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The hilly drive to Savoca, Italy, takes you to the town where Francis Ford Coppola shot the film, "The Godfather."     Chiesa di Santa Lucia   was the setting for the famous wedding scene in "The Godfather."    When Francis Ford Coppola filmed "The Godfather" in Savoca, the scenes were shot looking away from the stunning view.                  SLEEPY COASTAL TOWN STOOD IN AS CORLEONE WHEN COPOLLA CHOSE HIS FILM LOCATION 3STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER YOU WILL be an honorary Sicilian, ready for a glass of red wine, to toast the Corleone legacy upon your arrival in "Godfather Country."  The hike up the hill to the setting for the famous movie is not for sissies.  But the sleepy village of Savoca is worth the journey, though. past fragrant citrus orchards and healthy fields of cactus climbing up the hillsides from the sea below. Though little known to Americans, Savoca has much to offer.  Located near the prosperous coastal resort town of Taormina whose train station was used in "Godfather III,"  Savoca was chosen by director Francis Ford Coppola as a stand-in for the real village of Corleone in his 1972 movie.  He chose Savoca because it was relatively untouched by progress, had fewer issues than Corleone with mafia and would be easier to maneuver in because of its uncrowded atmosphere. LOCALS THEN  and now are tough and hard working. For centuries, they've made a living by farming on neatly designed terraces overlooking the sea. We found them friendly and happy to talk about their pastoral life, growing citrus trees and cactus.  Farm wives make their own limoncello which they sell in little corner stands much like the lemonade stands we had as children. So the area is a perfect backdrop for the story of a Sicilian family who migrated to the U.S. and made it good, mafia style. Our journey took us back in time to this lovely corner of Italy, perched above the Ionian Sea. "The Godfather" has brought a certain prosperity and minor fame to Savoca, with souvenirs aplenty. Here life goes on in a typically Sicilian way – leisurely, never too fast. Savoca, unlike inland Corleone, looks to the sea from its lofty perch.  It is a pretty little village which thanks to the movie, now makes much of its living through tourism. WE MADE  our way in a small touring bus up sun-blasted hillsides, admiring the occasional old stone farmhouse and stopping for photos of a scattering of contented goats. Once in the village, we climbed up the sloped and curving streets.  Bar Vitelli, near the town's entrance, is where Michael Corleone meets his future wife, Apollonia.  A hike up the hill is the Church of San Nicolo, where their wedding would take place.    Like "The Godfather" characters, locals and visitors alike enjoy a glass or two of vino rosso. We'd signed up for the tour because I was sentimental about a long-ago trip to Savoca when I was an invited member of the press corps of film reviewers. We interviewed director Coppola and members of the cast of "The Godfather" then spent a few days in the beautiful area. So it was fun to revisit the locations of the legendary movie shot as Coppola was rediscovering his own Italian roots.  His heritage lured him back to the area. After scouting the southern part of the country, he decided on Savoca for the scenes set in Corleone. Most involve the young Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino. Coppola loved Bar Vitelli, scene of the meeting between Michael Corleone and his future wife's father, who owns the cafe. Bar Vitelli is still in business. We sipped a beverage there before continuing on to the Church of San Nicolò, where the wedding between Michael and Apollonia was officiated. BEYOND THE  cinematic attractions of Savoca, we admired buildings of medieval and Renaissance origins, as well as Baroque architecture to contrast with rural buildings from the early 20th century. Among intriguing relics are the ruins of the Castle of Pentefur, once belonging to the founders of Savoca; the Church of Santa Maria in Cielo Assunta and its crypt, complete with mummies, and remains of ancient walls and town gate dating to the 18th century. A more recent attraction at the entrance to the village features ceramic panels in bas-relief placed by Messina artists Salvatore and Giuseppe Zona in 1989 to recount the history, art and  traditions of the area. A fun meander, best done with a glass or two of local vino. Wild Goose was John Wayne's beloved yacht which he sailed to Vancouver and south to Mexico, from its southern California base. Passengers may step aboard the vessel and enjoy artifacts, posters and photos of "The Duke's" life. UP NEXT:    Legendary California resident, actor John Wayne loved the sea, and his proudest possession was a wonderful yacht, the Wild Goose, which he sailed far and near from its Newport Beach base. His beloved boat was acquired by Hornblower Cruises, and passengers may enjoy a remarkable opportunity to spend a few hours aboard the "Goose" with a gourmet dinner, access to treasured memorabilia, and chance to roam the vessel. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays.

A fine place to start your tour of Madrid is at the Royal Palace, where nearby is an 8th Century Arab wall. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Madrid is an interesting blend of the practical and fanciful. Here luncheon diners enjoy a snack in the presence of an artful bull. STEP INTO  history in Madrid, where the narrow alleys and streets of this stately medieval city wind back into a rich history, originally as an Arab fortress. Madrid is known worldwide for its elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, a delightful place to while away an hour or two with a wonderful variety of shops and eateries. THE ARAB  influence permeates old Madrid. The city was founded on Calle Cuesta de la Vega, where a wall protected a fortress built in the 8th century by Emir Mohammed I.  The city's name comes from the Arabic word, "mayrit," which means "water source". Madrid is famous for ham and here at a corner kiosk it is possible to buy a quick ham sandwich, fruit and drink. You'll want to take in the Royal Palace, at the Arab Wall, a stunning design with baroque touches and a gorgeous square.  It is now used mainly for ceremonial and public functions, and is open to the public as a museum of the building’s and the country’s history. The reigning King Felipe VI and the Royal Family do not reside in the palace, choosing instead the more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid. Madrid's plazas and squares flow seamlessly from one street to another. Madreinos love to stroll. The Palace is fairly new by European standards, built in the 18th century by Philip V on the site of the old Alcázar fortress, another Moorish castle. The palace has 135,000 square meters (1,450,000 square feet) of floorspace and contains a whopping 3,418 rooms. It is the largest royal palace in Europe. Madrid is one of Europe's most elegant and lively cities.  Dinner is usually taken after 10 p.m., and Madrilenos love to linger.  A meal typically takes two or three hours.  Impressively, the native folks don't seem to need much sleep. They don't seem to mind partying at night and still arising in time for work at 9 a.m. No problema. THE CITY'S  cultural offerings are vast and varied and there are cafes and bars for every budget. We based at the lovely Villa Real, in the Plaza de las Cortes, an upscale Derby hotel decorated with ancient art pieces and modern paintings. Throughout the city are art galleries with world class fare. The Circle of Fine Arts at Alcala Street is known for its graceful design. The stately Prado Museum, one of Europe's most famous cultural treasures, was putting the finishing touches on a major renovation during our recent visit. Museo del Prado was founded in 1819 as a public showcase for Spain’s royal art collection. Since then, the national institution has far surpassed, in both world renown and collection size, the walls of its exquisite 17th-century home. Like many old Madrid buildings, it was built as a palace 200 years before it became a museum.  In an effort to preserve its authentic architecture and modernize its gallery spaces, the Pardo undertook a major renovation. The Hall of Realms was just finishing its "redo" when we were there a few weeks ago. A huge competition four years ago determined the architectural firm. This ice cream and dessert cafe has an easy view of lines for lotto tickets. The crowds near the back are in line too. But the Prado is not the only arts museum worthy of your time.  There are several dozen, and many have free admission on certain days. Remember to make your dinner reservations early if you're dining after 9 p.m. We remember the time we booked an "early" dinner-dance show -- for 11 p.m. (The late show seating began at 12:45 a.m!) MADRID  is lively, vibrant, changing.  Ladies dress smartly, with tight jeans and form fitting blouses and plenty of decolletage.  The men dress more stylishly than many other Europeans. Especially in an early cool spring, and throughout winter and autumn, you'll rarely see a woman without a nattily tied scarf. A fine production of "Smokey Joe's Cafe features three dozen rock 'n' roll,  blues and other classic pop tunes, at New Village Arts in Carlsbad. UP NEXT : Curtain going up on an exciting spring arts season in southern California.  From Hershey Felder's masterpiece, on the life of Beethoven, to a snappy rock-n-rollin' "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and other engaging musical and dramatic picks, we'll explore  the best of our lively arts scene. San Diego Musical Theater offers a fine "Crazy for You" with Gershwin's magic, and ambitious Cygnet tackles "Angels in America."  Theatrical treasures await.  Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each Friday for a fresh approach to travel, nature, family and the arts.

Norwegian Cruise Line's colorful design carries through inside, with lively contemporary art and many other enticements. NCL's Spirit, anchored off Santorini, brought cruisers to land in comfy,  efficient tenders, offering great photo opportunities of ship and shore.   ALL ABOARD NCL FOR FREE-STYLE FUN,  RELAXING CRUISE, ENGAGING PORTS, PRETTY SHIP, TABLES FOR TWO NCL's colorful ships make mid-priced cruising attractive to sailors such as this column's photographer, Bruce Keller.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER A balcony aboard NCL's Spirit offers a lovely view of passing sights and cozy reading corner for Christene Meyers.  SUN. JOY. Bliss, Sky, Jade, Pearl, Star. Those are NCL ship handles, and they lured us their way for a cruise aboard the Spirit. Aboard NCL's Spirit, seasoned travelers "Cookie and Keller" enjoyed dining, a table  for two, top shows and terrific land tours.  AFTER MORE than 100 cruises on ships large and small, top-drawer to modest, this Norwegian-Irishman and my Greek-Scandinavian sailor hybrid set our compass heading for Norwegian Cruise Line. We'd cruised NCL in the Caribbean decades ago, on the smaller Sunward, then on the much larger Norway, the former SS France. When NCL acquired her in 1979, the line spent $100 million on a glorious renovation, paving the way for a new era of cruising. A tour up the famed Amalfi coast, was part of the Spirit's attractive options. We loved those long-ago trips, and yearned for a return to the relaxation and pampering we remembered on NCL. This latest two-month trip included three cruises and three weeks on land. It was our 25th foray to Europe and the Greek Isles. We chose NCL's Spirit because we liked its "active relaxation" pitch, mid-size and fair-price ranking. (Our trip included three cruises, so we didn't want to break the bank.) AS TRAVEL  and arts writers, musicians, and romantics celebrating an anniversary, we also wanted lively shows, a table for two and interesting artwork. We liked the itinerary, an important consideration.  We were delighted that NCL captured our hearts again. NCL was the first cruise line to offer "freestyle" dining, a concept now used by many other cruise lines.  Founded in 1966 with a sound reputation and 16 ships in her ever-expanding fleet, NCL's Spirit pleased us both, satisfying my need for R&R in pleasant surroundings, a lively casino, good gym and myriad dining options.  It charmed my partner, feeding his lust for all things nautical with friendly officers who talked sailing with him and a balcony to view dock life below. This dessert was delivered to our room. Lively artwork is one of NCL's distinctions. The line has set trends in many areas of cruising. NCL tour groups  are kept small so each person enjoys the history, here viewing viewing Our Lady of the Castle in Rhodes.  NCL's Spirit took us on an 11-day journey with stops in Mykonos, Piraeus--Athens, Rhodes, Santorini, Chania, Valletta, Messina and Naples.  We'd experienced all these ports but looked forward to returning, especially to Malta and Sicily, which many cruise lines don't offer as regular ports of call. As seasoned cruisers, we look for places we love -- but also like new ports and locales we've not visited in a while.  Those were deciding factors on our choice of NCL's Spirit. WE LOVE  the "freestyle" concept pioneered by NCL. Now copied by many other lines, it allows for deciding when, where and with whom to dine in the evening, the one meal most of us truly enjoy and kick back for on a cruise. Spirit also offered late-night dining options, another plus, and fun eateries including a delightful late-hours pub that breaks from set schedules.  That flexibility includes casual dress options, ability to schedule entertainment and avoiding crowds. As arts writers, we enjoyed several on-board auctions, chatting with knowledgeable auctioneers.  he auctions feature work by famed artists such as Peter Max and Guy Harvey, who were also commissioned for the eye-catching artwork on the Breakaway and Escape. We even ventured from our comfy patio to the lovely pool area, a playful modern extension of the ancient architecture we viewed in Greece and Italy. We enjoyed an evening sail-out of Valletta, Malta, a port which  isn't regularly visited.   ALTHOUGH WE  are elite status on five other lines, through many  cruises, we haven't yet reached that level on NCL.  Still, we were invited to parties, and to tour of the bridge -- always a must. So taken were we with the trip's variety and professional, friendly service that we booked another NCL cruise, on Pride of America, the only mainstream ship sailing Hawaii itineraries with no foreign ports. We'll soon reprise the loop we took decades ago: stops in Maui, Kauai and both sides Kona and Hilo on the Big Island. Recalling our 13 blissful Atlantic crossings in Queen's Class aboard the QE2, we're also interested in sampling the "all suite" section of NCL's newer vessels.  The "Haven" concept on the newer larger NCL ships offers a special all-suite section accessible only by keycard holders booked there, in the style of Cunard's famous first-class/tourist-class ship design. The Haven has a private bar and lounge, a custom restaurant, secluded sun deck, and private courtyard so guests have little need to leave the complex. www.ncl.com A bird's eye view of the Water Taxi is yours from Double Tree Suites Gallery One, Fort Lauderdale, where we next explore.  UP NEXT:  Come cavort with us as we head to Fort Lauderdale for a frolic with the alligators and the beautiful canals and grand hotels. We ride our favorite Water Taxis and check out the newly renovated digs at the Gallery One Double Tree. Then, an homage to celebrities at sea, including composer-pianist Andre Previn, and a host of others interviewed on the QE2 by Christene Meyers. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for a fresh look at travel, the arts, nature, family and off-beat fun.

This alligator gave our tour boat the eye on a recent trip into the beautiful Everglades of Florida. Everglades caper: on the gator trail with gorgeous scenery, critters, beauty    The swampy marshes of the Everglades hide and protect alligators and more. Nature lovers enjoy the outdoors at Florida's Everglades Holiday Park.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER THE UNUSUAL  merging of salt and freshwater makes Florida's Everglades the only location in America where both alligators and crocodiles live together! You can see the wonder yourself by taking an airboat trip in the Everglades.  We did this recently, taking to the waters in search of gators. Visitors tour the small animal displays, with the opportunity to get up close and personal with friendly gators and snakes. We saw several in the wild, and an entertaining alligator  demonstration as "dessert." You can jet out into one of the world's most gorgeous attractions and get close-up later with more gators. We did just that at Everglades Holiday Park, outside of Fort Lauderdale. A great day! Everyone has heard of the Everglades, a unique treasure of South Florida. But not all people venture into the largest remaining subtropical wilderness in the United States. We took a day to sample a small part of the park's 1.5 million acres of saw grass marshes, mangrove forests, and hardwood hammocks and wetlands.  After your boat tour, Holiday Park naturalists offer a fun gator show. THE EVERGLADES  is home to endangered, rare, and exotic wildlife. Fellow travel writers recommended the Everglades boat ride and we were not disappointed. Our amiable captain promised he'd find alligators in the swamps.  He revved up the boat and we held on to our hats as we sped around the wetlands to several spots with terrific viewing. As we zipped across the "River of Grass" between viewing sites, we bounced in our fast boat to the thunderous sound of the motor. Those little journeys were brief and we were safe and comfortable with our 30 fellow tourists from around the globe. Alligators roam the Everglades; if you're lucky, you'll see one. As we moved through the swamps, we noticed several small boats of fishermen -- "local folks," our guide said proudly -- bringing in the largemouth bass for which the park is famous, in fact revered. Fishermen cast off from the park's dock, or take a boat as part of a guided tour. The park offers boat and gear rentals, bait, licenses and everything else one needs to lure large mouth bass, peacock bass and catfish. Swamp land of a unique habitat offers a happy place for the alligator. The beauty of the wetlands make it a photographer's paradise. WE WERE  pleased to see two school groups visiting -- fishing, taking notes, listening carefully to guides.  Others were hosting guests on the boats, enjoying a celebration, spending an afternoon in a natural classroom for all ages. The park stages birthday parties and corporate events, with chartered excursions and packages. It also offers pick-up and drop-off options to take you from your hotel in Fort Lauderdale or Miami to this beautiful wildlife habitat. WE APPRECIATE  that the park is a family operation dating back nearly 40 years to 1982 when George Bridges left his tobacco farm to try his hand at the park.  He mortgaged his house and built his first airboat in the backyard, and the idea took off.  Everglades Holiday Park serves as South Florida's premier gateway to the Everglades, one of Florida's most interesting attractions. The place is a half hour from Fort Lauderdale, on Griffin Road, and attracts tourists from Miami, too, for the marsh expedition, live alligator presentations, a small animal "zoo" with petting options, meal service, fun souvenir shop and fresh water fishing.  WE HAD A  magical day at the park, exploring the wonders of Florida's most enchanting natural resource: the pristine Everglades. The magnificent ecosystem is an international treasure. The greenery alone satisfied our naturalists' appetites. The gators were frosting on the cake!

Ready for her close-up aboard an ice cream inspired steed is Penelope Margaret Ganner at the Museum of Ice Cream. The San Francisco attraction is not a museum really, but an entertainment venue promising a couple hours of tasty fun. Animation and old-fashioned fun are part of the attraction, here with Christene "Cookie" Meyers, right, and her niece Amarylla Ganner, on old-fashioned dial-ups. SPRINKLES POOL, ICE CREAM MEMORABILIA, TREATS, GAMES, NOSTALGIA AND LOTS OF PINK MAKE FOR FUN FAMILY OUTING STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER James Brian Ganner is adrift in sprinkles in one of the Museum of Ice Cream stops.  It's a pool of non-edible sprinkles for kids to play in. Below, he is joined by his parents, right, sister, auntie and friends. SAN FRANCISCO'S  Museum of Ice Cream Museum brings out the kid in children of all ages. Who likes ice cream? Apparently, people from all over the world shout, "We do! Make mine a double scoop."  So we recently joined an international crowd to queue up for a two-hour journey into the history, mystery and fun of ice cream at the colorful San Francisco venue, right in the center of town just steps from Union Square. We based at the lovely Handlery Hotel Union Square, steps away.  THERE'S A LOT of theater in the museum, which isn't really a museum at all, but rather an entertainment venue geared to family fun. From the moment you show your tickets and progress into the line, you're front and center for a bit of edible theater. First, you must have an ice cream name, so our party of six came up with some doozies: Keller was Peppermint KK. I was Cookie Monster Mocha. Our family signed in as Mint Chocolate Chip Daddy, Apricot Amarylla, Peachy Peny and Jelly Bean James. We joined an international crowd to queue up for a two-hour journey into the magic, mystery and fun of ice cream at the colorful San Francisco venue, right in the center of town just steps from Union Square. There's a lot of theater in the museum, from the moment you show your tickets and get in line for the first of of several interactive exhibits. Pink is the color at the museum, with large sculptures, all in the theme of ice cream. THE MUSEUM  of Ice Cream concept was born in New York City as an user-involved extravaganza with ice cream and candy themed exhibits, all brightly colored, in a maze of rooms containing a rock-candy cave, a unicorn, and the fabled swimming pool of rainbow sprinkles which made its way to the San Francisco show. The exhibits are tailored as backdrops for selfies, and social media sites promote the exhibit. Tickets are not cheap and must be purchased in advance for specific time slots online only. I asked about the term "museum" and was told it was chosen for the temporary art exhibition because it was something people would understand One of the activities is a funny-face selfi camera that puts interesting adornments on people.   THE TREATS  are plentiful as there are tasting stations along the way:  your choice of several samples.  We enjoyed peach and mint chip mochi, popsicles of several flavors, cotton candy (pink of course), delicious fruit sherbet and ice cream cones, then at the last munchy stop, hot chocolate served in an old-fashioned '50s soda shop with whipped cream topping. Capping the day are samples of hot chocolate with cream. ALTHOUGH  the place is not an art museum, there are nods to learning about ice cream's history if you care to, with plaques and data about ice cream and its history. Ice cream has a time-honored past -- dating back hundreds of years to the Chinese or Romans, who used snow to ice the mixture -- long before refrigeration. The audience is largely family-oriented -- grandparents and parents taking their kids on an outing, or great-aunties and uncles such as ourselves treating the family out for a fun afternoon. Lots of pictures were taken and everyone had a cell phone. Instagram photos aplenty were in vogue. If you go, plan to just "roll with it" and rediscover your inner child. If you do, you'll enjoy it. It's up in San Francisco through May 27.  museumoficecream.com ; sfhandlery.com Uma Incrocci, Omri Schein and David McBean in a sketch from "All in the Timing."  Can chimps really eventually type their way to "Hamlet"?   BEST BET:     North Coast Repertory Theatre's "All in the Timing" is a tour de force for an ensemble of  southern California's most versatile actors. A half dozen David Ives sketches are directed by the gifted David Ellenstein, whose love of the bon mot and physical comedy are a perfect fit for this entertaining and fast-paced production. The one-act comedies premiered Off Broadway in 1993 and have withstood the test of time. Prepare for a little Marx Bros., a pinch of Seinfeld, a measure of theater of the absurd, and a dollop of Mel Brooks. Those old enough to appreciate the banter may be reminded of Nichols and May or Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca. Bravo, brava. You'll laugh until you hurt. It's a show to relish and see again. On stage through May 5. northcoastrep.org     NEXT UP:   Balboa Park is a beloved urban park, one of America's largest and a a tribute to the vision of its founders, who conceived of the idea more than 150 years ago. Come with us to visit this San Diego wonder, with magnificent gardens, hiking and walking paths, a theater, concert venue, buskers, food aplenty, a green belt, a veritable 17-museum mecca, and the world famous San Diego Zoo. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each Friday for a novel look at travel, nature, family, the arts and more.

The Casa del Prado, also known as the Casa, and the adjacent Casa del Prado Theatre are historically accurate reconstructions of buildings from the 1915 exposition celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal.    Spreckels Organ Pavilion houses the Spreckels Organ in Balboa Park, San Diego. The Spreckels Organ is the world's largest pipe organ in a fully outdoor venue. UNIQUE CITY PARK BREAKS THE MOLD WITH INVENTIVE BLEND OF NATURE, CULTURE AND 'PEOPLE PLACES'  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER MORE THAN  150 years ago, a handful of visionary San Diego citizens strolled through the California scrub and decided to set aside 1,400 acres for a city park. It became an oasis of culture, architecture, nature and the arts. Today, Balboa Park is one of America's largest urban parks and considered by many the jewel in San Diego's crown. Balboa Park offers several modes of transportation, including walking, for getting around to the museums and a fine zoo. In the middle of a bustling city, nicknamed "America's finest" sits this 1,200-acre urban cultural park. It is beloved by locals and tourists alike for its unique blending of open space areas, natural vegetation zones, green belts, gardens, restaurants, walking paths, theaters and museums. WITH ITS  17 museums, in fact, Balboa Park is a museum lovers mecca. Known for its widely diverse collections and cultural institutions, Balboa Park's museums attract scientists, theater lovers and fans of flight, automobiles, trains and art of all kinds. The San Diego Model Railroad Museum's marketing man, Fernando Beltran, and young train buff James Ganner. Penelope Ganner, left, and her brother James, had a private tour of the huge Model Railroad museum with Fernando Beltran. From satisfying a curiosity for local San Diego history, to the history of air travel, the art of the old masters, native American crafts and cultures of the world, it's hard to beat Balboa Park. ANY ONE  of the museums would be a drawing card, but don't forget the world renowned San Diego Zoo, also part of this unique park.    Balboa Park at night is a fairyland, with the Old  Globe Theatre, center-right, lit up for a performance The magnificent concept was developed for the Panama–California Exposition held in San Diego for two years, between January 1, 1915, and January 1, 1917. The exposition celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal, and touted San Diego as the first U.S. port of call for ships traveling north after passing westward through the canal.  . A STROLL  through the park feels like a walk through the United Nations Assembly Room. You will hear languages from all over Europe, the Far East and Russia (San Diego boasts a large Russian population and there are frequent visitors from that part of the world.) Lunch time for a beloved gorilla. Maka is a star at San Diego Zoo. We recently made a double-pronged visit, entertaining young guests who wanted to see the impressive San Diego Model Railroad Museum and the famed San Diego Zoo. I'd told them about my favorite zoo inhabitant, Maka, the adored gorilla. San Diego Zoo is world famous, visited recently by three generations -- from left, Olivia Cosgriffe, Peny Ganner, Christene "Cookie Meyers, James Ganner and Amarylla Ganner, mother of the kids. We'd parked near the organ pavilion so had a pleasant stroll to our first stop, the railroad. Fernando Beltran, the museum's amiable marketing director, toured us around the 27,000 square foot museum, the largest such indoor exhibit in North America, and one of the largest in the world. The museum is on the lower level of the Casa de Balboa Building on the Prado and we spent two interesting hours there with our eight-year-old train buff and Beltran. WE TOOK a break in the pleasant coffee shop, and headed to the zoo, our second adventure and a 20-minute walk from the railroad museum. We eyed the bounty of animals from atop the zoo's double-decker bus, with a lively, eco-friendly commentary from Lee, who knows the zoo like the back of her hand and stressed what young and old can do to help preserve animals and habitats worldwide.. We hopped off to watch Maka for an hour. She gave us helpful directions to see the panda before she returns to China, delighted in telling about a precious baby porcupette and pointed out antelope calves, mini meerkats and tortoises, whose beautiful patterned shells shown in the sunlight. The dedication of the Bruce Meyers Poets' Garden in Montana attracted hundreds of arts lovers for a two-day festival highlighted by an appearance by  famed poet Allen Ginsberg. Above, Corby Skinner and Christene Meyers. UP NEXT:  Join "Cookie" (Christene Meyers, left, with friend Corby Skinner) as we visit the Bruce Meyers Poets' Garden on the campus of Montana State University-Billings.  It was dedicated as a place for faculty and students to relax, study, paint, write and ponder. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for a novel look at travel, the arts, nature, family, and unexpected ways to enjoy.

The Wild Goose had a well traveled past when actor John Wayne bought it and made it his traveling hotel.  Now, Hornblower Cruises invites the public to enjoy Wayne's yacht for a limited time through birthday dinner cruises with a gourmet meal,  theee hours of sailing and full access to the private quarters of the vessel. HORNBLOWER STAGES BIRTHDAY DINNER PARTIES IN JOHN WAYNE'S HONOR AND YOU'RE INVITED John Wayne's card room and den have been preserved by Hornblower. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER STEP ABOARD  a luxury yacht, surrounded by John Wayne's movie memorabilia and personal effects from his film career and seafaring days. Hornblower Cruises offers a unique experience to commune with the spirit of actor John Wayne aboard the boat he captained. While the star died in 1979, his spirit lives on aboard the Wild Goose, the yacht he bought, pampered and entertained on for  17 years. Wayne said she was his  proudest possession.  He loved taking her to British Columbia and Mexico's coastal towns. He'd play cards, read and fish in stylish comfort, surrounded by magnificent woodwork, resting in his artful master bedroom and keeping an eye on his kids, whose bedroom was just down the hall. John Wayne aboard the Wild Goose.  He loved to navigate, and  MARION MORRISON was born May 26, 1907.  Known professionally as John Wayne, and nicknamed "Duke," he passed away on June 11, 1979. Besides being a much loved American actor and filmmaker, he was a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. He was also an accomplished seaman and spent his last days on his luxury yacht, a converted mine sweeper which saw service in World War II. After she was decommissioned, she was purchased by a private owner who a few years later sold her to Wayne. For nearly 18 years, between movie shoots, the actor piloted the former Naval ship.  Because he was 6'4," he raised the ceilings in an elaborate remodeling project. He took his family and close friends to Alaska, British Columbia, Mexico and Catalina. When he filmed his last picture, Wayne piloted the Wild Goose through Newport's colorful harbor, making his way to Mexico or British Columbia.  "The Shootist," in 1976, both he and his aging gunfighter screen character were dying of cancer.  Wayne spent quiet time resting aboard his beloved "Goose."  His last interview -- with Barbara Walters -- was aboard the boat.  Among his memorable quotes is one that fits his handling of illness: "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway." The Wild Goose is available for charter, for private events up to 125 people. She is also open for John Wayne dinner cruises May 24-25, May 31, June 1, 7 and 8. It's lovely to move through the waters Wayne loved to navigate, beverage in hand, imagining former guests -- Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Rock Hudson, Frank Sinatra, Henry Fonda, Sammy Davis Jr., and other celebrities who shared Wayne's love of the water. Wayne's own custom designed bar is fully stocked and if you'd like Wild Goose mementos, check out the t-shirts, mugs and a lively book written by the ship's former captain, Bert Minshall. "On Board with the Duke." It's a fun read with anecdotes of travels on the ship with Wayne and his family and friends.  Beautiful woodwork and carvings adorn The Wild Goose. The master bedroom is kept much as it was during John Wayne's times aboard, including the nautical painting. Besides the status of a National Register of Historic Places listing, the boat has the cache of having served as a playground and relaxing hideaway for a legendary star.  Having access to the entire vessel including Wayne's private rooms, enhances the feeling that you're in the company of "The Duke" himself. It's a unique, pleasing time with a fabulous meal expertly prepared and served in several tasty and eye-catching courses. From left, Cookie, Keller and their friends Sue and Bob Hulbert, who grew up around Newport. Wayne enjoyed nautical paintings, and several of his own collection are on the boat now. Portraits and posters of the legendary star were added by Hornblower. Wayne's family sometimes joins diners and movie buffs aboard Wild Goose. Daughter Marisa Wayne says it's satisfying to see that fans remember and appreciate her dad's movies. "His longevity is amazing.  He is still so loved and respected by so many people this many years after his death. I wish he was around to give me advice....or have a drink." Cost is $103 per person, including a four-course gourmet meal, glass of  champagne and the incredible access to the entire yacht. Go to  hornblower.com ( and select Newport Beach) . Fallen sailors and Marines are forever beneath the waves and the Arizona Memorial is directly over the sunken ship. UP NEXT:   We remember Pearl Harbor with a visit to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu.  We toured the impressive complex and came away moved. The memorial complex pays careful attention to present both sides of the story, from the horrors of the 1941 bombing to the internment of Japanese Americans and the bombs that ended the war.  Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for a novel look at travel, the arts, nature, family and more.

Millions honor the fallen on all sides at the USS Arizona Memorial, where the valor and sacrifice of WWII is remembered. MILLIONS PAY RESPECT TO ARIZONA AND CRUCIAL 1941 ATTACK WHICH CHANGED COURSE OF HISTORY Photographer Bruce Keller puts down his photo equipment for a perch aboard a torpedo. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER A VISIT TO  the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu is a must for anyone interested in history, culture and the complex results of war: death, violence, disruption, prejudice, fear, determination, recovery. We chose a half-day tour with Roberts Hawaii, and were met by the company's trademark green bus and a jovial driver-guide who calls himself Cousin Dave.  He picked us up at the historic Ilikai Hotel, an easy half-block from our digs at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. We drove the eight miles in less than 20 minutes to the resting place of the sunken USS Arizona. There, at Pearl Harbor, 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on Arizona are honored in their graves within the sunken ship. They were among the casualties when the Japanese engineered a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, "a date that will live in infamy," as FDR said. A young Japanese man studies the sad story of the internment of thousands of innocent Japanese  Americans during the WWII years. THE MOOD  was quiet and respectful as we joined an international queue with fellow tour members, including a Japanese couple our age from Tokyo.  It was interesting to travel with them, and glean their take on the memorial.  For while the U.S. suffered grievous losses, Japan suffered destruction of two cities and Americans of Japanese descent suffered loss and humiliation in the internment camps. One is in Wyoming, not far from where I grew up in south-central Montana. Docents  with expertise in history give insightful commentary as Navy sailors pilot us to the Arizona grave. After checking our bags and backpack, we entered the nicely designed complex, which includes spacious walkways, museum buildings, artifacts, sculpture, a theater and visitor center. Besides the interesting boat ride to view the Arizona Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park is part of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. The Bowfin, a fleet attack submarine, fought in the Pacific during WWII and helped to make famous the term, "Silent Service." Bowfin was launched on Dec. 7, 1942, exactly one year to the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. One strolls the grounds past well marked torpedo's, missiles and other instruments of war, with fair-minded commentary and attention to suffering on both sides of the story. WE ALL KNOW THAT  the attack was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, which propelled the U.S. into World War II with the backing of Congress and support of the American people. The Bowfin may be visited on the museum grounds. The monument also preserves and interprets the story of the internment of Japanese Americans, the battles in the Aleutians and the war's ending with the dropping of the bomb on two Japanese cities. There are other nearby attractions.  Both the battleship U.S.S. Missouri Memorial, on whose decks the war ended, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum are on nearby Ford Island. a quick bus ride away. A sculpture to peace makes a stunning backdrop for photos. The Missouri side trip interests many because the Japanese surrendered on board the Missouri in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945, early on a Sunday morning, the same day of the week on which Pearl Harbor was bombed. The Aviation Museum hosts a aviation exhibits directly relating to the attack. On our boat trip to the Arizona, our elderly historian guide told us that three survivors of Pearl Harbor remain, all in their late 90s.  They have been honored at the Arizona Memorial and have visited the 45,000-ton Missouri to pay their respects. IT IS NOT  possible to go on board the Arizona at the moment, because of structural concerns. Repairs are scheduled to be completed by early next year.  But our ship circled the memorial slowly so all 120 of us had ample time for photos and reflection. We were pleased to see so many students and people from all over the world at the memorial, quietly honoring those who gave their lives and the thousands more who suffered. Perhaps we are learning not to repeat the horrors. The Navy owns the land and the memorial is run by the National Park Service. We recommend Real Hawaii Tours. www.realhawaiitours.com Singer Willie Nelson is aging with grace and still on tour.  His guitar prowess is still sharp.  UP NEXT:   Willie Nelson remains an engaging, entertaining performer, well into his 70s.  This week, we took in a concert by the energetic singer-songwriter.  The Humphreys Concert By the Bay in San Diego is one of two dozen on Nelson's current tour which began on the west coast, crosses the country and ends in Ohio. We take a look back at Nelson's career, his impressive endurance and his newest recording, out soon. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for a novel look at travel, the arts, nature, family and more.

At Monterey Aquarium, beautiful works of art are created from plastic and other junk pulled from our oceans. Eight million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans each  year, a staggering amount. It poisons or strangles creatures who mistake it for food.    WE HUMAN BEINGS HAVE CAUSED MAJOR PROBLEMS  ON THE PLANET BUT WE CAN DO MUCH TO RECTIFY OUR MISTAKES  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER EARTH DAY GIVES US TIME TO THANK AND HELP OUR FRAGILE PLANET The bluff above Torrey Pines State Beach offers a splendid  view of the Pacific Ocean. When we hike it, we often find plastic and it goes in an old cloth bag we carry.   WE SPEND  many happy hours each year in nature -- on our oceans, rivers, lakes and streams.  Like many of our readers, we visit national and state parks, estuaries, wildlife habitats and other places where we know we'll find birds, plants, animals.  We hold our planet and its creatures in sacred space. But while we love Mother Earth, we are imperfect creatures and have unwittingly done our part to jeopardize the planet. So when Earth Day rolls around each year, we do our bit to help preserve the planet we so cherish. An artful turning of plastic rescued from the ocean, by a contributing artist at Monterey Bay Aquarium. CELEBRATED annually since 1970 on April 22nd, Earth Day holds immense importance as a global platform.  Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson was a staunch environmentalist, deeply concerned about the planet's declining health.  He believed the solution could be found in individuals and grassroots movements.  He urged teachers and parents to expose young impressionable minds to an aquarium or nature driven place, encouraging them to respect our fragile planet and our fellow inhabitants.  This launches them into little environmentalists.  By teaching them to pick up plastic and cans, consider personal habits and be good stewards of the land, we're fostering respect and activism in future generations. Thousands of us plant trees, feed birds, plant gardens that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.  Many of us pick up trash and study pressing environmental issues like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. As individuals, communities and governments, we can take action to protect our planet and ensure its sustainability for future generations. I believe this in my heart.  I KNEW A   lot of plastic goes into our oceans, but I had no idea that 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the seas each year. Keller figures that’s the equivalent of dumping one garbage truck full of plastic into the ocean every minute. More than 171 trillion pieces of plastic are floating in the world's oceans, according to scientists' estimates. Plastic kills fish and sea animals and takes hundreds of years to break down. Fort Lauderdale's Riverwalk  in a light rain. Celebrate Earth Day by planting a tree, taking a walk, visiting a nature driven place  -- a park, beach, river, preserve. UNFORTUNATELY,  we people are the sole cause of the plastic debris destroying our oceans. The good news is, we have the power to solve the mess we created.  Here are a few things we do in our life and home to help to help the Earth.  It may sound corny, but if everyone does his or her bit, together we can make a huge difference. The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is a magical display of ribbons of light. * We are ridding our home of single-use plastics. * We ride our bikes daily and on errands whenever possible. We're considering a hybrid or electric car. * We support our local environmental watchdog grassroots resource council. * We try to recycle and compost properly. * We patronize farmer's markets and other places that avoid plastic packaging and always take our own cloth bags whenever we go to a store. Big Sky Country, near our Montana place in Stillwater County.  Pristine places like this dot the landscape all across the United States. We feel a responsibility to keep it beautiful.   * We take an old fabric bag with us in the car and on our bikes to pick up cans, bottles and other litter. * When we order a take-out meal, we make sure there are no plastic utensils, wrapping or plates. We look for places that use recycled materials when shopping or dining out. * We've planted 97 trees on our Montana place and each year we scatter native wildflower seeds to promote clean air and the survival of indigenous wildlife. Feels good to plant things. * We make presents of gift certificates to greenhouses and garden centers. Great way to thank someone who has done us a favor. * We are members of a variety of nature oriented foundations including Sierra Club, Arbor Day, National Wildlife Federation, Nature Conservancy, and many other agencies and non-profits that save and protect birds, trees, animals and the ocean.  We love seeing families enjoying wildlife, here at Hilton Waikoloa Resort where it is possible to swim with the dolphins and learn about them. * We're taking shorter showers, using the dishwasher only twice a week, turning off the faucet while brushing our teeth. No more plastic in our lives Other ideas we're already doing or hope to implement:  * Shopping at thrift shops and second-hand stores for toys and gifts for kids or when we need to replace an appliance. New stuff has lots of plastic packaging.  Gentoo penguins frolic near Ushuaia. Visit a national park or just take a hike in the woods, or the nearest bird sanctuary or nature preserve.  * Hosting a clothing swap or clothing repair party to encourage our friends (and ourselves) to recycle, mend or salvage old garments rather than buying new ones. We are donating a box a week of good, useable clothes. Women's shelters and many other places welcome good used items.  I'm a packrat and like most of us, I have too much stuff. So I'm going through closets, try to winnow, share and make use of what is still useable. * Volunteer to pick up litter in a neighborhood or local park. Get a child interested. Take him on a whale watch or to a place where nature is revered. Exposure in youth creates lifelong environmentalists. * Get neighborhood kids to run a recycling drive for glass and plastic containers. Have a happy Earth Day! Do something to improve our imperiled planet. More info: earthday.org   hawaiimagazine.com/see-how-kauai-artists-turned-marine-debris-into-art Special effects wizard Andy Schoneberg shakes hands with his creation of famed actor Humphrey Bogart. Also an actor, he played the part of Bogart in "Play It Again, Sam." UPCOMING FUN : Variety is our spice.  We're talking with a Wyoming born Hollywood special effects artist and his make-up and wig artist partner. Find out how a kid from Casper made it in Hollywood.  Then we're off to explore northern U.K with a train trip to Britain. And we celebrate our love of nature with visits to New York's Central Park and the city's fabulous High Line Park, created on a derelict rail site. All that and more, always with a look for the fresh and new. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fun look at performance, art, nature, family and more. Please share the links: www.whereiscookie.com

Hotel with music lessons: Christene Meyers, aka Cookie, and Bruce Keller, known by his surname, signed up for ukulele lessons at Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki Beach.  The pair are partners in life and theater, travel, adventure, and now music study.  Cookie plays many instruments but for Keller it was a new experience. A good time was had by all and new friends were made. STRUM THE ANCIENT, TUNEFUL INSTRUMENT WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE -- the ukulele is not just a cheap plastic toy played under a palm tree! It's not the islands fair that are calling to me.  It's not the balmy air nor the tropical sea.  It's a little brown gal in a little grass skirt. In a little grass shack in Hawaii..." --from "My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua, Hawaii" a famous ukulele-accompanied tune STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Our hotel ukuleles were adequate but not expensive, about $59 each. There are fancy ukuleles to be had for much more, ranging in the hundreds to $12k for a Martin. ALTHOUGH I PLAY   more complicated musical instruments, the ukulele called to me. I knew it was more than a cheap plastic toy played under a palm tree.  But the ukulele sounds so lovely and looks so simple, surely it could not be that easy, I reasoned. So when I saw ukulele lessons on the activities sheet at the Hilton Hawaiian Village I talked Keller into coming along, not just as a photographer but as a participant. An hour-long lesson at the lovely property on the beach attracted 15 of us ukulele aficionados from all over the world, including Australia and Japan.  With the help of two amiable coaches, we actually played a recognizable song by lesson's end. IT'S NICE TO  have a pretty, calming view when learning anything new. Tiny Tim made the ukulele famous again, with his warbling "Tiptoe Through the Tulips." So we relaxed our wrists and placed our hands on the instrument while our two cheery Hawaiian  kaikamahines  passed out our tune. Quickly, they had us strumming this captivating instrument, using our first finger to strum gently down and up. I thought of Robert Preston in "The Music Man," coaxing the youngsters to play. (We sounded something like that. It wasn't exactly harmonious.) THE UKULELE  is a member of the guitar family. It usually has four nylon or gut strings, as ours did at the resort lesson. More sophisticated playing involves pairing the strings in courses to give the instrument a total of six or eight strings. That's for another lesson. Our coaches promised the ukulele would be an easy instrument to learn.  While we were far from wizards, we did master a few simple chords and basic strumming patterns.  We tuned our instruments to G, C, E and A, and worked on a song -- "You Are My Sunshine." Spanish guitar master spotlighted Ukulele masters through the years range from British comic George Formby back in the 1930s and 1940s to Tiny Tim and his mournful "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" on a 1968 Johnny Carson Show to young "America's Got Talent" whiz kids and perhaps the world's most famous virtuoso player Jake Shimabukuro.  He is the instrument's equivalent of Proper ukulele technique begins with holding the instrument correctly.  A Hawaiian born teacher assists. Pablo Casals on the cello or violinist Jascha Heifetz. THE HAWAIIAN -born ukulele master grew up playing traditional Hawaiian music with his mother but quickly segued into more complicated repertoire. He strums and plucks a variety of sounds and styles from the tiny instrument, from "Ave Maria" to jazz and show tunes and George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Shimabukuro grew up playing traditional Hawaiian music on the ukulele, and has stuck with the instrument for 25 of his 29 years. Jake Shimabukuro is considered the modern day master of the ukulele.  He is a true virtuoso. "I feel people get bored of playing the ukulele because they hear other things and they want to be able to play other things," he says. "But... I've always felt there was so much more to explore, and I really love it." So might you, if you brave a lesson. The Hawaiian word means, literally, "jumping flea."  You might be jumping for joy if you make the ukulele leap. If you open your heart to adventure, and meeting new people. you'll soon be sailing with friends around the world/ UP NEXT: Travel enhances our lives more than any other aspect. It encompasses so many wonders -- nature, theater, dining -- and makes the world more accessible. Come with us to discover how relationships develop at sea, on airplanes, on a ship's tour, a boat excursion or a restaurant table. With a curiosity to learn about other cultures, strangers become friends. Up your international contact list and enrich your life, remembering to explore, learn and live. Catch us Fridays for a novel take on travel, the arts, family and nature at whereiscookie.com

The sting rays we swam with were friendly and enjoy people. The creature has one or more large sharp barbed dorsal spines near the base of the whiplike tail and is capable of inflicting severe wounds, and even death.  We braved an encounter recently. Christene Meyers, right, holds a sting ray with help from a naturalist. GENTLE GIANTS OF THE SEA MAKE HUMAN CONTACT ON BEAUTIFUL ISLAND The man in blue is the naturalist, guiding tourists from Germany, Australia and the U.S.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IF YOU  have never taken a swim with a sting ray, why not stretch yourself a bit, widen your horizons, try something new. I am not a water baby like much of my family or my part-amphibian partner. But I love nature and enjoy the bonds I've made with other species. So I entered the water and for a brief, happy time, making friends with a pair of sting rays off Antigua. Southern rays are the brightest rays in the  Caribbean. As promised, we found them friendly, gentle and as interested in us as we were in them. It's believed to be good luck to kiss a ray as they snorkelers do. According to my partner, photographer Bruce Keller, they have learned to trust humans because they get food from them, and because people treat them with respect. WE FOUND the experience "a thrill of a lifetime," to use an overworked but accurate cliche.  The cruise line billed it as "a unique opportunity to interact and feed the rays."  What do these graceful guys and gals eat?  Animals that are smaller and live on the bottom of the sea: worms, clams, oysters, shrimp, squid and fish smaller than they are.  They're carnivors, like lions and tigers. Speaking of tigers, a segue to the incident with naturalist Steve Irwin.  His bizarre death by a sting ray was caused because the creature believed his shadow was that of the tiger shark, the ray's greatest predator. That was a fluke. But the byword is still be careful and make slow movements.  The sting rays are friendly and swim up to humans. The lure to visiting Stingray City is two-fold:  besides the sting ray opportunity, Antigua offers some of the most magnificent snorkeling with brilliantly colored coral reefs and wildly colorful tropical fish.  WE TOOK  a bus from our cruise ship terminal, then boarded a speedboat for a 15-minute ride which whisked us to a shallow pool with a white sand bottom surrounded by beautiful coral reef. You may stand up or swim with the rays. After feeding, snorkeling and taking pictures with our new friends, we returned to our land base for punch and a rinse off. The "city" has a small bird zoo, with disappointing small cages. The sting ray experience is the highlight.  Captain Keller on the boat to swim with the rays. You will be in a group when you venture out to swim with the sting rays. TO CHECK  on Antigua travel given recent safety issues, use a free service for travelers or nationals living abroad: Smart Travel Enrollment Program, or STEP, issues updated advisory on global travel safety, sanctioned by the U.S. State Department: step.state.gov .; stingraycityantigua.com UP NEXT:  Blue Hawaii beckons. That's Blue Hawaii Helicopter. Ride with us high above the clouds for a breathtaking adventure. The top-rated helicopter tour of the islands is waiting for you and we'll take you along on our journey above volcanic mountain tops, the city skyline of bustling Honolulu, the gorgeous canyons and beaches that make Hawaii famous -- and beautiful from a bird's eye view. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each Friday for a novel look at travel, art, nature and family.

Honolulu's distinctive skyline is even more impressive when viewed from a helicopter. STUNNING HAWAII VIEWS FROM A HELICOPTER MAKE FABULOUS WAY TO SEE THE ISLANDS, ADMIRE YOUR HOTEL Dole Plantation's pineapple fields make striking patterns from the air. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER 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. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters delivers a thrilling experience, the closest we'll ever come to flying.  Because we're much closer to the ground than 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. 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. But flying with professionals Blue Hawaiian Helicopters delivers fine views. 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 Blue Hawaiian. 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. 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 and tasty ahi at 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   Beautiful Hilton properties inhabit a prime corner of the beach with historic Hawaiian Village Resort. Nearby is a hidden gem, Hilton's DoubleTree Alana.   "Pirates of the Caribbean" was shot in the lush forests of Oahu.   Diamond Head looms spectacularly from the helicopter.  cascading waterfalls. 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. The helicopter is a great way to compare the differences of the islands. 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 I've 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 soon.) It was 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 vehicle, he skillfully circled at important sightings, making sure everyone had a chance to see everything. Our favorite sights 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. 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 each Friday 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