FOOD TOUR THINKS OUTSIDE THE BOX WITH A RANGE OF 'HIDDEN HAUNTS,'  LIVELY EATERIES & HISTORY LESSONS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Before and After bar features the erudite Riley, who takes tourists through a tangy tasting of Amaro, that distinctive and flavorful Italian aperitif. THERE ARE FOOD TOURS  and then there's Delectable Tours. As an outing, it's a prime cut, pure gourmet all the way.  It combines local offerings with history and a delightful sampling of the city's best food and drink. The owner of this small, creative business in Brisbane, Australia, thinks outside the box. Jamie-Lee Howard loves her job -- giving visitors a memorable time while showing off Queensland's best culinary offerings. A fascinating  history lesson is served along the way by this animated   entrepreneur who knows and loves Brisbane. You can't go wrong in her company, for she serves an easily digestible mix of history and her city's past, choosing stops at some of the best of Brisbane's contemporary food scene.   Brisbane at night is a sight to behold, a city of four million with a wealth of colorful eateries. WHAT'S YOUR PLEASURE ? Coffee, gin, seafood, fresh produce, Asian fare, gourmet, family style? Name your field of interest and she'll arrange a tailored tour. Or you can choose from an appealing variety of existing tours all designed with charm in mind, plus a nod to the local food ecosystem and its workers. WE BEGAN our Brisbane food tour in Before and After, a gem of a cocktail bar where host Riley greeted us to chat about the various specialty Amari, those tawny brown spicy infusions perfected by Italy. We nibbled on a delectable grilled cheese sandwich complemented by samplings of that flavorful, herbaceous Italian liqueur. Brisbane is a mecca of fun ethnic food from family places to elegant dining options, romantic couples' favorites, live music haunts and a range of other enticing Queensland eateries and bars. Here Doodee Boran diners enjoy a first-class variety of noodles, soups, curries and more. The sandwich oozed with warm, tasty Shropshire Blue cheese, the ambiance was exquisite with muted lighting, comfy seats and soft jazz music as Riley introduced us to various samplings. Delicious marinated olives rounded out the stop-- an enticing blend of fragrance, sights and tastes. Next stop on our Brisbane food tour MISS DEMEANOR  beckoned  for adventure's next chapter. This happening spot in Brisbane's colorful Laneway offers an appealing range of sharing options and main courses including what many consider the town's best loaded burger, succulent fresh fish and more.  The homemade chickpea falafels are gorgeous -- cooked to perfection and so satisfying we wanted to linger while the band tuned up with a jazzy guitar riff. Keller sipped a tangy IPA, one of dozens of beers offered, while I enjoyed an agreeable Te Mata Estate sauvignon blanc as we nibbled. The falafels are legendary here, the best we've had outside the Middle East, with perfectly spiced puree and dukkha -- nuts, and seeds seasoned and blended into a paste.  A mix of young and older folk visited and noshed.  Bruce Keller, Jamie-Lee Howard and Christene "Cookie" Meyers sample hidden gems of Brisbane's extraordinary food offerings in a delightful history-food walking tour. Howard grew up on a farm and her respect for those who toil to produce homegrown fare shines. "We want to give visitors more than simply a tasting of great food. We are about connecting with local producers, uncovering stories behind the dishes, exploring our culture through food, drink, fine cuisine," she says. THEN LIVELY  Doodee Boran eatery was next. It's a happy place, abuzz with families and small groups tucking in to the signature spiced raw salmon and succulent chicken pad Thai. A young family shared steaming prawns and fish balls while waiting to share main courses of artfully presented street fare. An older couple enjoyed a handsome whole barramundi, that delicious firm Asian sea bass. The place is fragrant and friendly. Servers are delightful -- their smiles and graciousness complement the scents of ginger, soy and garlic, all accented by happy chatter. Customer service is a crucial component to Howard's enterprise. A unique spin on the yummy Italian dessert, tiramisu, is made with matcha in one of Howard's fun food tours. LONGWANG  Restaurant was the perfect capper of a delightful afternoon. It's an upscale place with an eye-popping cocktail list to complement unique Asian cuisine. We tried a matcha spin on the classic tiramisu -- soothing, pretty and flavorful. We were stuffed and desired only mint tea, but Howard enticed us to share this classic Italian offering while other enthusiastic diners enjoyed late suppers and snacks. We saw an array of seared sea scallops, pork, prawns, wontons and dumplings. A smooth, fragrant black bean sauce  accented several dishes. The Queen Victoria monument was placed in Brisbane in 1906, a few years after her death. It is part of the city's history and our tour began here. We admired Howard's effortless bits of history of this Edward Street landmark eatery, which served Queensland's first Asian offerings and consistently wins awards. We learned that Longwang has roots in Chinese mythology, and the name pays homage to the revered Dragon King. SERVICE IN all four places was expertly offered, not pretentious or fussy but genuine, helpful, friendly and relaxed. Eateries are carefully screened for personality and customer service because Howard wants customers to return and tell their friends. As a small, independent business drawing support from both locals and tourists, word of mouth means everything. She aims for repeat customers and relies on social media endorsements. People like thoughtful commentary and succulent foods served in colorful and historic venues. Keller calls it "the best blend of ambiance, culinary art, history and tastes of the city's best offerings." You might walk by this unusual landmark, marking Brisbane's oldest lane, Burnett with plenty of street art and fun bars and eateries. Says Howard, "We get a lot of traffic from people who have been with us before, then come back and recommend us to friends, colleagues and family from all over the world. That makes me happy." Click here for more on Delectable Tours WHATS UP NEXT IN BLOGS FROM whereiscookie.com Actor Avery Johnson shares playbills for the 53rd season of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, touring a five-state region. Shakespeare's educational wing, click here ON TAP:    Montana's beloved Shakespeare in the Parks is touring again this summer, visiting an impressive 60 towns in a five-state area with two classics from the Bard. We visit two of the venues, talk with the actors about the rigors of their schedule, and enjoy their offerings. Then we interview the owners of Big Timber's Grand Hotel, where a major facelift is underway in this historic 1890 property, beloved by locals and tourists alike.  Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, nature, performance family and more: www.whereiscookie.com

London's King's Cross Train Station is usually abuzz with people. Bruce Keller removed the crowd from this spectacular photo, to show two splendid trains next to one another in a recent UK visit. Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers prepare to board a London train for Oxford. ENGLAND BY TRAIN IS A LOVELY WAY TO LEARN A BIT ABOUT THE COUNTRY STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Trains are efficient worldwide, running in many cities and into the country. Here in the UK, trains give travelers a peek into British life and scenery. ​WE HAVE long admired the world's railway system. We've logged thousands of pleasant British train miles from Australia to the United Kingdom, from Tokyo to Paris, Edinburgh to Milan and Rome. The British are particularly proud of their train system. From York to Brighton, it's an efficient, comfortable and reliable way to travel. Theirs is the oldest train system in the world, and provides a reasonably priced way to get around, often to places where renting and parking a car would be expensive, burdensome and difficult. We recently took a few pleasant British train trips in England, exploring both the countryside and a major city, sampling only a small part of the UK's elaborate train system. It's a network of thousands of kilometers with many lines variously operated. Dunedin's train station is a highlight of a visit to New Zealand, an architectural treat. WHAT FIRST catches the eye in the UK is the beauty of the train stations. Stupendous, stately architecture with unique touches. You'll find large and small railway stations all over the country. Our friends in Yorkshire took us this time to the Selby station for our two-hour trip to London. With only three platforms, it's just 20 minutes from their farm house and more accessible than the much larger York station. The late Queen Elizabeth spent many happy hours touring her realm on trains. She invited the famous Paddington Bear to tea in her last jubilee. We caught a comfy train for our recent two-hour trip to London, departing from Selby. The small station in north Yorkshire is very user friendly. Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan are full of gorgeous train stations, too -- from sleek and contemporary to quaint and ornate. English train stations can rival cathedrals in their grandeur. They are an important part of the country's heritage, mentioned in plays and novels. THE ROYALS USE trains, too. Remember Paddington Bear and the story of how he was found and rescued? The late Queen Elizabeth paid tribute to that story and invited the loveable bear to tea and a marmalade sandwich she just happened to have in her purse. It was an endearing highlight of her last Jubilee. Paddington and St. Pancras are two of our favorite London stations. THE LARGE ones are grand, but the world's smaller train stations impress with their history, compact efficiency and friendly service. We found cheerful help in both Selby and Oxford, on recent train gambols. We've also taken pleasant train trips to Brighton, Stratford and up into Scotland villages and Edinburgh. The Waverly there is a beauty, as is Grange-over-Sands on the Furness Line. Both are right out of a storybook, gorgeous and eye-catching, stunning in their architectural touches. In Australia, the Katoomba Train Station is charming and right in city center, walking distance to our hotel. Happy on a train to Oxford...Cookie relaxes and orders a glass of wine to enhance the short journey from London. Enjoying himself is Bruce Keller, who prefers train travel to renting a car and driving. Here he is traveling from Sydney to Katoomba, in Australlia. MANY of the world's smaller stations even feature cozy tea rooms or pubs, making a short wait a pleasant way to spend an hour or two. Seeing Keller and Cookie off are their good friends and hosts in a Yorkshire visit, John and Sue Speight of Primrose Farm. Edinburgh's Waverley Station is a gorgeous building, with restaurants, pubs, shopping and beauty to enhance the journey. WHEN WE travel by train, security and boarding are faster and simpler than at the airport. Luggage limitations disappear and there's twice as much leg room on a train even in the cheapest class. We don't have to worry about the size of liquids or whether our bag fits above or below. There's always plenty of space for bags. Prices are fair, too. Various passes are available, from 96 pounds sterling for two days, to 250 pounds for a week. So if you're planning to do a reasonable amount of travel, a pass is a good buy. The smart way to save money on rail travel for anyone aged 60 and over is a senior card, available in many countries. In England, it's £30 a year, and saves a third on off-peak journeys. A 3-year rail card is a bargain £70.We recommend contacting ACP Rail with its international reach, for its ease in booking in advance at good prices, flexibility and many choices and packages. The on-line service is straight forward and there's an app to help you hop on and off with ease. The service is pleasant, friendly and accommodating and can get you around the world, literally -- from Japan to Scotland, Switzerland, Australia and of course Britain. info@ACPrail.com Surrounded by family late this summer, Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller tied the knot. Yes, they are wed after 17 years together. It was a surprise, one of many reasons they give thanks as the holidays kick off! UP NEXT: This year, we have much for which to be thankful, as always. But we do it as "man and wife" -- just back from an epic honeymoon to 11 countries, and catching our breath between sojourns. The story of the wedding is part of our annual Thanksgiving ode, with a nod to families and friendship, a bit of the holiday's history, a pinch of Thanksgiving lore and a few fun memories which we hope you'll enjoy as you recall your own. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, performance, family, nature and the arts: www.whereiscookie.com

A sculpture to world peace frames Cookie and Keller at the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Honolulu, home to the often photographed USS Arizona Memorial. The Tree of Life sculpture is a relief, a symbol of renewal created by Arizona Memorial architect Alfred Preis to inspire contemplation.   HOMAGES TO WAR, TRAGEDY,  TERRORISM, HELP US REMEMBER, HONOR, AND AVOID REPEATING STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Photos of victims of the Holocaust leave the viewer numb at Yad Vashem in Israel. This is the ceiling memorial to those who perished in Nazi concentration camps.  Christene "Cookie" Meyers in the Bruce Meyers Poet's Garden on the campus of MSU-Billings in Montana. It honors her late writing teacher husband, Bruce Meyers. WHEREVER IN the world we go, we never miss an opportunity to visit a memorial. War, loss, suffering, heroism and sacrifice are universal themes. 4 of the best memorials worldwide you must see are discussed below: So is the need to honor the fallen, those we loved, those who have suffered loss. Nearly every village in Europe has a memorial to the victims of World War I. War memorials are found on every continent, in metropolitan areas and remote villages alike. These and other memorials illustrate the emotional power of architecture. From Maya Lin’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial to New York's 9-11 homage and the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in Atlanta, these tributes stir strong reactions as iconic pieces of art and architecture. Often they are destinations for locals and travelers alike. The moving memorial to victims of the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, attracts thousands of visitors each year, as does the striking tribute to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. P eace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, pays respect to those killed by the bomb. I HAVE personal experience with memorials, having designed one myself to honor my late husband, a poetry and creative writing professor for 25 years at a Montana university. That memorial reminds me, and others, of his gifts to hundreds of students. It provides a quiet place on campus for students and professors to meditate, write, reflect. Pearl Harbor spotlight Other memorials remind us of the cruelty of man, of senseless death, heroes and selfless deeds, the hope that peace will prevail in our muddled world. Especially now with the devastation in Ukraine, and in our country, the immigration controversy, it seems appropriate to study memorials and the hope they give us for a better life. A  young Japanese man studies the sad story of the internment of thousands of innocent Japanese Americans at the Pearl Harbor Memorial.  Many soldiers of Japanese descent served as translators, helping shorten the war. THE MOOD  around memorials is always quiet and respectful. Whether in New York at the site of the World Trade Center destruction of "9/11," Yad Vashem in Israel, or Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, memorials seem to calm people, to draw them inward to private thoughts. n Honolulu, at the Arizona Memorial, 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. 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. The striking White Monument at Tell Banat, Aleppo Governorate, Syria, dates from the third millennium BC, and honors fighters from  state army. World Trade Center in New York with its extraordinary museum remembers the  terrorism attack of September 11, 2001 and honors its victims. Yes, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor but 6,000 Japanese Americans served as translators and interpreters with the Military Intelligence Service in the Pacific, using the language of their parents and grandparents to shorten the war and save lives. So it's complicated.  WE LEARN  through memorials of the misguided effects of war and violence, hatred and prejudice. Ironies and sorrow go hand in hand with war and terrorism. Brothers wiped out, serving on the same ship. Husbands and wives perishing together in a jump from a burning tower. Entire families destroyed by an act of violence.  Anne Frank's family lived in an annex during the occupation of Amsterdam. The pictures she clipped and saved are preserved. Campus memorial honors beloved professor Crete memorial honors fallen in crucial battle What always strikes us about a memorial visit is the quiet.   People move silently about the exhibits, touched and often emotional about their experience and expressing their reverence as they pay their respects. So let this week be one of remembrance, meditation, hope and thanks.  Up Next: BEST ON THE BOARDS: Sheer unadulterated joy awaits the audience in New Village Arts' smashing production of  of "Singin' in the Rain"  The hit musical has more energy than a barrel of Red Bull as it plays to sell-out crowds in this perfect, intimate venue. The story of a silent movie star and his jealous, tone-deaf partner making the transition to the talkies is a perfect antidote to "May Gray" or "June Gloom." Reveling in applause after a fabulous dance  number are 3 of the leads in a terrific cast: L-R:  Xavier J. Bush, Emma Nossal, Anthony Michael Vacio, gifted "triple threat" dancers-actors-singers.  Dazzling dance in a fun, feel good show. Revel in terrific tap dancing by dashing leading man Don Lockwood, his nimble sidekick Cosmo and a thoroughly adorable chorus girl Kathy (with a voice like a nightingale.) Audrey Ward plays a delightfully off-key Lina Lamont, the fading silent star, and the expert ensemble dances, sings and clowns its way through two-and-one-half hours of musical theater bliss. A.J. Knox directs the beloved classic with some of the sharpest choreography San Diego hoofers have ever delivered. An absolute delight to the clever curtain call. The run ends July 2 with a fun Italian dinner-or-lunch and show package option at Via Vai Cucina.   newvillagearts.org   760) 284-4393 Gay Pride is celebrated all year in Sydney, Australia, with posters, banners, concerts and special events including the city's famed Sydney Opera House. June has many special events. UP NEXT : Gay Pride month is in June, a celebration of a tradition begun in 1970, a year after the Stonewall Inn Riots took place, as a peaceful march with no dress restrictions where people could express themselves and their sexuality freely. There have been peaceful marches, protests and celebrations every year since and Pride Month is joyously celebrated in Australia and worldwide. The month is dedicated to commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride. Pride Month began after the Stonewall riots of New York. A series of gay liberation protests began in 1969, and the movement has since spread enthusiastically outside of the United States. We witnessed the enthusiasm on our recent trip to Australia and share insights and photos. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on nature, performance, travel, family and the arts.

Road trip to the top of the world: last week, up the Beartooth Pass on the famed Cooke City Highway. John Steinbeck had Charley, and Keller has Nick and Nora, below. TRAVEL THE COUNTRY, SEE NEW TERRAIN, ENJOY SURPRISES, AS THE CAR IS YOUR COCOON! STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER JOHN STEINBECK described, when beginning a trip, that delightful sense of the unknown in his engaging "Travels With Charley." He said, “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” Some of my favorite times happen when I'm on the road -- with Keller and "the pups," who are nearing nine years old. The sense of adventure, the thrill of the new unfolding, are the bookends to the trip. We know not where the journey is taking us, except perhaps literally, to "point A" or "point B." But we don't know the subtleties, the small pleasures, the unexpected delights that will fill the book between covers. Each day on the road is full of surprise! We're open, waiting and willing. And that's the thrill of the road trip. Steinbeck found that Charley was the conduit for all sorts of new friendships and adventures. Near Bodega Bay, we stumbled upon the church from Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds," filmed here in the 1960s. Below, Cookie, Nick and Nora transit Beartooth Pass. THE YORKIES, Nick and Nora, go with us everywhere on the road -- to the fruit stands, into the dog-friendly motel lobbies we book before we head out, even in Carmel, into the restaurants -- thanks to community icon Doris Day and her love of pets. In Europe, no Yorkies, but plenty of adventure in every village and roundabout. Consider these surprises from our recent summer travels with Nick and Nora. THE CHERRIES we bought from a roadside stand. The picnic by the brook with the blue heron in the tree overhead. The little cafe with terrific clam chowder and chocolate malts made at an old-fashioned soda fountain. Plus a tiny ice cream for each Yorkie. Meeting a theater lover from Ashland, Oregon, at a B&B in the mountains of Wyoming and talking plays with her over homemade berry pie. Virtues of a road trip are many: No telephones or e-mail to sort. No cell reception on some of our routes (even better!). If fires erupt in our family-friends world, someone else can douse them. We eat when we're hungry and we always find fun places to stay in and interesting people to write about. WHAT COULD be better than packing up for a road trip, then heading out -- comfy in our car, a sunny morning unfolding, a thermos of strong coffee, a half-dozen maps, the Yorkies asleep in their traveling bed and the day spread out before us like an inviting magic carpet. Fresh California fruit, picked that morning, one of the pleasures of the road. WE MIGHT be on the California coast, or on the back roads of Montana or Wyoming. We might be leaving Barcelona, to Costa Brava, north from Barcelona for a perch at a favorite seaside parador, Aiguablava. We might be traveling through the Loire Valley, or Tuscany, plotting our next gastronomic adventure surrounded by cypress trees and 13th Century buildings. Or we might be heading out of Sydney, Australia, pointed northeast toward Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef with a side trip deep into the rain forest. The best clam chowder of a three-week coastal trip -- right here A LEISURELY road trip is great for romance. You may be in love with one another already, but to fall in love again on the road -- sharing the beauty, wonder and surprises -- is a bonus to the relationship. Cookie and Keller hadn't planned to feed a giraffe -- but they did, on the road! Steinbeck and Charley, his beloved standard poodle, had their own version of love, and Steinbeck had particular fondness for Montana, my native state. He said, “I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.” He also said that while it was important to make some sort of plan, it was wise not to expect it to unfold exactly as anticipated. “Once a journey is designed, equipped, and put in process, a new factor enters and takes over. A trip, a safari, an exploration, is an entity, different from all other journeys. It has personality, temperament, individuality, uniqueness. A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless." So it was an unexpected delight when we realized we had a few extra days on our California odyssey. I called my nephew, James, and his partner, Kelle, who quickly welcomed us to drive a few hundred extra miles north to remote Mendocino County. A side trip to the town of Salvador Dali's birth, Figueras, in northeast Spain. THERE WE visited their beautiful farm, orchard and wine making operation, and toured an African wildlife preserve -- feeding giraffes in northern California. To cap our spontaneous sidetrip, they treated us to a fabulous meal at their favorite Point Arena restaurant, to which they supply organic produce. Ah, I love our roadtrips! An impromptu family reunion occurred in northern California. The road trip segued to a wildlife preserve and organic farmt. COMING UP: Have you been to Cody, Wyoming, lately? Buffalo Bill Cody named the town after himself (why not?) and it's full of lore of his life and a world class museum. Plus California's coastal hotels, an all-girl "Two Gentlemen of Verona" (can you picture it?) at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. This top theater is fun, and we convey its spirit. Plus a Montana couple who make iron art their livelihood. We share their gorgeous one-of-a-kind creations. All with a sense of fun and pleasure in seeing the world, at: www.whereiscookie.com Remember to explore, learn and live and tell your friends about us.

Cookie shops for dream car, gives an impromptu concert and shears a sheep -- all in a day's play in Wellington Wandering Wellington's streets proved an eventful day, with delightful shops, museums, cafes and cable cars. Sheep ranchers and their dogs have a similar look the world over -- this one works on a ranch near Wellington, N.Z., but would be at home in Montana. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Wellington Auto Museum has an affection for bold design and color. OUR DAY in Wellington's fascinating Auto Museum began with a ride on a cable car up a steep hill, a stroll around Parliament and a terrific cuppa. Great tea! Great town. The day began at Southward Car Museum (people call it Wellington Auto Museum) with its collection of rare autos, and an unusual three-keyboard organ. The museum has 250 cars, airplanes, train engines and that magnificent organ. (After shameless hinting, I was invited to play it!) Talk about gilding the lily! Cookie takes a turn at the three-keyboard Wurlitzer in Wellington's famous Southward Car Museum, invited by Len Fifield. AFTER MY organ tunes and a mini-concert by magnificent theater organist Len Fifield, we headed to a ranch, where I attempted to shear a sheep. We lunched on lamb curry -- delicious, but unfortunately timed. FOR THE SHEEP shearing, lucky I had help. It's hard work so I shall stick to writing and music. The sheep survived my shaky hands but I was a wreck.... WELLINGTON pitches itself as a highly livable place where one season fits all. It is ethnically diverse and gay friendly with an array of eateries, parks and shops. Wellington also offers variety and charm, with plenty to do for free or on the cheap. Besides fabulous food and shopping, the people are helpful and accommodating with a sly, wry sense of humor. THIS NEW ZEALAND city is beautiful and user friendly, with streets made for walking, browsing, relaxing. In a country known for its love of boating, Wellington, N.Z., boasts an inviting waterfront, walkable and pretty. Arranged around an attractive waterfront, Wellington is easy to navigate. Wellington boasts more cafes, bars and restaurants than New York City, and its coffee and craft beer producers are famous. The town combines a creative, cosmopolitan feel, with the sophistication of a capital (which it is!) plus the warmth and personality of a village. Wellington is simply winning, and it's courting business and industry as well as retirees thus the mix of young and old which delighted us. BESIDES WELLINGTON Auto Museum, New Zealand's greatest share of high-tech companies. It promises techies shopping for change of venue that they can be part of a vibrant economy -- "open minded, globally-connected, yet collaborative and supportive." They can indulge in this while enjoying "a healthy lifestyle, rich in cuisine, culture and the great outdoors." All true! The city enjoys over 2,100 hours of sunshine each year, less rainfall than other New Zealand cities and some say the lowest air pollution in the world. Minutes from downtown Wellington we walked along a green belt and enjoyed watching bikers, a sparkling harbor, and a picturesque waterfront designed for strolling and picnics. Cookie took up the electric shearing device, with a little help from a new friend. Wellington's cable cars are a treat to ride. OUR RECENT Wellington visit offered crisp, cool mornings and we relished our walks beneath the hills surrounding this lovely town. The aptly named "City to Sea Walkway" starts in the heart of central Wellington near Parliament and ends at the South Coast. The Parliament square is an eye-catching mix of old and new buildings, nicely pulled together with gardens and walkways. NEWLYWEDS have their photos taken on the steps of the Parliamentary Library, tourists click snapshots of a bronze of Premier Richard Seddon pointing to the sky. The Beehive – a structure known by all New Zealanders – stands beside the imposing grey facade of Parliament House. The buildings have been modified, destroyed by fire, half-built and restored. Folks love them or hate them. Our eyes look for the novel; we loved them. "The Beehive" Parliament Building in Wellington. Wellington Botanical Garden was a highlight, too, with spectacular views, unique landscape, exotic forests, native bush, and colorful floral displays. THE WATERFRONT walk will take you to Te Papa, with buildings used in early Wellington wharfing, and Civic Square, home to a nice library, art gallery, an engaging Visitor Center and Town Hall Complex. Our day ended as it began, with a cable car ride. These historic red cars run from Lambton Quay in the city's commercial heart, to the top of Upland Road, with the Lookout, Carter Observatory, Planetarium and Cable Car Museum. WELLINGTON offers something unique at every turn. On my third visit, I left with more to see. COMING UP: We find hidden secrets, stunning artwork and surprising talent in the alleys and secret corners of Melbourne, Australia. In a unique tradition encouraged by city officials, artists are welcome to paint, draw, create and change artwork on the walls of many buildings in this delightful city Down Under. Melbourne, Australia, encourages artful graffiti. Remember to explore, learn and live, and check us out travel tips, hotels, restaurants, cruising and nature pieces: www.whereiscookie.com

Cookie and her mother, Ellen, wearing the green. GRANDMOTHER JIGGED AND COOKED CORNED BEEF, MUM DYED RICE GREEN AND WEPT AS SHE SAW IRELAND, PLAYED MUSIC ON LAND AND SEA STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" St. Patrick, a humble man, whom the holiday honors, converted pagans to Catholicism. Dancers will kick it up today in Dublin, New York and elsewhere, through the weekend and to Monday. MY FAVORITE memories of St. Patrick's Day have to do with my two strongest female influences: my mother and her mother, my beloved gran, Olive. They also have to do with corned beef, music, parades and costumes -- because both women loved all of these. Proud of her Irish heritage -- Cobh in County Cork -- Gran taught us how to jig. She loved the holiday and described Cobh (pronounced Cove) as vividly as if she'd lived there herself. "Oh, it's a lovely, small seaport town in County Cork, Southwest Ireland," she'd say, hands on her hips after opening an atlas to point to her clan's homeland. "It's on Great Island in Cork Harbour and it was from Cobh that our ancestors set sail for the new world -- never to return to Ireland again." At this she'd dab her eyes and pour a stiff toddy. Celebrity's Century brought Cookie's mother to Cobh, Ireland, for an emotional "roots" tour. 'Tis true, 'tis true..... In the era of transatlantic travel before the jet age, Cobh was often the last port for many of the great liners bound for America. It was at Cobh that the ill-fated Titanic made its last stop. My great gran's parents -- with my grandmother's mother, Christena Wilson -- sailed to America from Cobh on a less troubled but undoubtedly tragic journey. It was called Queenstown when Christena's clan left Ireland, and Gran made certain we knew that. She nurtured a romantic notion that her meeting of my grandfather Gustav Nystul, whose parents came from Norway, had a mystical connection to the Vikings who inhabited Ireland and the waters that both cultures shared. The sights of Cobh, Ireland, were music to the ears and eyes of my mother and me. SO IT WAS with great emotion that my sister Robbie, my mother Ellen, and I sailed into Cobh on a Celebrity Cruise during the last year of my mother's life. The whole trip was delightful but Ireland was the highlight. Cook up a corned beef and cabbage dinner, such as Ellen enjoyed. during her "bucket list" trip to Ireland. The meal was compliments of the ship where Cookie and Ellen played piano and violin. "I'm home, I'm home," she wept as the beautiful and sleek Century ship sailed into port. It was as lovely, lively and green as my gran described it. The Ireland trip, and a trip a year later to Norway, where my grandfather's parents were born, were the two top items on mum's bucket list. I'm grateful I helped her complete this important circle in her life. THE CENTURY'S able staff, knowing of mum's deep connection to the land, staged a private Irish-themed party after we came back on board, having toured the town and stopped at a pub for the inevitable corned beef and cabbage. Gran prepared it on a regular basis and mum yearned to taste it on native soil. St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. This was a stop on our pilgrimage. The following year, my mother astonished my Georgia sister and her family's Japanese members by coloring the rice green on St. Pat's day, her eccentric nod to the saint for which the holiday is named. She claimed it helped her reconnect with the green of Cobh. THE HISTORY of St. Patrick's Day is an interesting one. Its obvious religious connections have morphed into a reason to party, whatever your faith, or even if you are faithless. Today, we Irish welcome you all! St. Patrick is said to have inspired the love of shamrocks, using it to explain the Trinity. Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland, credited with bringing Christianity and driving out the snakes while charming the pagans. Most of what we know comes from his two works; the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and his Epistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians. Saint Patrick probably didn't swill whisky, guzzle Guinness stout or sip green beer. He described himself as a “humble-minded man, pouring forth thanks to his Maker for having chosen him as the instrument whereby multitudes who had worshipped idols and unclean things had become the people of God.” ****************************************************** ALAS, THE BELOVED saint would have his work cut out with me! Gran also told us that the shamrock became the national flower of Ireland because St. Patrick used it to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans. Makes sense, gran and mum. Happy St. Patrick's day up there! Bet you two are jigging and knocking out Irish tunes on heaven's 88s. COMING UP: Tasting delicious food and sampling top theater -- the glories of Ashland, Oregon, with its world class theater, charming boutique hotel, chocolate festival, fabulous food, glorious wine and cheese, scenery, spring blossoms and shopping. Remember to explore, learn and live and visit us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com. Please share the link with like minded folks. Our specialties are food, fun, travel, theater and general joie de vivre! Christene Meyers, aka "Cookie," was arts and travel editor with the Lee Newspapers for many years, interviewing stars including Sean Penn, Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Fred Astaire, Katharine Hepburn, Robert DeNiro, Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando. Her first "big movie" coverage was Arthur Penn's "Little Big Man," filmed in her native Montana in 1971. You can find this story at whereiscookiecom

Dublin's famous Temple Bar was a pub stop on a memorable tour of Ireland with Cookie's late mother, Ellen, who played piano and fiddle there and sang a medley of Irish tunes with the band on St. Patrick's Day. The trip inspired a family memorial in Montana. TAKE THE TRIP, MAKE THE MEMORY: IRISH 'AYES' ALL AROUND 'Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.' on a headstone found in a Dublin churchyard STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER &cm "The Carpe Diem Kids" MY MOTHER WAS determined to visit Ireland and play piano in an Irish pub. I'm proud to say I helped make that happen before she passed in 2008. The trip made her happy -- and while I'll always miss my flamboyant, talented mum, I have memories aplenty. St. Patrick's Day homage: as we pulled into Cork's city harbor, for several days in the Emerald Isle, mum's fingers were ready. Her happy tears shown in the morning sun as we shared her first look at the home of half her ancestors. Mum was as full of emotion as her folks were full of blarney. (The Norwegian side, her father's, were sailors and fishermen with their own droll wit.) Cookie's late sister Robbie helped choreograph several memorable European trips with mum Ellen, including the Ireland odyssey. “I’m home, I feel it,” mum cried, lifting her hands heavenward. “These are my people.” Then she wept. My sister Robbie and I smiled at one another, blinking back our own tears. We had a group hug, all of us crying. We're a crying family - so it wasn't surprising. We cry when we're happy; we cry when we're sad. Some of us cry for no reason at all on St. Patrick's Day Joy and sorrow, like the comic and tragic masks, are merely different takes on the heart's emotion. The Irish know that better than most. Cookie and her mum on the town in Dublin. Besides playing piano and fiddle at pubs, they looked for family history, visited graveyards, hiked coastal roads, reveled in all things Irish SO ON St. Patrick's Day, we celebrate my mother -- and one of her favorite wits: Oscar Wilde. He said: "A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal is absolutely fatal." "I can resist everything except temptation." "Be yourself. Everyone else is taken." Cookie and Ellen had many happy times together, always with music, often with dogs. St. Patrick's Day delights, history "If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life." "The truth is rarely pure and never simple." And from "The Importance of Being Earnest" beloved by my mother, who played Lady Bracknell in a Portland, Oregon, production: "To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." Mum also loved this quote from playwright Sean O'Casey: "Money does not make you happy but it quiets the nerves." Dublin born Oscar Wilde was a favorite wit, playwright of Cookie's mother, the late Ellen B. Cosgriffe. In her long career as an musician and occasional actor, she played Lady Bracknell in "The Importance of Being Earnest." I'D BEEN TO Ireland a half-dozen times before, but seeing it through my mother’s eyes was like seeing it anew. From the rugged coastlines to misty meadows and stone fences, I felt connected to the country in a way I had never felt before. The Blarney Stone took on new meaning. The potato famine felt real. When mum told sis and me the story of her great grandmother’s departure, we looked the Emerald Isle in the eye. At our pub stops St. Patrick's Day, mum was greeted like a favorite auntie. When the people discovered she was musical, we were center stage at the piano and fiddle and couldn't buy a beverage. Finding gravestones and tracing ancestors was part of the fun for the family on the Ireland trip. Our St. Patrick's Day homage continued as we visited several graveyards looking for family names of Pittendrigh, Cosgriffe, Wilson. We found all, and relished the meanings and histories -- Cosgriff means "victorious." The Pittendrighs migrated to Ireland from Aberdeen in northeastern Scotland -- interesting in light of the fact that our niece, Amarylla, married a Scotsman, Steve Ganner. We learned that Wilson is a common Irish name -- more common even than the ubiquitous Smith. (Mum sniffed at that. "Nothing common about my people.") The cliffs, coastal views and castle ruins of Ireland captured the heart of Cookie's late mother, Ellen. WE'D PUT DOWN anchor in the same place where my great, great-grandmother, Molly Wilson, left her family for America before the last Century’s turn. She’d taken the train to Cobn (pronounced Cove) from Cork, on a tiny track which we found. More memories. Memories of a lovely trip. And so much love. My 20 days in Europe with my mother and youngest sister rank high on my list of world adventures. Not because of the exotic nature of the ports, all of which I’d visited, but because of the unique bond we shared. Now, particularly with both mum and Robbie gone, I cherish the memories. I wouldn't trade this trip for all the tea in Ireland. And I created a memorial in Montana inspired by our graveyard and churchyard wanderings in Ireland. Back in Montana, Christene "Cookie" Meyers created a family memorial inspired by Ireland research. LIFE IS shaped by defining moments. Often we realize their importance only in looking back. I'm grateful I helped mum follow her dreams, hold true to her vision, find a way to make that trip happen. Call it my own "importance of being earnest." *************************************************************************************** NEXT UP: as of March 15, 2018 A fabulous San Diego production of Stephen Sondheim's returns to the stage. "A Little Night Music" has our veteran theater reviewer waxing rhapsodic. Find out what sets this extraordinary production apart as Cookie describes the talent, staging and magic unfolding at Cygnet Theatre in San Diego's Old Town. Since reveling in the original Broadway production in 1973. Cookie has become a "Night Music" junkie, even acting as music director and pianist in her own production. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly when we post a fresh take on theater, travel, nature, family and the arts.

WHALE COW AND CALF PAIR FROLIC UP THE CALIFORNIA COAST, THRILLING SD WHALE WATCHERS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER There are travel moments that stay with you long after the photos are uploaded—and watching gray whales migrate along the San Diego coastline is one of them. If you’re visiting Southern California during whale season, heading out to sea with San Diego Whale Watch the best in San Diego We lucky San Diegans may watch the gray whale's remarkable journey close-up, so this time of year, look for us on the water. Dolphins are almost always a companion to the San Diego Whale Watch boats. Here, they followed us for a half hour. The whales head to the Baja early in the year, and after giving birth and mating, they head back to Alaska to fatten up for another cycle. Sailor Keller has piloted our own craft for whale watching ventures. But it's more fun for us to let someone else do the driving so he can take photos and enjoy the sea life with San Diego Whale Watch. We like the personalized, friendly treatment we always receive at SD Whale Watch. Flagship and Hornblower also offer whale watching. Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller on the whale trail about to board in San Diego Bay. HOW CAN WE CATCH the gray whales twice? Because if we time it right, we can see them coming and going. After spending time in warm Baja California waters teaching and feeding their young to grow strong, they make the journey north again later in spring. This remarkable trip represents the longest known distance any mammal migrates on an annual basis. For this Montana girl and my San Diego born partner, it is an extraordinary spectacle. Every winter and early spring, gray whales make one of the longest migrations of any mammal on Earth, traveling nearly 10,000 miles from the icy waters of Alaska to the warm lagoons of Baja California. San Diego sits right along this incredible migration highway, making it one of the best places in the country to witness the journey up close. What sets San Diego Whale Watch apart is how effortlessly they turn this natural event into a meaningful adventure. Departing from Mission Bay, their tours head straight into prime whale-watching territory, often spotting whales within minutes of leaving the harbor. There’s something thrilling about scanning the horizon, then suddenly seeing a spout of mist rise from the ocean—a sure sign that a massive gray whale is nearby. SD Whale Watch posts daily sightings for visitors. Unlike crowded tourist boats, San Diego Whale Watch uses spacious, well-designed vessels that allow plenty of room to move around. That means unobstructed views, better photo opportunities, and the freedom to watch whales from multiple angles. Whether you’re on the upper deck or closer to the water, you’re never far from the action. This year, we've been out a half-dozen times, exploring the 70 miles of coastline in the migration path. We've seen whales every time -- now nearly 30 outings in the near decade I've been a grateful part-timer. San Diego Whale Watch offers a stellar whale watching experience here in Southern California. The cordial and experienced crew know exactly how to track down and share the bounty of whales and dolphins off our beautiful coast. The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay casts a pretty reflection among the boats as we set off from San Diego Whale Watch landing. This week, we treated my visiting Montana brother to a trip on the Ohana, San Diego Whale Watch's smaller boat while the larger Privateer is having work. SD Whale Watch offers whale watching year round, while the competition. One of the most memorable aspects of the experience is the crew. Knowledgeable marine naturalists are on board to explain whale behavior, migration patterns, and conservation efforts. As you watch a mother gray whale surface beside her calf, you gain a deeper appreciation for just how extraordinary this journey is. It’s not just sightseeing—it’s learning, connecting, and witnessing nature in real time. The boats are respectful of the mother's maternal instincts to protect her baby, so a safe distance of a minimum 100 yards was kept as we viewed. And gray whales aren’t the only stars of the show. Depending on the day, you might also spot dolphins racing alongside the boat, sea lions lounging in the distance, or seabirds diving dramatically for fish. Every trip feels unique, which is part of the magic. San Diego’s mild weather adds to the appeal. While other whale-watching destinations require heavy coats and rough seas, here you can enjoy clear skies, calmer waters, and comfortable conditions—perfect for families, first-time whale watchers, and seasoned travelers alike. If you’re planning a trip to San Diego and want an experience that’s unforgettable, educational, and deeply connected to the natural world, San Diego Whale Watch is an easy choice. Sign up with San Diego Whale Watch, the Best in San Diego Watching gray whales glide through the Pacific is humbling, inspiring, and a reminder of how incredible travel can be when it brings you closer to nature. For travelers chasing moments not just destinations this is one San Diego's best adventures you don’t want to miss. ********************************************************* UP NEXT: The island of Lanzarote is a delight largely because of the efforts and vision of Cesar Manrique, who shaped innovative planning regulations on this most unique of the Canary Islands. When Manrique recognized its tourist potential and lobbied to encourage eco-friendly tourism and artfully designed buildings, he changed the island's course: no high rise hotels and beautiful small hotels in keeping with the use of traditional colors and imaginative design. Read about this inspired and inspiring man, at whereiscookie.com Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each week or any day for a novel approach to the arts and nature driven travel. If you want great ideas on how to travel safely, save money and get the most for your time visit with us at whereiscookie.com

Scottsdale is a standout in foodie towns, for it has hundreds of restaurants. This spirited Arizona city offers a delightful range of dining options, here a luscious roasted corn salad and chicken and avocado salad. Story by Christene Meyers Photos by Bruce Keller "The Carpe Diem Kids" Visiting Scottsdale, Arizona with Arizona Food Tours If you believe the best way to understand a destination is through its food, then Scottsdale, Arizona, is about to become one of your favorite cities and Arizona Food Tours is your golden ticket. This isn’t just a walking tour with a few bites tossed in. It’s a deep dive into local flavor, history, and personality, served one delicious plate at a time. Scottsdale may be famous for its luxury resorts, desert sunsets, and art scene, but there’s a culinary heartbeat here that often surprises first-time visitors. Arizona Food Tours captures that energy and translates it into an experience that’s equal parts tasty, educational, and wildly fun. Think of it as a progressive dinner with an engaging storyteller, a local insider, and a passionate foodie all rolled into one. A Local Company with a Big Appetite for Storytelling Arizona Food Tours was created with an ambitious and powerful idea: support local enterprises, celebrate culture, and eat and drink well while doing it. The company focuses on independently owned restaurants, local chefs, and neighborhood gems that you might otherwise walk right past. This isn’t about chains or trendy spots. It’s about food with roots, heart, and fun stories. Each stop has unique and memorable qualities in this well designed tour. The Mission, for example, is elegant yet bold, full of memorable touches and fine Latin inspired fare. An energetic and delicious food tour is led by Zach, at right, who guided hungry participants through multiple stops in Scottsdale's finest restaurants. A great way to combine history with fun food of the city. From the moment the tour begins, you realize this is not a scripted, cookie-cutter experience. Guides are knowledgeable, personable, and enthusiastic about Scottsdale’s food scene. They don’t just list what you’re eating and drinking; they explain why it matters. You’ll hear about family-owned kitchens, immigrant influences, desert ingredients, and how Scottsdale’s culinary identity has evolved far beyond its cowboy-and-steakhouse stereotype. Old Town Scottsdale: Where History Meets the Plate Frashers Tavern in Scottsdale offers classic steakhouse fare from aged filet mignon, a popular peppercorn steak soup, a classic grilled cheeseburger and indulgent signature desserts. Here, Zach gives a lively overview. Many Arizona Food Tours take place in Old Town Scottsdale, a charming blend of new and old with a distinctive western flourish. It was our choice on a recent visit. We walked the charming gallery area, admiring art shops and boutiques -- and an impressive concentration of great restaurants. Our stroll between stops passed historic buildings and sculpture, including a bronze of Scottsdale founder Winfield Scott and his wife, Helen. We stopped to study public art, paused in shaded courtyards, learned fascinating tidbits of the history of this 48th state, the last of the mainland to be admitted to the union. All while working up an appetite for the next course. Zach kept the pace lively without rushing us. He is proud of Scottsdale's agricultural beginnings (Mr. Scott raised lemon trees, Zach explained.) He also described how Scottsdale attained international fame as a sophisticated dining destination. We learned a lot between bites, without ever feeling we were in a classroom. The Food: Diverse, Surprising, and Generous A luscious roasted kale salad with bacon and feta cheese was one of our memorable options. We arrived hungry, with only a sparse cereal and fruit breakfast. So we were happy to have generous portions at our stops. From a hearty mac and cheese to a fabulous taco, huge meatball, a tasty roasted kale salad and terrific ice cream, we were completely satisfied at tour's end. No mincy “sample bites” to leave us hungry an hour later. Portions are ample, beautifully presented and between walks and talks, create an enjoyable meal. Famous meatballs at Evo Expect variety. One stop might highlight bold Southwestern flavor -- chilies, spices, and Sonoran flavors-- while another could lean to Mediterranean, modern American, or globally inspired cuisine. Scottsdale’s dining scene is wonderfully diverse, and the tour reflects that. You may find yourself tasting: Handcrafted tacos with unexpected and flavorful fillings. Local beers and wines (including my favorite dry whites, created in Arizona with a nod to the Mediterranean. House-made sauces deserving of marketing on their own. Comfort food, like our tasty mac and cheese, worthy of note because of the pleasingly rich cheese blend. Sweet finishes that make you seriously consider dessert-first lifestyles As part of the registration, we were asked dietary restrictions and one of our group of 10 was very happy with her vegetarian options. Requests are handled with care and Zach even arranged non-alcoholic beer as one of the liquor options for a non-drinker. Guided Food Tour Scottsdale: It’s a Social Experience Fun friendly stop in Historic Old Town Scottsdale with Arizona Food Tours and a sculpture of the founding Scotts. One of the most delightful surprises of Arizona Food Tours is how social it is. Groups are small enough to feel personal, and by the second stop, conversations are flowing as easily as the drinks. We met interesting fellow travelers, snowbirds, locals, and food lovers from all walks of life. Sharing a meal dissolves barriers quickly. By the end of the tour, we had exchanged business cards, swapped recommendations, shared travel stories, and planned to meet up again with a couple we connected with. Wine selections and sports memorabilia abound in several of the stops. Arizona Food Tours is a fantastic introduction for visitors, but locals shouldn’t overlook. Many Scottsdale residents take the tour and are genuinely surprised by how many restaurants they hadn’t tried or even noticed. I lived in Scottsdale for a decade and learned about new places -- and places I'd passed by without stopping. Each food stop offers color, variety and special touches, from appetizers to this decadent dessert. Scottsdale Old Town is also a great location for: Weekend getaways Girls’ trips Couples looking for something different Solo travelers wanting an easy way to connect Corporate outings or small celebrations If you’re visiting Scottsdale for the first time, this tour can set the tone for your entire trip. You’ll leave with a mental list of places to revisit, dishes you’re craving again, and a better understanding of the city itself. Supporting Local Never Tasted So Good One of the most meaningful aspects of Arizona Food Tours is its commitment to the local community. By choosing this experience, you’re directly supporting small businesses, local chefs, and the creative culinary ecosystem of Scottsdale. In a travel world increasingly dominated by mass experiences, Arizona Food Tours feels refreshingly personal and purposeful. It reminds you that food isn’t just fuel. It is culture, connection, and memory. Why Arizona Food Tours Belongs on Your Scottsdale Itinerary Scottsdale offers plenty of other things to do: spas, hikes, shopping, golf, art walks. But Arizona Food Tours stands out because it combines many elements into a single experience. You’re walking, learning, tasting, laughing, and connecting -- all in just a few hours. You don’t just leave full. You leave informed, inspired, and planning your next meal. If you’re a traveler who loves to eat like a local, hear stories behind the plate and discover a city through its flavors, Arizona Food Tours isn’t optional, it's a must. And consider more than a single tour. The menus and stops are changed up day by day. MORE INFORMATION or to book: arizonafoodtours.com ON TAP: Check us out at whereiscookie.com for a look at the billion-dollar extravaganza that is taking Las Vegas visitors to the moon -- metaphorically. The Sphere must be seen to be believed. We'll also highlight best Las Vegas shows, celebrate the 100th birthday of the fabled Route 66, enjoy the Waikiki Trolley in Hawaii, take a thrilling boat ride up the Kona coast and jump on a Segway to get to the heart of a new town. The multi-billion dollar Sphere attracted us for an amazing visit. We'll offer tips to readers. Remember to explore, learn and live. Check back here often and share our posts won't you? whereiscookie.com

Enormous spokes of the High Roller in Las Vegas make it the world's largest wheel. UNIQUE FERRIS WHEEL TAKES YOU ON A HIGH RIDE ABOVE THE VEGAS STRIP (in the privacy of your own little container, so eat, drink and be merry -- it's a half-hour heavenly high) Giant columns support the High Roller, as tourists walk beneath to admire. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER WE WERE SOARING -- up, up and away high over Las Vegas. We were aboard the High Roller and loving every minute. In a city that's already way over the top, the High Roller kicks the concept of entertainment up one more notch. WE SAW beyond the glitter and lights to the landscape Bugsy Seigel saw when he built the first motel on what is now the famous Las Vegas Strip. Cactus, trees and the hills that beckoned Bugsy are still there, albeit a bit farther from the center of the action. Cookie toasts the day from her pod. The High Roller is gorgeous at night. Workers load up the bar car for a party inside the pod. Back in Bugsy's day, in the 1930s, the showy gambler, entrepreneur, visionary -- and possible gangster -- saw promise in the cactus, scrub brush and desert sand. Tourists enjoy taking selfies at the top of the city aboard the High Roller. A recorded count-down announces the high point. The spectacular High Roller delivers the razzle dazzle he imagined, giving viewers an opportunity to enjoy the Las Vegas skyline from 500-plus feet. The bonus is being able to see beyond the tinsel, flash and glitter that draws us all to Vegas. Located just off the Linq with its extraordinary complex of shops, restaurants and fun open arcade, the High Roller opened only a year ago. It's celebrating its first anniversary with style, attracting many return visitors from near and far (including the two of us!) WE'RE VETERAN Vegas visitors, always looking for something new. We've photographed the Roller at night -- admiring its glitter -- and hope to board a nighttime pod soon. This daytime trip introduced us to Las Vegas residents and tourists, friends for the half-hour spin on the High Roller. Families like to book it during the day. Elton John, new plays and theater Down Under Revelers and gamblers book it for sunset or evening. Newlyweds book it for a romantic but quick wedding or a fun reception. Our pod had only two other couples -- as many as 12 or 15 can be easily accommodated. Night time riders have fuller pods. THERE ARE two cars for serious drinkers -- your own bartender and full bar service are available and the ticket is a bit more expensive (expect to pay $25 to $35 a person, but look for promotions and discount coupons.) It's only a half-hour ride and we found our little cocktail purchased before boarding at the "Wheelhouse" was sufficient for the quick spin. Cookie and Keller: top of the world Las Vegas style, in their pod aboard the beautifully built High Roller. The London Eye is a wee bit smaller than the High Roller in Las Vegas. A RECORDED commentary accompanies the ride and as we listened to tidbits about the founding of the city, we walked back and forth from the right to left sides of our cubicle. That way, we saw most of the valley and all of the down town. Our view of the wheel from the nearby Flamingo Hotel. High Roller is 550 feet tall with a 520-foot diameter, making the giant Ferris wheel hard to miss on the famed Las Vegas Strip. THE BIG WHEEL began construction in 2011 and opened to customers in March 2014 as the world's tallest observation wheel, a few feet taller than the London Eye, which also offers bird's eye views. It's background, though, is Westminster Abbey and the Parliament Buildings. TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN: Coming up next we explore the trains of Australia and New Zealand. Take a fun ride with us and remember to explore, learn and live. Check us out Wednesdays at: www.whereiscookie.com And look for lively arts stories and updates on our national book tour for "Lilian's Last Dance," at: www.lilianslastdance.com Elton John, new plays and theater Down Under

Cookie hamming it up with temp Maori tattoo SLICE OF MAORI LIFEREMAINS WITH TRAVELERSIN MEMORIES OF GENTLEPEOPLE, HOMEMADE GOODIESAND BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN Okains Bay encourages families to live there, providing cheap lodging in exchange for children learning the Maori language. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER We left historic Akaroa, founded in 1840 by the French, for a 50-mile plus drive. We were met by a group of school children who welcomed us with song and dance. Some of us tried temporary tattoos, and the Maori tongue greeting. Maori people welcome travelers during our New Zealand idyll were sensitive, welcoming, smart and funny. We felt at home. "I'm hungry," our guide said on the return to our ship after a long day. When she commented again that she'd love a cookie, I pulled one from my satchel, an extra from morning tea. This young man was the student leader who welcomed us. "Yum. That hits the spot," she said, setting her microphone on her lap to munch for a moment. OUR TIME with the Maori included the trip with Denise, to her family's village near Napier (previous blog), and a day at another, more remote Maori village, Okains Bay, whose nearest town is Akaroa. Here, the Maori people are cultivating non-Maori people to their town. They offer cottages with modest rentals to families with children who agree to enroll their young in the village school there. The children learn the language, customs, history and music of the Maori, assuring the preservation of the culture. Early settlers lived fairly elaborately, even in remote New Zealand villages. The Maori were world class fishermen as Okains Museum notes. AKAROA'S HARBOR is one of the prettiest in New Zealand, and attracts French visitors because of its preservation of the French language and its "French feel" in the bistros, shops and outdoor markets. Many signs are in French, and the food and wine are French. As we climbed a mountain past gorges and farm land, we left the coast behind. Approaching the village, we saw signs of both bygone Colonial life and Maori culture. Okains Bay School preserves Maori culture. WE WERE greeted at the village by a young man and soon we heard songs from younger children. Adults offered homemade pastries, then we were ushered into the astonishing Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum, with its carved war canoes, tapestries and entire rooms preserved with trappings of the early settlers' lives. The history in this museum is known internationally -- with fine marine and fishing exhibits and world class bird life displays, beautifully documented. Dunedin's train station is the second most photographed building in the Southern Hemisphere (the first is the famed Sydney Opera House, featured in earlier blogs.) NEXT UP: Look to our new blog, whereiscookie.com for theater and book features, keying off the upcoming paperback publication of our novel "Lilian's Last Dance." www.whereiscookie.com continues its look at international travel and adventure, with a ride on New Zealand and Australia's classy trains and a visit to New Zealand's famous Dunedin Train Station. Remember to explore, learn and live and visit us at www.whereiscookie.com

The graceful sea turtles of Kauai are protected under the Endangered Species Act. It is a crime to endanger them. Come with us to watch the magical sea creatures of Kaui and Big Island STORY BY CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Bottlenose dolphins are stars at Hilton Waikoloa Resort, where visitors can swim with the dolphins in strict supervision by educated environmentalists and trainers. DOLPHINS AND TURTLES are primary tourist attractions in Hawaii marine life encounters. They have a magical aura and delight visitors of all ages, from all over the world. We found both in abundance on our most recent trip. We discovered our mutual fascination with sea creatures when we began traveling together nearly 18 years ago. Both of us had admired them for decades before so we strengthen this bond in travel each year. Although both sea turtles and dolphins can be spotted on other Hawaiian islands, today's piece focuses on sea life of Kauai and the "Big Island" of Hawaii. These waters off the coast of Kauai attract sea turtles, dolphins and whales. There are strict rules protecting wildlife. SEA TURTLES or “honu” -- pronounced hoh-noo -- top most travelers’ wish lists of wildlife viewing in Kauai. Long considered symbols of good luck, the creatures’ kind faces and trudging gait are endearing. Watching them is pure joy. On the Big Island, spinner dolphins are the ones we see most in the wild. There are hundreds of them -- perhaps thousands -- up and down the Kona Coast. In our encounters on Body Glove's fun tours, we've watched these playful creatures in pods of five and six, up to 30 and more. We watched this green sea turtle swim under one of the bridges at Waikoloa Village. At Hilton's Waikoloa Resort one of many luxury resorts we write about, north of Kona village. We never tire of watching the graceful bottlenose dolphins and we've twice booked encounters with them through Dolphin Quest Hawaii. It opened in 1988 as the first of its kind to provide a natural sandy beached tidal lagoon filled with filtered sea water for resident bottlenose dolphins. It's possible to swim with them here in a strictly supervised and diligently tended environment. Hawaii marine life encounters enclude dolphins and turtles that never ceases to amaze. Dolphins are playful and smart and have been known to protect humans in shark invested waters. These affectionate creatures seem to enjoy human contact and being observed. Turtles are more elusive, and have slimmer odds of survival, which makes them all the more precious. The one highly supervised place dolphins can be gently touched is at Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island. Here, Amarylla and Steve Ganner, Peny and James join their auntie and uncle, Cookie and Keller. Newly hatched turtles try to elude predators as they scramble from their sandy nests to the relative safety of the water. A few make it in one of nature's most harrowing stories. If they make it to the sea, hatchlings are a favorite snack of larger creatures. Only one in 1,000 eggs survives to adulthood. Whereiscookie.com travel bloggers Keller and "Cookie" swim with dolphins at Dolphin Quest at Hilton Waikoloa Village. HAWAII'S TURTLES are protected under the Endangered Species Act as well as by the state of Hawaii. Dolphins are, too. It is illegal to pursue wild dolphins in Hawaii as well as any place in any waters within United States jurisdiction. Legally, one must go in the water and let the dolphins come. Hawaii marine life encounters include boat tours that promise swimming with dolphins can risk a stiff fine of $10,000 if they are caught encouraging this activity, so make sure you are touring with a reputable company. The key is to watch them and hope they approach you. Do not try to swim to these beautiful creatures. For turtle viewing, it is best to visit their areas around sunset and stay through the evening. Poipu Beach State Park is a popular place where we've seen many, walking right from our Point at Poipu room. The sea turtles at Poipu Beach State Park can be enjoyed, photographed, but never touched. We saw the most turtles at the end of the day. Years ago, we stayed up later and saw them come ashore after dark to sleep. Dolphins swim in pods off the Kona coast. Many snorkeling tours allow visitors to swim in areas frequented by dolphins; let the dolphins approach. We found lovely turtle viewing spots just a short hike from our Point at Poipu room, on the scenic southernmost tip of Kauai When you spot honus, the rules are: stay at least 10 feet away. Never harass, feed, chase, ride, handle, injure or hunt them. Holding the animals in captivity is prohibited under federal and state laws. Violators can be fined up to $100,000 and even imprisoned. And if you find yourself in the water with spinner dolphins, be aware that the Marine Mammals Protection Act prohibits people from chasing, feeding or touching marine mammals in the wild. Resist the temptation to pursue dolphins, rather, allow them to swim to you. Thrilling to see turtles on Poipu Beach, Kauai. We like Hilton Garden Inn for its proximity. Swimming with dolphins: click here http://www.whereiscookie.com/2022/01/swimming-with-dolphins-treat-to-cement.html SEA TURTLES and dolphins made the Hawaiian islands their home long before people did, but counts of both have dropped. Honu were officially placed on the endangered species list in 1978 and are strictly protected. Dolphins are threatened by fishing, toxoplasmosis (a parasitic infection) and other diseases. Other threats to the dolphin population worldwide are oil and gas exploration, boat strikes, mining, tourism and noise. WE TRAVEL with courtesy toward all fellow inhabitants of our planet. Show animals on land and sea respect. Watch them, but please don't approach them. Here are some of our favorite places to stay and things to do while looking for: Hawaii marine life encounters you must see For more information or to book a stay or activity for Hawaii and fun family wildlife viewing: www.hawaiiactivities.com (for Dolphin Quest bookings and dolphin shows and encounters at Hilton Waikoloa Resort) www.hilton.com www.bodyglove.com (snorkeling, dolphins, dinner and sunset cruise tours) www.poipubeach.org (for info on the park) hawaiitours.com (tours on all the islands) www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/kona-village UP NEXT: We are celebrating. Please join our joy as we mark our seventh anniversary post transplant. Thanks to a generous donor, and a crack medical team at Scripps in San Diego headed by a Columbia University Medical College ace, Bruce William Keller is on the high seas today -- not in an urn or cemetery plot. We tell the story of our trials to work up the transplant list and into health after a long undiagnosed case of hepatitis C nearly sidelined him for good. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live, celebrating each day. Catch us each week for a fresh spin on Best of global travel tips on culture, nature, travel, family, the arts, saving time and money and more, at whereiscookie.com