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The view from our balcony at Hotel Mas La Boella: tranquil, at sunset, welcoming, quiet, serene and beautiful. The resort sports a noted restaurant and convention center, with an imposing 12th Century home as its centerpiece. The estate's thoughtful design incorporates elements of the 12th Century home and mill, honoring southern Spain's  legacy of producing some of the world's finest olive oil.   STORY BY CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy Hotel Mas La Boella ONLY AN HOUR-PLUS  drive from bustling Barcelona, an oasis of calm and pleasure awaits. Hotel Mas La Boella is a beautifully designed boutique hotel with 13 elegant suites -- each distinct and artfully decorated -- named after the estate's bountiful variety of grapes and olives. We discovered this paradise while researching unusual places to stay, a tradition in our ten years of visiting southern Spain with its enticing array of boutique hotels and paradors. DRAWN TO  picturesque and historic Tarragona province, we were intrigued by the allure of La Boella. Foodies and olive fanciers, we loved that we'd douse our bread with oil made from the estate's own trees.  We appreciated that one of southern Spain's famed chefs creates the restaurant's delicacies.  Fragrant Tarragona wines and 300 other global offerings complement Manuel Ramirez' beautifully presented plates. A simple, delicious appetizer olive begins the feast at Espai Fortuny. BEAUTY AWAITS  the beholder everywhere.  Various elements are at play, all enhanced by nature.  The place has history -- a 12th Century country house is equipped with the latest technology.  So the hotel is pampering and serene, yet completely modern.  Our balcony offered stunning views of the olive groves, gardens and vineyards.  Our suite was beautifully enhanced with pleasing paintings evoking nearby nature. Yet we could be on line, catching up on work. La Boella's stunning beauty extends inside and outside the estate. Everything is constructed with the highest standards in the estate, popular for weddings, parties, luxurious events and conferences. We strolled the grounds, admiring the mill where La Boella's famous extra virgin olive oil is made -- and we toured the factory, enjoying a tasting after.  Olive oil is serious business in  Mediterranean countries, each believing its product is superior.  We'd be hard pressed (no pun intended) to  find more delicious olive oil than that produced at La Boella.  We poured it over our beautifully cooked eggs.  We dipped our bread in it.  We became olive oil junkies in our several days there.  And we came home with bottles which we proudly and sparingly use, remembering a special time in a peaceful place. Lauded Catalan chef, Manuel Ramirez, sets the tone for exquisite meals,  artfully prepared with quality ingredients, including the estate's own olive oil. THE LOVELY HOTEL  is recently constructed, but has the feeling of  age -- with lacquered wood, huge windows, gorgeous giant beds ("more for dreaming than sleeping," they say. And it's true.) Breakfast at La Boella features freshly made muffins and rosquilla (donuts.) Service is an art at a La Boella meal. Here, Cookie chooses cheeses for dessert. WE ENJOYED  leisurely meals at the resort's highly regarded restaurant, which even in late autumn was frequented by locals as well as other lucky travelers. Service is an art form at restaurant Espai Fortuny, where we capped the day with elegant, tasty lamb and fish, handsomely presented, accented with the resort's greens.  Olive oils, made on the estate's mill, and other condiments await guests. La Boella's fine wines and extra virgin olive oils are sold in a lovely shop. Stairway to the stars (and our suite) with a leather covered hand rail. For more information: website: laboella.com ; email: info@laboella.com   Keller took this photo on our last night at one of our most memorable resorts:  peaceful, beautiful, satisfying. OUR HOME on the Costa Daurada was as fragrant as it was picturesque.  Orange trees, lavender, magnolia, rosemary and soothing sounds of a fountain all beckon us back. . A bighorn sheep waits out the winter near Nye, Montana. UP NEXT: Taking a break from winter, Montana is truly a state for all seasons and reasons, but our favorite times are when the sun shines brightly so we can look for birds, the leaves aren't yet on the trees (or have just been shed) and we don't need three layers of clothing to fend off the freeze.  Coming up: a look at Montana in all its seasonal splendors -- including the transition from autumn to winter, for many, the favorite time to view birds and wildlife, and truly feel the change of seasons. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each Friday for a fresh look travel, art, nature, family and whatever strikes our fancy.

Story by Christene Meyers Photos by Bruce Keller       Cookie and Keller  enjoy sunset.       IF THE  airlines awarded miles for doggie travel, Nick and Nora would have logged over 50,000 miles each in their action-packed seven years. Mostly, they go where we go, by plane or car. They're happy little road-trippers. So we've started keeping track of the best of the "dog friendly" hotels we've visited recently.     We estimate that Nick and Nora have bedded down with us in at least 50 hotels, motels and inns, besides their relatives' homes and their auntie and uncle's place in Georgia. Here are a half-dozen places we endorse and recommend, for their personality, dog welcoming spirit and proximity to fun events, scenery and history. Nick and Nora give them paws up! Nick and Nora at Vagabond's House Inn in Carmel which loves its pet guests. * Vagabond's House Inn, Carmel by the Sea, Calif. www.vagabondshouseinn.com Doggies and humans enjoy spectacular Santa Barbara coastline.      This artfully designed country inn is dog friendly from the get-go.  The charming hostess offers a little neckerchief and a doggie treat for your pet, and there are plenty of other enticements, including sherry or wine in the afternoon on the patio, and wonderful proximity to the village.  In fact, Vagabond's House is right in the center of things, but provides a peaceful oasis with plush and private rooms and a welcoming courtyard.  Thank dog lover Doris Day, longtime Carmel resident, who pioneered the "dogs welcome" spirit.  The lifelong dog advocate and defender lives in Carmel and co-owns a popular inn and eatery, Cypress Inn and Terry's.  Locals credit the "Que Sera" Queen for embuing the town with its contagious, pet-friendly atmosphere.  All throughout Carmel and its marvelous eateries are convenient doggie water bowls, doggie gifts and signs welcoming your pet.  We dined at several excellent eateries and the dogs were welcome to come in and sit under or beside the tables.  We kept ours leashed, and brought a cushion. Some places provide beds or blankets! Good idea to call ahead to make sure your dining choice is indeed dog friendly, but we'd be surprised if not.  Meanwhile, Vagabond's is peaceful, prettily appointed and immaculately bedecked with pots of flowers and well manicured trees.  A fine choice for dog lovers.  All the dogs we encountered during a several-day stay were well behaved and polite (and so were their owners!)       * OMNI LOS ANGELES  Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif. www.omnilosangeles.com Nick enjoys the calming balm of the Omni's grounds and pools in Los Angeles. It's a haven for arts-minded travelers, close to theaters and museums.      This elegant hotel at California Plaza is in the heart of bustling downtown Los Angeles.  So you're right in the middle of the cultural action.  The Omni provides a restful and distinguished four-plus-star diamond resort with plush and serene guest rooms, fine restaurants, a state of the art fitness facility and beautiful landscaping, pool and spa.  We like its proximity and its quiet -- it's just steps from the Music Center and Ahmanson Theatre -- both just a couple blocks away. To sit in one of the many quiet spots to enjoy wine or tea, you'd never know you were in central L.A.  The Omni puts its own spin on "dog friendly" as a cheery hotel host knocks on your door and delivers a little package of treats to your pup!  THE HOTEL  has all the bells, whistles and amenities of any fine upscale hotel but many such hotels still do not welcome doggies.  So bravo, Omni! You're set the barre high!  Nick and Nora love the grounds, which include carefully tended landscaping and a long, relaxing water sculpture with a soothing sound as you stroll by or walk your pup. The Contemporary Art Museum is out the door, too, another enticement.  * Ashland Springs Hotel, Ashland, Oregon. www.AshlandSpringshotel.com Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort offers ocean views and a pet friendly ambience.      This 1925 property is the crown jewel of lodging in southern Oregon.  The former Mark Antony has been beautifully transformed into a small European-style boutique hotel with a friendly staff, Waterstone Spa and Salon and a lovely restaurant, Larks, which specializes in Oregon's bounty of produce -- vegetables, fruits, wine.  All entrees are served with "from scratch" aplomb and a lovely breakfast is included in the room charge.  The Ashland Springs exudes charm, from the display cases of sea shells and stuffed birds as well as world-class drawings of plants and birds.  Ashland is a foodie's town -- from Pangea to Sesame and Martino's. But its greatest pleasures for us are two-fold:  the dog friendly feature and the proximity to Oregon Shakespeare Festival.     Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort features artwork and homage to the late actor's career. He lived in Santa Barbara many years and his hotel celebrates a beautiful setting and welcomes pet lovers. A winery and inn are nearby. Santa Barbara's glorious scenery is one enticement to Fess Parker's. * FESS PARKER'S  Doubletree Resort, Santa Barbara. www.fessparkersantabarbarahotel.com                                                                           www.doubletreehotels.com .      Fine restaurants, ocean view, museums, history and gardens, this place has it all. Named after the "Daniel Boone" actor who lived in Santa Barbara for many years, the Parker family created a gorgeous first-class hotel which embodies the Doubletree themes: pleasant and beautiful rooms, attentive service and full-service offerings from spa to fitness to dining and special events.  We have stayed several times and are always welcomed with a warm chocolate chip cookie and a pet-friendly room.  The Fess Parker Winery, Inn and Spa are worth a drive.  You'll learn more about the actor, who is lovingly remembered throughout the town known as the "American Riviera."  You can also spend a fun afternoon on a wine-tasting tour of the town, or whale watching.  Santa Barbara meets all of our "must haves" -- chardonnay, pinot noir, beauty and pet-friendliness.  And tip your hat to the actor who made this Doubletree Resort unique.   * Harrah's Rincon, Valley Center, Calif. www.HarrahsRincon.com Harrah's Rincon near Valley Center is a hop, skip and jump from San Diego and has a lovely, convenient dog-friendly wing. The Garden Villa wing of this pretty hotel, about an hour from San Diego, welcomes pets and you can enjoy the restaurants and gaming plus fun hiking and driving options nearby.  We ventured out one afternoon and with help from the concierge, found Hellhole Canyon Preserve. Harrah's is undergoing a major addition and the new tower is going up.  Despite that ambitious construction project, the grounds are kept clean, well landscaped and free of dust.  The Garden wing is prettily kept and you'll run into other dog lovers who have discovered that pup can come along while you play the tables or machines.  The concierge is also helpful in directing you a few miles down the road to beautiful produce stands or Hellhole Canyon Preserve, with its hiking trails and botanical wonders. Ocean Beach's Ocean Villa Inn welcomes pets and has special doggie runs with ocean views and Dog Beach.       * Ocean Villa Inn, San Diego, Calif. www.oceanvillainn.com This hotel is well known in San Diego's Ocean Beach and beyond for its proximity to Dog Beach, where people have come for years to play with and walk their pets.  The Inn's patio rooms face right on the ocean and beach, and there are little doggie runs in each "back yard" so you can sip a cocktail of coffee, watch the waves and let your pet enjoy.  It's an older, well established part of town and a fascinating cactus garden is among the delightful surprises.  You can take a pleasant palm-tree lined walk and socialize with your pet and other pets and dog owners -- lots of doggies in the area -- or you can just enjoy your own little patio and run by yourself, whatever's your pleasure.  Located on Point Loma Blvd., the motel is walking distance or a short drive to several of the legendary eateries and fish places in Ocean Beach. One of our favorites is Nick's at the Pier.      This motel is a favorite of my Arizona "Zoni" friends who escape the sweltering heat of the, pardon the pun, dog days! Stearns Wharf in lovely Santa Barbara welcomes Nick and Nora. At all of these diverse and pet-welcoming venues, it goes without saying to leash your pet while promenading, and bring a stash of "doggie bags." Savvy dog lovers also rely upon Eileen Barish's wonderful dog friendly books, including "Doin' California with your Pooch." You'll find that some hotels have designated areas and rooms for pups. In other properties, dogs have greater freedom.  It is also common practice to walk your pup frequently and not leave him unattended in the room for long.      Finally, our doggie carry-along bag includes their toys, treats, sweaters, food and water bowl.   Enjoy your travels with pup. A weekend road trip yielded this amazing sculpture garden. Read all about it and its creator this coming Saturday.   Coming March 16: If you've never experienced Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden in Kit Karson Park in Escondido, you are in for a mind-blowing treat! We post our adventures Wednesdays and Saturdays. Don't forget to tell your fun-loving friends about: whereiscookie.com

On a half-dozen visits since 2010, we've found Lake Tahoe's scenery some of the most beautiful in the western United States. Dixie II offers a fun night on the lake, even on a recent rainy evening. "It is a vast oval, and one would have to use up eighty or a hundred good miles in traveling around it. As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole world affords.” --  Mark Twain, describing Lake Tahoe in 1871 LAKE TAHOE TOWN BOASTS OLD-FASHIONED CHARM WITH INN BY THE LAKE, LAID BACK FEEL, FLOWERS AND DIXIE II  DINNER CRUISE Inn by the Lake offers location and friendly hospitality. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER SOUTH LAKE TAHOE has an authentic feel. Despite being "discovered" by trendy businesses and shops, and hosting seasonal residents from large American cities, it has a laid-back, country feel. We like that.  Visiting Keller's daughter and her partner enhanced the notion that we were "at home" in this lovely corner of the world. Cookie and Keller kicked up their heels on Dixie II. Dixie II was our choice for an evening out with the kids.  The four of us enjoyed the scenery around Lake Tahoe, a tasty meal and dancing. South Lake Tahoe natives claim the sun shines on them more than 300 days a year.  Our visit hit on a rainy weekend (which natives welcome because of the fire danger.) Still, we had a sunny-side-up time. THE KIDS  picked us up at our comfy Inn by the Lake base. The Inn personifies the welcoming feel of the town.  We enjoyed a driving tour past a range of accommodations, eateries, entertainment, museums and galleries.  Since they're outdoorsy types, they love the skiing and snowboarding for which South Lake Tahoe is famous. On deck of Dixie II, from left: Cookie, Keller, Kristen and Zack. WE'D BOOKED A dinner cruise on M.S. Dixie II, a pleasant drive from our Inn by the Lake. We wound through the town and over to the lake to Zephyr Cover and the boat. The food was nicely presented and we danced to a fun three-piece band. The award-winning Lake Tahoe cruiser is the largest cruising vessel in South Lake Tahoe and a local favorite. All her cruises depart from Zephyr Cove Resort and Marina, including daytime cruises and charters for up to 300.  Friends hosted their daughter's wedding rehearsal dinner there last fall and raved about it! Lake Tahoe's scenery is still pristine in most places. INN BY  the Lake is known for its hospitality, tucked in the picturesque mountains with a view of the lake.  We chose the inn because it is pet friend, ideal for families and fun for visiting couples, with flowers and proximity to the lake. Our Tahoe visit combined the pleasures of this pleasant, dog-friendly motel with the lake trip and experience of Dixie II. We also enjoyed Bear Beach Cafe, near our Inn by the Lake base.  One of its specialties is the hamburger.  We can recommend the "black n' bleu" with cajun spices and blue cheese. The quesadilla appetizer was pleasantly spicy and we give thumbs up to the Beach Bear's satisfying, old-fashioned breakfast. Jonquils were blooming during our visit. Inn by the Lake is beautifully landscaped. LONG BEFORE  Zephyr Cove and South Lake Tahoe became favorite play time destinations of tourists and locals, the Native American Washoe people lived on the lake's tranquil shores. In 1844, American explorers Kit Carson and John Fremont "discovered" the area. Soon after, in the 1860s, silver was discovered in the Sierra Nevada.  That changed everything, as prospectors flocked in to seek their fortunes. BUT FOR A TIME  on the boat, or strolling the flower-bedecked grounds of Inn by the Lake, one feels the peace and beauty Mark Twain and the native people cherished so long ago. COMING UP : We're savoring the fabulous red rocks of  Nevada. Come with us to a beautiful, unspoiled part of the West, just a half hour from the famous Las Vegas Strip. Then, a preview of a wonderfully directed production, "Hollywood"  on the boards at San Diego's renowned La Jolla Playhouse. Based on a real-life unsolved murder, this imaginative, superbly acted work is an homage to the noir thriller films of Hollywood's golden era. It's accompanied by a brilliant on-stage pianist.  Remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us Fridays when we post for the weekend. Terrific actors play the parts, here Mary Miles Minter, portrayed by Talene Monahon. "Hollywood" runs through June 12 at the internationally known La Jolla Playhouse.

Escape to a world of dreams, moonlight and indulgence on a barge trip or cruise. We celebrated our 100th cruise on Carnival Miracle. Try a relaxing week on the water for a rejuvenating break I have sailed the world, beheld its wonders, from the Dardanelles to the mountains of Peru..... --from "Sweeney Todd" and the song, "No Place Like London" STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER One of the world/s prettiest harbors is in St. Thomas. LIKE  Anthony in "Sweeney Todd," we have sailed the world, beheld its wonders. If we had to pick a favorite destination, it would be difficult. Ocean crossings, canal cruises, fjord trips, wine tasting our way through the Loire Valley, a barge-and-hike trek through Picardy.... a river cruise to marvel at the cathedrals of Eastern Europe and the Danube, drinking in Holland's springtime in a blaze of tulips. BARGING OUT  of London beneath Tower Bridge on the Thames. Biking and imbibing through Burgundy.  All so wonderful, so glorious, so exotic in their ability to transport one to other worlds. Dance, romance, dine, enjoy on the water. GIVE ME  a week on the water and I'm a new girl: refreshed, rested, excited for the next adventure.  I love cruising and barging for myriad reasons: music, reading, gourmet fare, nature viewing, long evenings of Broadway revues, star gazing, lazing with the world passing by. Dancing, romancing, cuddling, cavorting! Whether on a thousand-person cruise ship or an eight-passenger barge such as the classic Anjodi or La Belle Epoque, a trip on the water is guaranteed to cure what ails you. WHILE MY  recent 100th cruise is a landmark, it was never a goal. It just happened, year by year, traveling since the 1960s, a couple or three cruises or barge trips a year. The ship's attention to service is a part of the appeal. Cruising is a balm in times of heartbreak and loss. After each of  my husbands died, I took to the sea.  It is equally satisfying to take to water in times of joy -- to European Waterways offers delightful barge cruises. celebrate anniversaries,  toast a parent's birthday, gather the clan for a reunion, or simply escape to indulgence with your partner, enjoying your ship's superb service. KELLER AND  I celebrated my "Cruise Centennial" in Alaska, combining a toast to my own August birthday and his September natal day. The Alaska cruise, aboard Carnival's Miracle, marked mid-point between our two birthdays. My eternal wanderlust will never be satisfied. I'll always have a ticket in the drawer. The Norway, formerly the SS France, a true liner. Aboard Carnival, Captain Luca Lazzarino hosted the writer and photographer on the bridge for "cruise 100."  I've cruised, sailed and barged into exotic ports and rivers in Vietnam and China.  I've cruised into New Zealand's south island and fished for trout the size of salmon. Cruise ships, yachts and barges have taken me exploring --  to the wonders of India and Turkey, the splendors of St. Petersburg, the glory of chateaux country and champagne cellars in France. Barge cruising has taken me through the Loire valley, sipping and supping in Champagne and Burgundy, traversing Holland at tulip time and enjoying a marathon of plays in Stratford Upon Avon, departing the barge for a quick walk to the theater. The Queen Elizabeth II ranks as the writer's favorite. My sisters and I have cruised Holland America to the breathtaking Alaskan fjords, and deep into the Dutch Antilles on Princess, Royal Caribbean and the lovely Odyssey.  I twice cruised on the splendid Norway, formerly the SS France, one of the day's great liners. Cookie has her cake and eats it, too -- two cakes  courtesy Carnival's Captain Lazzarino. The QEII may be my favorite all time ship -- for I've crossed the Atlantic on her many times, both east- and west-bound.  Ah, such memories, such advantages to water travel: you pack and unpack once, see a new port or village each day, make lively friends, dine on delicious, custom-prepared fare. My 100th cruise is history now, but as with all cruises, memories linger. During our recent odyssey from Seattle to the splendid southeast Alaskan coast, we were welcomed aboard Carnival's Miracle with fanfare from our charming Italian captain, Luca Lazzarino. He presented us with a handsome "100th cruise" poster congratulating us on the landmark. He had the chef craft two splendid cakes in honor of the cruising centenary. He honored us at a cocktail party for the guest naturalist, officers and the "Miracle team." Crystal's Symphony at sea, ranked one of the world's top mid-sized cruise ships. Cookie sometimes combines her two favorite pursuits -- cruising and playing the piano! Fellow seamen asked what attracted us to cruising and where future cruises will take us.  We're enjoying the perks of "Diamond Plus status" with Royal Caribbean, crossing the Atlantic again in late fall, sailing out of Barcelona. And we'll transit the newly enlarged Panama Canal in April. Beyond then? BROCHURES ARE  piling up: Crystal, Oceania, Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America, Carnival, Disney, Windstar.  We may A rainbow is a good omen for our cruisers, here from their suite on Tagus River harbor at the elegant Altis Belem in Lisbon, Portugal. revisit favorite barge and canal cruises on smaller enterprises such as the elegant European Waterways and its beautiful retinue. Part of water travel is savoring each port, taking side trips to wondrous sights. My goal is to  take a "round the world" cruise -- around 60 to 85 days. I'd love to book an owner's suite complete with a grand piano.  I've played in many ship lounges and cocktail venues, always with permission when friends  approached the hotel director for approval. But a piano in my penthouse? Sign me up now. www.carvival.com Keller and Cookie at the Monument to the Discoveries in Lisbon. COMING UP:  Travel with us to the picturesque harbor and the view from the Altis Belém Hotel and Spa, a five-star design hotel in Lisbon.  Located in Belém overlooking the Tagus River, the Altis Belem offers a contemporary view of the Golden Age of Discovery. Portugal's proud nautical history is reflected in wall panels transporting pampered guests to exotic places: Mauritania on Africa's West coast, Arabia, India, Siam, Osaka and across the ocean to Brazil. We cruised there in comfort of a Royal Caribbean suite. Remember to explore, learn, live and visit us Wednesdays and Saturdays at: www.whereiscookie.com

CRUISE FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD TAKES HUGE EFFORT, METICULOUS PLANNING Dozens of cheese plates in the Serenade's galley will be paired with nuts, crackers and veggies for pretty appetizers. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER These edible appetizers were created for a special party on board. This happy worker prepares peppers for shipboard stir fry. WHEN THE  waiter delivers your dinner to a beautifully set cruise table, or the room steward presents you with a special dessert, you enjoy it. The lights are low, the champagne is chilled, romance is in the air. You admire the presentation, toast the chef and company, dine with relish. You appreciate the ritual of being served and surprised in an exotic setting, moving smoothly through the water. All is calm.  All is right. Ah bliss. You're on holiday. But behind the scenes, a world of meticulous planning and expertly choreographed preparation is unfolding.  It involves dozens of workers who arise in the dark to prepare your feasts long before you arise -- even before your ship sets sail.  The planning continues 24-7. Hundreds of rolls are freshly baked each day aboard ship. WE WERE  treated to an inside look at the planning, shopping, chopping, baking, freezing, peeling, marinating, whipping, dicing, browning, stuffing, broasting, frying, roasting. Freshness and eye appeal are huge on the criteria list of a successful cruise line. We've toured galleys on Crystal, Cunard, Oceania, Princess, Holland America, Carnival, Disney and many other lines.  Our recent Royal Caribbean galley tour, aboard the Serenade, was   eye-opening, informative and entertaining. IN ITS  most simple definition, a galley is simply a kitchen aboard a moving vessel -- or ship.  The Roman ships had galleys. Ancient Greek sailors cooked food on stone over a fire at midships. The ship's galley is time-honored, tradition, but today's sailing clientele wants chateaubriand and creme brule, not a hunk of meat or a bowl of gruel. Keller and Cookie are dressed up and heading to dinner. Teamwork is crucial in the galley with hundreds of meals served several times a day.  Food is constantly being prepared for the formal dining rooms, specialty restaurants, snack bars, VIP parties, private functions and room service. Among the hundreds of staff on a cruise ship galley are anywhere from five to 15 chefs de cuisine, as many as 100 or more cooks, 25-50 galley stewards to keep the prep areas clean, and another team in the dish cleaning area. There is often a fish prep room and there are always section heads to oversee each area: veggies, fish, meat, sauces, desserts. Ship's galleys thrive on efficient use of space.   A SHIP'S GALLEY  is laid out in an efficient, space conscious style with long storage units and overhead cabinets. The design makes maximum use of limited space and anticipates the rolling and heaving nature of ships, making them more resistant to movement and jerking. An efficient system in the ship's galley makes certain that each course looks unique, even though hundreds are dining. Our tour director aboard the Serenade explained that galley stoves are usually gimballed, so that the liquid in pans does not spill out. They are also commonly equipped with bars, preventing the cook from falling against the hot stove if the ship hits a rogue wave or swell. BEFORE YOU b ite, a bit more trivia about the history of ships' galleys. Centuries ago, a small kitchen on deck was called a caboose or camboose, originating from the Dutch word kombuis which is still in use today. In English it is a defunct term used occasionally for a cooking area above decks on a small vessel. COMING UP :  Take a look at the "Suite Life" --  it couldn't be sweeter, when our veteran travelers have a look at a few presidential suites and owners' quarters aboard ship. Remember to explore, learn and live.  Visit us Wednesdays and weekends and tell your friends, please! www.whereiscookie.com

An engineer steps into the train to begin the four-hour journey. ALL ABOARD FOR RELAXING TRAIN TRIP INTO ARIZONA'S HIGH DESERT STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Cooke and Keller riding the rails. WE LOVE TRAINS. We've traveled by rail on Japan's bullet trains, crossed Australia's deserts by rail, followed in Paul Thoreaux's path on the Old Patagonian Express. In Europe, we're huge Eurail fans, traversing from country to country in comfort, sipping a nicely served cafe au lait or glass of wine while each new landscape unfolds. The Verde Canyon Railroad cars are nicely kept and named after various landmarks and towns. Fields of lavender in Provence, vibrant yellow rape seed, vineyards of Tuscany golden in sunset glory. It's all glorious from inside a well tended train car with its deep windows and comfy seats. SO WE WERE  thrilled to discover Arizona's Verde Canyon Railroad while researching Sedona and what to do during a week of work and play. The popular four-hour trip takes the passenger on a relaxing journey into wilderness thick with willow, juniper, oak and the shrubs of chaparral country, all framed by towering pinnacles of red  rock, synonymous with this part of Arizona.   The journey begins in historic Clarkdale, where the Box Car Gift Store and Whistlestop Shop offer souvenirs and sundries.  The John Bell Museum awaits, with vintage artifacts artfully arranged.  Storyboards tell the tale of the railroad, and show the route. Copper Spike Cafe offers patio seating so you can view the cars you'll soon board. Century-old switch locks and sturdy railroad lanterns take the traveler back in time, then a stroll past detailed storyboards tells Verde Canyon Railroad history. Soon, it's all aboard.   WE ENJOYED  a soundtrack of railroad songs, a nostalgic musical trip in time from the 1930s and '40s to modern day --  Woody Guthrie, Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, and a host of other singers. A lively taped commentary sprinkled with insights from real-life hosts add color and personality to the trip. An outdoor car offers a chance to change venues from your comfy vintage car, and get a close-up look at the terrain. You'll learn about local history, the importance of the river, the discoveries among the rock, the life of the native people and miners who lived in this remote but beautiful area. We enjoyed the open-air viewing car, which offers fresh air and a bird's eye view as nature's grandeur unfolds. Our first-class car was comfy, with champagne as we took off and a lovely appetizer tray of cheese, meats, strawberries and brownies. As the landscape changed, we learned of animal residents, the native people and settlers. Our guide pointed out birds of prey looking for lunch. All fascinating and in leisurely fashion. A tunnel, some wide turns and a chance to see the other cars in your train await on the Verde Canyon Railroad. Said one passenger, "It's a great feeling to sit comfortably in a train and listen and look.  I loved the cars and their excellent condition.  It's a wonderful way of preserving history.  Traveling in a train through these ancient rocks and valleys made me feel like I was part of history -- if only for a few hours." AFTER SURVIVING the pandemic, the train excursions are back in business with a special event returning as well --  to the delight of regulars. Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers enjoy a relaxing time in their vintage car, with bar. “Rhythm on the Rails,” a rotating concert of several musical acts, adds a musical show to the syncopation and clickety-clack of the train's steel wheels on the track. This musical train event will be offered on May 29, June 26, July 24, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. The afternoon train trip unfolds at 1 p.m. A fall foliage trip, "Ales on Rails," and Christmas Journey are also planned, along with a chocolate lovers' train trip and eagle watch. While you're in a train frame of mind, here are a few other favorite rail rides in other places: Rocky Mountaineer's First Passage to the West – Canada; Glacier Express – Switzerland; TranzAlpine – New Zealand; West Highland Line, Glasgow to Mallaig – Scotland; The Ghan – Australia; Trans-Siberian Railway – Russia, and Norway's famous Flåm Railway. More information or booking: info@VerdeCanyonRR.com ; 1 800 293-7245 Up, up and away, as Sedona Air Tours takes us over the glorious red rocks and canyons that make Sedona famous. UP NEXT: Sedona by air. Come with us for a helicopter lover's delight.  We'll enjoy an airborne extravaganza over Sedona's famous red rocks and canyons. It's wonders   are world famous -- popular with naturalists, geologists and students of history. In recent years, Sedona has also become known as a haven for spiritual wellness. The helicopter ride pleases any taste -- as the guide points out energy vortexes and well known formations, honed through millions of years.  Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for a fresh look at travel, the arts, nature, family and more: whereiscookie.com

Magistic Cruises' sleek catamaran glides past iconic sights of Sydney. FABULOUS FOOD IN A GLORIOUS VENUE, PLUS TOP TALENT, VIEWS     Artfully prepared salads and side dishes await diners, with beautiful appetizers, main course entrees and decadent desserts as well. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER GLORIOUS FOOD , fine champagne, terrific entertainment, and, of yes, the views. You're gliding through the water in a quiet boat. You're in luxury's lap, enjoying views from the glorious waters of the famous harbor of Sydney, Australia. To match your stunning views, you're sampling fine fare in a city known for quality dining.  We tried shrimp and crab by day, chops and filet by evening. The sights, sounds and other boats typical of a busy harbor make the Magistic cruises a delightful way to view Sydney. The champagne flowed and for a break, we strolled on deck, glasses in hand. YOU FEEL  you're in heaven -- in a luxurious catamaran, dining elegantly, sipping not quite judiciously, reveling in first-class style. Stroll back inside the plush dining area, as elegant as any of the popular seaside restaurants for which Sydney is renowned. Sydney natives love the Magistic ships for celebrations. The performance begins, with delightful dancers, show tunes, comedy sketches and a bang-up variety act. WE JOINED  60 pampered lunch-goers, and 75 contented dinner guests, to see why this is Sydney's most popular cruise operation. Magistic Cruises, the top-ranked Sydney Harbour operation, does everything expertly. It offers gourmet food, top staff, great views. Since its $5 million luxury catamaran was introduced to Sydney Harbour, Magistic has enjoyed rousing success as the most impressive charter vessel on the harbor, hosting locals, dignitaries, movie stars and tourists. The vessel was designed by leading marine Australian architects and built by Austal Ships in Fremantle, Western Australia. Its sleek nautical design features a contemporary decor. The Magistic Cruise experience was majestic. We've enjoyed more than 100 dinner, show and sightseeing cruises -- on oceans and rivers. In the U.S., we love our Hornblower vessels, and we always book a harbor or river cruise in Hong Kong, Oslo, An artfully presented show with top talent follows a leisurely dinner. Amsterdam or Paris. "Sydneysiders" we met on our two Magistic outings said that the venue has become the  preferred outing for locals. Our groups were about half-local, half-tourist -- both delighted, satisfied. Customer service is expert, the meals are exceptional, the atmosphere welcoming. Everything inside the boat -- and outside -- is beautiful and dream-like. The food is exceptional aboard the sleek Magistic vessels. If you're headed "Down Under" and enjoy fine food and drink in a unique setting, live it up, mates! You won't be sorry. We loved the fact that the chef came out personally to chat up diners and inspect the tables.  Everything is prepared onboard! http://www.magisticcruises . com.au/sightseeing-cruises.php Hobbit fans will enjoy a trip to the magical setting for the series of films about Bilbo, Frodo, Gandalf and friends. COMING UP:  If you're a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and "Lord of the Rings," come visit Middle Earth with us. We're off next to the beautiful south coast of New Zealand where "The Hobbit" films were made. It's a magical place, as you'll see. Remember to explore, learn and live and visit us Wednesdays and weekends at:  www.whereiscookie.com And don't miss "Steal Heaven," at San Diego Repertory Theatre, downtown in the Lyceum Theater, Horton Plaza. Gifted actor and writer Herbert Siguenza stars as activist Abbie Hoffman (in heaven) in a tour de force about politics, social change, responsibility, life, death -- and more. Two fabulous actors join him. Terrific theatrical treat. Last few days.

BROTHER'S DONATION SAVES HIS SISTER'S LIFE AS WE CELEBRATE 30 MONTHS FROM OUR SCRIPPS TRANSPLANT Emotions run high as a donor is wheeled Tuesday to surgery, to cheers balloons, whistles and applause from Scripps staffers. (patient's face is blurred to respect his privacy. )    STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and CM Checking the donate box on your driver's license could make a difference to someone. WE THANK  the gods every day that we are on the planet. This week's prelude to Thanksgiving offered another reason to count our blessings: an excellent check-up for Keller, 30 months post-transplant.  Ours wasn't the only good news.  On the day of our MRIs, CTs, bloodwork and doctor visits, another life was saved because of organ donation.  We witnessed a small part of the miracle as the donor was wheeled down the hall to the transplantation theater to give a kidney to his ailing sister. For me, organ donation plays a moving part in my personal scenario.  Both my late husbands were organ donors. It comforted me after their passings that parts of them were helping others live.  That my third partner's life was saved by a generous donor touches my heart, a full circle pleasure. So as Keller and I waited between tests and meetings, we reveled in a heartwarming scene at Scripps Green, "our" hospital, known for its cutting edge, compassionate, highly regarded transplantation program. WE WERE MISTY  eyed as the young donor   was wheeled into the operating room, to cheers and fanfare of "the team" -- doctors, nurses, physicians' assistants, schedulers, receptionists -- that wonderful group of people we've come to know in our five years of "Scripps" loyalty. Both donor and his sister had successfully navigated weeks of testing so the surgery was a go. Week of the transplant, click here Andrew Ruoff of Scripps Green is a dedicated transplant team nurse. Bruce Keller's chief transplant surgeon Dr. Jonathan Fisher is happy with his patient's progress these 30 months. That act of generosity is called a living organ donation.  It means that some healthy person donates one of his kidneys or a portion of his liver to a loved one, a friend or someone in need. WE WERE LUCKY.   We worked our way up the transplant list, over 18 long months.  One's status on the list is the result of a complicated formula based on many factors. The wait was difficult but we still traveled, keeping close to home as we climbed the list. On May 13, 2017, at 10 p.m., we were called.  Scripps had a donor. We were among three possible recipients called in; ours was the best match. In the early hours of May 14, "we" were transplanted.  Many are not so fortunate.  Rocky, happy first weeks, click here Doctors and PAs at Scripps have the latest information on the evolving transplantation field. Today, more than 110,000 people are awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant in the U.S., a fifth of them in California's transplant centers. One in three people on the list will die due to organ shortage. Our state is in the vanguard of transplantation, which makes the fact that we live 10 minutes from Scripps even more extraordinary.  We've met people through my support group who move to San Diego to be near its fine doctors and modern, welcoming facilities. OFTEN TRANSPLANT  candidates wait years for an organ from a deceased donor while others don't live long enough to receive a transplant. Still others are removed from the list because they become too ill to undergo transplant. More than 20,000, or twenty per cent of the national total, are listed at California transplant centers.  One in three of those waiting will die because of organ shortage. One of every 380 people is on a kidney transplant list. Bruce Keller and his hepatologist, internationally known Dr. Catherine Frenette are happy with his results this week for his three-month exams. Adjusting to transplant, click here IF YOU WANT  to help, do check the donor box on your driver's license.  And consider another way to help patients waiting for an organ. Scripps and other institutions offer a "living kidney donor program" allowing friends, family and those who wish to be anonymous to donate, sparing someone a long, uncertain wait for a deceased donor.  Hours after surgery, Keller rests in Scripps Green ICU. He was out in a remarkable two days. Only about 5,000 deceased-donor livers are available for transplant for 14,000-plus U.S. residents waiting.  When a patient such as Keller receives a transplant, his entire liver is removed, then replaced by the donated liver.  "Living liver" donor programs exist as the only option  if a patient is too ill to wait for a deceased donor transplant. Now 30 months post-transplant, Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers are a nationally known travel writing/photography team, exploring the world.  ONE OF OUR  favorite nurses gave part of his liver to his mother. The "living liver" surgery removes part of the donor's healthy liver and uses that to replace the recipient's diseased liver.  Both donor and recipient livers grow to normal size, just as Keller's liver has adjusted. Tears, anxiety and questions are part of the emotional transplant roller coaster. As our award-winning, compassionate Scripps hepatologist says, "We don't deny emotion, we embrace it, and integrate it into the process.'' We tip our hat to transplantation and the Scripps team for giving us that most precious commodity, time. For more information: www.scripps.org/news_items/6608-kusi-explores-new-liver-transplant-policy-with-scripps-specialist Soap star Eric Martsolf is a charismatic emcee in Welk Resort Theatre's "Welkome Home for the Holidays," a lively and clever song-and-dance revue. www.scripps.org/news_items/6757-becoming-a-living-donor-video ;   www.scripps.org/news_items/6737-scripps-first-to-use-new-liver-transport-system-in-san-diego-county UP NEXT :  Holiday shows abound and they're opening this week. Yes even in the land of palm trees and ocean breezes, it's beginning to look (and sound) a lot like Christmas. We take you to several of our favorite southern California holiday shows and recommend our favorites.  Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each Friday for a fresh look at travel, the arts, celebrations, nature, family and more: whereiscookie.com

A theatrical Valentine awaits in "Freaky Friday," at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego. Wherever on the planet you are, consider a play or concert to create an artful, memorable Valentine's Day Make your Valentine happy at a play -- here approaching La Jolla Playhouse's  beautiful Mandell Weiss Theater. "Freaky Friday" is the current production. BE ARTFUL ON THE DAY OF ROMANCE: THINK THE ARTS, WATER, SKY   how about a wonderful musical, dinner on the water, picnic, reaching for the sky in a hot-air balloon? "Freaky Friday" ensemble at La Jolla Playhouse. Thumbs, pointer fingers up. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Musical Theatre, North Coast Rep   LET THE ARTS  and innovation be your motivation when you think of Cupid.  Aim your romantic's bow and arrow at a box office, dinner cruise or live music venue. We have much that is artful from which to choose here in southern California. Wherever you are, let the arts expand your romantic horizons. You may not be able to hit the Greek Isles, but a trip to the water -- river, stream or sea -- is a sure romantic bet. HERE IN sunny southern California, a dozen fine plays and musicals are on the boards now. A stunning new musical, "Freaky Friday" is a wonderful choice for a Valentine gift. It's a play about love -- mother daughter love primarily.  But it's about love and acceptance on many levels. There's romance, a wedding, grandparents, peer pressure and a touching sibling relationship. Based on the Disney movie of 1976, this new musical offers a wonderful score, lively dialogue and a profound examination of the complexities of love and relationships. Watch for it in your town. Better yet, get to San Diego and book it at La Jolla Playhouse. lajollaplayhouse.org   SAN Diego Repertory Theater is presenting just through this weekend "Our Great Tchaikovsky," with the brilliant Hershey Felder writing and acting the part of the tormented genius. "Sex With Strangers" is next up. Now that's a suggestive Valentine.   sdrep.org At Cygnet, "Bad Jews" offers humor with a bite. It's edgy, funny and touching. www.cygnettheatre.com The brilliant Hershey Felder channels yet another great composer in a fine original production, "Our Great Tchaikovsky" ending Feb. 12. Whether you're in snow country, or a small town with limited music venues, there's nothing like live performance. Think outside the box to create a truly memorable Valentine for your sweetheart. Gift certificates can be arranged for practically everything -- theater tickets, dinner cruises, airline travel, dinner on the town, a visit to a spa or hairdresser. One year, I gave my Valentine a gift certificate for a half-dozen piano lessons. ANOTHER YEAR,  my gift was an open-ended ticket to New York to see six Broadway plays. A trip to the nearest body of water -- here Oceanside, Calif., -- is a perfect Valentine.  Water's beauty and soothing quality is a gift any day. A Hornblower dinner cruise is our favorite treat. All of Hornblower's ports offer Valentine's Day special events -- so if you're in San Francisco, San Diego, New York, Long Beach, Sacramento, Berkeley, Marina del Rey or Newport Beach, problem solved for your Valentine's Day outing. Just go to www.hornblower.com and plug in your city. We also have Flagship which offers splendid Valentines www.flagshipsd.com . Check your own region for what's available. If you're lucky enough to live near water and can't afford a dinner cruise, pack a picnic and go watch the pelicans or seagulls. Even if it's winter where you are! How about a hot air balloon treat? A gift card for golf on a green you've never tried?  Entrance to a new museum or a movie night out. Hot air ballooning? An original Valentine! If you have deep pockets, consider a handwritten note tucked in a deck of playing cards pledging a long weekend in Las Vegas. Or take your last Playbill and turn the cover into a promise of a trip to New York, Las Vegas or New Orleans. Sky's the limit. Even if you're watching the budget, be creative, unique. Think "homemade" and "heartfelt." THINK OF IT  this way: what does your Valentine want that would be special to provide? Reach beyond the cliches. Flowers and candy are okay, but an evening out with your sweetie, seeing a play, concert or movie, hopping on a dinner cruise are superior, more artistic and memorable. Both Hornblower and Flagship offer Valentine's cruises. If your budget is modest, make the card yourself and promise to provide some service -- a home cooked meal or two (the Valentine can choose the main course), supper out and a night at the movies, doing the laundry for a month.  Dinner out doesn't have to be the expensive French restaurant; it can be a taco joint, neighborhood bar or pizza house. I ALSO FOUND  a fun website called Uncommon Goods, with clever and original gifts under $25. Caminito Del Rey beckoned Keller -- so Cookie donned her hard hat, too. UP NEXT : "King's Walkway," Spain's famous Caminito del Rey, took Cookie's and Keller's breath away. In a stretch of bravado and athletic acumen (and a wish not to spend the day alone) Cookie joined Keller to climb seven kilometers of ravines and rock arches. Take a train ride with the pair from Malaga to meet their guide and brave the remarkable path, which reveals the beauty of the landscape of southern Spain and explains the industrial history of Malaga. Remember to explore, learn and live and check us out Fridays when we post a fresh take on art, adventure and nature-driven travel.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Carpe Diem Kids Today while perusing journals, I began a tally of cruises I’ve taken. The result surprised me! View from the promenade deck on our ship where art is part of the enticement. The grand total:  99!  So my next cruise will be my centenary.  I am excited.  What and where will it be?  Crystal, Oceania, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Cunard, Holland America, Carnival, Disney? Although born in land-locked Montana, I am a water baby.  I’m happiest on a cruise ship.  My one hundredth cruise will be within the next few months, to an unknown destination, probably Hawaii and the South Pacific, taking advantage of our San Diego winter location.  Cruising has produced many of my most happy moments – with my two husbands, with my siblings, with my parents.  I cruised the Caribbean with my daddy and Europe multiple times with my mother.  I cruised the West Indies with my brother Rick only two weeks after the death of my husband, Bruce, watching “Brideshead Revisited” on the Sea Goddess and playing piano at the ship’s request when the Bulgarian musician came down with the flu.  It was a healing balm of a trip and Rick jet skied off the back of this wonderful ship. We sipped carrot juice each morning, took long walks and let the water work its magic. Our cruise ship's lights glitter in the staterooms and restaurants. My mother’s final trips to Europe were on Celebrity and Princess – grand tours and evocative memories of her pleasure in each detail, each port.  My late husband Bill and I traveled to Europe on Royal Caribbean out of Galveston, enjoying the wake in a stern penthouse. We cruised out of Stockholm through northern Europe and into the Baltic with Crystal from a gorgeous suite with our own Turkish butler. Then my last voyage on the Queen Elizabeth 2 before she was retired:  the Norwegian fjords, where we met distant cousins.  I’ve cruised Oceania and Crystal with my friend Corby, who prowled Greek ruins with me after we took in the string quartet at afternoon tea.  Before our QE2 Norway swansong, I crossed the Atlantic seven times on Cunard’s venerable and stately grand dame, now docked in Dubai. I long to cross again on perhaps the larger Queen Mary!   A cruise nightcap: your program for the next day and a pair of swans. I've cruised into exotic ports in Vietnam and China.  I've cruised into New Zealand's south island and fished for trout the size of salmon. Cruise ships have taken me to the wonders of India and Turkey, the splendors of St. Petersburg. Barge cruising has taken me to the chateaux of the Loire valley, to sipping and supping in Champagne and Burgundy, to tulip time in Holland and a marathon of plays in England. My sisters and I have cruised Holland America to the breathtaking Alaskan fjords, and deep into the Dutch Antilles on Princess, Royal Caribbean and the lovely Odyssey.  I twice cruised on the splendid Norway, formerly the SS France, one of the great liners of her day. Ah, cruising.  Cookie and Keller and  a shipboard sunset in November photos by Bruce Keller Such memories, such advantages: you pack and unpack once, wake up in a new port each morning, meet new lively friends, dine on delicious, custom-prepared fare, hear port lectures, check out videos and books, gamble and imbibe without lugging a purse or wallet around.  The entertainment is top notch, the jazz band plays for your dancing pleasure. Each day, the fairies slip a program under your door so you can highlight lectures, wine tastings, land tours, fun stuff for the next day! Once you have signed on and have your boarding card, you are in a cashless world. You can even charge your tips. And someone else does the cooking, ironing, and making of your bed. You may even find a dolphin, swan or monkey crafted of towels when you return from the night show, content after another fabulous day at sea!   Where will my 100 th cruise be? Stay tuned. Remember to explore, learn and live. And sign up for: www.whereiscookie.com which posts Thursdays

Singapore's sound and light show attracts visitors from all over the world. Highlights are these magical "lit-up trees." The Grand Palace in Bangkok is best visited through a tour.  Our Viator cut through the throngs. If you're with a tour, there's power in numbers. IF YOU DON'T MIND GROUPS, A GOOD TOUR'S THE TICKET TO MAKING THE MOST OF TIME, MONEY STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IN OUR COMBINED decades of global travel, we have always taken tours, chiefly as a way of introducing ourselves to the new. Tours are as different as places and people. One should choose them carefully, educate before booking and be prepared to enjoy -- by putting complete energy into the activities, making the most of it. Our recent five-week foray to the Far East proved again that well planned tours are the way to go. Keller and Cookie pause in Hong Kong, part of a lively half-day tour which hit a half-dozen highlights of the city Unless you are meeting family or friends, and plan to be hosted for full, active touring, you'll find that reputable tours afford many benefits. We chose Viator because we like the variety it offers and all but one of our seven tours had excellent, engaging, witty guides. Again, do some homework to find a good fit but Viator knows its stuff. EVEN DIE-HARD  "on my own" kind of travelers find Viator a good way to get to know a city or region. If you enjoy participating in planned activities, meeting new people from myriad backgrounds, and having the peace of mind that someone else has booked the tickets and planned the transportation, tours are up your alley. Tours, like most of life, are what you make them. Tours often incorporate a meal, a great way to sample the culinary wonders of wherever you are on the planet. For us, they're a great way to travel, because they get us out of the hotel room (we're usually low-key in the morning, with our coffee, books, exercise, walk and a bite before noon). TOURS ARE  not for everyone, But particularly when in a new city, we love a half-day tour for the overview and to ground us. Often we return to a neighborhood, museum or eatery on our own. Other advantages of touring include large-scale coverage of an area. You might be 100 miles away in a few hours, and on your third stop. Tours cover a lot, and are excellent for first or second visits to a city. For us, they're an educational alternative to lazy mornings. Colorful Singapore street displays were part of an evening tour. Organized tours can be theme-oriented, too, to concentrate on museums and the arts.  In Bangkok, a night tour included a traditional Thai dance presentation. Our day trip to Mt. Fuji incorporated a morning drive from busy Tokyo into the lovely countryside, a trip to the famous mountain (kitschy gift shop naturally, but easy to grab magnets and other flat, small gifts.) We enjoyed a beautifully presented bento-box lunch at a traditional Japanese inn, an exciting aerial tram tide over the volcanic cone of the Hakone Range, and a short but lovely cruise on Lake Ashinoko. This Hong Kong jeweler was part of a morning tour to a jewelry store (Hong Kong has the world's most.) OUR HALF-DAY  Hong Kong tour included a sampan ride to the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant, a drive to Victoria Peak, time at Stanley Market for shopping and wandering and a visit to a famous jewelry store to watch artisans. We took organized tours in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saigon and other cities on our recent Far East foray.  We saw three to four times as much as we would have on our own. Especially in new terrain, having someone else do the planning is wonderful, too. The tour assembles the itinerary and allots the time. Without a tour, we might spend 3 or 4 hours in a single place. A tour gets you in and out in an hour or 90 minutes, frustrating if you want to linger. (If you're in Paris, tours won't spend a day at the Louvre. But come back.) A good tour incorporates variety -- say, an hour on the river, a tram ride, stop in a museum or specialty shop to watch a craftsman, maybe an interesting lunch. TRANSPORTATION  is a key part. The tour company gets you from point A to point B, so you don’t worry about getting lost, renting a car, finding a subway or hailing a cab.  You can usually arrange to leave the tour early -- if you wish to remain somewhere -- and make your own way back. LANGUAGE EASE is another plus to a tour.  You may enjoy using Berlitz French, Italian or Mandarin, but it's lovely to have an English speaking guide to tour you around Ephesus, the Vatican or the Great Wall. We always get to know our guide and ask questions. (Don't forget to tip; guides rely on this. And fill out the evaluation. They're read.)  www.viator.com Rosina Reynolds, a familiar face in all the theater venues around San Diego, plays Golda Meir . DON'T MISS: Golda Meir made history as Israel's prime minister.  The brilliant, ground-breaking woman is beautifully portrayed in "Golda's Balcony" by the gifted Rosina Reynolds. She does a marvelous job in bringing life to this multi-dimensional icon, managing to be both "large" and intimate in the wonderful, small space of New Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad.  Reynolds' Golda is both tough and tender, seeking peace in the world and in her marriage. Todd Salovey of San Diego Repertory Theatre and the Lipinsky Jewish Festival directs this masterful production, with photos of the seminal events of which Golda played a part, and the all important "Golda wig" to keep us focused. Not that we need it with Reynolds in command. A bravura performance and you may catch it and a "Golda Gin and Tonic" through June 26.  www.newvillagearts.org/season15/golda/ Alexander Calder is one of many famous names you'll find in the sculpture and music roster at Tippet Rise. UP NEXT:  Two wealthy philanthropists who love nature and the arts equally have dug deep into their ample pockets to bestow a grand gift on Montana and the world. Tippet Rise, near Fishtail, Montana, has a grandeur and beauty about it with world class musicians, state-of-the-art acoustics and buildings and outdoor sculpture to knock your socks off.  An Alexander Calder sculpture sets the tone for a wonderful evening of exploration and discovery, merging landscape, art and music. Cathy and Peter Halstead are on hand to launch their long dreamed of endeavor. Remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us Fridays when we post for the weekend. The Tippet Rise piece will post next Friday afternoon.

Seattle is at its best viewed from the water. Options include ferry, Argosy boat or private sail on lovely Far Niente yacht. FAR NIENTE YACHT OFFERS A BIT OF HEAVEN ON SEATTLE'S WONDROUS WATER STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Far Niente at sail offers breathtaking views of Seattle and nearby islands. SURROUNDED  by water, overlooking Elliott Bay, deep within Puget Sound, Seattle moves its people and plies its trade by water. Tourists are the beneficiaries of this ingenuity. The water offers both life and leisure to its people and guests. Seattle's commerce, intriguing neighborhoods and architecture are best sampled by water. You'll view, for instance, Alexander Calder's massive "Eagle" sculpture which stands sentinel in Olympic Park. Judi du Nann and Cookie head for the yacht at Elliott Bay Marina. Judi is an accomplished chef and Derek is Far Niente captain. We sampled several varieties of Seattle water travel recently, and recommend them all. * FIRST, THE  elegant Far Niente Sailing Charters. "Casual class" best describes our delightful evening on this pretty and much loved yacht.  We booked a supper sail on line through Derek and Judi du Nann, who with   care and affection host the venture single-handedly. (They're a married couple -- he's captain and she's first mate, caterer and "gofer".) This serene view of Bainbridge Island was our setting for supper. Far Niente, here with sails down, awaits wind . Seattle is seen off in the horizon as a colorful twilight commences. I'd planned this as an early birthday party for Keller and our sailor boy couldn't have been more pleased. OUR ADVENTURE began with an orchid lei for me and kukui nut lei for Keller, then a champagne toast at Elliott Bay Marina, where Derek and Judi greeted our town car (part of the booking price). They ushered us to Far Niente; we struck up an easy conversation. They're fun, interesting people.   Despite a drizzly evening, our spirits were not dampened.  We were snug and pampered in the enclosed cockpit, while  classical music accompanied bubbly for the sail-out. Gourmet hors d'oeuvres complemented Washington wines as we enjoyed a sunset sail with gorgeous, rainbow-framed views of Seattle.  At Blakely Harbor near Bainbridge Island, we dropped anchor and simply enjoyed: lively conversation, sumptuous food, copious vino and tranquil views of the lush island as dusk approached to rhythm of lapping waters. Derek du Nann captains Far Niente, whose Italian name loosely translates to "the sweetness of doing nothing." The 42-foot sailing yacht is tailor made for Puget Sound and its occasionally rainy weather.  We enjoyed sunshine, too, as the boat moved leisurely through the sound and towards Bainbridge. As we returned to the bay, Seattle slowly lit up. Magic! While we mostly sailed, we did have to motor a bit. All in comfort. Info@GoSailSeattle.com or call 206 495-9232 www.GoSailSeattle.com Seattle's locks offer an educational and relaxing afternoon. *WHILE FAR NIENTE is all about relaxation and soaking up ambiance with intelligent, lively hosts, our Argosy Cruise tour of the Chittenden Locks was educational. But it also offered extraordinary beauty and a pleasant three-hour diversion. We spent a leisurely afternoon traveling across the sound and into the Lake Washington Ship Canal.  There, we transited the 30-foot difference through the Chittenden Locks. This architectural triumph dates back 100 years, when Seattle engineers connected fresh water Lake Washington with Puget Sound. An Argosy cruise to the famous Seattle locks includes a lively commentary and description off Seattle's variety of intriguing homes, businesses and restaurants, here the "Sleepless in Seattle" houseboat. Argosy also offers harbor tours -- we took the one-hour one which was delightful -- and tours to Lake Union and Washington, as well as special dinner-dancing cruises, a cruise to Blake Island's Tillicum Village complete with salmon feast and Salish storytelling. ARGOSY HAS  has an arsenal of well trained and conversational guides. They'll point out historical buildings and topical sights, including the houseboat used for "Sleepless in Seattle."  The venerable company also has private boats for charter or rent, as well as special holiday themed events, cocktail cruises and dinner parties. Many of Argosy's cruise tours depart from Seattle's waterfront, Pier 55/56, where curious Seattle tourists enjoy spending time. www.argosycruises.com 206 623-1445. Passengers board one of Washington state's ferries for a weekend away. * WE ALSO  sampled Seattle's wonderfully efficient and colorful state ferry system.  Regular ferries travel to Bremerton and Bainbridge and other places. The ferries are integral to life in Seattle and are sleek, comfortable, boast a full bar and snack shop. Their unique, "double-ended" open decks give gorgeous vantage points.  You'll have stunning views of Seattle as you come and go and the vessels never have to turn around as they transport millions of riders across the waters. YOU MAY  catch the ferry to Winslow, a pretty little town with galleries, restaurants and rural charm, or to picturesque Bainbridge Island, bustling Bremerton, the intriguing San Juan Islands, Vashon Island and other jaunts. The ferries have a distinctive white and green paint job. A visit to Pier 52 on Seattle's waterfront to book a ferry jaunt is a must. For routes, fares, times:  wsdot.wa.gov/ferries . Seattle's piers will treat you to an entertaining sail or boat ride on the state's efficient and unique ferry system or an Argosy cruise. * THE ANACORTES  ferry. If you've never visited the charming San Juan Islands, take the Anacortes ferry.  It's leisurely and offers beautiful views as you depart.  The islands offer a rural, slow-paced environment vastly different from the fast-paced bustle of Seattle.  Recreational activities abound, including the world famous Rosario Resort on Orcas Island.   www.visitsanjuans.com Also via ferry, if you've time, consider Port Townsend, a charming historic Victorian seaport. Also: pretty Langley awaits on Whidbey Island, with galleries, gift shops and great restaurants! www.visitlangley.com Cookie and "Papa" Grady Martin enjoy cocktail hour in La Jolla. COMING SOON:  We pause briefly from our revels in Alaska, Victoria and Seattle, to salute Cookie's sprightly adopted "Papa," her neighbor, Grady Martin on his 90th birthday. He shares tips on life and living it fully next Wednesday. Then join us to ride Skagway's White Pass Railway, and take a trip to Seattle's Pan Pacific Hotel to find out what makes it first-rate. Plus Cookie's 100th cruise, and more. Remember to explore, learn and live and check us out Wednesdays and Saturdays at: www.whereiscookie.com