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Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures


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 26, 20233 min read


Gannets galore at wondrous habitat in New Zealand's north island
A spectacular gannet sanctuary in New Zealand offers a rare opportunity to view these graceful, enduring birds close-up, here with their...

Christene Meyers
Jul 12, 20234 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


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


Worldwide, we celebrate PRIDE month with hope, understanding
The famous Sydney Opera House is aglow with "Pride" colors, a proud rainbow celebrating Australia's strong support of the progress toward inclusion, tolerance and embrace of all people. PRIDE month encourages professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER LGBT Pride Month is celebrated worldwide. It stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month, celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Sto

Christene Meyers
May 31, 20234 min read
Memorials worldwide honor victims, heroes, urging us to remember
A sculpture to world peace frames Cookie and Keller at the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Honolulu, home to the often photographed USS Arizona...

Christene Meyers
May 24, 20235 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 17, 20235 min read


Bishop Museum is Honolulu's treasure trove of Pacific Island wonders
The Bishop Museum's several buildings range from historic to contemporary and house millions of priceless items. It represents the world's largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific cultural artifacts and natural history specimens. Its many collections contribute to global research. MUSEUM SHINES ARTFUL SPOTLIGHT ON HISTORY OF SOUTH PACIFICIN STATELY HONOLULU COMPLEX STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER THE BISHOP Museum in Honolulu is a true treasure trove. You'l

Christene Meyers
May 10, 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


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


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 14, 20236 min read


'Empire Strips Back' is affectionate 'Star Wars' parody, fun burlesque
Fabulous dancing marks "The Empire Strips Back," in San Diego. Here, Chewbacca and Han Solo dress the stage in a wonderful dance. It's one of the highlights of an action packed, unauthorized burlesque parody of the "Star Wars" trilogy. It is playing through April 30 in San Diego. --(Photo Courtesy of The Empire Strips Back ) 'STAR WARS' HIP, NEW PARODY FEATURES COMEDY, BURLESQUE, SEXY DANCING AS FANS CHEER ON BELOVED CHARACTERS Emcee Eric Newton provides "adults only" bant

Christene Meyers
Apr 5, 20234 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 29, 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 22, 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 15, 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


Guitar museum offers spectacular music from Portugal's heart, soul
The art of "fado" or music of the soul is a time honored, intricate and emotional rendering ofPortuguese songs with a melancholy theme,...

Christene Meyers
Feb 23, 20234 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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