Berlin's Hoppegarten: A Day at the Races by Frank Mazer Powerful horses, with jockeys astride in
their brilliant silk colors, are loping towards me. I stand in
the middle of the turf track staring through the camera viewfinder
while my "All Access Press Pass" clings to my wrist.
The brilliant green splendor of the scene captivates me. Lush
green forest all around the glimmering green race course and the
magnificent movement of the horses are all nicely framed in my
camera lens.
Looking to Stay Warm? How About Alaska? by Masada Siegel They are the gently giants you most likely
have never seen before... they live in the United States again....
even though years ago they were hunted to extinction in Alaska....
One man is determined to bring them back.... and help bring jobs
back to rural Alaska..... It's all about passion and determination...
Denali National Park by Masada Siegel Acclaimed photo-journalist Masada Siegel
focuses her camera on the sights and sounds of Denali National
Park in this compelling video.
What's New in Las Vegas by Caroline and Steve Lake The newest hotel in Las Vegas is the Cosmopolitan,
with wonderful surprises on each floor. Go to the second floor
to get a startling perspective on the chandelier that drapes down
to the first floor in gorgeous loops of fine crystal. Restaurants
are scattered on different floors and the pool is on the top level.
Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill Comes to
Los Angeles by Mary McGrath I'm always excited to hear about new arrivals
to any dining scene, and when I got wind of one of San Diego's
finest coming to El Segundo, I was anxious to give it ago. I wasn't
familiar with Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill, already with
17 locations throughout California and Nevada, but I'm a big fan
now.
Cotswolds - Bourton-on-the-Water by Patti Nickell On an early spring afternoon, with the temperature
in the 70s and the sun shining, I wander along the footpath next
to the Windrush River that flows right through the heart of this
village in Englands Cotswolds region. The Windrush is not
really a river, but a bubbling brook that one could easily wade
across.
Going Ghost Hunting at the Riverside Mission
Inn by Mary McGrath Ive never been totally comfortable
staying in old hotels. Maybe it was because I played with the
Ouija board too much as a child, or perhaps I read too many Stephen
King novels, but old places fascinate me and give me the willies.
Plus, I have a very active imagination, which doesnt help.
Everything's Coming Up Roses in Pasadena by Caroline and Steve Lake Quite simply, Pasadena, California is a treasure.
There are more wonderful, surprising things to do then you can
count.With a population of 133,000 the vast array of cultural
activities available in Pasadena is amazing. Pasadena is a place
to return to again and again to discover innovative museums, restaurants
and theater.
Taking the Kids - 10 Tips for Dads Traveling
Solo With Kids by Eileen Ogintz These days, many dads live far from their
kids and are getting ready for their annual Summer Vacation Visit.
Many count on vacations together to make up for all the time apart.
Other dads plan just-me-and-the-kids getaways camping, hitting
ball parks or fishing.
Feasting on Bugs and Grubs by Mary McGrath Adventure writer that I am, Ive always
been curious to try the unusual. This pertains to dining as well.
Ive sampled cuisine from around the world, and most of it
would be classified as edible. But cuisine thats deemed
inedible is another story. It was time to try some insects and
grubs.
Dirty Harry in Maracaibo by Frank Mazer The gun he was pointing at me was big barreled.
I had just entered my apartment complex in Maracaibo, Venezuela,
through the back entrance. Through two iron gates requiring two
different keys. Past the 10 foot high wall intentionally littered
with broken bottles on top of it to stop those inclined to climb.
Travels with “Jane-Jane” - Sporting in
Portsmouth by Frank Mazer I'm on the edge. Its a January night
in the U.K. Its a dark mass I see ahead of me. A few lights
twinkle in the distance. Im at the edge of the sea staring
through the windshield over the bonnet (hood) of my little red
car. A small stone wall and a sudden dose of human sense is all
that provoked me to hit the brakes...
Tough Sledding in Stavanger by Frank Mazer Shes shouting into the night. Shes
running downhill. Snow is falling gently. The only lights are
those glowing in the wooden homes along the snow covered street
which tips down and away steeply in front of her in the dark of
the early evening. A Norwegian winter evening. In suburban Stavanger,
on the South coast near the North Sea.
Humbled in the French Alps: Moguls that
Mean Business by Frank Mazer My friend, Jean-Paul, is a snowboarding addict.
He is an expert who spends 100 days a year on the slopes of the
Alps. I am a pretty good skier who has spent about 20 days a year
on the slopes for each of the past 30 years. My friend, however,
sometimes becomes overly zealous and childlike in his approach
to the slopes.
Lexington Beyond the Horses by Patti Nickell Lexington, Kentucky may be the "horse capital
of the world," but its appeal as a travel destination goes far
beyond that. The crown jewel of the Bluegrass offers (in addition
to horses) history and heritage, bourbon distilleries, wineries,
indigenous music, quirky museums, and an antique store that would
put those in New York or New Orleans to shame.
From Seward to Talkeetna: The Best Alaska
Has to Offer (All Roads Are Not Created Equal) by Dee Buchanon A 2.5-hour drive along one of the most breathtaking
routes in Alaska doesnt even begin to reveal it all. Designated
a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road, the Seward Highway
stretches 127 miles from Anchorage to Seward, bordered by the
picturesque Turnagain Arm.
A Northwest Coast Thanksgiving: Looping
the Olympic Peninsula by Sarah Wyatt It's almost Thanksgiving time to admit
that not everyone wants to spend three hours in bumper-to-bumper
traffic to Grandmother's house for yet another meal of cold turkey
and canned cranberry sauce. Veteran road trippers see a different
opportunity: four days off to explore some spectacular byway that
offers great views and outstanding cuisine.
The Faces of Ireland by Elyssa Davalos Elyssa Davalos continues with her photographic
exploration of the great faces of the world. The following photographs
were taken in Dublin, Donegal, Sligo and Armagh Counties from
June 5 to June 12, 2010. The photographs are intended to speak
for themselves.
The Taj Mahal by Julio Natividad "Tell the world about your love for
me." Legend has it that these were the dying words of Mumtaz
Mahal to her husband, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The latter
had been fighting a campaign in the Deccan Plateau in 1631 when
his favorite wife suddenly succumbed after giving birth to their
fourteenth child.
An American Student in London (Part 2) by Stephanie Keats One of the perks of going to an overpriced
institution of higher learning like USC and going abroad is that
they organize free trips for you to go on so you can "experience"more
of the UK... So Friday I traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon for my
all inclusive weekend of fun.
An American Student in Thailand (Part 2) by Lindsey Koro Before coming to Thailand, I was feeling
guilty about my amazing life (hehe). I thought that coming here
would be my chance to be challenged and work hard to give back
to the world without having everything handed to me. Working as
an English teacher has certainly been a challenge, but this past
weekend had me wondering yet again what I've done to be such an
incredibly lucky person.
In My Wildest Dreams by Elyssa Davalos Vastly dramatic landscapes pour out of the
painted sky. To behold this unique voyage makes you feel like
an explorer from another era. There is no better way to see Alaska
than under the knowledgeable and guiding hands of The Boat Company.
Caramoan, Philippines by Julio Natividad A warm breeze softly blew into our faces
as our motorized outrigger boat slowly made its way through the
shallow, crystal-clear waters. Within minutes the next destination
on our second day of island-hopping came into view: a sand bar
that stretched several hundred meters from where our boat came
to a rest.
An American Student in Thailand (Part 1) by Lindsey Koro I've said the word what seems like billions
of times, but in 3 days these images in my head of this foreign
place will come alive. I'll be living and working in a Muslim
community called Ao Luk in the Krabi province of Southern Thailand.
I'm joining a volunteer organization--Global Vision International
(GVI)--of which I've heard wonderful things, to teach English
for ten weeks to little kiddos!
An American Student in London (Part 1) by Stephanie Keats What happens when you take a 20 year old
sorority girl without any sense of direction and put her in a
foreign country? Well we're about to find out. My name is Stephanie
and I'm a LA Girl, born and raised, who's about to embark on a
5+month adventure to study abroad in London.
The Parade Has Started by Tom Joyce The Parade has started. Grand Marshal Captain
Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger waving to my grandstand.
But a tour director is informing me that the grandstand is collapsing.
The truth of the matter was that someone had left a water spigot
running and the corner was settling into the soft earth under
the support strut. Happy New Year. What was I to do?
Shouldering Tradition by Gabriella Gafni It was on a sweltering day in July, 2000
on the occasion of "The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel" in Brooklyn,
New York (the childhood home of my mother and her family) when
I noted the command, "Uaglió, a spal!" (pronounced "Wal-Yo,
ah sbahl"--- "young men, on your shoulders!"). These words,
signaling the lift of the Giglio, echoed the inflections of my
Napolitano ancestors. The imperative mingled with aromas of brasciole
(a kind of sausage), opened clams on the half shell, zeppoles,
and a host of other Italian delicacies.
Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai by Nino Mohan I should be angry at the politicians in India for having failed to
provide safety and security that the citizens and tourists expect. I should be angry at
the terrorists for subjecting so many families to horror by killings innocents, terrorizing
and injuring their loved ones. But this is not the time for finding faults. It is time to
celebrate good deeds of the brave souls who saved lives and to stand up against terrorism
to let the terrorists know that their cowardly acts are wrong and do not scare us.
What to Do if You Are in an Accident by Russ Brown and Chuck Koro Most of us think we know the protocol to follow if we are involved
in a traffic accident but when you are actually involved in an accident your adrenaline
starts pumping, you may be injured, and your ability to think can be clouded. It is
important to understand what needs to be accomplished, not just at the accident scene,
but in the following hours and days, including preserving your version of the accident.
FEEDBACK
FOR PATTI
I enjoy your newsletters -and particularly Patti Nickell's article
about the 'Pudding Club' in the Cotswold's. An old friend of mine is taking
a holiday there this year and plans to try their Jam Roly Poly and Spotted Dick
- amongst many!
--- John & Maggie - UK
FEEDBACK FOR JULIO
The way I read this article, you stayed at the "Breeze
and Waves". Do you have any pictures of the cottages, and would you recommend
to some first time visitors to Caramoan?
--- Richard Simons, Stockton, CA
Hi Richard,
Breeze and Waves was still under construction when I stayed
there in Feb. 2010. It should be finished by now. You
can see pictures of the resort on this page. We got to stay in one of the
small cottages in the picture. I'll recommend it to budget travelers but you
might want to look at other options. We chose it because of its location right
by the beach. You can try other resorts in the Caramoan town proper (you have
to get a ride to take you to the beach and the jump-off point to go island-hopping
but it's a relatively short distance). There are also two higher end resorts
located on a cove and very near the islands: Gota Village Resort (unfortunately
there is something wrong with their website right now) and its twin resort Hunongan
Cove. Caramoan is a relatively new tourism development so resorts are just now
being built.
I should add that it might be good to go to Caramoan (and
almost anywhere in the Philippines) during the dry season in December to May.
June to November are the typhoon months and sometimes typhoons will still come
during early December.
Julio
* * * * *
Hi, I'm planning to go to Caramoan this coming May. Would you
know the number of Breeze and Waves Cottages? Thanks!
--- Ann, Manila, Philippines
Hi Ann,
Breeze and Waves' phone number is 0908-2911072. Look for
Freddie. Hope you have a grand time at Caramoan!
Julio
FEEDBACK FOR NINO
I enjoyed Nino's contribution, since we all read about the frightening
terrorist attack. Having travelled somewhat through India years ago, I am continually
impressed with this country and the gentle spiritual aspects of this nation.
Some day I look forward to going back. Nino has encouraged me. Thank you!
--- Yoka Y., Westlake Village, CA
FEEDBACK
FOR RUSH & CHUCK
Dear Mr.s/counselors Brown and Koro,
Thank you for a very informed and succinct article on motorcycle
accidents and the law. It inspired me to think about getting a motorcycle, but
not have an accident. But, if I do I am now well informed with the basics of
what to do providing I do not perish in the accident. Any tips about that too?
--- Unnamed
Dear Rush and Chuck,
I wish I had read your article before our camping trip the Friday
prior to President's Day.
My wife and I were in a car accident on our way to a camp ground.
We were "rear-ended" and the impact caused our car to crash into the
car in front of us. The contents of the truck that we were riding scattered
onto several lanes. It's a miracle our two dogs decided to stay inside the car.
My wife and I were shaken up badly but despite the mess, I was still able to
walk out of the car. I got the license plate of the driver in front of me but,
to my surprise, after reviewing the little damage on his car, he then sped off.
I didn't know you could do that! The driver who hit me from behind gave me his
information and then he too left the scene without saying good 'bye.
When the police arrived all I had to go by was the little information I had
jotted down which I hope was truthful. What if it was bogus? What if I had written
the plate number incorrectly? How would that affect my insurance? What if we
were unconscious, who would have written down all that information?
I do have one suggestion if you are injured in an accident.
The police asked if my wife wanted an ambulance to bring her to the hospital
but we declined the offer. I remembered when I rode an ambulance years ago that
it was not a comfortable ride. I was strapped to the stretcher and there were
all sorts of medical equipment dangling noisily above me. As long as you are
able, it is a more relaxful ride inside a car. Besides, isn't there a fee for
ambulance service?