Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

Dunedin is known as the Edinburgh of New Zealand, and has the green one sees in Scotland. Dunedin's Railway Station is beautifully restored to its 1906 grandeur.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE MEYERS WHEN THE  Scots came to Dunedin in 1848 they brought their culture along -- from bagpipes to cattle to a love of flowers and , yes, haggis. But if you don't like the squeal of the pipes or the mess of innards and arcane cooking methods, never mind. Dunedin

NEW ZEALAND, AUSSIE BIRDS, SOME BATTLING EXTINCTION, RANK HIGH ON 'MUST-SEE' LIST We watched two pair of Australian white ibis -- at two...

Cookie hamming it up with temp Maori tattoo SLICE OF MAORI LIFEREMAINS WITH TRAVELERSIN MEMORIES OF GENTLEPEOPLE, HOMEMADE GOODIESAND BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN Okains Bay encourages families to live there, providing cheap lodging in exchange for children learning the Maori language. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER We left historic Akaroa, founded in 1840 by the French, for a 50-mile plus drive.  We were met by a group of school children who welcomed us with song and

Expressive hands of a Maori elder welcome visitors and enhance a story in a village on a Waimaramamaori.com tour. Our guide, Denise, ponders a question in a pensive and reflective moment before a musical show. TRAVELERS LEARN OF ANCIENT CULTURE, ENJOY MUSIC, GAMES, TATTOOS, ART, TALES STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER  THE MAORI  people are a proud and noble race, descending from warriors, farmers, healers, astronomers and explorers.   The people go back as f

Cinema's beloved Hobbit journey began in New Zealand's picturesque forest The homes of the Hobbits are small, befitting the tiny, magical...

AUF WIEDERSEHEN TO A BELOVED ICON: ACTOR, WRITER, CAT LOVER, GOURMET, GARDENER, TRANSLATOR, TRAVELER "The sun will rise and the moon...

MINSTREL, TEACHER PLAYS ENGAGING RANGE OF STYLES, PERIODS Greatly gifted Josiah Diallo plays and teaches in the San Diego area. STORY By...

You're sure to find a wilderness preserve or wildlife and bird refuge near you. Check it out for a relaxing, cheap diversion.   STORY By...

La Casa Del Zorro (home of the fox) encourages a peaceful and magical stay from registration until reluctant departure. The fox logo,...

Glacier Park's beauty reflects millions of years of change in ancient rock formations.  Here, summer meets winter!  Snow has already come...

BACK ON TERRA FIRMA IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE! Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge as seen from our veranda earlier this morning.  What a...

CLICK HERE to buy Lilian's Last Dance   a new e-Book on Amazon British born Emma Williams played a sultry, fun Annie Oakley.  'LILIAN'S...

Julian's famous Julian Cafe and Bakery has delicious pies and ice cream flavors.  Here, Cookie shares with Nick & Nora. TRY JULIAN,...

Famed Kiwi director Lord Peter Jackson created Hobbiton, on which his award winning films were made. A Maori tattoo was given to Cookie...

WRITERS TOOK TO BACKROADS, MUSEUMS, RANCHES,  HOTELS IN SEARCH OF LOCAL COLOR The gorgeous Parker Ranch in Hawaii inspired a passage about paniolo life in "Lilian's Last Dance." STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS RECENT PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Click here ==> Lilian's Last Dance ON THE TRAIL  of local color and detail for the book, "Lilian's Last Dance," my late husband Bill Jones and I traveled to Hawaii, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois and many other states. We learned so

WHERE SHOULD WE GO FOR A QUICK WEEKEND, OR WEEK LONG GET-AWAY? CONSIDER THIS LIVELY, ARTSY MONTANA TOWN Red Lodge, Montana, offers...

Falling into disrepair, there is still beauty in the abandoned Castle buildings. Buildings were beautifully built, apparently intended to...

The Fairfield Park Inn, Fairfield, Montana, offers pet-friendly digs near the lovely bird watching area of Freezeout Lake. PET FRIENDLY...

The Wapiti Valley offers a beautiful drive in splendid fall weather, with changing colors, elk on the move and more. FALL ROAD TRIP IS...

AUTUMN COMES TO THE NORTHERN ROCKIES OFFERING SPLENDID PHOTOS, SUNNY HIKING, FROST ON THE PUMPKIN BUT WARMTH IN OUR HEARTS  At top, the...