1309, 2012

Poda Island, Thailand

Tropical Beaches
634

Watch a full HD version of this single song sample episode on the eScapes’ XUMO Lifestyle Channel # 452 Thailand’s Krabi province is known for its great natural beauty and nicknamed “The Emerald of the Andaman,” but it’s most relaxing spot may be Poda Island. Located about five miles from the Thai mainland and the popular tourist resort town of Ao Nang, Poda Island (or Koh Poda in Thai) is a filled with lush forests and surrounded by white sand beaches. The most distinctive feature of the small island is the improbable limestone formation protruding from the nearby sea, featured in this video. Another interesting sight on Koh Poda, and throughout the rest of Thailand, is

2410, 2011

Hansen Bay, St. John

Tropical Beaches
569

Hansen Bay, on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, sits just outside of Virgin Islands National Park, which encompasses most of the island. Perfect beaches, some of them privately owned, surround the bay, just isolated enough to allow a relaxing break from the more crowded beaches on the island. Marc Antoine is contemporary jazz guitarist. Though gifted from a young age, his playing was threatened by a serious accident to his left hand while he was a teenager. Despite a grim prognosis, Antoine recovered to become one of today’s leading jazz guitar acts. Currently living in Spain, Antoine frequently tours with other contemporary jazz greats including David Benoit, Dave Koz, and Chris Botti. Links National

1710, 2011

West Point Lighthouse, Washington

Lighthouses
584

Seattle’s West Point Lighthouse was built in 1881, marking the entrance to Elliott Bay and, in modern times, the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Now a part of the city’s Discovery Park, the West Point Lighthouse adds ambience to a public beach, where visitors can find a spectacular view of both the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. Though federal ownership of the lighthouse ended in 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard still occupies the lighthouse’s nearby keeper’s quarters. Randy Jacobs is an instrumental guitarist and songwriter who has collaborated and appeared with not only some of the biggest names in jazz, but some of the biggest names in all of music. His solo career has blended jazz with

2509, 2011

Sterling State Park, Michigan

Scenic Earth
449

Michigan’s only state park on Lake Erie, Sterling State Park in Monroe, offers lakefront fun including camping, swimming, fishing, and boating. Other attractions include hiking and bicycle trails through the nearby woods and wetlands. This eScapes video features a peaceful sunrise over the lake: a scene usually reserved for lakefront campers and those who make it to the park before the crowds arrive. Marc Antoine is contemporary jazz guitarist. Though gifted from a young age, his playing was threatened by a serious accident to his left hand while he was a teenager. Despite a grim prognosis, Antoine recovered to become one of today’s leading jazz guitar acts. Currently living in Spain, Antoine frequently tours with other

2109, 2011

Point Vicente Lighthouse

Lighthouses
494

Standing tall over California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula, Point Vicente Lighthouse has been in continuous operation since 1926, although it was reduced to a mere 25 watts during World War II. Today, like most currently active lighthouses, the Point Vicente Light has been modernized with electronic equipment. Also like many lighthouses, it is rumored to be haunted! A small museum sits on the grounds and it and the tower are opened to visitors once a month. Marc Antoine is contemporary jazz guitarist. Though gifted from a young age, his playing was threatened by a serious accident to his left hand while he was a teenager. Despite a grim prognosis, Antoine recovered to become one of today’s leading

1709, 2011

Dana Point, California

Tropical Beaches
437

Dana Point is a California city known for its miles of beaches. A relatively new city, it was first settled in the early 1900s and not incorporated as its own city within Orange County until 1989. Dana Point is named after Richard Henry Dana, Jr., a seaman who took note of the area while sailing on the merchant ship Pilgrim in 1840. Today, a replica of Pilgrim can be seen at the Ocean Institute at the west end of the harbor. Sixty miles south of Los Angeles, Dana Point is a perfect place to relax by the seaside, but it is also known as a great surfing destination away from the crowds found at more famous

0409, 2011

Point Aux Barques Lighthouse

Lighthouses
437

Built in 1847 to warn ships of a dangerous reef, Point Aux Barques Lighthouse in Port Hope, Michigan originally stood for only nine years before being razed and rebuilt. The original construction had used inferior materials that could not withstand the stress of severe weather. The new tower and keeper’s dwelling that stands today was finished in 1857. Its third-order fresnel lens, with an electric light since 1932, still serves Lake Huron ships. Fully automated since the 1950s, the lighthouse is now part of a park and museum. Chuck Loeb is a guitarist, composer, and producer. Known for his smooth jazz recordings, he is a versatile artist who has explored various other musical styles including classical

3008, 2011

Villa Beach, Peru

Tropical Beaches
433

Peru has more than 1,200 miles of coastline and 254 officially recognized beaches. Though some the beaches south of Lima are polluted, the situation has improved in recent years and many of the beaches are still excellent and relaxing places to take in a beautiful sunset, like the one featured in this video. This beach, Villa, has some of the strongest waves on the Peru coast. Boney James is a saxophonist who, despite his resistance to being labeled as strictly a jazz artist, was named the “No. 3 Top Contemporary Jazz Artist of the Decade” by Billboard Magazine in 2010. Influenced by many genres including R&B, James is a three-time Grammy-nominee who has sold more than

2308, 2011

Belize (Coast with Mangroves)

Tropical Beaches
467

This mangrove-covered beach might not be the best place to lie down under the sun, but the unique view is relaxing in its own way. Belize’s mangroves protect the small country’s coastline from tidal erosion, as do the many coral reefs offshore. Natural sights like these (most of Belize is covered by forests) have become part of a new ecotourism industry that is steadily growing and supplementing Belize’s traditional agricultural economy. Brian Hughes is a contemporary jazz guitarist. He has released several albums since the 1990s and been a frequent accompanist and sideman for various artists, most notably Loreena McKennitt. His style blends smooth jazz and world music, especially Latin music. Links Belize Tourism Board Belize

0708, 2011

Coquille River Lighthouse

Lighthouses
443

The Coquille River Light was first lit in 1896 to aid the transportation of goods and people to and from the mouth of the Coquille River. Simple, small, and inexpensive, the lighthouse was for many years the smallest on the Oregon coast. The tower, measuring 47 feet from its base, was equipped with a fourth order fresnel lens visible for up to 12 miles. In 1939, the original light was replaced with an automated beacon. Today, Coquille River Lighthouse is a part of Oregon’s Bullards Beach State Park. The state has maintained, repaired, and restored the lighthouse over the years and, true to Oregon’s status as one of the most environmentally-friendly states, the Coquille River tower