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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Oregon Cabaret produces lively season with fine food, great seats
Oregon Cabaret Theatre attracts sell-out crowds for a variety of performances. "Kinky Boots" drew raves for its recent run. Up next is a...

Christene Meyers
Sep 28, 20234 min read


Oregon Shakespeare Festival fights back with smaller but stellar season
TONY WINNING FESTIVAL SURVIVES FIRES, LAYOFFS, TURMOIL, PANDEMIC, FINANCIAL WOES STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER The...

Christene Meyers
Sep 21, 20234 min read


Lore of leis -- Hawaii's welcoming floral necklace has proud history
Wearing leis at Hilton Hawaiian Village are Bruce William Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers. The lei is an ancient tradition of...

Christene Meyers
Sep 14, 20234 min read


"Little Big Man' symposium: groundbreaking film celebrates 53 years
More than a half century after its release, the Montana-made movie, "Little Big Man,"is still entertaining, stimulating conversation and encouraging consideration of the plight of indigenous people and the white man's role in that. There is an endless supply of white men. There has always been a limited number of human beings.” -- Old Lodge Skins LITTLE BIG HORN SEMINAR DRAWS SCHOLARS, EXTRAS, MOVIE AND HISTORY BUFFS TO PONDER CLASSIC FILM

Christene Meyers
Aug 10, 20235 min read


Trek through Yellowstone celebrates summer, never fails to delight
Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers are all smiles at the iconic Roosevelt Arch in Yellowstone. NATION'S OLDEST PARK GREETS...

Christene Meyers
Jul 27, 20233 min read


Terrific trains: best bet to explore Europe, UK, Bay Area and beyond
Train day trippers: James B. Ganner and his uncle Bruce Keller take to the rails for a three-day Bay Area adventure, north from Redwood...

Christene Meyers
Jul 6, 20234 min read


NCL's Viva inaugural offers classic ports, artful design, dining delights
Norwegian Cruise Lines is known for its flashy artwork and distinctive designs on the ship. Here, NCL's Getaway is photographed on a...

Christene Meyers
Jun 29, 20234 min read


History, culture, food, fun await on a 'Super Raft' ride up Kona coast
Smiles abound in the Body Glove "Super Raft Tour" along the historical Kona Coast. We had our eye out for dolphins, whales and other...

Christene Meyers
Jun 22, 20233 min read


Kualoa Ranch operation offers many ways to learn, have fun in nature
Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers take a pause for a selfie, framed by the skeleton of a dinosaur on the beautiful "Jurassic Park" backdrop at Kualoa Ranch, on Oahu. FROM MOVIES TO ZIP LINE, BIKES, HORSEBACK RIDES, TREE PLANTING, KUALOA RANCH OFFERS TOURISTIC FUN STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Keller, Cookie and their fabulous guide on Kualoa Ranch. PUT YOURSELF on set. You're right there in Jurassic Park, escaping growling dinosaurs, running for y

Christene Meyers
Jun 15, 20234 min read


Oahu Circle Island Tour delivers splendors, views, food, sacred sights
Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers enjoy one of many splendid views on a day-long circle tour of Oahu, which takes tourists around the island with many interesting stops. OAHU CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR FEATURES BEST OF A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND, FROM SCENIC STOPS TO CULTURE, ART, FOOD, SHOPPING, FUN Oahu's much visited Byodo-In Temple is part of the tour and one of its most popular stops. Take time to ring the gong. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IF YOU'VE been to

Christene Meyers
Jun 8, 20234 min read


Honolulu's Spam Jam fest celebrates canned treat beloved in Hawaii
Four happy Spam Jam patrons head for a picnic table after choosing their dining fare. SPAM, SPAM, SPAM....CELEBRATING POPULAR PRODUCT IN...

Christene Meyers
May 4, 20235 min read


Get a warm, spirited bula bula welcome in fabulous, fun Fiji
Fiji's "Bula Bus" takes its name from the language. "Bula bula" means hello and is a widely used greeting in friendly Fiji. Here, the bus...

Christene Meyers
Apr 27, 20234 min read


Spectacular Sydney: harbor, port, restaurants, bridge, Opera House
Sydney, Australia: sparkling in early evening, from a climb atop the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge. It's fun to look for your cruise ship...

Christene Meyers
Apr 20, 20236 min read


Captivating Katoomba: Wonders unfold in scenic Blue Mountain village
The view from the "see through" cable car is spectacular, with views on all sides and even through the floor. It's a stunning way to view the Blue Mountains, in beautiful Scenic World. Then rest, recharge and enjoy the view at lovely Mountain Heritage Hotel. All aboard the world's steepest train, for a short, thrilling ride. EYE-CATCHING KATOOMBA TOWN:MAGNIFICENT SCENERY, LOVELY HOTEL,FUN RESTAURANTS, THRILLING TIME AT SCENIC WORLD STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE

Christene Meyers
Apr 15, 20236 min read


Waikiki Trolley in Honolulu, happy place! Explore it and have a blast with friends and family
The best hotdog in Honolulu is one of the treats you'll discover aboard the Waikiki Trolley, which offers various tours for discovering this exciting east-meets-west city and Oahu's capital. Here, John's World Famous Hawaii hotdog stand is popular with locals and tourists alike. TAKE THE SCENIC TOUR: HOP ON, OFF WAIKIKI TROLLEY FOR FUN TIME SOAKING UP BEST OF HONOLULU Even on a slightly cloudy day, Waikiki Trolley brings a sunny spin to Honolulu sightseeing. We recommend our

Christene Meyers
Mar 30, 20235 min read


Busy Brisbane: bustling, booming, fun, and a nighttime wonderland
Brisbane's majestic skyline is an impressive, sky-high mix of contemporary architecture, artfully set off by well established trees, and...

Christene Meyers
Mar 23, 20237 min read
Lovely Lone Pine: Australia's the place to cuddle koalas, feed 'roos
It's "kangaroo communion" as Bruce Keller feeds two hungry critters at Lone Pine near Brisbane, Australia. We flew 7,513 miles to...

Christene Meyers
Mar 16, 20235 min read


New Zealand trains offer spectacular scenery, nostalgia, history.
All aboard! Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers took a pair of spectacular train trips on a recent Celebrity cruise around New Zealand. Trains allow prime viewing of the country's spectacular scenery. Cruise tours are the best way to see the most in a short time in port. Celebrity's are tops. STEP ABOARD PAIR OF TRAINS FOR A TRIP BACK IN TIME WITH STUNNING SCENERY STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Passengers have time to admire scenery and take photos. I

Christene Meyers
Mar 9, 20235 min read


Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb delivers: steel, scenery, spectacle
Above: Once at the top, Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller pause for a victory pose. The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is world famous for its challenge and spectacle. Below: Dwarfed by massive steel, climbers at far right make their way up the side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Directly in front of the first climber are the steep ladders one climbs to the top SENSORY OVERLOAD CLIMBING WORLD'S MOST ICONIC BRIDGE IN SYDNEY "It's like climbing a majestic erector set assem

Christene Meyers
Mar 2, 20235 min read


Santa Barbara's Maritime Museum: highlight of a Ventura County visit
A fine collection of seafaring artifacts combines with beautifully curated changing exhibits to show off Santa Barbara's proud maritime...

Christene Meyers
Feb 16, 20234 min read
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