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. Cookie and Keller 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 KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: this piece was updated July 17, 2026 Christene "Cookie" Meyers is happy bird-watching in the forest of Blue Mountains' Scenic World. IT IS A TRULY majestic place. Katoomba. The word sounds exotic -- and the place truly is! Swirling otherworldly mists, steep streets lined with art-deco buildings, astonishing valley views, and a quirky miscellany of restaurants, buskers, artists, bawdy pubs and a classy, historic hotel awaits you. We took three days off from two weeks of city touring in Sydney and Brisbane. The plan was to spend two or three days in lovely Katoomba, using it as a sanctuary, a respite, between those two busy attractions. WE INDEED found peace and tranquility in Katoomba, plus spectacular scenery that can't help but inspire. Katoomba is a picturesque place, the chief town in the captivating Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. It's a great choice for a weekend or a mid-week get-away. So with friends, we headed out from Sydney via train on a Wednesday, spending the rest of the week and returning Saturday. Our friends had booked the same inn for a couple days, the lovely Mountain Heritage Hotel and Spa. What makes it a great weekend place are its multiple charms: scenic days of relaxed touring in Katoomba. Posed by the stately Mountain Heritage Hotel, Bruce Keller and "Cookie" enjoy the day. There’s something for everyone in Katoomba, from waterfalls the daring can swim under, to lovely sunset spots, a craft brewery and the world’s steepest railway. Our room at Mountain Heritage Hotel overlooked the beautiful Blue Mountains. Katoomba is in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. We found it an inviting place to take those few days off from nearly three months of hectic touring. Scenic World is a huge part of the draw. WE SETTLED in Hotel Mountain Heritage, an imposing place perched on the edge of a ridge, 300 meters from the heart of Katoomba’s town centre. It's a bit of a walk, but a beautiful one, slightly uphill. We chose it for its charm, history, word of a fabulous restaurant (it's true!) and panoramic views of the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains. Sydney to Katoomba by train is a comfortable, interesting way to see the countryside. This delightful inn has a well trained and friendly staff, a huge bowl of apples to welcome, a full-service bar, grand piano and antiques and historic photos throughout the comfortable lounge areas and rooms. Katoomba's shops are colorful with a mix of imports from all over the Pacific and India. The hotel captures the charm of the past, but with modern amenities. It's a grand, old-fashioned place, a stately one-time hunting lodge turned pampering hotel with one of the best restaurants we encountered in five visits to this vast and varied country. Christene "Cookie" Meyers plays the grand piano at Mountain Heritage Inn. With spectacular attractions like Scenic World and its Three Sisters, Katoomba is a ''must" when you're planning an Australia itinerary. Particularly if you're in Sydney, you're within easy range so don't miss it. Our spectacular hotel and restaurant with its calming vibe had hospitality in spades, including an invitation to play that beautiful vintage grand piano. Our short daily walks to the city revealed a thriving cafe culture, colorful boutiques and galleries galore. WE SPENT our three days with bird's-eye views of the valley, centering our time in Scenic World. It's like a "nature oriented Disneyland" where we descended into the Jurassic rainforest on the world’s steepest railway and hopped on the famous Skyway cable car for spectacular 360-degree views of waterfalls, lush foliage and rocky ledges. Katoomba's train station is small and in the town's center. Here, "Cookie and Keller" arrive. THE TOWN is an interesting mix of architecture and a steadfast endorsement of the welcoming spirit for which Australia is famous. Shopkeepers greet you and people on the street are happy to give directions. Tourism is king. Hotels, restaurants, tour agencies and the town's fun double-decker bus rely on tourism, including conferences. Major draws are clean fresh air, spectacular flora and fauna, and a comfortable, temperate climate. Each town in the Blue Mountains region is filled with history, sights, culture and community spirit. This beautiful area awaits just hours from Sydney. The world's steepest rail ride awaits bravery at Scenic World. The glories of the town's natural attractions are not over-stated. Landmarks are remarkable. The dramatic "Three Sisters" sculptural peaks teeter over the Jamison Valley. The thrilling Scenic World glass-bottom cable car and world's steepest railway are goose-bump inducing. A stroll through the Jurassic rainforest is an invigorating way to spend a few hours. Waterfalls are a large part of Scenic World's lure. . WE JUMPED on the red double-decker Explorer Bus all three days, visiting sights dotted along the escarpment. One can also travel in a chauffeured vintage car with Blue Mountains Vintage Cadillacs. Young pals at the hotel laced up their hiking boots to tackle the Golden Staircase on the Ruined Castle Walking Track. Maybe next time! f you're too tired to walk your bag from Mountain Heritage back to the train station, the hotel will call a taxi. We took advantage of that service. Fulfilled, rested and happy, we can't wait to return. A Scenic World adventure can entertain for a day or two or a week or more, depending on what you wish to see and do. For more information: mountainheritage.com.au/ scenicworld.com.au/ australiatrains.com/ Sydney's a place where people dress up and have fun. It's a modern, exciting city, with a colorful past and plenty to share with visitors. Here, a dapper lady prepares to board a harbor cruise. Please share the link: www.whereiscookie.com UP NEXT: Sydney. There's no other city like it. Settled by convicts sent to Australia from Great Britain, this colorful city is one of the world's most diverse and prosperous, with a mix of East-meets-West culture. We take you to the harbor, the beaches, the famous bridge, beach and Sydney Opera House, with a look at how people live, what locals like and what tourists see. Then Fiji beckons, as it has to each of us many times since our first trips in the 1970s, long before we knew one another. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh look at travel, nature, the arts, family and more. Please share the link: www.whereiscookie.com

Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller stroll the waterfront in Key West, readying to sail. U.S. TRAVELERS ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THE LIVELY YET LAID BACK FLORIDA KEYS IN OUR BACK YARD STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: This piece was updated July 17, 2026 The Conch Train is a well loved travel option downtown. WHEN ONE yearns for balmy breezes, fun food and the soothing sound of the sea, it's not necessary to book a ticket to Fiji, the Canaries or French Polynesia. Those are beautiful places, but with the time, angst and red tape necessary to enjoy foreign travel, U.S. citizens looking for somewhere close can't do better than Key West, Florida. Cookie shows her ticket to board Old Town Trolley. One of its stops is Hampton Inn near the water. Key West charms are abundant OUR COUNTRY'S southernmost subtropical paradise is a unique blend of all that we seasoned travelers yearn for: perfect climate, the beauty of nature on both land and sea, flowers galore, cultural diversity, history, and a romantic appeal that one usually has to go to another continent to enjoy. Coffee is a huge industry in Key West, and you'll find coffee stores as well as cafes serving the sweet, strong and pungent Cuban coffee. ALL OF THAT MAKES Key West attractive to us, with one huge additional advantage. We're still in the good old U.S., and don't have to fill out entry forms and paperwork to experience the new. It's fairly easy to head for south Florida. The many Key West charms include its wide array of enticements. They combine to give the town enormous appeal. Old town Trolley gives bird's eye views of homes, museums. There's the exotic amenities one looks for in foreign travel: interesting architecture, new food options, history with an opportunity to learn, top hotels, comforting familiar language and enlightening nature experiences. There's also a fine butterfly conservatory and world-famous museums, including Mel Fisher's fascinating one, where one views artfully curated treasures found on the shipwrecked Atocha. If you want to see the sights without the expense of renting a car, the wonderful Old Town Trolley offers is a delightful way to get around with access to nearly everything of interest. It picked us up at our Hampton Inn to transit famous Key West streets and squares, popular local places and tourist attractions ranging from the fine Key West Aquarium, Key West Lighthouse, the shops and restaurants of Mallory Square and other historical and entertaining places. Sunset sails are a popular Key West option. Key West's history is filled with drama and the amiable, well informed trolley guides share the history with colorful anecdotes, engaging stories and humorous asides. You'll see the coffee shop where President Harry Truman ditched the secret service at his Florida White House to share a morning cuppa with Florida friends. You'll see key lime pie adverts and get tips on the best places. You'll stop near Ernest Hemingway's lovely home and see how the writer lived and worked -- with his adored six-toed cats. Close-up of a cigar poster, touting the stogie grown from Cuban seeds, but on other Latin American soils. A wonderful museum is housed in a historic building run by the non-profit Key West Art and Historical Society. Cigar making was once a huge industry in Key West and Island Cigar Company still sells them. Key West has a rich cigar history, but most stogies in the Keys are now made in other parts of Latin America with tobacco grown from Cuban seeds. More highlights of Key West charms Among many historic buildings, this one is the original office of Pan American World Airways. The building is now First Flight, a popular Key West brewery and restaurant. Watersports abound in Key West, with sunset sails, dolphin and snorkel watching, eco and paddleboardours and many other options, including a wonderful rare opportunity to sail on General George Patton's custom made schooner "When and If," which he designed and hoped to sail with his wife around the world "when and if" World War II ended. Sadly, Patton died in 1945 and didn't accomplish his world sailing tour. He did sail it up and down the East Coast, and Chesapeake Bay, and down into Key West, according to biographers. (More about this lovely boat later.) Salvaged from the Spanish ship, Atocha, pottery display in the fine Mel Fisher Museum. OTHER TOWNS in the U.S. -- including our own San Diego -- have successfully introduced Old Town Trolley. The entertaining trolley operation also runs in Savannah, Washington D.C., St. Augustine, Boston and Nashville. This handsome rooster and all chickens are protected in Key West. For more info: https://fla-keys.com/key-west/ One of the Hemingway six-toed cat progeny at his Key West home-museum, with the author's memorabilia, portraits and history of his wives. www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eywkkhx-hampton-key-west/ www.historictours.com www.keywestchamber.org https://www.trolleytours.com/key-west www.furycat.com www.keywestbutterfly.com www.sunsetsailkeywest.com www.kwahs.org/museums/custom-house/visit www.sunsetwatersportskeywest.com Key West is an artistic town, with galleries and museums showcasing everything from shipwreck treasures to carvings and paintings. Up next, we explore the Ernest hemingway museum and home. UP NEXT: Our visit to Key West and the Florida Keys continues with a look at two famous fellows who loved the place. Famed author Ernest Hemingway lived many years in Key West, and President Harry S. Truman set up a White House in this charming Florida town. Both made friends with the locals and enjoyed the leisurely, warm and inviting life the climate and temperament offer. Descendants of Hemingway's famed six-toed cats roam the place as privileged, pampered pets. Truman's beloved vacation home gives insight into why he loved Key West. Both homes are interesting museums. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for a fresh look at travel, nature, family, the arts: www.whereiscookie.com

We've taken this spectacular rail journey several times -- late summer, fall and recently, when snow can still be seen, with wildflowers. White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad from Skagway is a stunning trip. We recommend booking passage on Norwegian Cruise Line's Bliss for the key Alaska stops. EXPLORE SKAGWAY'S SPLENDORS AFTER ARRIVING IN STYLE AND COMFORT ON NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE'S BLISS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: This piece was updated July 16, 2026 SKAGWAY IS known perhaps best for its rugged rail ride deep into Yukon territory. We've found the best way to ease into this spectacular beauty is from an equally spectacular ship, and Norwegian Cruise Line's Bliss is a favorite. Skagway train ride offers pampering preparation for a traverse of dangerous mountain passes, with lively commentary on the daring souls who explored the region in search of adventure and riches. All aboard, as the train pulls into the Skagway station for a trip into Alaska's wilderness -- still chilly in summer. IT'S DIFFICULT to imagine our forefathers blasting a train track through the granite rock of Alaska's spectacular White Pass in the winter freeze of minus 60 degrees. All heads are turned toward spectacular scenery. But they did! We followed in their footsteps -- the easy way -- on a recent cruise to Alaska with a stop in Skagway. Our gear included binoculars, protein bars, bottled water and winter coats. We weren't carrying the pick-axes and dynamite our ancestors needed, and we rode no hungry horses. Instead, we viewed Skagway from our Bliss balcony while slipping on winter coats. We were glad for them -- as we left our cozy stateroom to answer the "all aboard" call and ride the spectacular iron rail. SKAGWAY IS on Alaska's panhandle, a compact city in the state's southeast, along the popular cruise route the Inside Passage. It's home to early gold-rush-era buildings, carefully preserved as part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. There's the Red Onion Saloon, established in 1898 as a bordello for lonely miners and today a popular downtown saloon. This colorful and lively place houses a museum that preserves the seamy history of the town. So have a wee nip there, then head for the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, which accommodates thousands of Skagway cruise visitors each year. It combines scenery with history in comfy cars driven by vintage locomotives and provides an entertaining morning or afternoon to give you a great overview of the city's past and important place in Alaska's development. NCL's Bliss stops in stunning Skagway, after visiting Ketchikan and Juneau. The ship's unique rounded floor to ceiling windows in comfy lounges offer spectacular views of Glacier Bay. Picturesque Skagway is home to sled dogs and mushers, beer makers, glass blowers, fishermen and wood carvers. IF YOU HAVE not been to the Skagway train ride you'll want to make this stop, even if for only a day on a cruise. We've visited a half-dozen times, and recommend NCL's sleek and inviting Bliss which makes all the important Alaska stops, departing from Seattle. Once in Skagway, traverse the steep Chilkoot trail to see sweeping mountain views as you climb from ship to train toward Canada. THERE'S PLENTY to do in Skagway if you're here for several days: dog sledding, gold rush history and an interesting main street with restored buildings. We left our "Blissful" comforts and Skagway behind, to climb past gorgeous falls, gulches, canyons and riverbeds white with winter's snow, heading to White Pass Summit's international boundary between U.S. and Canada. As spring comes, the mountains green up and on the curves, passengers can view the impressive length of the train. A lively commentary describes the building of this legendary railroad and the brave men who cut grade on Tunnel Mountain and other foreboding hills to accommodate determined, even frenzied gold miners. THE HISTORY dates to 1896 when George Carmack and two Indian companions, Skookum Jim and Dawson Charlie, found a few golden flakes in Bonanza Creek in the Klondike. Although their discovery barely filled the spent cartridge of a Winchester rifle, it triggered a stampede for riches. The Klondike gold Rush was on. Front view of the massive snow plow used by the train in winter. Our knowledgeable guide didn't sugarcoat this colorful episode in history. It had its tragic side. More than 30 men were killed during the building of 110 miles of track and many horses and pack animals plunged to their deaths or starved in the bitter cold and treacherous pathway. NOT ALL miners thought to bring proper horse feed or treat their faithful pack animals with care. Some of the work took place in dead of winter when heavy snows blocked the 16-degree turns and temperatures plunged to minus 60 degrees. WE ENJOYED the cars' names -- they're all christened after lakes and rivers in Alaska, Yukon and British Columbia. Most are at least 40 years old. Lake Tutshi, vintage 1893, which starred in the 1935 movie, "Diamond Jim Brady," or Lake Lebarge, which carried Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on the same trek we took -- back in 1959. The oldest car is Lake Emerald, built in 1883 and still traveling the line. Snow melt provides gushing streams; the train tour offers stunning views of the gullies and ravines on the route. Along the route, there's plenty of history -- of the vigorous miners who dared the dangers of the pass in search of their fortune and other enterprising souls whose luck was not with them. Various shady characters tried to cash in on the miners, including George Brackett, a one-time construction engineer who built a 12- mile toll road up White Pass canyon. This worked for a brief time, until angry miners tossed the toll gates down a ravine making his road a failure. But clever Brackett made out well, eventually, when White Pass and Yukon Railroad Company organized and paid him $110,000 for the a right-of-way. Safely back from a thrilling rail ride, "Keller and Cookie" head back to NCL's Bliss. On our return back towards Skagway with its quaint pastel buildings, we took a last look at the Sawtooth Mountains and admired the bright colored flora: golden arnica, pink fireweed, purple monkshood, scarlet columbine, lavender geranium, white yarrow and the deep red berries of the mountain ash. S NCL's Bliss welcomed us home. For more information or to book an NCL cruise: ncl.com, 866.234.7350. To book the rail excursion: 1 800 343-7373; info@wpyr.com All eyes are on the horizon as an orca pod is spotted. UP NEXT: Juneau is the place to be if you're looking for superb marine-life viewing. There's much more to Alaska's capital city than Sarah Palin. We take readers on a wild and chilly whale and dolphin watching tour. It's good fun and a serious boat ride deep into the Gastineau Channel and Alaskan panhandle. The air is crisp, the sun shines bright and the whale-watching boats are back in business with Juneau Tours and Whale Watch. You're in for an exciting whale watching tour, one of the best we've experienced in looking for whales on several continents. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly! www.whereiscookie.com

Some of the world's most rugged terrain challenged engineers who built this trestle on the steep hillside. RUGGED RAIL RIDE TAKES TRAVELERS INTO ALASKA'S SPECTACULAR GOLD RUSH TERRAIN STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: This piece was updated July 16, 2026 IT'S DIFFICULT to imagine our forefathers blasting a train track through the granite rock of Alaska's spectacular White Pass in the winter freeze of minus 60 degrees. But they did! We followed in their footsteps -- the easy way. With binoculars and bottled water, not pick-axes, dynamite and hungry horses. White Pass and Yukon conductors bring the train home from the hills. We recently answered the "all aboard" call to ride the spectacular iron trail outside Skagway. DEPARTING Carnival's Miracle cruise ship we walked just steps to the convenient platform of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, a daring endeavor of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Train travelers are all eyes as the train offers stunning views on both sides. Built through some of the world's most rugged and spectacular terrain, the narrow gauge railway is still in operation, using old-fashioned parlor cars much like the originals. A narrated train journey takes travelers deep into Yukon territory. As we left colorful Skagway behind, we climbed a steep grade past gorgeous falls, gulches, canyons and riverbeds, heading to White Pass Summit which is the international boundary between the U.S. and Canada. Keller poses in downtown Skagway where historic rail cars are on show and visitors can walk or shuttle to ships. We'd taken a self-guided walking tour of Skagway earlier, to enjoy the dog sled and whale whaling lore, and admire the Skagway Street Car and signature yellow buses. We also visited the world famous Red Onion Saloon's Brothel Museum - every gold rush needs ladies of the evening. Keller passed on a good time girl and instead took a look at the steam engine and a gold panning exhibit. Teddy Roosevelt visited Skagway, named for the Tlingit word, "skagua" meaning "windy place." The pretty little town is famous for sled dogs, gardens, glassware and for being the childhood home of Sarah Palin! ("Can you see Russia?" our guide joked! "Sarah says it's right over there.") Scenic rail trip aboard the historic White Pass and Yukon Route Railway offers a chance to step outside the car as did this passenger. AFTER OUR nifty morning White Pass and Yukon Railway grounding, we boarded our White Pass car, made ourselves comfy, gazed and listened. A lively commentary described the building of this legendary railroad and the brave men who cut grade on Tunnel Mountain and other foreboding hills to accommodate the frenzied gold miners. THE HISTORY dates to 1896 when George Carmack and two Indian companions, Skookum Jim and Dawson Charlie, found a few flakes in Bonanza Creek in the Klondike. Although their discovery barely filled the spent cartridge of a Winchester rifle, it triggered a stampede for riches. The Klondike gold Rush was on. A front end close up of the massive snow plow used by the train in winter. Our knowledgeable guide didn't sugarcoat this colorful episode in history. It had its tragic side. More than 30 men were killed during the building of 110 miles of track and many horses and pack animals plunged to their deaths or starved. NOT ALL miners thought to bring proper horse feed or treat their faithful pack animals with care. Some of the work took place in dead of winter when heavy snows blocked the 16-degree turns and temperatures plunged to 60 degrees below zero. Skagway disappears as the train heads up the mountain. Amazingly, the rugged railway's construction was swift. It began in May of 1898 and continued through a daunting winter. Workers reached the Summit of White Pass in February of 1899. THE INTERNATIONAL effort cost $10 million, a collaborative effort combining British financing, American engineering and Canadian contracting. More than 10,000 men and 450 tons of explosives overcame climate and geography. The miracle of steel, timber and ingenuity was designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1994, sharing the honor with the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty and Panama Canal. CHIEF VISIONARY behind the project, many believe, was Skagway founder, Captain William Moore. He predicted a gold rush and built a sawmill and wharf and helped blaze the trail to the Summit of White Pass, named for the Canadian minister of the interior, Sir Thomas White. Today's visitors don't have to worry about tumbling off a rocky cliff, losing a horse to starvation or suffering hunger and thirst themselves. Dense old growth pine forests flank Skagway River. THE GREEN and yellow White Pass rail fleet includes 20 diesel-electric locomotives, 82 restored replica passenger coaches and two steam locomotives. An ongoing modernization program keeps the fleet in tip-top condition, for it is one of Skagway's favorite tourist pursuits. We enjoyed the cars' names -- they're all christened after lakes and rivers in Alaska, Yukon and British Columbia. Most are at least 40 years old. Lake Tutshi, vintage 1893, which starred in the 1935 movie, "Diamond Jim Brady," or Lake Lebarge, which carried Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on the same trek we took back in 1959. The oldest car is Lake Emerald, built in 1883 and still traveling the line. Picturesque Skagway is home to sled dogs and mushers, beer makers, glass blowers, fishermen and wood carvers. We learned from our guide that there are actual foot trails, including Chilkoot, leading to the interior lake country where stampeders began their 550-mile journey to the Yukon River and gold fields. Both the railroad's White Pass route, and the Chilkoot Trail are filled with hazards. Various enterprising people tried to cash in on the miners, including George Brackett, a one-time construction engineer who built a 12- mile toll road up White Pass canyon. So long, Skagway, as the White Pass train returns, from its rugged and scenic ride. ANGRY MINERS tossed the toll gates down a ravine and his road was a failure. Brackett made out well, eventually, when White Pass and Yukon Railroad Company organized and paid him $110,000 for the a right-of-way. Along our return route, back towards Skagway with its quaint pastel buildings, we took a last look at the Sawtooth Mountains and admired the bright colored flora: golden arnica, pink fireweed, purple monkshood, scarlet columbine, lavender geranium, white yarrow and the deep red berries of the mountain ash. Skagway is not to be missed. Historic train and spectacular scenery and a rail ride that some consider the world's most scenic. Carnival Miracle awaits our travelers as Cookie continues her 100th cruise. More on that is coming.... COMING NEXT: Join Cookie and Keller on a landmark "100th cruise" celebration, with reflections on Cookie's global cruising -- from barging and wine tasting in the French countryside, to canal tulip cruises in Holland, Atlantic crossings on the venerable Queen Elizabeth II, lazing in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles and transiting the Panama Canal. Remember to explore, learn and live, and check us out weekly at: www.whereiscookie.com You can find best bets and travel advice on things you must see.

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 TRAINS FOR A TRIP BACK IN TIME WITH STUNNING SCENERY STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: This piece was reviewed and updated July 16, 2026 Passengers have time to admire scenery and take photos traveling out of Picton, New Zealand. I LOVE TRAINS. My great-grandfather was a telegrapher on the Northern Pacific Railroad and his daughter, my gran Olive, grew up on trains. She passed that affection down the generations and I felt her presence as we hopped on the Marlborough Flyer for a step back in time to the days of World War I and steam locomotives. It was the first of two memorable train rides. We were in Picton aboard Celebrity's lovely New Zealand cruise on the line's Eclipse. A fun scenic tour is offered on this lovely heritage steam train from a majestic bygone era. The Flyer's carriages boast meticulous and comfortable seats in well preserved cars. New Zealand Train Travel Highlights Our journey took us from Picton and Blenheim in Marlborough, New Zealand, to the picturesque village of Seddon, where we were greeted by a Johnny Cash impersonator, homemade pastries, wine tastings, friendly people and a gaggle of curious sheep. AS WE chugged along in the Flyer, a fascinating commentary enriched our New Zealand train travel adventure. We heard about the historic WWI “Passchendaele.” It is named after a great battle and pays tribute to soldiers who worked for the railway and fell in that "Great War." Built in 1915 in Christchurch, a major "redo" of the locomotive was engineered by Steam Incorporated in 2014. The locomotive's noble history complements its reputation as one of the country's most successful of "AB Pacifics." Royals have boarded her and our group spanned the globe. New Zealand's trains offer close-up views of the track with winding curves, tunnels and time to admire the engineering feat of building trestles in remote areas. My train-loving partner and ever curious photographer, Bruce Keller, loves trains of all kinds and is particularly fond of steam trains. He enjoys "the sound -- the hiss of the steam, the feeling of nostalgia, the fun of being part of something that no longer exists in much of the world." THEN, IF YOU'RE planning a Dunedin stop, don't miss a trip on the Taieri Gorge Railway, one of the world's great train trips and Dunedin's top attraction. It departs from downtown Dunedin's stately train station, to travel deep into the Taieri Gorge for eye-popping scenery: brilliant golden fields, grand old trees and gorgeous foliage cloaking the mountainsides. Cookie is front and center on a viewing station between carriages on a colorful New Zealand train trip. BOTH JOURNEYS offer stunning landscape -- gorges, lush vegetation, tunnels, twisting roads, valleys and meadows. The quaint town of Picton is heritage-listed and has a welcoming charm while Dunedin's train station is a dazzling architectural wonder. Built in 1906, a magnificent Flemish Renaissance-style edifice features white Oamaru limestone facings on black basalt. Its dramatic "Gingerbread House" look is worth a visit, even if you're not boarding the train. We've taken the train journey three times and never tire of it. WHILE THE Marlborough train ride has a leisurely classic look, a ride on the Taieri Gorge train has a sleeker, more contemporary feel. We walked out of the carriage into a small, open-air balcony, to admire passing scenery and take photos -- without the intrusion of windows. Dunedin's stately train station is an attraction in itself, but do book a Taieri train trip while there. Perfect weather (end of summer now in New Zealand) showcased dramatic scenery: Otago's hills, sweeping viaducts and verdant landscape. We appreciated two distinctive, different trains, each with class and character. Scenery of New Zealand's South Island is remarkably varied. BECAUSE IT is vintage and lovingly restored to its century-old look, the Flyer takes pride in its classic, older rail car appeal. Comfy seats are a rich burgundy leather and the wood is nicely cared for. One hears the soothing clickety-clack, but it's not bumpy. The vintage car continues its "step back in time" with several photo stops. At the longer pause in Seddon, passengers stretch, shop and nibble. Seddon, named after a New Zealand prime minister, is 25 kilometers south of larger Blenheim, known for fine wine. The journey follows the banks of two rivers, the Awatere and Blind, home to choice grape growing regions. Their sauvignon blanc put New Zealand wines on the map. Many of our fellow passengers returned with bottles. THE TAIERI trip offers another kind of spectacle -- equally engaging. The scenery is more rugged, and its history unfolds before the eyes. Wrought iron viaducts and hand-carved tunnels conjure images of hardship during this impressive endeavor 100 years ago. Train lovers should make a double-header of these two colorful, narrated trips offering history, waterfalls, streams, flora, livestock and more. They reveal how people live, work and build: www.celebritycruises.com info@pounamutourismgroup.com www.dunedinrailways.co.nz www.marlboroughflyer.co.nz; siredmundhillaryexplorer.com; www.taierigorgeshoreexcursion.com; marboroughflyer.com www.newzealandrailways.com.nz And in the UK: www.britrail.com Bruce Keller feeds a grateful kangaroo, communing with the graceful Australian figures, a national treasure. Up next on our global travel blog: www.whereiscookie.com! UP NEXT: Wonders abound at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a magical place located near Brisbane. You'll walk and talk with famous Australian animals in an 18-hectare koala sanctuary in the Brisbane suburb of Fig Tree Pocket in Queensland, Australia, the largest such sanctuary in the world. We're thrilled to have mingled with and fed the kangaroos and cuddled a sleepy koala. Come with us, remembering to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for a fresh spin on travel, nature, the arts, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com Please share the link. .

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 City to San Francisco, south to San Jose, and more. YOUNG TRAIN TREKKER KNOWS HIS 'RAIL ROPES,' TOURS WITH 'UNCLE KK' STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: this piece was updated July 17, 2026 TRAIN TRAVEL offers many advantages over other modes of transportation. If you make the time, a train trip offers opportunity to "smell the roses," enjoy the scenery, have a beer or cup of tea, stretch your legs, enjoy the company of your partner, friend or family. James and "Auntie Cookie" speed toward San Francisco on the commuter train from In a recent scenario, trains offered time to spend with a beloved nephew, James Brian Ganner, who has a lifelong fascination with this time honored mode of transportation. "Uncle KK," aka Bruce Keller, travel photographer and himself a train lover, spent three days on the road with James, who explained his fascination with trains. "Trains fascinate me because they provide a reasonably priced service with convenient locations for hopping off and on," says James, who vividly remembers train journeys taken when he was only four and five years old. Watching the landscape change is a chief reason to plan a train trip. Here James Ganner and his Uncle KK. HE CONTRIBUTED his savings to a fund to help save a vintage train service in Napa because, he says, "I love trains. I wish more people would use them because they help reduce traffic and pollution.'' A.B. Pittendrigh, my great-grandfather and third great grandfather of James, was a telegrapher on the Northern Pacific Railroad. His daughter, my gran Olive -- great, great-grandmother to James -- grew up on trains. She passed that affection down the generations and onto our nephew. James Ganner, right, leaves San Francisco behind on a ferry with his auntie and uncle. They reached the ferry terminal via train, then took the ferry to Sausalito for lunch. I WAS INVITED to day three of a northern California train adventure with "Uncle KK" and James. Day one featured a train trip from Redwood City to the ferry building near Fisherman's Wharf and back. Day two featured a trip south to San Jose and the stadium, a picnic and stroll, then back. Day three featured a return to the ferry building, and a boat ride past Alcatraz to Sausalito for a picnic and sight seeing, then home. Cookie has a train ticket in hand, here in Madrid, awaiting a train to Barcelona, then Malaga. At age 12, James says, "I've studied California trains since I was very young. Caltrain trains are getting older and being replaced. The people who study them are trying to make our state's train travel more 'green' and that's a good thing." Vintage train trip in Britain JAMES SHARED this bit of train trivia: railways existed as early as 1550, in Germany. "They were pathways of wooden rails called wagonways,” he says. That marks the beginning of modern rail transport, which made it easier for horse-drawn wagons and carts to move along dirt roads. JAMES IS EAGER to hop a train or two in Europe, as we do every year. His paternal grandmother, Margaret, lives hear Edinburgh. James would love to take a direct, high-speed train from London's Kings Cross station to central Edinburgh and visit her and his many cousins in nearby villages. "I'd be there in Scotland in 4.5 hours," says James, "and we'd reach a speed of 125 mph. That would be so great!" Europe by train tips All aboard in Paris on the TGV train to Bordeaux. Adventurous road warriors, "Cookie and Keller" ride the rails in England, Asia and Europe, too. Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers enjoy trains both modern and vintage. They recently enjoyed a pair of memorable train trips on their recent visit to New Zealand. Trains allow prime viewing of spectacular scenery. James and his auntie and uncle believe that train travel is the most efficient way to explore Europe. "By the time you get to the airport a few hours before your flight, and wait for the plane, and experience delays, you could be on your way to another country if you'd chosen train," says James. For "Uncle KK," a lifelong love of trains "combines my love of adventure and respect for ingenuity. What a wonderful way to explore the Earth." One of our chief reasons for our train infatuation is that we spend precious time together enjoying the changing landscape. We've traveled pleasantly and efficiently by BritRail, Eurail and rail in South America, Japan and China. Best of all, we leave the driving to the engineer. More information on train travel: eurail.com; britrail.com; www.caltrain.com; www.dunedinrailways.co.nz wpyr.com (Alaska/Skagway Yukon Pass trip) The beautiful and graceful gannets of New Zealand are our next feature as we explore nature's wonders and worldwide travel with emphasis on the new, time honored or unusual. UP NEXT: We continue our love affair with the world and its fascinating plants and creatures. Come with us to a magical gannet sanctuary in New Zealand, then on to ocean dwellers at Honolulu's Sea Life Park, then the country's oldest national park, Yellowstone. More beauty awaits in Madeira and we explore the history of the lei. Remember to explore, learn and live. Catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, performance, nature & family: www.whereiscookie.com

Take the A Train -- or any train! If you've wanted to take a special trip, if you've had a cruise or tour in mind, we remind you of tempus fugit, carpe diem. It's a new year. Dream, plan, act! Trains, bats, planes! Reach for the sky this year! Plan now to make your Travel bucket list ideas happen! STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: This piece was updated July 17, 2026 The gorgeous Amalfi coast awaits your planning, with orchards, winding roads and stately villas. It's in southern Italy overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and Gulf of Salerno. Save by planning your travel bucket list ideas now T IF YOU have long wished upon a star -- wanting to visit a particular country or island, now's the time to plan it. Maybe see Paris or Rome, or take a train trip across Australia or Africa -- time's a wasting. Have you dreamed of climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge? Is Hawaii a lifelong dream? Why not now? Don't delay. Tempus fugit, carpe diem. "Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera," as the monarch of Siam said in "The King and I." Bruce Keller takes aim at a street scene in Rome We're not getting any younger. Planning is part of the fun. It's crucial to plan and narrow the field: First, make your travel bucket list Shopping, culture or the rush of discovery? What's at the top of your travel bucket list ideas? If you like theater, shows, opera or concerts, consider New York, Prague, London, Vienna, Milan, New York, Buenos Aires and Las Vegas. Architecture, antiquities up your alley? There are tons of destination travel tips and ideas at whereiscookie.com Think Rome, Venice, Petra. Cairo is cleaning up its act after decades of political unrest. Turkey is back on the radar after cruise lines left for a couple years. Budget savvy or going for broke? Somewhere in the middle? Make a daily expense plan. Google Expedia for affordable travel. Who's traveling? Family, friends, partners, college buddies, boyfriend, girlfriend? Maybe you're traveling solo and want to meet people? Figure out who can contribute and how much. Egypt's pyramids are within reach if you begin to plan now. Below right, Alaska's mountains await. * Want independent travel, with room and time to strike out on your own? Do you prefer everything organized and pre-paid for you? * Off the beaten track to a "undiscovered" place? Or do you have your heart set on a tried and tested destination? BE DARING study travel bucket list ideas and be creative. After answering the questions above, settle on basic preferences. If you truly want to see a place and can't coax someone to come along, go solo. Look for promotions for "singles" adventures. Be selective. Put yourself out there and meet people. Look for singles-friendly tours. Or consider treating a niece, nephew, cousin, sib, friend. Most cruises have singles happy hour every day and LGBTQ gatherings. Think outside the box. If you have your heart set on Malta -- a clean, progressive and welcoming place with great food, pretty scenery and friendly people -- don't be put off if the flights seem high. Fly to Rome or Sicily, enjoy, then take a ferry to Malta. Cookie and Keller fulfill a dream to climb Sydney's Harbour Bridge -- they did it more than once! HIT THE library or book stores. Stock up on brochures, travel books, magazines. We keep a huge box of files, newspaper clips, magazine pieces with features on places of interest. We're big fans of Rick Steve's and catch his helpful shows on Public Television. Enjoying a breezy tour on the Kona coast. We also enjoy the Lonely Planet books -- and we hold out for the print edition, although Kindle is available. There are bargains to be had for your travel bucket list ideas: With last-minute bookings. (In travel lingo, that usually means 60-90 days before the trip.) Look at Vacations to Go and other "last minute" websites. If you're "bucket-listing" remember the Seven Wonders of the World await: Cookie and Keller at sea, exercising at Zuma. Colossus of Rhodes, the Great Pyramid of Giza. Why not take the leap? Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Lighthouse of Alexandria, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. Statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. All await your curiosity. whereiscookie.com recommends: More train travel information: www.britrail.com www.celebritycruiselines.com www.ncl.com cunard.com expedia.com pearlseascruises.com vacationsbyrail.com Bruce Keller ticked off a bucket list item when he piloted an America's Cup yacht in the Caribbean. The Caribbean and St. Maarten beckoned for Bruce Keller to fulfill his dream to sail an America's Cup vessel. COMING SOON: While we're on the subject of dreams, one of Bruce Keller's dearest wishes is to sail in an America's Cup yacht. To pilot the vessel was even a higher dream. It came true! Cookie is not a lifelong sailor but Keller is. He has long followed the adventures of the famed America's Cup racing vessels. In a bargain with Cookie, he agreed to take tango lessons in return for a promise from Cookie. The deal he brokered was in return for his dance effort, she would join him on a sail on one of the famed boats. He did, she did. He has crushed toes and she has white knuckles to show it. Then we're off to Harrison's Caves on Barbados, a train trip in the British Isles and a visit to three museums in Spain dedicated to the life and work of the eccentric and brilliant Salvador Dali. Remember to explore, learn and live! Catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, art, family, nature and more travel tips for global travelers that want to save time and money: www.whereiscookie.com Please share the link. .

Bruce Keller poses by one of the UK's many efficient and comfortable trains. By using a BritRail pass, we were able to visit several cities during a brief trip, making the most of our time. TRY A TRAIN ON BRITRAIL FOR YOUR NEXT UK VISIT STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: this piece was updated July 17, 2026 IF A VISIT to the United Kingdom is on your bucket list, you might be overwhelmed by the variety of historic places vying for attention. Bruce Keller and Christene Meyers in Edinburgh's Waverley Station, an easy hop to Princes Street, Edinburgh Castle, many cafes and shops. The two and a Yorkshire friend met with Scottish family. A visit to Hampshire's Highclere Castle, where "Downton Abbey" was filmed, makes a pleasant train trip. A package includes a trip on a classic British Pullman, a lovely brunch and castle tour. We visit England often and prefer the high speed British train when possible, as we had grown tired of renting cars and the challenge of driving on the wrong side of the road. This time, we let BritRail do the "driving" to make the best use of our brief time in a favorite destination. THE BRITISH rail system is time honored. Our UK cousins really know how to run their trains. Theirs is one of the oldest rail networks in the world. In the early 19th Century when most people traveled by horse, ships or carriages, those clever Brits were already riding the rails! On this most recent UK visit, rather than the stress of renting a car and the confusion of driving on the other side of the road, we chose to travel by high speed British train. We had several places to go, after crossing the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2. Our BritRail passes made it possible to combine historic landmarks, cities, castles we'd admired on TV, and family visitations. In the same UK visit, it is possible to travel from Southampton to see friends in Yorkshire, from London to connect with Oxford friends, spend a day with family in Edinburgh, and tour an English castle or manor house. Visiting old friend, well known Oxford scholar David Howlett, was a treat. He pointed out historic buildings, Bill Clinton's student digs, some of the famed university's many colleges and favorite spots on quaint streets. A delightful day trip from London's Paddington Station. BritRail," as it is affectionately called, makes it possible to organize smooth train travel between whatever points your itinerary includes. It just takes a bit of planning. THE COUNTRY'S extensive rail network offers a variety of passes for various amounts of time. Do your homework because there are multiple choices for travel across England, Scotland and Wales. There are some discounts for youth and seniors and watch for promotions which can stretch your pounds with a bit of research and homework. Over 20 Train Operating Companies (TOCs) make up the National Rail network of Great Britain. BritRail sells the passes and other companies operate the trains. Our passes were issued through ACP Rail, one of BritRail's star partners. So ACP Rail is where you need to get your BritRail passes, particularly if you are seeking a mobile pass. Passengers may use selected BritRail passes on all National Rail trains. Just know the boundary of your specific pass zone. The ease of UK train travel made a family reunion possible. Bruce Keller, Margaret Ganner, Christene Meyers, Gerrard Ganner, Jane Brodie and Sue Speight met for a day in Scotland. The Ganner party took the train into Edinburgh from their nearby town, while Cookie Keller and Sue came by train from Yorkshire. THE HUGE VARIETY of passes and tours allows one to custom design a specific itinerary. Because there are so many choices, you'll have to narrow the field. First, determine what places you really want to see and how many days you have. Then review the options at the website. What's your pleasure? Do you want a scenic trip through Scotland, cultural delights of village life and rural England, a visit to an abbey or castle where a favorite PBS program was filmed? We truly enjoyed seeing where PBS productions were filmed. Access to the famed "Downton Abbey" and "Brideshead Revisited" sites are easily arranged. Perhaps you wish to visit the town of your ancestors to look for family roots and records. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in Yorkshire are the largest of its kind in Europe, a vast ruin open to the sky, popular with locals and tourists. A train trip from King's Cross to York then a short taxi ride make a lovely day trip. TO MAKE the most of your high speed British train experience plan your time, arrange your itinerary before and don't be unnerved if your favorite abbey or castle is a few kilometers from the nearest train stop. If you want to see Fountains Abbey, for example, take the train from London to York, then take a taxi or hitch a ride with a friend to see the abbey. An amiable steward offers beverages and snacks. WITH OUR Yorkshire friend, Sue, we booked the high speed Brinish train to Edinburgh using our passes. She purchased a single roundtrip ticket from Darlington to Edinburgh, arranging to sit with us. This enabled us to spend the day with our Scottish relatives. They were eager to show us highlights of Scotland’s magnificent capital city, treating us to a Scottish meal at a delightful restaurant, regaling us with the city's history while we strolled Princes Street, bought souvenirs and stopped for a bagpipe trill at Scott Monument, the world's largest monument to a writer. Cookie relaxes on BritRail with a splendid view, comfy seat to see the picturesque English country. On another trip, we toured the Royal Yacht Britannia and heard the mid-day gun salute from Edinburgh Castle. To do that would have meant overnighting, but we accomplished a lot in a single day's journey. We're forever fans of BritRail and the variety of passes which save time, money and nerves. If you want a pass, ACP Rail is the only distributor for BritRail pass especially on the Mobile-Pass. More information or to book: www.acprail.com/ www.britrail.com/britrail-passes/britrail-pass/ www.visitbritainshop.com/au/en/uk-travel-passes-and-transport-tickets/britrail-passes Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers in front of the intriguing Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. COMING UP: A treasure trove of Latin American art, by both famous and emerging artists awaits in the fascinating, user friendly and beautifully curated Museum of Latin American Art. The metal sculpture in front of the Long Beach museum is typical of the work at this extraordinary museum which is the only facility in the United States dedicated to both modern and contemporary Latin American art. A unique sculpture garden is part of the pleasures of this intriguing and imaginatively curated museum. We step inside to reflect on the diversity of sculpture, paintings and more. Meanwhile remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on art, nature, performance, family and more. Thanks for sharing the link, too: www.whereiscookie.com

Honolulu's distinctive skyline is even more impressive when viewed from a helicopter. STUNNING HAWAII VIEWS FROM A HELICOPTER -- A FABULOUS WAY TO SEE THE ISLANDS, ADMIRE WAIKIKI Dole Plantation's pineapple fields make striking patterns from the air with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's note: this piece was updated July 2026 Blue Hawaiian Helicopters delivers a thrilling experience, the closest we'll ever come to flying. Briefly, we were birds. SOARING HIGH above the Pacific, Bruce Keller leaned over to me in our ringside seats. "We're flying with the birds," he whispered, emotion in his voice. It's true. Because we're much closer to the ground in a helicopter than flying in an airplane, we see pineapple fields, the motion of the waves hitting the beach, gorgeous high-rise hotels -- including ours in Hilton's Hawaiian Village and Alana DoubleTree. Lush waterfalls sparkle in the sunlight, almost touchable thanks to the wizardry of Blue Hawaiian's genial expert pilots. HAWAII is meant to be seen from many vantage points. The beach is an essential; a mountain hike is a must. Snorkeling or scuba, definitely. Why not add a helicopter tour? Blue Hawaiian Helicopters delivers fine views of Hawaii's mountains, waterfalls. Flying with professionals high above the land, gazing down to admire the hotels, jungles and waterfalls that make Hawaii famous, is a treat for at least once in a lifetime. As the 'copter blades rev up, "Keller and Cookie" prepare to board their Blue Hawaiian Helicopter. For decades, Hollywood studios have hired Blue Hawaiian to make their films on the islands. "Pirates of the Caribbean" is one of the most famous films shot on Oahu, followed by a trio of "Jurassic Park" blockbusters, several films about Pearl Harbor, "George of the Jungle," "Flight of the Intruder," "Crimson Tide" and many more movies. So we boarded one of Blue Hawaiian's handsome T2Eco-Stars, with seven seats, including the pilot's. The comfy, quiet ride offered an hour of blissful fascination as our expert pilot-guide pointed out movie locations, famous mountains and valleys, the stunning familiar curves of Diamond Head and the Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial, Honolulu's two most famous landmarks. He circled the beautifully designed and historic Hilton Hawaiian Village, where we were staying for a pampering week. We also admired another hidden gem, Hilton Alana DoubleTree, where we had a splendid ocean view from our lanai, sampling tasty fresh caught ahi delivered from the cordial eatery. WHAT FUN to admire our hotels from on high, to breathe in the beauty of the verdant rainforests below, imagining village life as the Polynesians swam in the rivers, harvested crops, relaxed in cascading waterfalls. Beautiful Hilton properties inhabit prime spots on Waikiki, with historic Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort the largest. Nearby is a hidden gem, Hilton's DoubleTree Alana. We loved seeing the white-sand and black-sand beaches from the air, as we swept over the turquoise blue Pacific then up to the craters of Hawaii's volcanic badlands. "Pirates of the Caribbean" was shot in the lush forests of Oahu which we flew over A Blue Hawaiian Helicopters ride is also a great way to compare the differences of the islands. Diamond Head looms spectacularly from the helicopter. OUR PILOT pointed out historic landings, explaining that daring and adventuresome Tahitians settled on Oahu in 500 AD. Then in 1795, Kamehameha I, king of the island of Hawaii, conquered Oahu and united the Hawaiian Islands. In 1845 the capital was moved from Lahaina, on Maui, to Honolulu, on Oahu. Elvis Presley loved Hawaii, too, and stayed in Hilton Hawaiian Village's elegant Ali'i Tower, during the filming of his hit movie, "Blue Hawaii." Ali'i Tower remains a pampering, popular high-end get-away which we've also enjoyed. WE DELIGHTED in a bird's eye view of Iolani Palace, the United State's only royal palace, with its revered history. Across the street is Hawaii's judicial system, with a building made famous in episodes of "Hawaii Five-O." (More on that on another blog.) It's fun to watch the pilot at his controls, as we lifted off and arose, soaring over one of the country's most beautiful states. Fun watching the pilot at his command station. With seven of us in the aircraft, he skillfully circled at important sightings, making sure everyone had a chance to see everything. Our favorite sights with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters were our Hilton properties, the gorgeous pineapple fields, and the cone-shaped outcroppings of lava off Kualoa Point. Ka'a'awa Valley was beautiful, too, where many fun movies were shot, including the mentioned "Pirates of the Caribbean." The North Shore with its famous surfing beaches delighted my aging but agile partner. HAVING BEEN to Pearl Harbor the day before, it was thrilling seeing the Arizona memorial. The showy orange and yellow "Magnum" helicopters also caught our eye, lifting off near us. That's for next time! This time, we opted for Blue Hawaiian, and were thrilled. Our ride was smooth, flawless, breathtaking. Only one criticism: it was too short. Attractions whereiscookie.com recommend: bluehawaiian.com hiltonhawaiianvillage.com hilton.com/en/hotels/hnlkadt-doubletree-alana-waikiki-beach/ The beautiful but fast disappearing blooms of a poppy adorn the hillsides of High Chaparral, in south-central Montana. UP NEXT: Flower power. We're soaking up an inordinate amount of summer moisture, and with that come beautiful blooms, in fact, a real gardener's bonanza. We'll share some of the photos from the past two weeks of floral abundance, and a few favorite lines of poetry about gardening -- from Hawaii's tropics to Down Under and the far north of Scandinavia. Do remember to explore, learn and live, while you catch us weekly for a novel look at the arts, travel, nature, family and much more, always with wit, fresh insights, warmth and humor. PLEASE SHARE THE LINK: whereiscookie.com

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 assembled by dozens of three-man rivet teams" -- Bruce Keller STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" ONCE YOU'VE climbed the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, you'll feel as if you've won an Olympic medal. Ascending the world-renowned bridge (spelled Harbor to us Yanks) is a test of one's will, determination and courage. Our group prepares for the climb, having passed the breath test, climbed the practice ladders, filled out mounds of paperwork. Daring the fates, we climbed it a second time a couple weeks ago. It's a fun option if you're cruising. We'd just enjoyed a Celebrity cruise, and could look upon our handsome ship from hundreds of feet on high. Scared of heights and a lifelong sports neophyte, I had extreme trepidations. Why bother when I could safely sit on my, er, laurels? Because I simply had to take the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. I've suffered from vertigo since childhood. I quiver and tremble on high-floor hotel balconies. I have a chart-topping fear of balconies or viewing platforms. Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb not once, but twice, was an accomplishment I'm proud of. Please forgive my hubris. SURE I HAVE other talents. I play piano, sing, conduct an orchestra, arrange a medley, jam on my saxophone and offer up a passable second violin in a string quartet. But climbing a bridge! "who, me?" I'd never considered it. Not until my partner and travel mate Keller suggested it eight years ago. From the bridge at night, the city's splendors unfold far below. "OK. You're afraid of heights, fine," he said. "I get that. But why not challenge yourself? You're so confident about other things, time to expand your horizons." In 2015, we were planning a return to Australia, a country we both love, had visited several times before, but never together. It would be a special time on so many counts, so I surprised him one day with a booking. No turning back. THE DAY of the climb, I gazed at the imposing bridge as our walk brought us closer. I was fascinated and terrified by the ant-size figures climbing over its top. That would be us in a few hours. (Pulse acceleration. Slight dizziness.) The famous Sydney Opera House is far below happy climbers. Soon we were filling out papers and taking a breath test. Every climber must have a blood-alcohol reading below 0.05. Otherwise, you're rejected from the climb and forfeit your fee. The "Climb" staff of 100-plus is knowledgeable, amiable and accommodating. Media and marketing director Brock put us at ease when our taxi from the hotel took three times longer than anticipated. He and the able staff kindly rebooked us, thanks to a cancellation. The protocol included safety videos, then trading our clothes for special light-weight climbing suits, stepping into our harnesses and straps and heading out the door and up, up and away. Emphasis on "up." Earlier, we'd proved we could climb by going up two practice ladders in the preparation room. WE HAD ALSO learned how to fasten and use our lanyards, sliding them along a practice cable. So once on the bridge, we felt secure because we were literally hooked to it. And, as patient, daring Keller reminded me, "You've already done this once, Cookster. Piece of cake." The Sydney Harbour Bridge is bathed in the colors of the rainbow. Special lighting celebrates Gay Pride. The tours are kept small to encourage a congenial feeling. We introduced ourselves with a brief "who and where from" to encourage conversation and camaraderie. Our group included a couple from Manchester, England, a father-son from New Zealand, a honeymooning couple from Japan and two enthusiastic Swiss travelers who -- like the two of us -- had tackled the bridge before. Our pleasant and encouraging guide, April, offered commentary and pep talks as we climbed --stories about the bridge, previous climbers and Sydney's grand history. The enterprise offers various packages: romance packages are popular as is a first-nations people tour with Aboriginal landmarks and native history told by indigenous storytellers. There are climbs geared to photographers, and others for students. There's a sunset-night time climb and the famous “Coathanger” which traverses the bridge from South to North, and back again and is considered the most challenging. I STILL TREMBLE when I think about it. But I'm so grateful to have summoned the courage again. The main draws for me were twofold: conquering my fear, and being part of a famous and historic enterprise. We learned that the bridge was built in 1932 in the height of the great worldwide depression, providing work for hundreds and boosting national pride. It cost 10 million to build --1.5 billion Aussie dollars today. The architect lived in a home below where he monitored progress. Unnerving to me during the steep 8-ladder climb was the roar and rumble of trains and cars. They shake the steel as they pass by the thousands (160,000 cars per day and dozens of trains.) One thinks of this bridge as solid and steady. It moves! I am still recovering. Safely grounded after nearly four hours together, our excellent guide April presented us with certificates congratulating us on our climb. YES, IT WAS a spectacular day. Keller is ready for a third climb. We joined 5,000 couples who have proposed on her, 40 wedding couples and more than 4 million of us slightly crazy climbers. 1,400 helped build her and a remarkably low number -- 16 -- died during the 8-year construction. One worker fell the 462 feet when his drill kicked back. He was an experienced diver and survived by going in feet first. He suffered shattered legs and broke every rib but he survived to return to his job! I recommend this to fellow cowards, and all of you who wish to do something you've never done. Why not challenge a cliche about yourself? Carpe diem. For the time of your life: bridgeclimb.com To book a Celebrity cruise to New Zealand or Australia ports: www.celebritycruises.com UP NEXT: While we're Down Under, we're exploring the wonders of both Australia and New Zealand. Come aboard two distinctive Kiwi trains, one out of Picton, the other from Dunedin. Come with us aboard the Marlborough Flyer and Taieri Gorge Railway, both show-stopping train excursions. Let these two distinctive trains whisk you away to beautiful farm land, sheep pastures, mountains, ravines, canyons and more in handsomely maintained cars. Enjoy the beauty aboard a pair of trains, then visit a koala sanctuary and rest in the spectacular mountain town of Katoomba. Dunedin Railways cars take train lovers and nature buffs deep into a corner of southern New Zealand that most folks never see. We highly recommend this Taieri Gorge trip. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, nature, family and more. Do share the link: www.whereiscookie.com

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Resort evolved from simple beginnings nearly a century ago, as the Niumalu Hotel. Now five towers on prime Waikiki real estate compose the famous resort. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" two vintage photos courtesy Hilton Bruce Keller's helicopter view shows the village in all its spacious splendor, with a popular sheltered lagoon and prime Waikiki beachfront IN 1928, A SMALL, charming inn opened on the beach of Honolulu. The Niumalu Hotel stood on the site where Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort now resides. The beloved Niumalu Hotel on Kalia Road became the nucleus of entrepreneur-industrialist Henry J. Kaiser’s Hawaiian Village Hotel which opened in 1955. Its new buildings replaced quaint clusters of 1900s hales, or cottages, built in the style of the Polynesian people who pointed their boats toward Hawaii. As they settled, they introduced grass huts with thatched roofs, new spices, music, dance and much more. These early cottages were known as Cressaty’s Court and Hummel’s Court at Kalia in the gorgeous, historic Kalia section of Waikiki. A smaller hotel, named the Old Waikiki, was developed in 1900, even before the Niumalu. A rare vintage photo of the property's 1928 grounds. The later property must have been a treat to guests in post-World War I times. It boasted 70 guest rooms -- compared to today's 3,386 rooms, after several name changes, owners and upgrades. The Ali'i is booked for its privacy, attentive concierge and a pool overlooking the Pacific. The Ali‘i offers guests a premium experience in the heart of Waikiki. Situated directly on the beachfront, the Ali‘i Tower combines oceanfront views with additional amenities and personalized services. It features private check-in, an exclusive concierge, and a dedicated pool and sundeck area reserved solely for Ali‘i Tower guests. Guests also enjoy access to a private fitness center and MixBar, an exclusive cocktail bar on the pool terrace, Yukata robes and a tote bag for use during your stay. With its blend of privacy, comfort, The Ali‘i delivers a boutique hotel experience within Hilton Hawaiian Village. By 1955, pampered guests enjoyed the Tapa Room, garden paths and and three swimming pools six years later, in 1961, Hilton Hotels came into the picture when founder Conrad Hilton purchased half of the Hawaiian Village Hotel from Henry J. Kaiser. THAT SAME year Elvis Presley filmed his movie, "Blue Hawaii" at the resort. Elvis and his entourage stayed on the 14th floor of the Ocean Tower (Ali'i Tower) in the Mahele Suite. The Ali'i Tower remains the elite choice at the Hawaiian Hilton Village. The accommodations offer pampered service, access to the Ali'i private pool and fitness center. Guests praise its laid-back yet elegant standard, and prime beach views and access. Elvis Presley based at Hilton Hawaiian Village in the prestigious Ali'i Tower during the filming of "Blue Hawaii" in 1961. WE HAVE paid several visits to the resort, including the Ali'i (once named Ocean Tower), our favorite Lagoon Tower, and the Grand Waikikian, the latter two offering spacious time-share accommodations with full kitchens. The Lagoon, and as its name suggests, boasts a view of the resort's unique protected pond, named Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, with a pretty central island. We snorkeled there with our niece's two youngsters and found it a delightful protected "safe haven." All hands on deck, for a fun afternoon sail on the resort's private Spirit of Aloha catamaran. "Thumbs up" for Hawaiian Nautical sailings with many choices. There, youngsters can enjoy themselves and have a sense of freedom. Meanwhile, adults can relax on the beach, keeping an eye on their kids' activities in the calm waters without worrying about ocean tides. My partner, Bruce, known by the youngsters as "Uncle KK," spent time with them teaching them snorkeling, paddle boarding and safety in the lagoon, while my niece and I visited. WE ALL enjoyed our time on Hawaiian Nautical's sleek and comfy Spirit of Aloha catamaran, which zips around the island, offering sunset cruises, nature outings and more. It's convenient and safe and perfect for families, couples or singles looking to meet fellow "boat buffs." On several outings, the crew was friendly and efficient and the outings rated 12 thumbs up from the six of us. WHILE WE rented a car during our stay, aside from some shopping, we probably wouldn't have needed it. The resort's Hawaiian Nautical boating activities are right on the beach and easily booked, plus there are many restaurants. We strolled twice to the sleek, accommodating Spirit of Aloha, for an afternoon snorkeling cruise and an evening sunset-dinner cruise. The boat is beautifully designed and perfect for convenient family outings, couples or anyone looking for a fun time on the water. If the dock is not at the hotel, the Hawaiian Nautical bus picks up right there and everything is close. Amarylla and Penelope Ganner pose with pet parrots at the resort. AT THE RESORT, five lovely and unique towers are spread out in the artfully designed complex. It boasts boutiques, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, quick-stop food options, and service desks for foreign customers, including a Japanese and a Korean help desk. Shuttles, tours, taxi service and a variety of cruise options are available, and a children's day care, Camp Penguin, will entertain your youngsters while you head out on Oahu. IF YOU'RE feeling flush, you can purchase a special piece of jewelry, purse or shoes for yourself or a friend. If you're more budget minded, you can shop for basic groceries to cook in your time share, or stock up on Hawaiian cookies to go with your own coffee. You can also pick up pastries made with local delicacies including the islands' famed macadamia nuts or pose with pet parrots if you like birds. Want to buy a colorful Hawaiian shirt, shop for an extra suitcase, pick up souvenirs to take home? No problem. It's all at the resort. Activities are planned daily, including ukulele lessons which we enjoyed, and lei making, ditto. We even stepped in for a hula class, swaying with the balmy island winds to the "Hukilau Song" made famous by Bing Crosby. hiltonhawaiianvillage.com hawaiinautical.com/book-now.html UP NEXT: With the veil of COVID-19 slowly lifting, millions of anxious travelers are taking to national parks for relief and inspiration. Grand Teton National Park offers a serene get-away as people recover from the anxiety and isolation of the virus. Record numbers of tourists are expected in our U.S. parks, with hikers, cyclists and families on holiday heading for stress relief in our varied and welcoming national parks. We visit some of our favorites -- Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Teton and Glacier, with a look at what not to miss. Meanwhile, explore, learn and live and please share the link for a fresh look at travel, the arts, nature and family: whereiscookie.com

And they're off! British guests John and Sue Speight, left and second from right, visited Christene "Cookie" Meyers, Bruce Keller and Nick and Nora recently, for a week of travel through south-central Montana and into Yellowstone National Park. Thumbs up to Yellowstone Lake and the historic Lake Hotel from our English visitors, John and Sue Speight, of Yorkshire, with Bruce Keller. They enjoyed our "off the beaten path" tour of our corner of Montana to the park and Lake Hotel. Journey to Lake Yellowstone Hotel delights UK visitors to south-central Montana plus fun for us seeing it through their eyes STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Editor's Note: This story was researched and updated June 26, 2026, to reflect current information and pricing. Seeing Yellowstone National Park through the eyes of English friends reminded us how extraordinary this corner of America really is. We showed them geysers, bison and mountain trails in the wide-open landscapes of Yellowstone and south-central Montana. Yellowstone's wonders are best shared -- especially with chums from another country. We showed off the nation's oldest national park in a custom made Yellowstone Park road trip from our place near Red Lodge, Montana. John and Sue, cruising friends, were awed by the wildlife and scenery between our rural home to uncrowded corners of Yellowstone. We tailored our own trip over a week, exploring our mutual love of travel, nature and the outdoors. We all love to watch birds and hike, they from their farm and bed and breakfast in Yorkshire and we from our part-time base in the rural Northern Rockies. Up the Sioux Charley trail near Nye, Montana, a prelude to several days in Yellowstone National Park. Here John and Sue Speight and Christene "Cookie" Meyers and her Yorkies. Yellowstone Park Road Trip: Finding quieter places to share When we discovered Yellowstone was on their bucket list, with a desire to avoid crowds, we offered ourselves as tour guides to "a quieter Yellowstone approach" from our home. They accepted with pleasure. We'd visited them in England, where they shared Yorkshire's quiet villages, peaceful abbeys, pastures and sheep ranches. We knew they liked calm, serene places with breathing room. THE TWO flew from London to Denver and spent two days driving through Colorado and Wyoming to our Montana place. We knew they would be tired before tackling the park, so we began our week together with short jaunts to Red Lodge, Roscoe and a hike up the Stillwater Gorge towards Lake Sioux Charley in Custer National Forest. They were amazed at the vastness of the American West. They're accustomed to driving through a country or two in a day on the Continent, and can be at their vacation home in southern Spain in hours -- from door to door. Sue and John Speight joined tourists estimated to reach near 4 million this year, in their visit to Yellowstone National Park, here at the spectacular Lower Falls. We visited early morning to avoid crowds. SO TAKING into account the expanse of Yellowstone -- and our limited time together -- we decided to tailor a tour to their desires and interests. We recommend this approach. They'd never seen a wolf or bear outside of the Discovery Channel, and we knew we hadn't much of a chance of spotting either critter on the parks busy summer roads. So we took them to the wonderful Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. A big hit! Stop and smell the roses -- and taste the cappuccino, here at the charming Ox Pasture at Piccola Cucina in Red Lodge. WE'D WRITTEN about this delightful place before, where birds and animals that cannot be returned to the wilderness are cared for. Exhibits and demonstrations delighted our friends and the four of us spent a lovely afternoon there after a fun lunch at Bullwinkle's. That was most of one of three full YP days, which included driving from our Lake Hotel base to places which we knew would be less crowded. The area around Norris fascinated them with its geysers, hot pots and well designed, uncrowded boardwalk. Bison in the fields and on the roads were a highlight for our guests from Yorkshire, England. BECAUSE WE KNOW what high summer season means in terms of crowds, lines and slow-moving traffic, we asked them to prioritize. "You know your park and the highlights -- and we appreciate avoiding crowds as much as possible," said Sue. We studied Yellowstone's main road, the Grand Loop, and decided we could not tackle the entire loop -- even in the three days we had with them. Our "scenic tour" actually began before the park, with one sidetrip to Red Lodge then a drive to West Yellowstone via Bozeman, Big Sky and the beautiful Gallatin Canyon, on US Highway 191. After our time exploring Fishtail, Red Lodge, Roscoe and Stillwater areas, our guests had an introduction to the wonders of Montana's back roads. We decided to skip the places we knew would be crowded. That included the most visited attraction of the park, Old Faithful, the Old Faithful Inn and pools on the walking paths. Fine with our crowd-avoiding UK pals. A visit to Lake Hotel is a must, even if you're not staying there. The beautiful lobby sometimes features live music and the restaurant is tops. Nearby cabins are a bit cheaper than the main lodge, the park's oldest hotel. OUR BRITS enjoyed what we chose instead -- the hot pots, petrified sequoia and a colorful exit through Mammoth and Gardiner where they posed by Teddy Roosevelt's arch. We got them to the Lower Falls and Lookout Point in early morning -- but nixed Artist Point, the most crowded stopping off point. Because it was backed up with cars and campers, we chose Lookout Point, with a stunning vista of the falls, closer to Canyon Village where they loved finding an active osprey nest. We enjoyed a hike into Fountain Pots near day's end, when the crowds thinned. And we saw geysers at Norris Junction, without the crushing Old Faithful crowds. Our early morning and late afternoon drives also yielded many bison. WE AVERAGED 35 or 40 miles an hour in our guests' car, taking our time, stopping as bison meandered across the roads and into the fields to graze. A few times we were at a standstill. It's 142 miles around Yellowstone's main loop, which doesn't sound like much, but with stops and starts, it can be five to seven hours. Most people split it into at least two days. You may not see a grizzly bear in Yellowstone, but you can enjoy friendly service and fine Montana fare at Montasia Restaurant if you take a sidetrip to Fishtail, Montana. Our best advice for delivering a thumbs-up tour for guests -- foreign or domestic -- is to show them something unusual. If they want to avoid crowds, as our Brit pals did, and wish to soak up a few spectacular parts of your area, take them to your favorite local places -- blue highways, eateries and hiking paths they won't find at home. Once in the park, there are plenty of mud pots, geysers and pools to explore besides famous, crowded spots. OUR GUESTS were thrilled that they got to experience. We took them to a delightful dinner at the friendly Montasia Restaurant near Fishtail. Complete with tasty, grass-fed Montana burgers and surprisingly excellent bar offerings. More information: www.montasia.ninja yellowstonenationalparklodges.com Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins offers lodging ranging from $139 to $555 and more per night, depending on whether you book a historic main lodge room or a cabin. Four gentlemen decide to give up women and other "distractions" in "Love's Labour's Lost" by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, a popular traveling endeavor to many cities and towns in several states. UP NEXT: Montana's beloved Shakespeare in the Parks has been delighting people in five states for 46 years. We take you on the road with the troupe, presenting two of the Bard's classic works in 61 venues with nearly 80 performances. We enjoyed "Love's Labour's Lost" this week at the Fishtail Family Park. We'll let you know how to catch the company for "Love's Labour's Lost" and "Othello." Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for a fresh twist on the arts, travel, nature, family and more. whereiscookie.com