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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


CityPASS offers an economical fun way to enjoy a city's attractions
Put yourself in the center of the action with CityPASS, a great money-saving concept available in many U.S. cities and Toronto. Here,...

Christene Meyers
Jan 11, 20245 min read


Thanksgiving blessings abound; be grateful, loving, generous all year
Gratitude comes in family size for Christene "Cookie" Meyers, in center, surrounded by her clan of siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, adopted family and the next generation. GATHER TOGETHER, ROLL MERRILY ALONG, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, BE GRATEFUL FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY Editor's Note: Our annual Thanksgiving essay is dedicated to our American friends and family and extended clan and pals abroad who celebrate their thanks on other days. Cookie and Grandpa Gus on Thanksgiving Day

Christene Meyers
Nov 23, 20235 min read


Take a train if you're a world traveler: efficient, clean, punctual and fun.
London's King's Cross Train Station is usually abuzz with people. Bruce Keller removed the crowd from this spectacular photo, to show...

Christene Meyers
Nov 16, 20234 min read


Good grub includes barbecue, gator bites on Cocoa Beach foodie trek
Cocoa Village boasts a super food tasting experience with entrepreneur Halim Urban, who runs his popular tour with wife Jessica. With 20...

Christene Meyers
Oct 25, 20233 min read


Florida's Space Center showcases our labors in space
Kennedy Space Center's extraordinary exhibits symbolize American ingenuity while feeding the curious soul. The Center's intriguing...

Christene Meyers
Oct 18, 20234 min read


Have a whale of a time with resident visitors in Depoe Bay, Oregon
Depoe Bay's small, beautiful harbor leads the way to an exciting time with resident whales. Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers...

Christene Meyers
Oct 11, 20234 min read


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 27, 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 20, 20234 min read


Tippet Rise spotlights Montana's geology along with nature, music, art
Artist Mark di Suvero's "Beethoven's Quartet" is a stunning work. An art tour participant in the left of the photo gives a sense of the...

Christene Meyers
Aug 23, 20234 min read


Pop-up Montana wedding: Here comes the surprised, speechless bride!
The clan gathered for a birthday party for Christene "Cookie" Meyers, but she didn't know it was also a wedding. Her longtime partner, photographer Bruce Keller, had arranged the ceremony with the couple's niece and nephew, Amarylla and Steve Ganner. "Father Steve" officiated. "Father Steve," a San Francisco lay minister, has officiated at other weddings. He and his wife, Cookie's niece Amarylla, secretly arranged with Keller to add a wedding to the birthday bash. GROOM P

Christene Meyers
Aug 16, 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 9, 20235 min read


Montana Shakespeare in the Parks: AMBITIOUS TOURING COMPANY BRINGS THE BARD TO THE MASSES
Lights, action, enjoyment. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks brings a pair of works to enthusiastic audiences from Bozeman to Cody, Wyo., Helena to Superior, and parts of Idaho with a stop in Washington state. The award-winning endeavor is presented free and sustained by grants and donations. "Love's Labors Lost" was on tour in an earlier production. Notice the elaborate costumes, and a stage that is collapsed, packed up and transported via truck dozens of times per season. ST

Christene Meyers
Aug 2, 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 5, 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 28, 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 21, 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 14, 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 7, 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 3, 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 26, 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 19, 20236 min read
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