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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


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


Whale watching w Flagship yields maritime pleasures, birds, dolphins and calm
There’s no better way to greet the Pacific than aboard a Flagship Cruises whale‑watching adventure. Departing from Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego, the 3.5‑hour tour follows the gray whale migration route between Alaska and Baja California—one of nature’s great spectacles. From December through April, thousands of whales cruise just offshore, often accompanied by playful dolphins and sea lions.
Flagship launched the world’s first commercial whale‑watching cruise back in

Christene Meyers
Mar 31, 20224 min read


Hawaiian fire dance @ Hilton: fiery show is steeped in tradition, meaning
Beautiful costumes, magical lighting, talented dancers with garlands of leaves enhance the show at Hilton Garden Inn, Kauai. The fire...

Christene Meyers
Mar 24, 20225 min read


Celebrate each day, take the trip, book the train, take the cruise
Cruises to her ancestral homes -- Norway and Ireland -- were gifts to Ellen Cosgriffe from her daughters, Robbie, standing, and Christene...

Christene Meyers
Mar 17, 20223 min read


Quiet, calming Kauai Hilton Garden offers relaxing retreat from war, virus, worry
Bruce Keller and Christene Meyers are greeted with leis at Hilton Garden Inn Kauai, on a romantic get-away. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS...

Christene Meyers
Mar 10, 20224 min read


Yellowstone National Park turns 150 this week
One hundred fifty years ago, Yellowstone was created, signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. Happy Birthday, wonderful Yellowstone.

Cookie & Keller
Mar 3, 20225 min read


Hawaii's volcanoes attract worldwide audience of curious tourists
On a blustery but sunny day at Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano, Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers take a selfie against the eerie but...

Christene Meyers
Feb 24, 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



Christene Meyers
Feb 10, 20225 min read


Flying high above Kauai -- splendors in the sky await in airplane tour
Hawaii's fourth largest island, Kauai, is captured from high above the coast in an Air Ventures plane. SMALL PLANE, GREAT NARRATIVE WITH...

Christene Meyers
Feb 3, 20223 min read


Swimming with dolphins: a treat to cement bond between species
Enchanted families have the rare experience of being up close and personal with dolphins in Hilton Waikoloa Village's acclaimed Dolphin...

Christene Meyers
Jan 27, 20224 min read


Food Tour - Dining delights in Key West: Munching a tasty, Cuban inspired path through town
Before the restaurant opened to the public, our small tasting group was invited in to El Siboney, a small, family-run eatery part of an enjoyable food tasting tour in Key West, Florida. Conch fritters are on the menu at Mangoes, a lively fish eatery in Key West. The walking tour features five fun restaurants and lots of local history. Pork, beans and rice are a staple of the Cuban diet here served casually at El Siboney. CUBAN FOOD, VINTAGE CARS, MUSIC, COFFEE SCENERY SUG

Christene Meyers
Jan 20, 20224 min read


Key West legends: Hemingway, Truman shared love of a unique place
THE PRESIDENT who ended World War II and the writer who ran with the bulls in Pamplona loved Key West, Florida. Neither could claim to be a "conch" (native son) -- but each fished the waters and relaxed in the town.
Both men established homes in this laid-back berg, spending treasured days there. Harry Truman escaped Washington D.C.'s cruel winters, spending 11 extended stays during his Presidency,1946-1952. Beginning in 1931, Ernest Hemingway spent a half-dozen years in

Christene Meyers
Jan 13, 20225 min read


Key West charms with activity, history, sun, sand, homeland safety
Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller stroll the waterfront in Key West, readying to sail. U.S. TRAVELERS ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THE...

Christene Meyers
Jan 6, 20224 min read
Holiday happiness: food, fun, family and a cherished recipe
Bruce Keller displays the cookies he begged for and which the non-baker Cookie provided. He pronounced them "incredible - far beyond...

Christene Meyers
Dec 23, 20213 min read
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