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From left, Teagan Rose, J. Todd Adams and Joanna Strapp in "Blithe Spirit." SOMETHING FOR EVERY THEATER LOVER WITH BUMPER CROP OF SHOWS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER ALONG WITH  pumpkins, zucchini and a berry bounty, San Diegans are harvesting a bumper crop of plays. Here are highlights, upcoming dates to save and some stellar "don't miss" productions. These are our favorites. Isabella Pruter sings "Ring of Keys" "Blithe Spirit." Noel Coward's wise, witty, well constructed story of a flamboyant medium, a sassy wife who returns from the dead and a sparring couple. Like all Coward's wonderfully droll plays, the real star is the language.  Sharp, elegant direction by Rosina Reynolds and a fine cast deliver this long but satisfying production with panache. Through Sept. 30. northcoastrep.org "Fun Home."   San Diego Repertory Theatre presents an energetic, full throttle production directed by Sam Woodhouse of the Tony winning story of a daughter's search to understand her father and his complicated identity.  Set in a funeral home (fun home), several actors play the young woman as she matures and searches for meaning. Beautiful, moving, imaginative. Through Sept. 30.  sdrep.org Jesse Perez gives an electrifying performance as Richard III in Will Power's reimaging of the Shakespeare classic. "Seize the King."   La Jolla Playhouse. An absolutely masterful tour de force by actor Will Power, an inventive reimagining of "Richard III."  Intense, wonderfully acted. You'll be thinking about it for days, the true mark of fine art. Through Sept. 16 only. lajollaplayhouse.org "Real Women Have Curves." The Roustabouts Theatre Company. A one-night-only collaboration between this cutting edge company and Amigos del Rep, at the Lyceum Sept. 17.  The "funny story of five full-figured Mexican-American women" tells of their race to meet nearly impossible production deadlines in order to keep their tiny factory from going under. theroustabouts.org Preparing for Sophie's wedding, her mother Donna (Misty Cotton)  and Sophie (Olivia Hodson) share a moment. Excellent voices, sharp direction make the show a hit. It runs through Feb. 24 at Welk Resort. "Mamma Mia."  Welk Resorts Theatre.   Classic ABBA score as a teen searches for her birth father on a gorgeous Greek isle. The theater has undergone a spruce-up and the museum is redone. The cast is top-notch. The musical's long run, likely a sell-out, is through Feb. 24.  welkresorts.com/san-diego/theatre/ Michael Louis Cusimano and Caitie Grady charm in "Once." "Once."  Lamb's Players Theatre." It opened to raves in early summer and has done gang-buster's business, but if you have yet to see "Once" you have only through Sept. 16. Beautifully sung and cleverly directed, the feel good, rousing production features a blossoming romance in an Irish pub. Energetically performed, it  has been extended for the last time. Inventive staging, terrific score and a great excuse to visit Coronado. lambsplayers.org   "Legacy Lab." Diversionary Theatre. New for 2018, from this cutting edge theater company, Diversionary launches an intriguing new concept, the Legacy Lab," to feature staged readings of classic LGBT text with a presentation of the ground breaking 1934 play by Lillian Hellman, "The Children's Hour,"  It is a drama set in an all-girls boarding school run by two women, Karen Wright and Martha Dobie. The reading is Oct 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. It's free, with a suggested $15 donation. Check out the wonderful 1961 Audrey Hepburn-Shirley MacLaine film.  diversionary.org/legacylab/     "Guadalupe in the Guest Room." New Village Arts, Carlsbad. The always inventive play docket just closed a hit "Legally Blonde." Next up: "Guadalupe....," a story of two people, in the bond of shared grief, with an unexpected friendship and healing. Written by the rising playwright Tony Meneses, on the boards Oct. 6-28. newvillagearts.org Actor Ro Boddie  -- brilliant at Cygnet. Every Brilliant Thing."  Cygnet Theatre.    If you haven't seen this captivating performance piece, you have only through Sept. 16. A wonderful one-man show about a son who wants his depressed mother to cheer up. Funny, touching. All the right stuff. Then  leave it to inventive Cygnet to jazz up dull Mondays with a series of Cabaret shows, each with a different theme and Cygnet's top singers, known around town. Oct. 22. "HIR" is next up for the season. Sounds intriguing.  cygnettheatre.com Fort Lauderdale's Water Taxi service is fun, economical  and a fine way to see the city's sights. UP NEXT:  Come with us to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where we visit a favorite American port city by Water Taxi. The city's splendidly designed canal enterprise is our favorite way to see the sights. We meander via Water Taxi to enjoy the city's history and play tourist as we glide quietly past homes of the rich and famous, sports and acting figures, wealthy investors and "old money" Florida families. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each Friday for a novel look at art, travel, nature, music and travel.

We stopped for a spot of ale, after touring Hobbit homes. Where else, but at The Green Dragon? A trek through Hobbiton in New Zealand's lovely South Island attracted our travelers to visit the Hobbit holes and homes. BE A HOBBIT FOR A DAY AT THE GREEN DRAGON AND MILL Visitors from around the world come to be Hobbits for a day. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER >>buy Lilian's Last Dance e-Book<< WHEN SIR PETER  Jackson found his ideal setting for "The Hobbit" movies, he was anxious to get moving.  The year was 1998 and he'd coaxed the Alexander family in the south of New Zealand's lovely north island into sharing their spectacular 1,250 acre sheep and beef ranch with show business. His lure to the ranch couple:  a long, paid vacation to anywhere!  Just clear out and let him do his thing! Jackson was so smitten with the scenery that he canceled other land deals, made the Alexanders that offer (which they couldn't refuse) and set to building his spectacular sets in New Zealand's verdant south forests. BY 1999 , earth moving machinery began constructing a road into the site and creating 39 Hobbit holes and homes, a double-arch bridge, elaborate gardens and footpaths, The Green Dragon pub and fabled Mill. A stunning oak tree overlooking Bag End was cut down and transported from nearby Matamata. Authentic looking leaves were crafted in Taiwan, flown in and individually wired onto the spectacular tree. Few people can tell the difference. hand-painted fake leaves. No one notices. This venerable oak tree, top right, is really an oak brought in from nearby Matamata with "The set is maintained to keep the magic of the Shire alive," our guide said. At its peak during filming, 400 people were on site, including Jackson, actors Elijah Wood (Frodo), Sean Astin (Sam), Ian Holm (Bilbo) and Sir Ian McKellen, who played the wise wizard Gandalf.  "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" opened in theaters worldwide just days before Christmas last. When director Jackson began filming 17 years ago, dispatching the Alexanders to a glorious months-long all expenses paid trip, he sequestered himself on the set,  appropriated their home for his quarters and built a movie studio for viewing dailies. Keller emerges from tea and crumpets in a Hobbit home. THE BUCOLIC  film setting for the famed Shire, home of the Hobbits, has thus been immortalized and Jackson was knighted for his Oscar winning film work. Under his artistic direction, "The Hobbit" became a movie series of three epic fantasy adventure films based on the 1937 J.R.R. Tolkien novel. The property-owning family is happy with the results: their land looks good and people don't mind the hour-plus drive from the nearest big city, Wellington. The farm is still operational and one of the Alexander sons runs the profitable tourist destination of Hobbiton, which has entertained thousands of Hobbit-loving visitors since opening its doors to tourists. An uncle and one of his nephews greet visitors to a Maori village near Napier. COMING UP:   The Maori people of New Zealand have their own magic -- in music, stories, weapons, games, dance, food (yes, cannibalism at one time) and their intricate tattoos.  Come with us to two Maori villages, where Cookie gets a tat and we sing, play games and touch noses and foreheads with our hosts, young Maori school children. Explore, learn, live and visit us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com And watch for a new blog: www.lilianslastdance ,  about our new ebook, soon to be a paperback. We'll let you know book tour dates, signings and more!

Veteran cruisers, Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller have made travel and cruising the world a priority.  They offer enthusiastic endorsement to those "on the fence" about cruising. Below, Bruce Keller, Christene Meyers, Rick Cosgriffe and Jane Milder at Rome's Trevi Fountain. QUEEN MARY, NCL's VIVA, CELEBRITY SHIPS SET SCENE FOR A  SUMMER OF BUCKET LIST BUSTING ATLANTIC CROSSING, DEATHS OF LOVED ONES ENCOURAGE TRAVEL WRITERS TO SHARE GOOD TIMES, URGE  READERS TO 'DO IT NOW,' EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS AND START EXPLORING THE WORLD  Afternoon tea aboard Queen Mary 2 is a delightful, albeit decadent, indulgence, here enjoyed by Bruce Keller and  Christene "Cookie" Meyers. If you've dreamed of crossing the Atlantic in style aboard this true ocean liner, now's the time. We're only here a brief time, so make the most of it. "We are always getting ready to live but never living."                  --Ralph Waldo Emerson STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER YOU CAN'T TAKE  it with you. Dear friends John and Sue lived life fully and traveled the world before his death this week, after a 7-month battle with cancer. We just lost a dear friend in Yorkshire who lived life to the hilt. While John is deeply missed, it is a comfort to remember that he and his beloved wife, Sue, worked hard for many years before they began a few years ago to travel the world. Sure, they had more trips in mind, but they packed a lot into their years together. (I'll write more about John and Sue nearer the celebration of his life in July.) Here in the serene setting of our Beartooth Mountains retreat, I urge readers to "do it now."  Robins sing, a pair of young rabbits just hopped by on their way to raid our petunias and  hummingbirds are dipping into the nectar.  We both wanted to see the penguins off the southern tip of South America.  Dream fulfilled, a huge thrill. Life goes on, despite accidents, tragedies, death. The sun rises and sets with or without us. Why wait if there's something you dearly want to do. Why not now? Cookie and Keller on a drizzly but glorious Atlantic crossing aboard Queen Mary 2. IF YOU'VE thought of a trip, perhaps treating the family or a dear friend, do it.  If you haven't yet made the first steps, grab your phone. Start a trip NOW. Do you dream of climbing Mt. Fuji, eyeing a Galapagos tortoise? Have you longed to stroll the streets of Paris and have dinner with an Eifel Tower view? Time's a wasting. I WOULD NOT trade a single trip I've taken, since my first road trips as a child with my parents and grandparents. Journeys to see great-aunties in Kansas, Oklahoma and Chicago, then more trips in my er's airplanes:  a Cessna, Mooney, Bellanca. On this last long trip, Keller and I traveled more than 22,000 miles. Each day, we thanked our lucky stars that we could see the world together, enjoying peaceful Atlantic crossings, a train adventure in the Swiss Alps, concerts in Spain, a tuk-tuk ride in Portugal, and a reunion with my brother Rick, our third meeting in Europe, each one decades apart. The cave walk in Zion National Park is a wonder. WE BOTH realize that life is short and each day precious. The simple act of getting on a train and hoisting a suitcase can be taxing if one is battling illness, or the exigencies of aging. If you're feeling fit now, remember the clock is ticking. Sure, not everyone can afford travel outside the country.  But you can get a taste of foreign lands right here in the U.S. Visit Europe in the USA Cookie and Keller a few weeks ago, ending a two-month trip which explored three continents. Solvang, California, for instance, is a charming Swedish village. Vancouver and Victoria, B.C., are built around water and offer European and British sophistication.  OUR NATIONAL parks are treasures, and for most of us, a park is nearby. It doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to plan a weekend camping trip or a park drive. For us, travel is a priority and we cut back on other areas to take the trips we so cherish.  So even if you have limited funds, it is possible to achieve travel goals.  Make a plan, draft a budget, cut back on something you won't miss. Do you really need a Starbucks every time you go grocery shopping? Do you need that new blouse or shoes? . A swim with dolphins was on the bucket list for Keller  and Cookie, here at Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii. How about doing your own nails or having a friend cut your hair in exchange for something you bake or a musical afternoon if you're talented. Do you need the regular housekeeper, or can you clean yourself? You'll be amazed at places you could save. TRAVEL'S BENEFITS are multiple: stress reduction, memory building, friendship forging, horizon expanding. Travel encourages flexibility, creativity and improvisation.  If  your budget is stretched this year, and a big trip is not possible, consider a visit to a nearby forest, botanical garden or national park.  For me, travel reduces stress and anxiety, and helps me disconnect from the pressures of daily life. It  promotes happiness, makes me feel calmer and more content. Travel helps me realize my capabilities by putting me in challenging situations where I am forced to improvise, navigate the unknown and accomplish new things. Without the stretch and its creativity,  I wouldn't have pushed myself, set new goals. Travel teaches life skills, helps me adapt to new environments, appreciate diversity. Travel is the enemy of racism and prejudice.  It increases tolerance and acceptance of others as we realize how much we have in common as humans. You don't have to be a millionaire to follow  your dreams.... Remember what the bard said:    "I wasted time, and now doth time waste me."  For itineraries on your dream trip, or to book, check out our favorite cruise lines: www.cunard.com www.celebritycruises.com www.ncl.com And for answers to your national park questions: www.nps.gov     Concert goers make the climb to Domo, for a concert by world class musicians. The season is underway for 2024, with various bike, hiking and geo tours planned along with the season of concerts by famed musicians. Domo is inspired by Italian cathedrals, as a kind of "open air" concert hall with splendid acoustics. UP NEXT: The season is beginning at Tippet Rise Art Center, an internationally acclaimed arts venue located on an 12,000 acre working ranch not far from the writer's summer home, in southcentral Montana. Various activities are offered at the sculpture and music venue , north of Yellowstone National Park. We were on the ground floor, writing the first major article about the unique and appealing center. Established in 2016, Tippet Rise presents concerts of classical music and exhibits large-scale contemporary outdoor sculptures, including an Alexander Calder piece which greets visitors.

Jambalaya is a tradition for Thanksgiving in many southern homes. Cajun appetizers also make Thanksgiving special. We'll share an easy Cajun pecan recipe in the feature story below. WHETHER DINING AT HOME OR AWAY THANKSGIVING WEEK, TRY A NEW TWIST  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER A Turkish delight: appetizers which we followed with a lovely salad, and a custard dessert one recent Thanksgiving. DINING OUT is one of life's sublime pleasures, and Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy and give thanks not only for family, friends, culinary treats and traditions, but for our bounty. Remember to be generous, to count your blessings.  We give thanks daily for the opportunity to travel, to still have the dexterity, means and intelligence to book a trip.  We are tremendously grateful for, as my grandmother Olive called it, our "mobility and marbles." May these two treasured commodities remain in our possession for many more years. Portuguese bean soup made a lovely Thanksgiving meal one year in Porto, which has become a favorite city. If we're home, we like to invite a single person or new neighbor over to share the meal. A widowed friend works in a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving and says it makes her feel connected, helpful and less lonely. We have fun making  my Gran's turkey wiggle with the leftovers. Try her recipe, click the link below: TURKEY WIGGLE RECIPE WHATEVER YOU DO,  take time to be thankful for the opportunity to have sufficient means to share. And if you're feeling at a low ebb, consider doing something different to jump start your spirits.  We recommend Thanksgiving or any holiday on the road as a way of making new friends and memories. Even if "away" means an hour's drive to a cousin's or sibling's home. Cookie admires an appetizer plate, served stylishly on a Thanksgiving holiday in Barcelona. WE'VE SPENT  many Thanksgivings "elsewhere," enjoying the offerings of local eateries. If we're home in San Diego, and don't have an invitation or feel up to preparing a feast ourselves, we go out. We spent one Thanksgiving in our San Diego base, enjoying appetizers at a beachfront hotel. We consider a favorite Greek restaurant, where we love the appetizer plate.  Or change things up with jambalaya for Thanksgiving. Sushi or Korean barbecue?  Thai food, a lovely paella, Portuguese bean soup, or perhaps a tray of Turkish  appetizers? Our Jewish friends joke about their tradition of going out for Chinese food on  Christmas. Put your own spin on a holiday to keep it from becoming cliche.  Dare to stretch, think outside the box. Speaking of which, a friend in New York treats his housekeeper to bento box near Times Square on Thanksgiving.  Sure, the classic dinner can't be beat. Those old-time favorites are time honored: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, green been casserole and too much pie. Our friend, Jesus, born in Madrid, creates a tasty paella for a memorable Thanksgiving feast. UT WE suggest something new this year, perhaps a Cajun appetizer or  side dish to augment the menu.  It will add flair and zing to your Thanksgiving table. Serving foods from another culture and combining them with your own beloved  dishes will create a unique and memorable holiday feast while introducing new traditions.   Remember to give thanks    Chilean sea bass and seasonal vegetables delighted us in a Barcelona restaurant.  With guitar music, the meal made  a colorful Thanksgiving Day treat that we fondly remember. EASY SPICED CAJUN PECANS We tasted these Cajun pecans in New Orleans and got this recipe from a friend. "Easy peasy," and a fun holiday treat. Gather the ingredients. Pre-heat oven to 325 F.  (The seasoning) 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper  (The pecans)   5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (2 2/3 ounces) unsalted butter, melted 4 cups pecan  halves 1 teaspoon seasoning blend Cookie and Keller enjoy a Thanksgiving sunset off the coast of Morocco on holiday in 2022. Combine spices in a small bowl to form your Cajun seasoning blend; mix thoroughly. Set aside. In a large, shallow roasting pan, combine the melted butter and pecans. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes, stirring from time to time. Sprinkle with remaining seasoning and toast for about 15 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. The nuts should be brown but not too dark. And feel free to use walnuts or cashews or even mixed nuts if you prefer or have on hand. Dessert in a Paris cafe on Thanksgiving last year. A festive dessert for Keller prepared in a country inn in northern Spain. HOLIDAY MEALS become special memories when you're dining with friends -- new or old. We've spent Thanksgiving on ships with people who become good friends. Since many cultures don't celebrate Thanksgiving when we do, it's important to maintain a "when in Rome" philosophy. Our advice is to loosen up, share the bounty, enjoy, stretch -- and try some Cajun pecans. Family, friends, fitness thanks Peking duck became our favorite feast on several Thanksgivings in Asia, here in Beijing.   A few places in the world offer an opportunity to swim with dolphins, and on the Bay of Gibraltar, dolphin watching has become nearly as popular as the monkeys. COMING UP: We romp with  dolphins and visit a fascinating island in the Canaries made famous by a native son.  We travel to an unusual cave in Barbados and Keller takes Cookie on a sail boat ride to create the whitest knuckles she's ever experienced.  From peaceful and playful dolphins to the thrills of an old-fashioned, classic 12-meter America's Cup racing boat, we take you there. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, nature, performance, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com

San Diego Repertory Theater's "Disgraced" tackles contemporary issues of  race, religion and class in the modern world. The actors are Ronobir Lahiri and Allison Spratt Pearce playing a couple with challenges in an Ayad Akhtar play. The play is challenging, thoughtful, well acted and directed. Opening night this week earned a standing ovation. Something for every taste in a rich new theatrical season in vibrant, play-loving San Diego North Coast Repertory Theater's "Laughter on the 23rd Floor" features veteran talents Phil Johnson, Rep artistic director David Ellenstein, and  Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy theaters' marketing departments FROM CUTTING  edge political drama, to new musicals, satire and time-honored chestnuts, vintage comedy and a Pulitzer prize winning drama, San Diego theater offers a play for every taste. The state-of-the-art La Jolla Playhouse offers four distinct venues. The musical "Miss You Like Hell," is on now, a mother-daughter saga. Cygnet Theatre, which took its name to honor Shakespeare's Swan, is known for taking chances, and honoring revered chestnuts. We see a production or two a week -- four in 10 days recently, and two more this weekend. We're thrilled to call this lively, play-loving mecca home for a few months each year. North Coast Repertory Theatre north of San Diego in Solana Beach reflects the rich variety of offerings available in southern California. What strikes me as unique about San Diego theater is its enormous variety. THE OFFERINGS  are as varied as the venues -- from a quartet of lavish, beautifully outfitted state-of-the-art venues that comprise La Jolla Playhouse to smaller, even more intimate houses of North Coast Repertory Theater in Solana Beach, with 194 seats, and New Village Arts, with only 100-plus ringside seats in Carlsbad. We're also regulars at Cygnet Theatre in Old Town and  San Diego Repertory, which calls Lyceum Theater home in Horton Plaza downtown. Welk Theater, Intrepid Theatre and the venerable Old Globe add to the rich range of offerings in southern California. It's fun to watch the region's best actors move around from venue to venue, playing the field -- always looking for challenge, change and a good fit. HERE'S WHAT  we've been seeing lately, and what we have to look forward to in San Diego: The new play at New Village Arts promises to challenge. Featured are Manny Fernandes, Melissa Fernandes, Jeffrey  Jones and executive artistic director Kristianne Kurner. * La Jolla Playhouse:  "Miss You Like Hell," a new musical about a mother-daughter road trip, which opened this week at this elegant venue. A smart, imaginative teenager takes a road trip with her free-spirited Latina mother, meeting a mix of characters who encourage examination of their relationship.  Through Dec. 4. And watch for the brilliant John Leguizamo’s new one-man show, "Latin History for Morons." The Welk Theater's "Sweet Charity" is a snappy, well acted production. * San Diego Repertory Theatre:  "Disgraced," is a riveting Pulitzer-prize winner taking a piercing, contemporary look at race, religion and class, experienced through two couples and a nephew in volatile times. Amir Kapoor forsakes his Muslim heritage to live the American Dream – with beautiful wife, New York penthouse and lucrative law career.  The run ends Nov. 13. Then, we can't wait for "The Dybbuk for Hannah and Sam’s Wedding," based on a time honored Yiddish classic, written by Todd Salovey with original music written and performed by Yale Strom. These two gifted artists grace the annual Lipinski Jewish Arts Festival. Catch it at the Lyceum Nov 23-Dec. 18. *  Cygnet Theatre : A beautifully acted pairing of August Wilson plays, "Seven Guitars" and "King Hedley II," recently mesmerized play-goers and featured the same ensemble of gifted actors in both productions.  Its run ended Nov. 6. In rehearsal is Cygnet's hit holiday version of the classic "A Christmas Carol" Nov. 22 through Christmas Eve. The approach to La Jolla Playhouse on the UCSD campus is a tree-lined stroll to the lovely Mandell Weiss Theatre. * North Coast Repertory Theatre:  Time for an old, beloved chestnut from the always endearing playwright, Neil Simon. The comedy is a love letter to his early career as a writer for Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows.” Three seasoned actors recount the writing, fighting and wacky antics of early days of live television when Simon cavorted with fellow legends, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks. *  New Village Arts : "God of Carnage" is on tap through Nov. 13, a one-act domestic comedy exploring parenthood and loyalty. When two New York couples meet to discuss their sons' playground tussle, a civilized evening of pleasantries and small talk erupts in a chaotic explosion of anarchy and vitriol. (Playwright Yasmina Reza wrote it, and "Art" at Intrepid Theatre.) Actors Jason Heil, Jacob Bruce and Daren Scott play  in "Art," which promises fast-paced wit and humor. * Welk Resort Theater: The production of  "Sweet Charity" features delightful staging, winning acting and the classic Bob Fosse minimalist choreography.  Snappy dialogue tells the story of the girl who wants to be loved so much that she has lost sight of who she is. It's a sophisticated, smart show (the movie made Shirley MacLaine famous) and runs through Nov. 20. *  San Diego Musical Theatre : This venue in the venerable Spreckels Theatre staged a fun production of the Mel Brooks hit, "The Producers," based on the earlier film, and promises "White Christmas" always a sell-out for Nov. 25-Dec. 4 run. Coming up: "9 to 5," Damn Yankees" and "Billy Elliot." * Intrepid Theatre Company.  This small, welcoming downtown San Diego space features cutting edge work ranging from "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" to the current run, "Art," in which three erudite friends debate the merits of a single, white canvas painting. It's a brilliantly conceived piece. This will be my fourth foray into the "Art" arena, so much do I love this clever, engaging play. Jimmy Buffett and an array of devoted Parrot Heads filled Humphrey's By the Bay for a night of oldies but goodies. Buffett is one of a half-dozen aging, but still rockin' performers to appear in southern California this month. UP NEXT:  We're aging rock 'n' rollers, enjoying an autumnal glut of riches! In less than three weeks, we've seen on stage the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Jimmy Buffett and more. We'll top off our nostalgic run with our fourth Tony Bennett concert in two years.      Remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us weekends for a look at artful, nature driven travel and arts pieces with a twist. Please tell other intelligent life about  whereiscookie.com

NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE OPENS BRILLIANT TWO-PERSON PRODUCTION STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER  (and courtesy North Coast Rep) With pleasant opening night weather, playgoers mulled about by the box office of North Coast Repertory Theatre, awaiting a brilliant "Freud's Last Session." WHAT AN ENGAGING  75 minutes! If you love theater, you'll revel in "Freud's Last Session" at North Coast Repertory Theatre. It's a thinking person's play, challenging the play goer to ponder, delve and consider his own belief system.  As all good art should do, this play encourages a return viewing, a second chance to enjoy the language and top acting. It's always a pleasure to head north to Solana Beach and North Coast Rep's first-rate fare. The intimate venue is perfect for viewing a play such as this, replete with complex language featuring actors in complete command of their craft and its potential to move. Watching the actors at close range is a plus at North Coast Rep. In its 33-year existence, the theater has forged a reputation for diverse offerings, fine acting, top directing and beautiful sets.  With the venue seating less than 200 people, there are no bad seats, and the small house encourages total attention on the stage. AN ABLE  volunteer group sees that guests are promptly seated and the Rep is also known for starting its productions on time. Sigmund Freud, left (actor Michael Santo) and C.S. Lewis (Bruce Turk) have a spirited debate in Freud's study. Above, theater goers of all ages mix and enjoy wine and artwork before the production. The Rep's David Ellenstein ably directs the current production. Before the production, there's time for a glass of wine and Keller's favorite melt-in-your mouth chocolate chip cookie, served by the volunteers in a small and inviting lobby. Artwork is regularly changed on the walls, featuring regionally known painters. It's a pleasant place to relax and mingle. In Sigmund Freud's study, C.S. Lewis, played by Bruce Turk, and Michael  Santo as Freud, deliver a pair of beautiful performances. OUR OPENING  night viewing of "Freud's Last Session" featured a full house to savor masterful acting by Michael Santo as the opinionated Sigmund Freud and Bruce Turk as the amiable writer C.S. Lewis.  The older Freud is dying but feisty; Lewis is hitting his artistic stride.  Although on opposite sides of the "God" debate, the two intellectuals find common ground in their humanity, intelligence and secret sufferings. Subtle direction by David Ellenstein, the Rep's gifted artistic director, and the comfortable connection forged by the two actors in shaping their characters make an exhilarating  theatrical experience. Playwright Mark St. Germain's writing is crisp, smart and often funny, with historical references slipped in -- the time is early World War II and the Nazi reign of terror has begun. WHAT MAKES  the production particularly pleasing and memorable are the questions posed by the debate between a believer and an atheist. The show is up through Nov. 9. Don't miss it! Go to NorthcoastRep.org or call 858 481-2155 to book tickets. Treat a smart friend to an early holiday gift! Gaudi's Cathedral in downtown Barcelona has been under construction for decades. COMING SOON:  When Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyric, "Where You Going?"  the answer was "Barcelona" and we're going there, too.  Come along to this gaudy, "Gaudi" infused Catalan capital. Then our globe trotters visit an old Montana ghost town, abandoned when a mining boom didn't materialize. Remember to explore, learn and live, and visit us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com

In the title role of Marjorie is Dee Maaske, whom we've followed in two decades at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The versatile Maaske moves skillfully in OSF's Repertory format from contemporary drama and comedy to the classics. It is a treat to have this globe-trotting talent in California for the run of "Marjorie Prime" through Feb. 5. Actors Dee Maaske and Steve Froehlich form a charming couple -- with a futuristic theme -- in "Marjorie Prime." BRILLIANT WRITING, EMPATHIC DIRECTING, FINE ACTING COMBINEAT CHARMING VENUE  North Coast Repertory Theatre offers a small welcoming theater venue with pretty places to stroll or sit and sip between acts or before the show. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and theater marketing departments WE SEE hundreds of plays each year, many of them terrific.  Every now and then, though, one comes along and the result is magic. "Marjorie Prime" is such a play. It is a true jewel -- to be admired and shared for its sparkle and staying power. To be returned to, savored. The flawless production at North Coast Repertory Theatre north of San Diego is worth planning a trip to San Diego. As Marjorie's daughter and son-in-law, terrific acting is delivered by Elaine Rivkin and Gergory North. This smart and tender play, is everything good theater should be -- provocative, troubling, ultimately reassuring and with moments of lightness and levity.  Provocative because, like all good art -- whether symphony, story, photo, dance or poem --   it demands more than a single exposure. Troubling because it offers the possibility that our increasing interaction with technology can produce unsettling consequences.  Reassuring, because it poses hopeful answers to the questions we all have about the future.  It considers the possibility that all future technology will not necessarily improve human relationships, but that somehow love and human connections will continue to have importance. WE WERE  introduced to the play last year at the Mark Taper in Los Angeles and were thrilled when playwright Jordan Harrison was named a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize. The young talented talent gets credit for beautiful writing, but other critical elements must coalesce to make a production magical. The "Marjorie Prime" poster and graphic hints at the theme -- that artificial intelligence might produce a  human looking creation to keep the bereaved company. Veteran director Matthew Wiener creates a believable future in this story of "primes" -- humanoid lifelike robots who speak with patients in the form of lost loved ones thus providing comfort and companionship. COMPLEMENTING Wiener's deft and subtle direction is a terrific ensemble.  Playing the title role is one of our favorite actors, Dee Maaske. We've followed her career for two decades at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where she is in top form whether in Shakespearean tragedy, contemporary drama or slapstick. (Her Marjorie has a humorous, ironic edge.)  Among our other favorite Maaske roles are "All's Well That Ends Well," "The Trip to Bountiful" and "Noises Off."  This versatile actor commands attention.  Her Marjorie is poignantly drawn, yet funny and flirtatious.  She makes us think, reflect. Supporting her are three fine actors who capably convey the plays shifts and subtleties. NORTHCOAST REP is a lovely venue. We enjoy  time at the outdoor tables with a glass or cuppa, and always sample a warm fund-raising chocolate chip cookie (one is $4 and ample to treat two or three.) Shaina Knox, left, as Eliza, and Lance Arthur Smith are backed by an all-aces cast in this royal flush of a revival of the Lerner and Loewe classic. Without theater in my life, I'd surely wither. "Marjorie Prime" is a bouquet of delights, a play-lover's play with grace, beauty and intelligence. northcoastrep.org/season/marjorie   Other theatrical gems in the San Diego jewelry box: * "My Fair Lady" at the Welk Resort. A spirited, finely tuned revival of the time honored 1956 musical chestnut about a flower girl turned lady. Top performances, great production numbers.   welkresorts.com/san-diego/theatre   * "Our  Great Tchaikovsky."  Perennial favorite Hershey Felder channels another brilliant musical talent. By San Diego Repertory Theatre.   securesite.sdrep.org/ *    "Les Liaisons Dangereuses." at the Lyceum downtown. Produced by New Fortune Theatre Co. This fiery and mannered story is set in 1780s France featuring "the game" of love, revenge, betrayal and cruelty. Fine performances. kpbs.org/events/2017/jan/28/les-liaisons-dangereuses * Wherever in the world y ou see theater, don't overlook the smaller venues -- Intrepid Theatre and Diversionary Theatre present fresh, new and original work, cutting edge, intriguing, in intimate settings. intrepidtheatre.org http:// diversionary.org   Mary Tyler Moore's fictional character Mary Richards broke ground for real-life journalists and other career women. UP NEXT: With the death of Mary Tyler Moore this week, our Friday post features a tribute by Cookie (Christene Meyers). She interviewed Moore in 1980 and was a faithful fan of her groundbreaking 1970s Mary Tyler Moore Show. Meyers was forging her own newsroom career during the show's Emmy winning run, and she reflects on the ways in which Moore changed the world for working women. Next week, we'll feature Malaga, an inviting city on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol. It lured us for eight magical days. Come with us to the Alcazaba -- remembering to explore, learn and live and follow us Fridays when we post for the weekend. We hope you're enjoying our original take on travel, the arts, nature and occasionally, breaking news in the entertainment world.

Cabrillo Monument is a lovely day trip. CABRILLO DISCOVERED LAND WHERE TIDE POOLS NOW ATTRACT VISITORS Cabrillo National Monument and its dramatic sandstone cliffs and tide pools offer natural wonders and fine views. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IMAGINE HIS JOY  and wonder as he sailed into the bay. Surely he admired the curves and lushness of the coastline, the Mediterranean-like foliage so similar to what he left behind in Spain and the Canary Islands. The bird life, the whales.... Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first known European to "discover" this picturesque and beautiful corner of southern California now known as San Diego. Tide pools and caves attract hikers and nature lovers. TODAY, HE is remembered here in southern San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico. Cabrillo National Monument is located at the tip of the Point Loma Peninsula in San Diego, California. It commemorates the landing of Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, Juan Cabrillo. 1542. He was to die less than a year later on January of 1543; controversy shrouds his death, which could have been from a fight with native Chumash people, or from an infection following a broken shoulder -- or both. Cabrillo's end remains as mysterious as the waters he explored A beautiful coastline welcomed Cabrillo as it does visitors. DESPITE  the possible turbulence of his death, Cabrillo National Monument is a calming sanctuary , protected by federal law and a haven for hummingbirds, Indian paintbrush, buckwheat and other flora, and during migration the magnificent 50-feet long gray whales. Sea anemones can be observed in the tidepools, curling in their tentacles and shrinking to a ball if startled. WE VISITED  this calming sanctuary recently with friends, to enjoy the tide pools, lighthouse and national surveillance boats. A sailboat off Point Loma, near the monument. From Cabrillo, on the southern tip of historic Point Loma, one can see military bunkers from World War II and the stunning whales going north or south depending on the season. One of the country's most successful national park bookstores is also on the property, and in the visitors' center, videos run at various times.  There's parking with a view, and a pleasant hike to take. The view is stunning on a clear day when one can see down to Mexico, across to Coronado, and up towards the city. Follow the trail to the top of the cliff, and you'll find a well maintained historic Point Loma Lighthouse with its original furniture.  Taken out of service in 1891, it was a landmark for many years, welcoming sailors to San Diego harbor and equipped with the best technology of the day. IF YOU TIME  it right, you'll even see volunteers dressed up in period costumes, talking about the lighthouse and its importance. A happy sea lion takes in the sun and waters. You can hike the easy walk to the tide pools, or if you're more ambitious, consider taking the Bayside Trail, a three-mile round trip for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. THE TRAIL  and park open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. A national park entrance fee of a reasonable $5 helps maintain the place, and senior park passes are recognized. Besides diverse living things, come see Cabrillo's beautiful lighthouse. IT'S A PLEASANT day trip for visiting guests, standing on the southern tip of the U.S., with a view of Mexico, the Pacific and fabulous scenery. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail to the tide pools only. Oregon blue cheese stars in the blog next time! If you want a genuine, novel place to show off San Diego and this beautiful and historic corner of Southern California, Cabrillo's it! You'll learn that he was looking for the mythic Strait of Anian when he departed western Mexico and sailed northward. COMING NEXT: Cheese has been around for thousands of years -- in cultures worldwide.  It's hard to beat the Oregon blue cheese we tasted recently, on a trip to that corner of the U.S.  What a friend we have in cheeses -- next, at www.whereiscookie.com  Visit us weekends and Wednesdays and please share our link with friends.

The views from the top floor of "Hop on and Hop Off" buses are usually splendid. Here, the bus passes under a beautiful ceiling of trees on Las Ramblas in Barcelona.  Malaga and many other cities offer these popular tours. Check it out next visit! CONVENIENT, EDUCATIONAL, FUN BUS TOURS OFFER THE OPTION OF STAYING AT A STOP OR ENJOYING A CIRCLE TOUR STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Hop on and off tourists enjoy a beautiful, sunny afternoon in a new town. IF YOU'RE new in town and want to get a good, basic overview of your host city, you can't beat a hop on and hop off bus tour.  We try to do one in every city, usually on the first full day of our visit. It's a terrific way to get to know your new town, making notes of  museums, plazas, cafes or parks you want to spend more time with. It's also a great way to remind yourself of why you've returned to a particular city. USUALLY , a taped narration in many languages allows you to learn in your favorite language.  Sometimes, there's a live guide -- even better.  Always engaging.  Particularly if you're on a limited time schedule, the hop on and off bus tour gives a great overview so you can feel as if you've learned something about your new town, even in a few hours. THE HOP ON AND off feature also allows one to budget time for return visits to particular spots if you're staying longer. Most day tours hit a few major attractions within the allotted hours. But if you take a hop on and off bus tour, you are free to do just what the tour says -- hop on and off and roam the city all day. A "bus top view" here in Funchal, Madeira, is a lovely way to see the sights of a new town on a sunny day.   IF YOU ARE a bus aficionado, the first bus tour you take in the new city will give you a clear concept of how the routes work, what places are near to the hotel where you are staying, what's going on in the street culture and how you can get around in case you want to rent a car or use public transportation. WE LOVE TO  roam without feeling time constraints. But if time is short and you want to get the best bang for your dollar or euro, and make optimum use of your time, we recommend the hop on and off tours.  Consider them an introduction. You'll learn a lot. A bus tour gives a crash course of information, much more than a stroll through town can glean. Convenience, education and a variety of sights are three major plusses of hop on and off tours. Barcelona's is one of the best! Just moments off their flight to Lisbon, Keller and Cookie booked a hop on and hop off tour for the next morning. We recently took wonderful "hop on"  tours in Barcelona, Malaga, Porto, Lisbon, Amsterdam, London and Paris. Malaga is known for beautiful beaches, stately buildings, a fine Picasso museum, palm trees, friendly people, flamenco, fun food. It's fun to sit back, listen and learn,  make new friends and leave the driving to others. If you see something you like, hop off. You'll be picked up at the same spot, usually an hour or two hours later. TOURS ARE  not for everyone, and  not all tours are created equal. But a "hop on and off" experience gives an excellent grounding. Perhaps you're interested in art museums or classic architecture. You might prefer a wine tasting or brewery tour. We've taken dozens of  "hop on and off" bus tours.  One of the best is in Malaga, that appealing southern Spain city known for stunning beaches, lively culture and fabulous food. It's also the birthplace of Picasso and boasts a wonderful museum devoted to him. Our last visit was brief but the hop on-off tour was a great "capsule," a reminder of all we love about Malaga.  It made the best use of our time in this popular Andalusian city, with a return to Museo Picasso Malaga. This portly gentleman was photographed from one of our recent hop on and off tours in Madrid, Spain, on a sunny autumn day. WE SUGGEST  securing a top-floor seat on your "hop on-off" bus so you get a good overview and can make notes on what you'd like to see more of. That’s the beauty of hop on and hop off tours. You pass  the highlights and can return to the places that interest you most. Check out the options. You can often book a "hop on and off" tour right from the airport when you arrive in Lisbon, London, Malaga, Amsterdam, Munich, Copenhagen, Paris or most major cities around the world, including the United States. TRUE, THE HOP on and off bus tour is not the only way to discover a city, but there are few better or more economical ways to explore a new or familiar destination. If you're touring more than a single day, you can buy two or three-day packages which save money. Figure $30 to $40 a day and as little as $89 for a three-day pass. Each city is different. We enjoy the way we "tune out" the rest of the world on a hop on and off bus tour. We turn off our phones and simply relax into the rhythm of our new town. It’s lovely to make notes of what you and your partner, friends, family or tour group might enjoy more of.  Drivers are helpful and knowledgeable, too, eager to share the delights of the cities they call home. www.barcelonaturisme.com www.visitbarcelona.com w ww. barcelonaturisme.com w ww.visita.malaga.eu www.yellowbustours.com   www.hop-on-hoop-off-bus.com   www.iamsterdam.com/en/tickets/i-amsterdam-city-card www.getyourguide.com www.viator.com PLEASE check out individual cities tourist bureaus. Good way to begin research. Northern Portugal is a wonderful place to visit for a few days or a week.  This charming village, Valenca, is a picturesque town which boasts centuries old architecture and nice people. STORIES ON TAP:  Some fun features await from our recent global wanderings: Playing tourist in Los Angeles, charms of a small Portuguese village called Valenca, a perfect day in Malaga, whether to take a ship's tour or not, munching your way through Las Vegas with a delightful food tour, and much more. We're always looking for new ideas so please email us your suggestions, or comment on this page. Enjoy the holidays and please remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin and insights on travel, the arts, family, nature and more. As always, we welcome sharing of the stories and links: www.whereiscookie.com

Donkey Tours of Barcelona boasts one of the most engaging guides two veteran travelers have experienced in decades of globe trotting.  Here, Greek born Eteoklis Nikolaou takes tourists through Barcelona's landmarks and hidden wonders. DONKEY TOURS OFFERS UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL LOOK AT HIDDEN BARCELONA COMPLETE WITH HISTORY LESSONS Barcelona's Palau de la Musica Catalonia makes an impression. Donkey Tour guides take you there and give you a history lesson. PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS WE HAD BEEN   to Barcelona a dozen times before we hitched ourselves up with Donkey Tours. What a find! If you are looking for an unusual way to spend a morning or afternoon and learn something new about this fascinating Catalan city, you'll be delighted with the spirit and intellect of the ambitious Donkey Tours. My internet guru and partner Bruce Keller, also the talented photographer for our globe-trotting columns, deserves bounteous thanks for finding Donkey Tours. I'd asked him to line up a half-day outing on our last day of a recent week in Barcelona, a city we thought we knew quite well.  He came up with Donkey Tours, which operates only out of Barcelona but is hoping to expand to other cities in southern Europe. THE TOUR  is free,  but a generous tip is appreciated.  We tipped the equivalent of what we would have paid for a much less interesting tour.  The well traveled tourist, or even the neophyte, should know to tip well for such a splendid operation. Our able Greek born guide entertained Aussies, Dutch, Germans, Italians, Africans, Brits and the two of us Yanks with humor, patience, enthusiasm and intelligence.   Eteoklis Nicolau met us in a well known square, introducing us to the first of many wonders: a Picasso mural on a onetime architecture school. Above left:  Looking for fabulous fruit for a meal, or breakfast in in your digs, Donkey Tours guides you to the finest outdoor markets in Barcelona. We spent a lively day with Theo, who took time to answer myriad questions, shared computer images and even escorted folks from our group of 25 to specific specialty pastry shops and restaurants. We had a lovely tea and time for individual chat during coffee break at tour midpoint, then walked by a building most people would have bypassed.  WE FOLLOWED   Theo  down a marble stairway in an old law school, to discover a beautiful basement of Roman arches and a lovely little fountain.  Another delightful surprise with Donkey Tours, whose guides are all multi- lingual and well educated. Bravo! www.donkeytours.es Barcelona's revered College of Architects boasts a unique mural drawn by Pablo Picasso during his years of artistic growth in a favorite city. BEST BET and NEXT UP :  For theater in the grand tradition of old-fashioned comedy, point your laughing shoes to North Coast Repertory Theatre for "Moon Over Buffalo." The new production is expertly rendered by regular guest director Matthew Wiener, longtime colleague of  the Rep's versatile and talented artistic director, David Ellenstein. The show offers fabulous timing by a seasoned cast of theater pros. Book tickets to this delightful ode to a life in the theater, at   northcoastrep.org .  --At right, the company of "Moon Over Buffalo,'' in which a befuddled repertory actor enters Noel Coward's "Private Lives" as Cyrano de Bergerac.

High atop Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge, with the iconic Sydney Opera House at the far right, Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller, right, celebrate their climb with new friends from Japan, England and Switzerland. One more check off their bucket list. Have you always wanted to swim with a sting ray? Join Cookie and Keller at Sting Ray City in Antigua. PLAN THAT TRIP TO MAKE IT A NEW YEAR OF DISCOVERY,  NEW HORIZONS One recent Christmas found Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller aboard a ship awaiting a tour in Capri. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER WHEREVER IN the world you hope to be in 2023, consider stretching your imagination, broadening your views, meeting new people, learning something new by visiting a place you've never been. What are you waiting for? Time, money, inspiration? Remember carpe diem and tempus fugit. So go for it! MANY READERS ask us how to begin to plan a longed for trip. First, figure out where you'll get the money. Do you have a savings account, an IRA that needs a withdrawal? Have you stashed away a certain amount for "rainy days" or emergencies? Now's the time.  Because we're not getting any younger we've made travel a priority. It consumes 70 per cent of our budget.  A visit to a museum is a holiday treat, here between Christmas and New Year's at the National Gallery in London.  If you don't have the funds now, start by setting a goal and saving so much per week. You'd be surprised how quickly $50 adds up. That's $200 a month or $2,400 a year enough to plan and take a reasonably priced trip by this time next year. ONCE YOU'VE  figured how to fund your dream trip, it's time to narrow the destination. If you're flexible, compare prices. Eastern Europe for instance is cheaper than western Europe. Your dollar will go farther on the smaller Greek islands on the Aegean Sea rather than, Santorini or Mykonos which are beautiful but overly touristed.  Croatia is cheaper than Greece for holiday rentals, dining out and drinks. Amsterdam beats Paris for luxury shopping and has one of Europe's best flea markets. Shop around for deals. Keller, Cookie, and new friends on a food tasting tour in Porto. NEXT , FIGURE  how long you can afford to be gone, budgeting an average cost per day including hotel, air, food, extras such as museums, tours, parks, taxi or bus fares. A survey done by a respected travel agency in 2020 estimated the average cost for a trip abroad to be a reasonable $3,600 for a typical 12 night trip ($7,200 for two.) That breaks down to about $300 per person per day, which is on the low side with $150 per night, food and alcohol at $100, entertainment and tours at $50 per day. To keep in this range will take some bargain hunting and likely won't include a cruise unless you book an inside cabin. Cruise lines sometimes offer cheap air as an enticement, so consider that. Whale watching is a favorite diversion for us, here right at home on a San Diego "staycation. " This estimate does not include air.  It could be the cost of an entire cruise, though. But you'd likely have to pay additionally for tours and extras unless you find a very attractive package. IF YOU'RE  going international on any vacation other than a driving trip, you must consider air or a trans-oceanic cruise. If you're driving somewhere close, add in gas or petrol. Because energy prices are rising with the war and stock market flux, many people are shopping for bargain air fares -- and finding them. But you must be flexible with dates. If Vietnam is on your bucket list, there are some attractive fares right now for air and land tours.  Back to the budget. This is the most important step in planning a trip. It will affect the rest of the steps in your vacation planning process.  THE AVERAGE vacation for one person in the U.S. costs about $1,919 per week. A vacation for two people  typically costs around $3,838 per week. (Cheaper than international because there's no overseas air.) A backpacker's average daily budget should be between $40 and $70 USD per day in the east and between $70 and $100 per day in the west.  So once you've done that, research flights and dates (mid-week is cheaper to fly, etc.) Choose the top places you'd like to go and look for deals. Research flights and dates. Once you've chosen your destination and booked your air, cruise or train travel,   If you've dreamed of the Caribbean, Europe or Far East, now's the time to start budgeting. You can make it happen, here in Singapore. WHEREVER IN the world you hope to be in 2023, consider stretching your imagination and your pocketbook.  With a little creativity, you can broaden your views, meet new people, learn something new. Take the incentive to visit a place you've never been. All ages take to bikes in exciting Amsterdam. Now's the time to book a trip to the Netherlands. Narrated bus tours may have an entertaining multi-lingual taped narrative or sometimes a live guide. Here, we take a hop on- hop off tour down Las Ramblas in Barcelona. UP NEXT : We love city tours and the hop on- hop off bus trend is a fun way to meet a new town. Once you've landed, taken a nap and had a light meal, get going in your new time zone. We find narrated bus tours a fine way to explore -- a wonderful way to discover attractions you'd like to revisit. We enjoyed several bus tours on a recent visit to southern Europe.  Come explore with us as we share  roof-top views of several cities from the top floor of  tour buses.  Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, nature, the arts, family and more. Please share links:   www.whereiscookie.com

Kick hell out of your bucket list in 2016.  Have you always wanted to see Egypt?  Don't let fear of travel stop you. Here, Cookie and Keller make a return trip to the Great Pyramid of Giza.  They continued throughout the Middle East. The sky's the limit, when planning your new year. Put yourself as high as your plans and adventure can stretch.  The High Roller in Las Vegas will give you a bird's eye view! MAKE IT A RED-LETTER NEW YEAR. TAKE A PAGE FROM OUR TRAVELERS' BOOK!    CHECK SOMETHING OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER  WHATEVER MAGIC  the holiday has held, now's the time to grab your dreams before the luster fades. Make 2016 the year you try out for "Jeopardy." If you've always wanted to see the Pyramids, book a trip to Egypt. Cookie returns to Paris -- for a night or ten on the town. If you've yearned  to spend a weekend in Las Vegas and take a spin on The High Roller, what are you waiting for? If you've dreamed about a cruise but haven't called a travel agent, do it. Sail away. Always wanted to see Glacier, Yellowstone or Yosemite? Our national parks are a great treasure.  Now's the time. Learn a new language, or instrument this new year. Missing a far-away niece, nephew, sister, aging auntie? Give a call, plan a reunion, make that visit. Book that Elton John or Lady Gaga concert. Have you admired a friend's tattoo, toyed with getting your own? Cowboy up, friend. (Start with a temporary one, as I did in Maori land.) Is a special must-see city on your list? Seattle, Paris, Rio? Carpe diem. HAVE YOU  wanted to try out for "Jeopardy" because your friends insist you'd win?  Make it happen. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Go for it! How about learning a new language or returning to school -- I'm working on an advanced degree in poetry and playwriting, and learning Italian, loving the classes and challenge. I'm playing my saxophone again -- even doing gigs with Montana bands. A FEW THOUGHTS  on traveling in these times of terrorism, suicide bombings and random crack-pot acts. Plan a visit to a favorite relative --we're off to San Francisco to see niece Amarylla. Glacier National Park beckons on your bucket list? Do it. I've traveled since I was a little kid, and I never board a plane or ship without thanking the gods for safety thus far and wishing to return home in one piece. Yes, these are frightening times, but when it comes to terrorism, the threat is "overhyped." My pilot father always said our chances of being killed in a plane were far less than as a passenger in an auto. Likewise, the likelihood of being killed by terrorism while traveling abroad is slim. Cookie and Keller kick hell out of their bucket list, which includes a yearly trek to San Francisco and a sail to Alcatraz. BE VIGILANT , look around, assess each environment, use good old "common sense" as you move about.  Above all, don't cancel a long-planned trip or dream. Grab some gusto. Happy planning! COMING LATER TODAY : Whereiscookie.com follows the fun, putting a fresh spin on travel and the arts.  At 5 p.m. today, we return to a favorite city, San Francisco. Join us, with quotes from the late columnist Herb Caen to pay tribute.  We post Fridays for the weekend, and as the spirit and adventures move. We've posted more than 350 blogs now. You can find specific cities, venues, parks, hotels, cruises by filling in the tab at the right-hand of each blog. Explore, learn and live!