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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


Honolulu Museum of Art is Eye-popping -opens minds, eyes and imagination
Honolulu Museum of Art's extensive collection includes significant holdings in Asian art, American and European painting and decorative arts. The Asian collection is among the Pacific's finest. HONOLULU ART MUSEUM OFFERS 50,000 WORKS SPANNING 5,000 YEARS, A WISE COLLECTOR'S GIFT THAT GREW "Lobster," a work by Hawaiian artist Noah Harders, is among eye-catching pieces on view at the magnificent Honolulu Museum of Art in Hawaii. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLE

Christene Meyers
Oct 5, 20234 min read


New Zealand's Te Papa is free and wondrous, a top world museum
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is an architectural, cultural and artistic wonder. Wellington's delightful complex...

Christene Meyers
May 18, 20235 min read


Bishop Museum is Honolulu's treasure trove of Pacific Island wonders
The museum offers a deep scientific perspective on the Pacific, revealing the unique ecosystems of Hawaii, including native birds, marine life, and volcanic geology that make the islands unlike anywhere else on Earth. Interactive displays explain how the Hawaiian archipelago formed in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and how isolation created unique biodiversity. The museum’s science center and planetarium add dimension. It's great for families and curious travelers.

Cookie & Keller
May 11, 20234 min read


Guitar Museum Portugal offers spectacular music from heart and soul
More than just a shop, Casa da Guitarra is a cultural center near the Sé Cathedral dedicated to the preservation of traditional Portuguese guitars

Cookie & Keller
Feb 23, 20234 min read


Gaudi's genius is on showy display in masterful Barcelona architecture
Architect's imagination and reverence for nature highlight his 'La Pedrera,' in Barcelona STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers enjoy a moment of reflection outside Gaudi's Casa Mila, or "La Pedrera." The curved "attic" of Casa Mila is a museum on its own, with drawings, exhibits and models showing the profound influence nature had on Gaudi's life's work. WHEN THE brilliant architect Antoni Gaudi was struck by a tram on a

Christene Meyers
Dec 8, 20225 min read


Amsterdam's canals offer relaxing time with beauty, relaxation, intriguing history
The Dam Square is still the city's heart. But today this former barrier between the River Amstel and the “Southern Sea” is one of the few places in the center of town that you cannot sail a boat to. The last part of the river leading to the dam fell victim to land-traffic in 1922. The street that replaced it is called "Damrak," meaning “Last section of the river, leading to the Dam.” Today, a subway line is being built in the old riverbed.

Cookie & Keller
Nov 10, 20225 min read


Utah's Tuacahn: Spectacular performing arts space in natural setting
Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers marvel at the spectacular view from Utah's Tuacahn. THEATER LOVING ROAD TRIPPERS DELIGHT IN...

Christene Meyers
Jul 28, 20224 min read


Hawaii's Lyman Museum highlights wildlife, sea life, Polynesian travel, rich island history
Hawaii"s fascinating history is told in striking exhibits and displays at Lyman Museum in Hilo HILO MUSEUM OFFERS WORLD CLASS STUDY OF...

Christene Meyers
Apr 28, 20225 min read


Midway marvels: historic wartime vessel engages visitors in San Diego
Interested visitors come and go on the top deck of the USS Midway. Actor Tom Cruise in "Top Gun." Press promotion shots were made aboard...

Christene Meyers
Apr 14, 20224 min read


San Diego Maritime Museum offers ships, history, views, harbor tour
Ahoy, maties! A re-enactor tells tales of a sailor's life, impersonating explorer Juan Cabrillo, aboard San Salvador at Maritime Museum of San Diego. GO DOWN TO THE SEA IN SHIPS AT A WORLD CLASS CALIFORNIA MUSEUM Christene "Cookie" Meyers and her brother Rick Cosgriffe aboard Pilot, which takes visitors on a fun harbor tour. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IF YOU WANT a taste of the sea, with the vessels which explored the world, you won't find a better pla

Christene Meyers
Apr 7, 20224 min read


World famous Hilton Waikoloa a Luxury Hotel with art creates intriguing walk-through museum in resort
This larger-than-life-size chariot with driver is among 1,800 stunning artworks at Hilton Waikoloa Village. The resort acquired a multi-million dollar collection of fascinating multi-media artwork. MAGIC OF PACIFIC OCEAN LIFE INSPIRES UNIQUE HOTEL ART COLLECTION STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER A classic selection of art pieces includes a variety of oars and weapons. Here, Bruce Keller admires them. A LUXURY HOTEL WITH its own museum. That's an apt description

Christene Meyers
Feb 17, 20224 min read


Astoria Maritime Museum offers superb look at Pacific Northwest's stormy sea connection
Crossing the fabled bar where the Columbia meets the Pacific is the focus of several exhibits at the engaging Columbia River Maritime...

Christene Meyers
Dec 9, 20213 min read


Astoria Oregon Trolley, culture, fun, food, maritime wonders
Perched where the broad Columbia River meets the Pacific, the historic port town of Astoria blends maritime heritage, artsy charm, and sweeping riverfront views into one unforgettable stop along the Pacific Northwest. Visitors arriving on a voyage with American Cruise Lines often find that the town feels both timeless and lively, where fishing boats, Victorian architecture, and coffee-roasting cafes share the same scenic streets.

Christene Meyers
Dec 2, 20214 min read


9/11 Memorial & Museum - RISING FROM THE ASHES, NEW TOWER REFLECTS AMERICA'S SPIRIT
Located on eight acres of the 16-acre World Trade Center complex, the 9/11 Memorial is a place of remembrance and contemplation within the bustle of lower Manhattan.

Christene Meyers
Sep 9, 20213 min read


Salinas California with Steinbeck lore, legend live on in Monterey and the Salinas Center celebrate the author's life
Step into the pages of American literature with a journey through Salinas and Monterey, where the spirit of John Steinbeck still lingers. From the agricultural heartland that shaped his stories to the historic waterfront of Cannery Row, this coastal California adventure blends literary history with seaside charm.

Cookie & Keller
Jul 15, 20214 min read


Tips to tracking art and beauty worldwide in pandemic times
Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo, showcases the work of a single artist, Gustav Vigeland, all outdoors. OUTDOOR ART AND NATURE VENUES OFFER...

Christene Meyers
Apr 15, 20214 min read


Borrego Springs Blooms, art vie for attention in the desert near
Ricardo Breceda's whimsical sculptures include desert wildlife and this fetching dragon, whose tail intriguingly goes under the road and...

Christene Meyers
Mar 19, 20215 min read


Museum of the Rockies Bozeman, Montana: college town, foodie haven, with nature, museums and more
"Big Mike" greets visitors to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, reopened since June. BOZEMAN's BOOMING: MONTANA'S FASTEST GROWING...

Christene Meyers
Oct 16, 20203 min read


Awesome Oslo: Norway's capital, handsome hybrid of old, new and artsy
Oslo is a proud city, which grew from a rustic 9th Century village to a bustling region of nearly a million people.

Cookie & Keller
Sep 11, 20204 min read


Palm Springs Art Museum - Art, light, space welcome to world class
Palm Springs Art Museum has two outdoor sculpture gardens and is home to paintings and sculpture by Alexander Calder, Claire Falkenstein,...

Christene Meyers
Feb 28, 20204 min read
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