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre and of course the perfect plate of pasta and the ultimate french macaron. Please join us on our European adventure. First stop, that little Italian town founded on April 21, 753 BC Roma

Following “Roma” we hopped on a Trenitalia train and two hours later were in the picturesque capital city of Tuscany, Firenze (Florence). Florence is also famous for its history and especially its importance in the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance, its art and architecture and, more generally, for its cultural heritage. Florence is home to Santa Maria del Fiore, the domed cathedral of the city (known as The Duomo), world reknown art galleries including the Uffizi (Leonardo Da Vinci collection) and the Accademia di Belle Arti (home of Michaelangelo’s David). Let’s not forget the fashion. Florence is home of the Italian fashion company Salvatore Ferragamo since 1928. Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, and Emilio Pucci are also headquartered there. Did I mention that both Ghunnies bought leather jackets in Florence? Andiamo! Next stop Firenze

Wine Country!

Shh..Surprise Birthday Get Away for Mark!!! read the evite from cousin Kaulu. Mark Hopkins (aka “Dogman”) was turning Fiddy and the goal was to get family and friends from the mainland as well as Hawaii to secretly converge on Sonoma Valley in Northern California to celebrate Mark’s Big Day. Kudos to Ulu for keeping Mark dumbfounded (I think she used a few of her stealth moves from her professional hula dancing days) and thanks to Mark's brother Mike for the hookup of the guesthouse on the grounds of the Arrowood Winery in Sonoma. The property was beautiful and the party a huge success.
The Ghunnies took advantage of this opportunity to spend an extended weekend in Napa and Sonoma, our first trip to the celebrated Wine Country! In Napa we stayed downtown at the boutique hotel Avia, packing in tours of Beringer (great wine aging tunnels), Robert Mondavi (lots of french oak barrels) and Opus One (founded by Baron Rothschild and Mondavi) wineries. We had excellent meals at Bouchon (a Thomas Keller French bistro), Morimoto (contemporary Japanese by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto; located right on the Napa River), Boon Fly Café (a bright red farmhouse in Sonoma; try their bacon bloody mary) and enjoyed baked goods at Butter Cream Bakery (a Napa landmark since 1948).

It was the perfect blend of friends, family, fun and WINE.

Get a taste for yourself here.

Melisa and Maher Michigan Wedding

The Ghunnies traveled to Farmington Hills, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan to celebrate friends' Melisa and Maher's Big Day. Join the gang and share the love by clicking here.

As an extra added bonus to the destination wedding, The Ghunnies were able to soak up some of the local color including getting massages in Ferndale, checking out Royal Oak, Greektown and enjoying a tour of downtown Detroit on the People Mover. Did I mention we saw a giant fist?

Let It Snow!

Like a snowflake in the breeze, the Ghunnies floated into Boston just days after its 3rd snowiest January on record (38 inches)! In the first two days of February another 10 inches was recorded. Never two to let a little weather stop World Ghunnie-nation (not an official Wikipedia-ism - yet) the Ghunnies zipped it up, tucked it in and Blazed that ol' Freedom Trail, in hopes of thawing it out. Trip highlights included stops at Charlie's sandwich shop, Filine's basement, the China Pearl (great dim sum, and just in time for Chinese New Year), the Cheers bar, fine italian dining at Prezza ("the Gold Standard for North End restaurants"), Mike's Pastry (yummy canoles and chocolate chip cheescake), Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House, the USS Constitution, Alibi Bar at Liberty Hotel (used to be the Charles Street jail), seafood at Skipjacks, "pajama brunch" at Tremont 647 (wait staff all wore pjs), Joe's Bar & Grill and the Frog Pond in Boston Common to name a few. Our stay at the Fairmont Copley brought a couple of highlights of its own. Catie, the resident labrador retriever greets hotel visitors in the lobby. Vincent the concierge not only gave us great food recommendations - for our Saturday night he 'gifted' us with center orchestra tickets for the Boston Symphony (each had a $125 face value). Score (literally)! The current run's featured conductor was also a guest at our hotel, and he had passed the tickets on - eventually to us! For a revolutionary look at the Ghunnies in Boston please click here.

Happy Holidays!

The Ghunnies wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Eat Play Rub!

The Ghunnies have returned from two and a half weeks in Hong Kong, Thailand and Bali - not nearly long enough! Although our time in Hong Kong was short, we were able to tool around Victoria Harbor, take a side trip to Mongkok and enjoy some excellent dim sum. Have a taste of Hong Kong here. We arrived in Bangkok just in time for the celebration of Songkran (Thai New Year festival), but also right in the middle of a political uprising! In addition to that excitement, we were able to visit temples, take a longboat on the Chao Praya river - and even see a Vegas style Ladyboy show. A definite Wow. Big thanks to our local tour guide Joy and driver Khun Charlie! In Phuket and Khao Lak we took a Thai cooking class, did some world class diving, rode elephants, and survived a wild thunderstorm that sent a tree crashing down just feet from our tent! Check out Thailand here. We completed our adventure in Bali where we met up with good friends, splitting our days between restful Ubud in the foothills and the luxury beaches at Nusa Dua in the south. Join us in beautiful Bali here. Special thanks to the wonderful Wati and our driver Katut. And where's the rub you ask? The numerous massages along the way of course!

Bali Time

Viva Las Birthday!

We celebrated Maureen's big four oh in the way that only Las Vegas can provide, in over the top style.
Highlights of the Halloween birthday weekend included dinner at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, and bottle service at the nightclub Moon, atop the Palms Hotel and Casino. Among the invited revelers were the birthday Batgirl, Up!'s Russell, a Rambo, Batman, Greek god and goddess, Roman soldier, a Starship captain, Supergirl, Hef himself, a law enforcement officer, a peacock, and not just one - but two Medusas.

Apparently you just can't invite too many snakes to a Party.

Click here to roll the dice and watch all the What Stays In Vegas action! [watch it in HQ]