Are you asking yourself “Where the heck is Malta anyway?” If so, you’re not alone. This little known island is one of those mystical (seemingly mythical) destinations that don’t always appear on a map.

I often take it for granted that I can travel so freely with my American passport. I’ve been welcomed into the borders of over 50 countries and have never been declined a visa. Thankfully my particular passport offers many freedoms. I often wonder how my life would be different if I carried a different passport, maybe one from a smaller country that was more difficult to find on a map.

Consider, how do you explain your origins when the country you call home simply doesn’t appear on a map at all? During my stay in Malta I met a lovely gentleman who found himself in just such a predicament many years ago. While traveling internationally to mainland Europe he was held up by an immigration officer who did not recognize his Maltese passport. He was taken into a holding room where he was asked to point out his country on a map. This man who had lived for 50 years in Malta pointed to an empty spot on the map – in the blue of the Mediterranean Sea just south of Italy – where his home country should appear. “Here!” he exclaimed. “I am from here! There is nothing there but this is where I am from!” Thankfully he managed to persuade the officials to grant him entry into Europe and he later made his way home to Malta. He even traveled abroad again, though perhaps on later trips he stashed a map of Malta inside his passport, just in case.

This lesser known Mediterranean island gained fame recently when the Jolie-Pitt clan took up residence there while Papa Pitt filmed World War Z.  I ventured into Valletta and wandered through the cobblestoned streets where the crew was filming. I enjoyed many beautiful sights (and a pint of a local Maltese draft) while I the explored historic walled citadel, but alas no sightings of the Brad or his beautiful family. Though the local paparazzi seemed to be on duty as either Brad or Angelina smiled up at me every morning from the pages of the Times of Malta.

I read a beautiful article about a surprise visit that Angelina made to Lyster Barracks, a refugee detention centre in Malta, where she met with refugees who fled Libya. A glaring reminder that not only should I feel grateful for my ability to travel the globe so freely, but that I should find even deeper gratitude in the solace that I’m leaving my country purely to experience the joys of the traveling, to indulge my xenophile nature and to tame my wanderlust; not to flee my country as a refugee and be forced to seek asylum in a detention center that closely resembles a prison barracks. With a heightened appreciation for the freedom of my travels I set out to explore this small island, perhaps the most beautiful island you’ve never heard of…

For a photo tour of my Maltese journeys click on the slideshow link above.

To learn more about Angelina’s work as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in Malta visit the Times of Malta.

One of my favorite parts of living in Thailand is the easy access to fresh coconut water. When I say fresh I mean 100% fresh. In order to maximize the nutrients, water from a coconut should be consumed not long after the water is exposed to air. In Thailand, whether visiting a street vendor or a posh restaurant, the coconut is never opened until the beverage is ordered. Most street vendors keep a stash of fresh coconuts on ice, ready to chop open on your command. Half the fun of ordering one is getting to watch the vendor swing around butcher’s knife and effortlessly pop the top off of the massive nut. Trying a fresh coconut is a must for any visitor to Thailand.

Here Are 10 Reasons Why…

1. Madonna, Rihanna, Gwyneth and Demi are devotees

A growing number of celebrities are declaring their love of coconut water. Madonna and Rihanna even hock their own brand, Vita Coco. After having the luxury of fresh coconuts at my doorstep I find that drinking coconut water from a juice box tastes a bit like cardboard. However, I’ve recently been turned on to a brand of coconut water that’s sold in a glass bottle, aptly named “Happiness in a Bottle.”  I have to stay it’s almost as good as the fresh coconut water I’ve become accustomed to on the streets of Bangkok. If you can’t make it all the way to Asia and would like to have a taste of Thailand at home, this is your best bet.

2. Ancient medicine 

Hollywood has only recently caught on to a trend that has been growing for more than 4,000 years. The benefits of coconut water have been shared across centuries and continents. The composition of coconut water is so similar to that of blood plasma that it has been used as an IV drip in times of famine and during World War II.

3. Fight aging & prevent cancer

Coconut water contains nutrients called cytokinins which are believed to fight aging and lower the risk of cancer.

4. Electrolyte balance

If you’re fitness buff you’ve no doubt learned that you need to replenish your electrolytes after working up a good sweat in order to prevent muscle cramps. Coconut juice is loaded with electrolytes and minerals. After your next workout skip the toxin laden sugar loaded artificially colored sports drink and enjoy a fresh natural drink with more electrolytes and none of the unwanted chemical crap.

5. Promotes a healthy heart

On average a small portion of coconut water has more potassium than 2 bananas, and a diet rich in potassium may help reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke.

6. Promotes kidney health

The magnesium and potassium in coconut water are believed to prevent and even dissolve kidney stones. As a diuretic coconut water helps to cleanse the urinary system, another benefit for kidney health.

7. Boost the immune system.

Coconut water also contains high levels of lauric acid which has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

8. Balance your pH

The alkalizing power of the coconut juice will balance your pH, and it’s a lot tastier than wheatgrass.

9. Cures a hangover

Coconut water is known to settle an upset stomach and is a homeopathic hangover cure. Cocktails are plentiful in Bangkok and the holiday nature of the city makes it far too easy to have one too many.  If you’ve had too many buckets on Khao San Road or too many cocktails at Bedsupper Club, try cracking a coconut rather than pouring more toxins into your body in manner of “hair of the dog.”

10. Delicious

While low in sugar, the taste is sweet. Much thinner that coconut milk, coconut water is light and so refreshing! As far as ancient or even modern medicines go, this is the tastiest one I’ve found yet. Coconuts are my “apple a day.” Much like a Thai massage (another must in Thailand!) I try not to go a day without one.

Unlike an oil massage which requires you to strip down, a Thai massage allows you to wear loose and comfortable clothing. The spa will normally provide you with a proper Thai massage outfit consisting of cotton pyjamas, which are appropriate considering that the massage is performed on a mattress on the floor. You can see how tempting it might be to skip yoga and just go for a massage. Instead of changing into my yoga gear and working up a sweat, a Thai massage allows me to change into pyjamas and lie down on a mattress while I let the massage therapist do all the work!

The treatment includes a combination of assisted stretches, deep tissue massage and acupressure.  Throughout the massage the therapist will twist and turn you in such a way that it might seem like a game of Twister gone wrong, yet it feels so right. And in the end they might just walk all over you. The traditional back walk is not administered by all practitioners. Though if you’re willing to give it a try the back walk can help realign the spine and release tension from the back and shoulders. I never thought I would pay someone to literally walk all over me, but it can be one of the most beneficial aspects of the treatment.

In Thai massage the therapist uses his or her hands, elbows, knees and feet to essentially push and pull you through a variety of yoga poses. With the added strength of the therapist I can go much deeper into the yoga poses during a massage than I ever do in my yoga practice. If you hate pigeon pose in yoga, you can count on your massage therapist to work on opening your hips. If you dread the spinal series in your hot yoga class, you can enjoy a deep and effortless cobra pose during your Thai massage.

Legend has it that traditional Thai massage is an ancient practice that was developed by the personal physician of Buddha himself over 2500 years ago. With roots in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Thai massage is based on the theory of energy balance. You may know this energy as prana from Indian Ayurveda, or as Qi from Chinese medicine. The treatment focuses on the sen energy lines (similar to Indian nadis or Chinese meridians). The basic theory is that an imbalance or blockage of these energies leads to pain and illness, whereas releases of these blockages and restoration of balance brings good health. I’d like to believe that my weekly Thai massage will cure what ails me. At the very least, it feels pretty darn good. And hey, if it was good enough for Buddha…

Taxis – Cheap & Comfy

The brightly painted taxis come in variety of colors but they all operate on the same metered fare system. A proper taxi will have a “Taxi-Meter” sign on the roof. Fares start at THB 35 (USD 1) and increase with both km driven and minutes standing in traffic. For about THB 100 (USD 3) you can take a taxi pretty much anywhere in central Bangkok. Always insist that the driver use the meter. If he wants to negotiate just let him drive away. Another taxi should be along within a few minutes.

From the airport – When travelling into Bangkok from Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok’s International Airport, a standard metered taxi should cost around THB 350 (USD 10) including tolls for the expressway. Upon arrival at the baggage claim passengers will usually be greeted by several smiling young Thai women holding up taxi signs enticing less savvy travelers to book a taxi for an exorbitant fare. Never book a taxi with anyone inside the airport unless you’re willing to pay double, triple or even quadruple the metered fare. If you’re new to Bangkok and are worried about successfully reaching your desired destination you can use the official taxi stand located on the ground floor outside of arrivals. For a surcharge of THB 50 (USD 1.50) you can tell the taxi attendant where you’d like to go. He will then write down your destination in Thai and provide it to your taxi driver. Alternatively if you know where you’re headed, you don’t want to wait in the long taxi queue, and you want to avoid the THB 50 surcharge, simply head up to the 4th floor departures level where you will find several waiting taxis that have recently dropped passengers for departing flights. However, beware that many of these drivers will attempt to negotiate a rate with you. Simply insist on using the meter and agree that you will pay the expressway tolls (approximately THB 70 or USD 2).

Tuk-Tuk’s – Pricey & Polluted  (But Fun To Drive!)

Most tourists in Bangkok can be found in the back of a tuk-tuk, a 3-wheeled open air taxi. Tuk-tuk’s are not metered so all fares are negotiated with the driver whose opening bid is usually 2 to 3 times the equivalent fare for a standard taxi. Now I don’t know about you spoiled travelers, but I would much prefer to sit in the back of an air-conditioned taxi for 1/3 the price, than to sit in the back of a tuk-tuk in the Bangkok heat while inhaling the exhaust from the surrounding traffic. That being said, as much as I prefer not to ride in the back of a tuk-tuk…I once sweet talked a tuk-tuk driver into letting me take the driver’s seat and I drove a tuk-tuk just for fun, but that’s another story for another post.

 Motorbike Taxis – Fast & Frightening

As a general rule I try to avoid the use of a motorbike taxi for the obvious safety concerns, but on days when I’m in a hurry and traffic is at a standstill, a motorbike can be my saving grace. The beauty of travelling on a bike is that you can easily navigate the gridlock rush hour traffic, knocking an hour or more off of your commute. In heavy traffic the commute from my office to my condo might take over an hour in traffic, while the same commute takes only 10 minutes on a motorbike. Though not metered, the fare for a motorbike is usually equivalent to the fare that a standard metered taxi would charge (without traffic). This means that during rush hour motorbikes are not only faster, but also less expensive than a standard taxi which would charge you for the minutes spending standing in traffic. As with all forms of transport that are not metered, simply agree on a fare before accepting a ride. The motorbike taxis are indicated by the colored vest worn by the driver (usually orange or pink).

The driver will offer you a helmet although you’re not required to wear it. The helmets offered hardly provide any safety. They rarely fit and give the appearance that they wouldn’t provide any protection if you fell off the back of a toddler’s tricycle, much less a motorbike in Bangkok traffic. Nonetheless I recommend wearing the helmet, if not to save your head then to save your Thai Baht. Occasionally Thai police will stop the driver and fine the passenger for not wearing a helmet. This tends to happen more often at the end of the month when (allegedly) the police are running low on funds and looking for bribes by fining “farangs” (foreigners). If you plan to stay in Thailand for any extended period of time, and intend to take advantage of the motorbike taxis, I highly recommend buying your own helmet. A basic selection of helmets can be found at Big C department store (the Wal-Mart of Bangkok). If you opt to use the helmet provided by the driver, then I’d recommend you bring along a bandana or handkerchief to place inside the helmet for the obvious sanitary concerns.

Your Own Two Feet + the Sky Train and Subway

Several areas of the city are connected by the BTS Sky Train and MRT Subway. The more popular Sky Train offers two routes, the Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line. The trains run daily between 6:00 am and 12:00 midnight with frequent service throughout the day, and more trains during rush hour. Fares range from THB 15 (USD 0.50) to THB 40 (USD 1.30) and vary with distance travelled. Remember to hold on to your ticket as you’ll need to present it at the turnstile after exiting the train.

For shorter distances the majority of central Bangkok can be easily navigated by foot. For the most part it’s a safe city and tourist areas such as Sukhumvit are safe to walk through even at night.

River Boats

An often forgotten form of transportation in Bangkok is the river boat. For tourists visiting the Grand Palace or Wat Pho (home of The Reclining Buddha), or for the less cultured travelers looking to drink cheap liquor from a bucket on nearby Khao San Road, the river offers a scenic commute. Chao Praya River Express operates a regular boat service up and down the river with fares around THB 25 (USD 0.83). There are piers near many of the riverside hotels and near the Saphan Taksin Bridge BTS Sky Train station. Tickets can be purchased from staff at the pier. Additionally the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat serves those piers of interest to tourists with a full day unlimited pass for THB 150 (USD 5).

Take a tour with us as we traveled to Egypt with our incredible peer group, Tony Robbins Platinum Partners. As we visited Cairo, Giza, and Luxor. We took a bus ride from Cairo to Luxor which was fun as we got to see many different parts of Egypt on our way to our Nile river boat ride. We saw many ruins that were breath taking in the city of Luxor. As we walked through the city where we could see and feel a country that is seeking a better way of life. We witnessed a tremendous amount of history as well as poverty. I felt very safe with the group we were with but was also very aware of our surroundings because of the rough areas we walked through.

As we embarked on a Nile River Boat cruise we were met by our captains. Two young men who were friendly and spoke broken English. They made us lunch on the boat and made the experience so much fun. One of the Captains started to play some music on the boat and Yvette and he began to dance Egyptian style. We had a blast and all the other boats wanted to know what was going on as we cheered and laughed the entire time. We almost ran into another boat because we were having so much fun and the captains lost track of where we were going.

This day was memorable day and as we finished our cruise our captains taught us a creating Egyptian song that we ended our day with. As they say a day is not wasted if a memory is created. We created many great memories this day. Thanks Jeff Roberti for leading us in our final cheer!!!

We have taken several Traincations (getting trained while on vacation) with Tony and his beautiful wife sage and will be bringing you with us through some videos we created of our experience. The Traincations have been inspiring and has changed our life from what we have experienced and learned from our travels with Tony Robbins and the Platinum Partners. We will take you through the journey and share with you some never seen before footage in hopes it will inspire you on what’s possible for you and your family. This first video was our fist day in Egypt 2010 with Tony Robbins and the Platinum Partners. We were flown by a private charter from Israel to Egypt where we had a wonderful first night and experienced and Egyptian welcome and dinner. That night many of us went on a Nile river boat ride and created some great memories. Enjoy.

Watch this comical yet somewhat scary video on how people react to an uncomfortable situation.  Many lessons can be learned from our journey.  What you focus on expands.  If you focus on the dangers then you will be fearful.  If you focus what you want then the experience is fun and exciting.  We don’t recommend getting stuck in an elevator however if you do, these are some great people to be stuck with.

If you’ve visited Caesars Palace in Vegas, you can appreciate that in the time it takes to walk from the Forum Shops to the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, you could easily traverse the entire city of Rome, from the Roman Forum to the Vatican. It’s a sprawling property with winding corridors that entice you to get lost among the myriad of slot machines, gaming tables, restaurants and bars. As such, it should come as no surprise that the thoughtful staff at Caesar’s rent scooters for your convenience. Or as we prefer to say in Rome, your chariot awaits!

Now at first glance you might be skeptical of this chariot. You might think it’s only for the injured, or the elderly, or that guy who seems to be a bit too fond of the full day pass to the buffet. This was my initial assessment as well, but I invite you to take a second look.

During a recent visit to Vegas for a conference we were first introduced to the chariot by a friend of who was nursing a foot injury and trying to lay off the crutches during her long commute back and forth across the expansive Caesars casino. What started out as sympathy for our friend’s injury quickly transformed into envy for her chariot, and her ability to quickly zip across the casino in the comfort of her leather chair. Her chariot was shiny and red, almost like a new car, though obviously not as fast since the scooters top out at about 5 mph (but that’s faster than it sounds, I assure you).

Now when you think of the typical clientele for this type of scooter you’re probably thinking of that lady from the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” commercial. However, she would be more likely to be seen in the scooter’s cousin, the Power Chair, which is more of a an electric wheel chair, not to be confused with the scooter (aka chariot) which looks more like a riding lawn mower and comes equipped with a handy basket to store your Gucci bags from that visit to the Forum Shops.

You might still be thinking, “No, I couldn’t ride a scooter. I’d look ridiculous.” But I invite you to consider this, if you were staying at a large resort would you feel respectable driving a golf cart? Of course you would. Well just consider your chariot to be a miniature golf cart that is small enough to access the indoor areas of the resort. It’s worth noting that the chariot offers far superior accessibility to a golf cart, because let’s face it you can’t drive a golf cart up to the buffet.

Still not convinced? Consider that the chariot can be dressed up or dressed down. Just last Thursday night a parade of chariots could be seen transporting beautiful women in cocktail dresses and stiletto heels from the lobby at Caesars to the upscale Caramel lounge at Bellagio. At the end of the evening when the feet in stilettos were beginning to tire, the ladies did not stress about the long walk back to their hotel room as they remembered “My chariot awaits.”

On your next visit to Caesars, remember YOUR chariot awaits! Scooter Rental is available through the Bell Desk at Caesar. Prices starting at $40 for 24 hours.

No one had forewarned me about this…and while I don’t have too many skeletons in my closet, I still found myself getting a little nervous as I sat in the V Theater watching The Mentalist, Gerry McCambridge, reveal the secrets of randomly selected audience members while apparently reading their minds.

As he stood on the stage blindfolded, with large coins duct taped to his eyes, he would call out the first and last initials of someone’s name. An audience member would then stand and reply “Yes Gerry, those are my initials,” as they prepared for him to share private information about their lives, details it would be impossible for him to know. Gerry became famous for this ability when his hit primetime special “The Mentalist” which aired on NBC.

Sure there are several explanations for the mindreading, the most obvious being plants in the audience, but even if you’re not convinced by his ability to declare the past, you cannot deny his ability to precisely predict the future. In the live Vegas show for those who are still convinced that all of the alleged audience members are really just in on the act, Gerry dispels your belief by ensuring that everyone in audience has a chance to participate. The show culminated with each audience member (including the nonbelievers!) tossing numbered balls into baskets in a random human lottery – the results of which were of course accurately predicted.

Being your average cynic I was prepared to find all of the smoke and mirrors with my well trained eye for detail and analytical mind. I love a good magic show, but always leave feeling frustrated when I can’t determine the secret behind the magic. Which is why I was thrilled when Gerry shared the secrets to his success during the first few tricks of his act.

In Gerry’s words “A mentalist is someone who can figure out what you’re thinking and also can influence your thoughts.” He explained in detail how he used verbal and nonverbal cues to both predict and influence the response of audience members, but even after his detailed explanation I remained mind-boggled by his apparent ability to both declare the past and predict the future. Gerry will tell you that his Mentalist abilities were honed over a lifetime, thanks in part to the magic kit he received for Christmas at the age of 8, and the skills he learned from his father, an NYC detective and an expert at interrogation. Others might argue that part of his “magic” began when he was born…on Halloween.

To get in on the magic stop by to see The Mentalist Live on your next visit to Sin City. Even if you do have some sins in your past, not to worry Gerry won’t reveal them. The show is rated PG-16. Showtime is at 7:30pm Thursday to Tuesday (Dark Wednesday) at the V Theater in the Comedy Club located in the Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino right on the Las Vegas Strip.

For a bonus visit Houdini’s Magic Shop located just across from the theater and take a little magic home with you.