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Say Gudday Hat

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The well traveled, Say Gudday.com hat

Read about the daring and adventurous travels of the hat, my hat, in fact. It's been to some of the world's most beautiful and exciting places. It's climbed the steep, sacrificial steps of Chichen Itza, trekked the mountainous jungles of Saba and kayaked the waters of Antigua. And I was lucky enough to accompany him, every step of the way.

Sunset Hill Lodge, Bora Bora
Statues of Bora Bora
The Hat, relaxing on the famous Matira B...

The algae hat

Good question, is it made from straw? Oh no, my friends, this magnificent hat isn't made from mere straw, no indeed! That would be far too pedestrian for a hat of his character. He is made, so I was told by the Mexican gentleman on Isla Mujeres who sold him to me, that he is, in fact, made from algae. (pause for audience gasp of astonishment). That's right, algae. Sea algae. Why? No idea, really. I mean I'm not a professional hatter or even a hobby hatter. The Mexican fellow said something about it resisting the sun more without cracking (so far so good) and it handling wet weather conditions better than straw (seems about right).

Any serious traveler knows that a good hat is essential for good traveling. It keeps you dry, it protects you from the sun and it keeps you company when you are kayaking the shark infested waters of Fiji (see story below). But more than that, the right hat makes you a better person. Cooler, more interesting, it gives you more style. Whilst science has yet to prove this phenomenon, all hat wearers know it's simple truth. So, if you're not quite good enough, never fear because here are some hats that might make you a better human being.

The hat visits Bora Bora

Tales of the South Seas

Romance, adventure, piracy on the high seas, these are the kinds of movies the hat likes to watch, but this story is not about movies, it's about paradise on earth...Bora Bora. It was February 2011 when the hat and I landed on this eden like tropical island and it was breathtaking. If you only travel to one place in your life, make sure it's Bora Bora. It is indescribably beautiful and filled with so many fun things to do that you could spend a life time there. This photo was taken at the Sunset Lodge owned and operated by Bion, the friendliest man in the South Pacific. It's also worth noting that out of all of the places we stayed during our tour of the South Seas including Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine and Raiatea THIS WAS THE CHEAPEST AND OUR FAVORITE!

Bion, Sunset Hill Lodge, Bora Bora

Sunset Hill Lodge, Bora Bora

Cheap, comfortable and peaceful

Sunset Hill Lodge in bora bora may be the greatest place to stay anywhere on the planet. It's comfortable and relaxed and within walking distance of grocery shopping, the beach, bus stops and down town. The hat stayed there in February 2011 which is the official off season but the weather was still incredibly sunny and warm. At $5,000 (South Pacific Franks) or just $US60 a night, Bion's lodge is cheap! But even though you can stay here for a backpackers budget, the Lodge is far from roughing it. In fact, it's one of the most scenic places you can imagine. There are three kinds of bananas growing right outside your door. Bion grows them himself and we had them every morning with breakfast and often when we returned from hiking or snorkeling.

Right outside our door was a man made stream with waterfall and Buddhist statues (see below). Bion's Lodge will stay with you for the rest of your life, I promise you. Highly recommended by the hat.

Sunset Hill Lodge official webpage: "Bion truly is the friendliest human being on earth. Such a generous and caring person, you couldn't ask for a better host. I'd go stay at Bion's no matter where his B&B was, even if it was on the edge of an active volcano. A really great person with a great sense of humor." - the Hat, 2011. Rate: $US60 per night

Statues of Bora Bora

The Hat, relaxing on the famous Matira Beach

Huahine and the Hat

The Society islands

The Hat arrived in Huanine at the end of a very active, island hopping tour and you would have thought that after weeks of one perfect, white sand beach after another that one more would have just been...well, old hat (that one even made me laugh!) But you'd be wrong. Huanine was another gorgeous jewel with a beauty all it's own. Admittedly it rained for the day we were there but you have to remember that it was the off season and, despite the very solid, tropical rain storm, we still loved the experience.

Hat relaxing at Pension Au Motu Mahare

Pension Au Motu Mahare

We wish we'd stayed longer

On Huahine, we stayed at Pension Au Motu Mahare and it was a complete immersion in island style living, right down to the sand floor of the private huts. No air conditioning and no fan but not uncomfortable at all in February. There's a common, open air dining area for the guests, a kitchen hut and even a bbq pit you can use to cook your own food. It's a self serve affair where you bring your own groceries to the island but the hosts will take you to the store to get whatever you need. Kim and Walter Fabre, the owners of Pension Au Motu Mahare, were both as friendly as could be. Walter speaks next to no English but Kim is British so we had no trouble communicating our needs. Our biggest disappointment on this whole trip was not getting to spend more time with these two lovely people and this relaxing hotel.

Au Motu Mahare official website: You will love this place. Single and double ocean kayaks are provided for free. Complimentary transport from the airport to the motu. Whether you are looking for tranquility in a wild and natural atmosphere or tempted by aquatic activities in the crystal-clear waters, you are sure to fall under the charm of this magnificent motu. Hat approved. Rate: $US78.50 per night in February 2011

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Sunset Beach Motel Raiatea

Link List

Sunset Beach Motel official website: A perfect place to stay for any traveler. Rate: $US100

Raiatea

Pearl of the South Seas

We had a lot of fun on Raiatea, second largest of the Society Islands (after Tahiti). The friendliest man in the South Seas a.k.a. Bion of Bora Bora, made arrangements for us to stay at the Sunset beach Motel and we were glad he did. Firstly, it's not an actual Motel, you actually get a whole house to yourself! Sitting on the deck, eating a tasty breakfast freshly delivered to you by the smiling French lady that runs the place is a great way to start any day. The house is right on the beach and this is just a great place to stay. HIGHLY recommend it. Warning: the towels were a little like sandpaper though so you might want to make sure you have one of those nifty camping towels in your travel kit. The best thing about this motel is that it makes you feel like you are home because it's a real house, separated from your neighbors houses by a good distance.

Check flights to Tropical Paradise

French Polynesia is cheaper than you think

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cinefile May 21, 2012 @ 4:04 pm | delete

This lens made me laugh. Well done.

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---Chazz Apr 9, 2012 @ 10:16 pm | delete

Like your sense of humor. Sorry to hear you lost your hat. Hope you've found another one that can write as well.

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ThomasGeleta Mar 29, 2012 @ 6:36 pm | delete

Funny!!

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flicker Feb 26, 2012 @ 1:28 pm | delete

Fun lens! Thanks for making me smile.

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SayGuddaycom Feb 26, 2012 @ 2:20 pm | delete

=)

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mrwrkathm Feb 4, 2012 @ 1:12 pm | delete

Great lens - enjoyed the adventures of hat and am sad to hear of his loss. Maybe you would throw a wreath overboard for me at the spot when next you are near it. Perhaps now only a genuine Aussie Akubra can fill the void left in your heart and belay your period of mourning!

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SayGuddaycom Feb 5, 2012 @ 10:03 am | delete

Thanks mate! Just read your salute-to-an-aussie-icon-akubra-hats lens and it was fantastic! I'm an Aussie but I never knew Akubra was an aboriginal word so thanks for the enlightenment. I used to have a white Akubra when i was a young man (Akubra only made them for Marshall Batteries which is where I worked).

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VickiSims Jan 27, 2012 @ 6:57 am | delete

Your hat has certainly had some fantastic adventures!

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SayGuddaycom Jan 27, 2012 @ 9:01 am | delete

He's adventuring in Davy Jones' locker now after an....'adventure' at sea near San Francisco. I mourn his loss. haleakala-sunrise-bike-tripery much enjoyed your haleakala-sunrise-bike-trip lens!

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JackieSonia Jan 25, 2012 @ 12:55 pm | delete

:) You make me laugh. Nice and funny lens. Your HAT made me think of 'Sisters of the Traveling PANTS'

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SayGuddaycom Jan 25, 2012 @ 9:18 pm | delete

Sadly, he was recently lost at sea. I will update the lens with this tragic news when I get over my grief =(

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AndyPo Jan 21, 2012 @ 2:00 pm | delete

Great idea. That a well travelled hat.

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CruiseReady Jan 12, 2012 @ 7:14 pm | delete

I I would loved to have gone along with your hat to some of these places - Huahine sounds wonderful!

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SayGuddaycom Jan 13, 2012 @ 1:40 pm | delete

Oh it was! Everyone should go at least once. Weird thing is, it hardly gets any tourism at all!

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Tolovaj Jun 25, 2011 @ 6:31 am | delete

Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing!

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SayGuddaycom Jan 10, 2012 @ 12:58 pm | delete

Thank you!

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ajgodinho Jun 14, 2011 @ 4:27 pm | delete

Great adventures and lucky hat, I must say! :)

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SayGuddaycom Jun 14, 2011 @ 4:31 pm | delete

He does live a privileged life. I'm just happy he let's me go along with him!

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angela740 Jun 14, 2011 @ 8:32 am | delete

I love the adventure and romance of the Hat! I look forward to more lovely pictures and descriptions. Thank you for sharing your travels.

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SayGuddaycom Jun 14, 2011 @ 8:50 am | delete

The hat thanks you and urges you to visit French Polynesia at the first opportunity!

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WordCustard Jun 13, 2011 @ 2:40 pm | delete

Looking forward to more adventures of the hat!

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SayGuddaycom Jun 13, 2011 @ 2:45 pm | delete

Gudday! And thanks for stopping by. There are a LOT more pics of the hat coming so stay tuned. LOVE your alps-mountains lens btw.