John Mauceri Conductor, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra

The islands were just like I imagined from seeing “South Pacific” as a 14-year-old. They’re romantic because they don’t feel overly civilized, yet you don’t have to worry about drinking the water. My wife, Betty, and I went into the interior jungle and saw giant orchids and rubber trees. The topography is so ancient. You feel like you’re at the beginning and the end of everything.

DISCOVERY: We visited a vanilla bean plantation and learned how it is grown. There’s only one day a year the beans can be harvested. Tahitian vanilla is wonderful. Now I can really taste the difference between it and regular vanilla. *

Compiled by Monica Corcoran