Be a Tourist in the Beautiful City of Vancouver

Having lived in the surrounding communities of Vancouver all my life, I have also played tourist in this city that so many wish they could visit. Many people never visit the attractions of their own hometowns preferring instead to travel to faraway places.

Vancouver has many lovely places to visit. The following are only some of them:

Stanley Park - at 125 years old is the third largest park in North America. It has an 8.8 km seawall where people bike, skate and jog. The park is over 1,000 acres of serenity and beauty with a view of the ocean, many old trees and multiple gardens. Also in the park is the train, a replica of a CPR train from the late 1880's. It winds its way 2 km over trestles and through tunnels and forests. During Hallowe'en season it becomes a ghost train and at Christmas it is specially decorated for the season with thousands of lights. At the Aquarium, also in the park, there are many different exhibits. Particularly interesting are the jellyfish, and beluga and dolphin shows. There are over 50,000 varieties of species as well as many colourful butterflies for your enjoyment.

Science World - is a learning experience. Each visit is different and a day is hardly long enough to see everything. One time on a visit, dinosaurs were featured and another time, it was the science of the human body. They have many shows and exhibits making Science World a great place for children and adults alike.

Capilano Suspension Bridge - built in 1889 gives access to walks through the surrounding rainforest. There is also a cliff walk, and a tree top adventure for viewing 1,300 year old old-growth Douglas Firs. It is a great place to visit even if you are like me and want to enjoy the experience without looking down into the great abyss below.

UBC Botanical Garden - is home to the Greenheart Canopy Walkway, a 1,010 foot aerial trail system offering a view of the natural beauty of the west coast forest. Many of these trees are over a century old. There is also the Nitobe Memorial Garden, an alpine garden and the Asian garden. We went in late Spring but every season is beautiful.

Canada Place - home of the unique sails hosts many events. We recently attended 'Fly Over Canada' which was a wonderful experience of soaring over our country with the breeze in our face as well as mists from Niagara Falls. From Canada Place you can look out over the water and see Stanley Park.

H.R. MacMillan Space Center (the Planetarium) - has exhibits, activities and various shows. It is very educational and is interesting for adults as well as the children in your family. Most of us who live in and near the city will never see the stars in the sky, the milky way or any part of the solar system. A visit here will show you what it's like.

Granville Island - is not only a public market with fresh produce but is also home to galleries, childrens' shops, jewelery stores, pottery, a brewing company and restaurants where you can sit and savor not only the food but the beautiful views of the water.

Gastown - is Vancouver's oldest area, the original city. It has retained its historic atmosphere with cobbled streets, original buildings and old-style courtyards with shops and restaurants. There are tourist shops and a statue of 'Gassy' Jack Deighton who arrived in Vancouver in 1867 and opened the area's first saloon. There is also an old steam clock which produces a Westminster-type chime to signal the time of day.

Grouse Mountain - in North Vancouver has a skyride, a zipline, paragliding, the popular grouse grind used by hikers and golfing on top of the mountain. For those more inclined to enjoy the mountain in a less exuberant way, there is the gondola ride to the peak for dinner where you can overlook the skyline of Vancouver with its beautiful sunsets and mountain vistas.

The Seabus to Lonsdale Quay Public Market - where you can purchase fresh produce at the market as well as assorted other foods. Sitting at tables provided for an impromptu lunch, you can admire the city of Vancouver and contemplate looking further at flower arrangements, arts and crafts, jewelery or sweets. And the Seabus is an adventure in itself.

Even as a resident of one of Vancouver's suburbs, and one who has been to these attactions often, I can still appreciate all that Vancouver has to offer. Any one of them make for a great day of entertainment.

The Lure of Penticton - An Interior Town in Beautiful British Columbia

Penticton grabs your attention, and your heart, as you descend the winding hill above the lake into this vacation town. The sun has shone each time I've visited and this was no exception.

The hills surrounding the lakes of Skaha and Okanagan, appearing to be devoid of life with their only apparent purpose that of sheltering the lakes, in fact actually hides the famous wine country of the Okanagan.

Shortly after our arrival we headed toward these wineries high above the lakes for a wine tasting tour. There are many estates of varying sizes, each with their own tasting rooms. Most will charge for sampling unless you purchase a bottle of their vino, which is what we did in three of the wineries. I chose a Riesling, a Rose and a champagne.

Besides the opportunity of visiting the wine country for a tasting tour is the chance to go down Penticton's famed river channel. Tubes can be rented, which we have done in the past, and a bus will pick you up at the end and bring you and the tubes back to your car. Or you can bring your own floating devices which is what we did this time. As a group of eight, we had a car at each end. We tied our floaters together so we could float down in unison adding further to the experience. Some people had huge floating devices holding as many as eight or so people, however, ours were individual except for one double. Having done it every year for the past fifteen years, it is easy to see that the channel is one of my favourite things to do while in Penticton. From beginning to end, the float down takes about three hours but will depend on how fast the water is running. It is nice that the channel isn't deep and although it is safe for children with lifejackets, on our recent trip, we saw very few. Important to remember though, is to bring plenty of sunscreen and reapply often. The river channel flows into Skaha Lake and some adventurers down the channel continue to float into the lake itself. This isn't advised however because of the currents in this area.

Staying at a motel less than half a block from Skaha Lake, we spent a whole day sitting on its sandy beaches, fortunate to be beneath one of the few trees as the sun shone down upon us. During the summer the beaches are crowded and like any popular resort, the mushroom effect of numerous umbrellas produce a kaleidoscope of colour on the sand for as far as the eye can see. At this lake there is a park with room for tossing a frisbee and there are volley ball nets. It seems to be more of a family beach with children paddling in the water and digging in the sand. Earlier in the year there are fire pits on the beach that people can use in the evenings but with fire conditions being at an all-time high, there was a ban when we were there.

Okanagan Lake is the larger of the two lakes and, because the busy waterfront strip with restaurants, ice cream stores and tourist shops are all located there, so are the young people. Runners and dog walkers also abound. There is a walking path beside the lake, part of it done in a cushioned cork which makes walking very comfortable. Eventually the whole path will be done in this way. As the sun goes down, people are still swimming in the shallow waters. At both lakes, there is a fairly large area where the water is relatively shallow before it drops off into deeper water. In both places, the drop-off areas are well marked.

A visit to Penticton is great for families as well as those travelling without children as there are many things to do. One can bike along the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, hike on the many other trails as well as do some climbing at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park, go to an Adventure Park, a museum, Apex Mountain, go golfing, take a paddle wheeler cruise on Okanagan Lake, rent pedal cars that will seat four to six people, go on a paddle boat as well as canoes and kayaks and of course, tour the wine country.

Of the many things to do on a visit to Penticton, my favourite is the tranquility of floating down the slow moving river channel with family and/or friends. For many it is a time to relax on the pink sands of the beaches of this town's two beautiful lakes where there is usually a slight breeze to temper the heat. But whatever a person's interests, there is much to do in this southern interior town of Penticton.

Enjoying the Camels of Australia

The camels in Australia are mostly dromedaries (those with one hump), imported mainly from India during the 19th century for use as transportation in the Outback. About ten thousand camels were imported between 1860 and 1907, primarily for transporting goods. But as vehicles made their appearance in the 20th century, many were released into the wild.

As of 2009, camels numbered about one million. In the entire world, Australia has the largest camel herd in the wild. There is controversy over whether they should be culled as they are having a negative effect on the environment. Camels, when they find a waterhole, can drink it dry. These waterholes are often what the Aboriginal people depend on for their survival. These camels destroy trees and eat grasses and other vegetation which means there are no kangaroos, emus, reptiles or small birds. When these animals disappear from the desert, survival for the Aboriginal people becomes even more difficult as these animals are their main diet. But in the days when they were required for transportation, they were ideal as they were able to go for long periods of time without water and they could carry weights almost equal to their own.

On our trip to the Outback, we took a sunrise camel ride to view Ayers Rock. Weighing up to 1,325 pounds and being six and a half feet at their shoulders, getting onto the saddle was quite an experience. Although the camel kneels on all fours on the ground, he is still high, especially if you're short as I am. Once you have reached the height of his back, you put your feet in the stirrups, hold on to the metal frame in front of you and lean w-a-y back. When the camel begins to stand, he will straighten his hind legs first and then his front which will abruptly throw you forward. But once he is standing up, your world will right itself again. While riding the camel, you are about two meters above the ground which initially is somewhat nerve-wracking but when you get used to the rocking gait, the ride is very restful as the camels move at a leisurely pace.

There were two trains of camels when we went and being on the second last camel of the second train, I had an excellent view. When I became comfortable with the rocking motion, I felt able to remove my hands from the metal frame in order to take pictures.

The sunrise view was breathtaking and at one point the camel train ahead of us was on a ridge silhouetted against the early morning sun as it slowly came up over the edge of the horizon. It was a beautiful sight.

Enjoying the beauty of the scene before us, we watched the sun creep over Ayers Rock, with the clouds in the sky reflecting the sunrise colours of peaches and pinks. Walking through the desert at that time of the morning when it was relatively cool, atop our camels, it is easy to see why those who live in the Outback love it so much. And those who care for the camels also love these huge, lumbering, gentle animals. (As an aside, we had heard before we went that camels were very smelly. Not only did they not smell but they were also really very friendly).

I would highly recommend when visiting the Outback of Australia, that you take a sunrise or sunset camel ride for an enjoyable camel experience. It was one of the highlights of my trip to the Outback.

Life in the Outback of Australia

The Australian Outback is a contrast in weather extremes. When we were there, it was extremely hot and we were inundated with swarms of tiny black flies that hovered around our eyes, nose and mouth. Butit is also a land of raw beauty with its powdered red earth and amazing rock formations, the most popular being Ayers Rock.

Other than agriculture and tourism, mining is the main economic activity. It is rich in iron, uranium, ore, gold, nickel and zinc as well as beauitiful opals. Seventeen percent of the total poulation o the Outback is Indigenous. The Outback, although it covers 2.5 million square miles, contains only ten percent of Australia's population.

Too sparselyu populated for conventional schools, the children are educated at home by the school of the Air using wireless internet technology. each student has direct contact with a teacher for about one hour each day. The rest of the day assigned material is worked on with either a trained parent or a hired tutor. There are three or four annual gatherings where children travel to the school to meet teachers and other students. Those in secondary education attend boarding schools elsewhere. The first School of the Air was broadcast from Alice Springs in 1951. When we visited the Outback, we visited this school where one of the gatherings was being held.

Because of the vastness of the Outback and the sparse population, the Royal Flying Doctor Service was established to provide emergency and primary health care services for those living in the remote areas of the Outback. These services include emergencu aide, air ambulance services, medical consultation services, health care clinics and support for rural and remote doctors. They have twenty-one bases and five health facilities.

Hot, dry, sparsely populated and with extreme weather conditions, the Outback is an extremely injospitable area. But those living there, usually in small villages, weathered byu the harsh climate, say they love it. They wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

Part of the historical folklore of he Outback includes the swagman, squatters and bush rangers. Waltzing Matilda, a popular Australian song, was written about these people. Besides the colourful characters this song was written about, there are red kangaroos, emus, dingos, wild horses, camels, geckos and snakes, many poisonous. Some of the Indigenous people living in the bush areas eat kangaroos and some of the other animals. When we visited, they cooked a kangaroo tail over an open fire for us to try; it was greasy and grisly and I found it quite unappetizing. When a group of Aboriginal children came to dance and play drums for us, they said many of them drank warm kangaroo blood as part of their rituals.

But the Outback is also home to beautiful natural sights, one being Ayers Rock. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the sandstone formation rises to 348 meters in height. It is sacred to two Aboriginal tribes in the area. Much of its base is decorated with ancient cave paintings, however, many are becoming obliterated with weather conditions and time.

At a dinner we attended deep in the bush of the Outback, after darkness had descended and the lights from the camp were extinguished, we saw a truly amazing sight. Looking up we saw that the sky had become a masterpiece of unparalleled beauty. Stars blazed brightly overhead and the Milky Way paraded its way across the black velvet of the sky. It was an astronomical showing like I had never seen before.

Although the Outback is not a place I would want to permanently hang my hat, I can appreciate the beauty of its vast expanse and admire the people who endure its hardships and love it just the same.

Excavations of Rome, Italy

On our visit to Rome we saw many areas, albeit many fenced off, of open excavations. It was exciting to see these remnants of an ancient civilization making one aware of how old the city of Rome is. But what we saw was a small fraction of the excavations that have been done.

There are many well-known ancient structures such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon but some of the recent excavations are:

- One of the particularly interesting excavations is the Tomb of Saint Peter and the Necropolis under the Vatican Basilica. Special permission is required to visit it. Only 120 visitors per day are allowed in groups of about twelve people. This is done in order to preserve the historical archaeological site and for this reason also, no one under fifteen years of age is allowed. Each group has a guide as further protection of the site.

- A quite new site that archaeologists have completed excavating is Hadrian's Hall and Roman art centre discovered under one of Rome's busiest roundabouts near a baroque church and the Vittoriano. It is believed to have been built in AD 123 with seating for nine hundred people. It is the biggest find since the Forum was discovered in the 1920's.

- Escavations have been ongoing for decades in the Roman Forum and on Palatine Hill. Halls and imperial residences with frescoes and stucco reliefs have been found. Palatine Hill is in one of the most ancient areas of the city. Excavations show that people lived there as long ago as 1,000 BC. Many buildings have been excavated on the Hill, each with their own history. Entrance to it is not far from the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine. The Palatine House is believed to be the birthplace of Rome's first emperor, Augustus.

- Some of the other excavations are: the House of Livia; the House of Gryphons, a residence of Republic Rome; the Temple of Romulus in the Roman Forum and, the Loggia Mattei, dating from the Renaissance. Excavations are continuing also in Piazza Santa Maria to reveal more of the Roman and medieval structures.

- Excavations are also taking place at the site of Prato Felici of a Roman Republic cistern structure.

- In 2009, a mini-colosseum was discovered beneath Rome's Fuimicino Airport. With the help of a ground penetrating radar, they uncovered luxuriously decorated rooms, a carved marble head believed to be that of Ulysses, a garden and a toilet.

Unfortunately, most of these excavations are not open to the public on a regular basis because of a shortage of guards. This is a result of significant cut-backs because of the financial difficulties much of Europe is having at this time. Those that are open do so only on certain days and with restricted hours.

It is a shame that these findings are not open to the public as some excavations are known only in academic circles. The importance of archaeological finds is the discovery of pre-modern day cultures, civilizations, ancient topography and how our world has changed over the centuries. And even more than from a purely historical reason, excavations emphasize the fact that we are not a new civilization - we go back thousands of years. Would we have known that were it not for archaeological excavations?

Attractions of Rome, Italy

Rome is one of the most awe-inspiring city in all of Italy with its history and ancient ruins. As one travels around, it seems unbelievable that there is so much antiquity in one place. For those interested in history and seeing the remnants of buildings from long ago, Rome is the place to go. Some of them are:

- The Colosseum - This is the most famous building of the Roman Empire. Having eighty entrances, it accommodated more than 55,000 spectators. Construction began in 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD. It was used for fights between gladiators and between gladiators and wild animals with each fighting to their death. The gladiators were usually prisoners of war or condemned criminals. Part of the Colosseum was damaged during an earthquake in 847; one can still see evidence of this damage. Seeing the Colosseum for the first time is quite a revelation when you realize how old it is and how much of it exists to this day.

- The Pantheon - This building was built in 118 AD. It has a 43 meter high dome with three rows of columns on the portico and a huge bronze door at the entrance. It was originally a temple for pagan gods but in 609 was converted into a church. The artist Raphael is entombed there.

- The Trevi Fountain - Completed in 1762, features Neptune, God of the Sea as the central figure riding a chariot shaped like a shell and pulled by two sea horses. Legend has it that you will return to Rome if, with your back to the fountain, you throw a coin over your shoulder into the water. Alas, we were unable to do this when we were there. The area was packed with so many tourists that we couldn't get very close to this amazingly beautiful fountain. Even to be able to take a picture was a challenge in itself. But the breathtaking perfection of this 18th century fountain is definitely worth a visit.

- St. Peter's Basilica - This church is the largest in the world. Construction of the original church was completed by 349 AD. However, it fell into ruin by the middle of the 15th century. A new and much larger church than the original was completed and consecrated in 1626. St. Peter died there as a martyr and is entombed beneath the church.

- The Forum - At one time there were temples, arches and basilicas but many of them have fallen into ruin. However, it takes little imagination to see what it once was. Among some of the structures and partial remnants at the Forum are the Curica, built in 283 AD, the Sacellum of Venus Cloacina, the Arch of Actuim, the Regia, the Temple of Divus Julius and the Temple of Concord.

- Palatine Hill - According to mythology, this area was the original city of Rome. It is believed to have been founded in 800 BC by Romulus after he slay his twin brother Remus. Augustus, Cicero and Marc Antony are all believed to have had homes on the hill. Excavations have been done there since the mid 18th century with discoveries showing there are partial remnants of ruins going back to the first century.

- The Victor Emmanuel Monument (the Vittoriano) is the first historical building we saw when we arrived in Rome. It is a late addition to history as construction began in 1885. Made of white marble, it is decorated with statues, reliefs and murals. At the foot of the Statue of Victor Emmanuel is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

- The Vatican Museum - This museum is actually several museums displaying collections of art built up by the Catholic Church over the centuries and, of course, Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. The museum originated with a marble sculpture of Laocoon and his Sons, discovered in a vineyard in 1506. There are 54 galleries consisting of busts, statues, the Sala Rotonda which is shaped like a miniature Pantheon with ancient mosaics on the floor, a bronze statue of Hercules, numeous paintings, the red marble papal throne and works of Raphael. Although we were only able to spend a half day there, to really see everything, I'm sure it would take at least a couple of days. We spent only two days in this wonderous city and although I have mentioned several interesting attractions, with more time we would have liked to see so much more and enjoy this historical city of ancient ruins.

Murano and Burano Islands - Part of the Venetian Island Group

While visiting Venice, we decided to take a trip to Murano, the glass and crystal island, and Burano, the lacemaking and fishing island. Both trips were well worth our visit in spite of the short time we had available.

We took the public ferry system, the vaporetto #12 to Murano and from there to Burano. The ferry, although the most economical way to travel to these islands uses every bit of space to transport people. We were crushed together so tightly that it was unnecessary to hold onto anything as the bodies around you, held you upright. And if you're short, as I am, vision is limited. However, the means of getting there certainly justified our enjoyment of what we saw.

Murano is the larger of the two islands with glass factories and gorgeous churches. Not as laid back as Burano, there is a hustle and bustle feeling to this island. Although we didn't go to the glass factory, we stopped at some of the shops where we were able to see a glass blower create an amazing masterpiece. Although we didn't realize it when we were there, bargaining is expected.

Besides the many shops and the glass factory, there is a glass museum. Murano became famous in 1291 when glass production was transferred from the city of Venice because of the fear of fires from the kilns. As we walked around the island of Murano, we were impressed with the glass sculptures that were used in outdoor landscaping in many locations.

Some of the churches are extremely old. The Chiesa di Santa Maria e Donato was rebuilt in the 12th century but with Corinthian columns dating to the 6th century and a 6th century pulpit. Some of the frescoes are 15th century. It also features a mosaic depicting the Virgin Mary. The Chiesa di San Pietro Martire church has paintings by Tintoretto, Veronese and Giovanni Bellini.

From there we went to Burano about 7 km from Venice. Burano has a population of about 5,300, with little green space. One of the attractions is the Church of San Martino with a leaning Campanile and a Museum where the Lacemaking School opened its doors in 1872. The Lacemaking School floundered over the years, eventually closing its doors in 1995. Lacemaking is an excruciatingly delicate craft requiring many hours and much patience to complete even the smallest piece. There are many shops, some with outdoor stalls selling lace work, some handmade and some by machines. On the main street of the island there are shops selling pastry and souvenirs and with restaurants and bars.

But away from the main area are small canals lined with beautiful houses painted in bright primary colours and pastels, many of them with flowers growing in window boxes. From this area you can feel the leisurely pace of life tied to the water and the coming and going of the fishing boats which, for the most part, is their livelihood. This area of Burano is very picturesque and tranquil, a welcome diversion from the crowds in Venice itself.

Many people when they visit Murano and Burano also visit the island of Torcello. However, time was limited so we didn't. Those who have visited say it is calm, green and very romantic. Very quiet, its population numbers only about sixty. In the Piazza Torcello, there is the original glass flooring, the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Estuario Museum. According to history, this small island was Hemmingway's stomping ground. Perhaps next time we will include it in our travel plans.

Although Murano was interesting to visit to see how glass blowing is done, and to see the amazing pieces of art that are produced in this way, I preferred the tranquility and beauty of Burano. It was definitely a photo lover's paradise.

Is It Possible To Get Lost in Venice?

You will almost certainly get lost in Venice, even with a map. It is said that even the Venetians get lost when they get outside of their own immediate neighbourhood. But getting lost is half the fun as long as you don't have to be somewhere by a certain time.

On our visit to Venice, we went about it in the worst possible way. We set out looking for specific attractions which were difficult to find and wasted valuable time searching. It is much better to meander through the city because chances are you will stumble upon one, or more of the attractions and will see so many other wonderful things as well. According to seasoned tourists, there is no city in the world easier to get lost in than Venice. I would concur that it takes no effort whatsoever.

There are things to keep in mind when visiting Venice. You should definitely have a map but realize that even with a map, you will get lost. Also, have some general information and knowledge available concerning where restaurants are and where ferry stops are located. Walking, however, is the best way to get around as gondolas and water taxis are expensive transportation.

On our visit to Venice on the first day, it took us two hours to find our way back to the hostel where we were staying. We had a map and asked numerous people if they could direct us. However, most like us were tourists. Apparently there are more than double the amount of tourists as Venetians at any one time so it is hard to find a local to ask for assistance.

Venice is a city of narrow streets with numerous dead ends. Admittedly many of the main streets have small signs attached to the walls of buildings at some of the intersections to point you in the right direction. Theoretically this should work but often the signs are difficult to find or there will be two signs for the same place pointing in opposite directions. But as you are walking, (lost) in Venice, it is nice to hear the water lapping against the canal embankments even when you can't see them.

There are several must-sees that you won't want to miss on your visit there, if you can find them. They are:

- The Rialto Bridge - It is one of four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice. This present bridge, completed in 1591, succeeds a wooden bridge and a floating one. It is considered to be an architectural icon of Venice. A lot of people converge on this bridge because it gives an excellent view of the Canal with various types of boats going in different directions.

- The Grand Canal - The Canal is a major water fare used by water buses, private water taxis and gondolas. It goes from the lagoon near the railway station to Saint Mark Basin and through the central districts of Venice. I could have stood for a long time on the Rialto Bridge watching all the activity on the Canal. To me it seemed to be, although busy, tranquil as well.

- Piazza St. Marco or St. Mark's Square - This is the main square and, to me, felt like the heart of Venice. At one end is the church of St. Mark. The church, with arches, marble decoration and carvings is magnificent and like the other buildings in the square, quite ornate. Beyond the church is the clock tower completed in 1499. To the left of the church is a building which formerly was homes and offices. Built in the early 16th century, it now houses shops, restaurants and some offices. The architecture is beauitiful and in such an intricate design that we stayed awhile to savor the beauty of it.

- The Doge's Palace - The Palace was once a residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority. Built in 1923, it opened as a museum. Over the centuries fires had damaged large portions so it had to be restructured and restored many times.

- The Golden Staircases - The staircases are in the Doge's Palace leading to his apartments; they are a set of staircases which were completed in 1559. They were built for ceremonial purposes with paintings on the ceiling and 24 carat gold trim.

- The Bridge of Sighs - This bridge, one of many, crosses the Rio de Palazzo connecting the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. It was built in 1602 and it is believed that the view from this bridge may have been the last prisoners saw of Venice before their imprisonment.

Considering the size of Venice, it is startling to discover there are so many sightseeing attractions, many more than I have mentioned here. Because we were only there one night and not quite two days, we saw much less than we would have liked to. Venice is unique making wherever you go an enjoyable and interesting experience. Even when you are lost.

Paris in the Moonlight - A Trip Down the Seine River

There is nothing more romantic than drifting lazily down the Seine River with a full moon high overhead, a swath of silver light on the slowly mving river. As darkness descends and the City of Lights highlights mythical spots, monuments, historical buildings and ornate bridges, it is easy to fall in love with the city of Paris.

The Seine River goes through the heart of Paris bordering on ten of the twenty arrondisements. There are thirty-seven bridges over the river, the oldest being Pont Neuf built in 1607 and Pont Des Art which is a pedestrian only bridge.

As we began our cruise, the Eiffel Tower was the first of the many attractions we saw. An extravaganza of light that once seen, will be something you'll never forget. It was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World Fair commemorating the centennial of the Revolution. It is 1,063 feet tall and at the time it was built, was the highest structure in the world.

Another sight to behold, on the Right Bank is The Louvre, one of the world's largest museums and an historical monument. Housed in the Louvre Palace, it was built in the 12th century and opened as a museum in 1793. It contains sculptures, paintings, art objects, Egyptian antiquities, Greek and Roman art and Islamic art. Also, adjacent to the Louvre is the Tuileries Gardens created by Catherine de'Medici in 1564.

We drifted past quays and those, couples and others, lying or walking along the banks beneath the soft rays of the moonlight enjoying the tranquility of the Seine as it slowly flowed past. Eventually we came to Notre Dame Cathedral illuminated against the night-time sky. An historic cathedral in French Gothic architecture, construction began in 1163 but was not completed until 1345. And as we passed, the bells tolled as they have for hundreds of years.

Another historic site seen from the river is the Grand Palais easily recognizable because of its magnificent glass-domed roof. It is an exhibition hall and museum. Construction began in 1897 and was completed in 1900. It is ornately decorated in the Beaux-Arts architecture style. The Petit Palais adjacent to it was constructed about the same time.

The Palais de Chaillot initially erected for the 1878 World Fair was replaced in 1937 when Paris was host at another World Fair. The building houses several different museums and has an aquarium with forty-three tanks, 10,000 fish and a shark tunnel.

On the Left Bank of the Seine, is Musee d'Orsay, a museum which has mainly French art dated between 1848 to 1915. Many of the paintings are masterpieces by such renown artists as Monet, Cezanne, Gauguin and Van Gogh. It is housed in a railway station built between 1898 and 1900.

And last but not least is the Moulin Rouge established in 1889. It was the birthplace of the modern form of can-can dance. I say last but not least because there are many other buildings, rich in architecture and resplendent in lights that line the Seine River and only a cruise at night will give you this view of a Paris that looks entirely different in the daylight.

There are many ways to explore and visit Paris but travelling down the Seine River, as we did on our first evening there, is a great introduction to the city and what it has to offer.

The Majestic Jungfraujoch Mountain in Interlacken, Switzerland

Jungfraujoch Mountain has the highest railway station in all of Europe, calling itself the Top of the World. Upon arrival you will find yourself, not only at the top of one of the highest peaks in Switzerland, but surrounded by a mystical Alpine winter wonderland.

The Jungfraujoch Mountain is situated between Monch and Jungfrau in the Burnese Alps. On our trip there we left from Interlacken, Switzerland taking a modern cogwheel train to Kleine Scheidegg at 6,762 feet. From there we took the Jungfrau cogwheel train to the Eiger Glacier Station and then through the Eiger tunnel. (In comparison, this train was woefully lacking in any type of amenities, having only hard wooden seats and with people crammed so tightly together, we were like worms in a bucket. But being cramped together with people, damp clothes and luggage was worth it when we arrived at the top and stepped out on the summit where the sun shone sparkling onto the snow and ice and diamonds danced in the air around us.)

The tunnel is 7.3 km (4.5 miles) long. Begun in 1896 it took sixteen years to complete. On our trip to the summit, we stopped at a viewing window in the tunnel so we could take pictures. The window was put into the hole that was used to remove excavated rock during the building of the tunnel. It has also been used as the back-drop in several movie scenes.

The station at what is advertised as the Top of the World is over 11,000 feet up. There is a hotel, two restaurants, an observatory and the Ice Palace which is in the heart of the mountain. The ceiling, floors and walls in the Ice Palace are made entirely of ice but there are handrails to hold as slipping looks entirely too easy. It is an amazing place with spectacular sculptures of Eskimos, seals, igloos, eagles, etc. There is also a tunnel that leads outside where you can walk around. When we were there, the wind was ferocious so we didn't venture too far but we did see a 13.6 mile ice stream and an overwhelming panoramic view of the Konkordiaplatz and the Aletsch Glacier and surrounding mountains. The beauty of our surroundings struggled to hold us but the cold and the wind chased us back inside before long.

Jungfraujoch Mountain is considered the 'excursion mountain'. In the summer hikers can explore the lower regions enjoying views of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Climbing the mountain is an entirely different story. Jungfraujoch and the Eigerjoch are the most difficult passes in the Alps for mountaineers to traverse. The summit was first reached in 1811 by Johann and Hieronymus Meyer, brothers, and two hunters from Valais. Muntaineers continue to climb Jungfraujoch and the surrounding areas even though these explorations are fraught with danger. The whole area of Jungfraujoch, Monch and Eiger includes the largest glaciated area in the Swiss Alps.

Although we went by the easy route, the cogwheel train, the experience of standing on the summit beside the Swiss flag flapping loudly in the wind was an overwhelming experience. The 360 degree panoramic view of snow and ice covered rocks, rugged peaks and awesome beauty makes one feel rather insignificant in the big scheme of things, But it's one I wouldn't have wanted to miss.

Enjoying Rigi Kulm Mountain in Lucerne, Switzerland

Rigi Kulm is known as the Queen of Mountains. On a trip to its summit, it is easy to see why when on a clear day you are blessed with a beautiful panoramic view of distances up to 800 km away. This central Switzerland mountain is 1,795 meters high and although not the tallest, it makes up for its stature in beauty and ambiance.

Mt. Rigi offers walking trails, mountain hiking or climbing, backpacking, snow shoeing and skiing. It is not considered to be part of the Alps but is part of the Swiss Plateau. From the summit you can get a view of the Alps as well as parts of Germany and France.

The Goldau Rigi Path and Arth and Weggis Rigi paths are the most historic paths on Mt. Rigi. More and more tourists came to Rigi Kulm Mountain beginning in the mid 1700's following the various paths on the mountain to the numerous chapels, viewpoints and villages. Many of these attractions have been there for hundreds of years.

- In the village of Rigi Kaltbad, behind a rock formation, is the Rock Chapel built in 1779. Kaltbad, at 1,453 meters is the biggest village on the mountain. Kaltbad also became a health resort for tourists in the 1800's.

- Pilgrimages to Klosterli to visit its chapel, St. Mary in the Snow, is also popular.

- The Kanzeli Vantage Point, located about a twenty minute walk from Rigi Kaltbad, is another popular destination offering panoramic views, on a clear day, of Lucerne and Weggis. It is situated at 1,464 meters.

There are about thirteen towns and villages on the mountain. At the summit is the Rigi Kulm Hotel originally built in 1875 but rebuilt in the 1950's. When we visited this historic hotel, there were few people around as we were a little ahead of the busy tourist season.

On our trip to Rigi Kulm we travelled from Lucerne to Weggis by steamboat on Lake Lucerne. We were fortunate in that it was a beautiful day with white fluffy clouds drifting lazily in an unbelievably blue sky. From Weggis we took a cogwheel train up the mountain to the Rigi Kulm station on the summit where the hotel is situated. There is also the option of cable car and gondola. On our return back down the mountain, we went by cable car which was a completely different experience altogether than the train trip up had been with many diverse viewing options.

From the station, we followed some paths further up the mountain and looked down to where we could see Lake Lucerne and the occasional small buildings off in the distance. The rolling pastures undulated down the mountainside below us while a brisk breeze teased the tall grasses growing beside the paths.

I was mesmerized by what sounded like thousands of cowbells softly tinkling in the distance and the occasional melodic alp horn. (The alp horns are used to call the cattle to pasture in June. We were fortunate because that was when we were there). They were happy sounds to surround us as we satiated ourselves with the beauty we saw wherever we looked. It was like the mountains of Switzerland I had imagined since a young child.

There are approximately 250 Alpine herdsmen scattered across the mountainside with small cottages to house them. And there are 5,000 head of cattle plus goats and sheep. The herdsmen have used the mountain pastures from as early as the seventh century.

For anyone who is a lover of mountains and of nature, this mountain is not one to pass by when visiting Lucerne, Switzerland.

Bungee Jumping in New Zealand - A Heart-Stopping Adventure

Bungee jumping began in Queenstown, New Zealand pioneered by A.J. Jackett and Henry van Asch in 1988. Their first commercial bungee thrill adventure began at Kawarau Bridge outside of Queenstown but has now expanded to other sites in New Zealand and other countries around the world.

One of the other sites in New Zealand is the Nevis Swing suspended 160 metres above the canyon floor with a 120 metre rope length. After their release, participants race towards the other side of the valley at speeds of up to 120 km per hour. It is considered to be the world's largest swing.

Another heart-stopping attraction is the Ledge Bungee which is 400 metres above Queenstown. At this site you can leap in the moonlight with the stars shining brightly above or during the day with the view of the town below. Or, take a trip up the gondola above Queenstown to try the Ledge Swing and get a thrilling view of the town and Lake Wakatipu. Of if you're not quite up to the Ledge Swing, you can take the gondola up to the fantastic restaurant at the top, as I did, and view the lake and town after a wonderful meal. The swing ride over the lake takes one hour to complete.

Bungees used are similar to the bungee cords that we have all used at one time or another to keep things fastened and in place. Because of this firm elastic cord, the person free-falls, rebounding many times until the bouncing gradually lessens.

The idea of bungee jumping has been around for many hundreds of years. On Pentecost Island in Vanuatu, young men jump from platforms with vines tied to their ankles to test and prove their manhood. The story goes that a young woman was the first to do this in Vanuatu. And in 1979 members of the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club made a bungee-type jump from the 250 foot Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. They were arrested for their effort. Before he began his commercial bungee jumping enterprise, Hackett jumped from the Eiffel Tower and that was the beginning of the world's interest in bungee jumping.

When the two young men attempted to get financing from the bank they were turned down. No bank wanted to be part of a crazy scheme where people jumped off a bridge. They felt the risks were too high and so declined. Hackett and van Asch were eventually able to get financial backing from friends and relatives to begin their bungee jumping enterprise. Initially given a twenty-one day license to operate, they had twenty-eight people willing to pay seventy-five dollars each to enjoy the experience of a lifetime on their first day of operation. It wasn't long before the adrenaline rush experience of jumping off a bridge caught on and now many visitors to New Zealand wouldn't consider leaving the island without trying this heart-stopping thrill of a lifetime.

While I prefer the safety of terra firma, there are many adrenaline rush addicts who enjoy the experience of jumping off into space and plunging to the water below before that bounce propels them up again to continue the experience until the bounce lessens. Since Hackett and van Asch opened their business in November of 1988, millions of people have participated to become one of the many thrill-seeking adventurers. I wish I was brave enough to be one of them. Watching those souls braver than I was as close as I ever want to get to the experience.

Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef

Australia's Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the most accessible reefs in the world, makes snorkeling a dream. The reef is one of the natural wonders of the world and the largest coral reef. It stretches from Papua, New Guinia to Bundaberg in the south. There are a total of 540 islands that are part of the Great Barrier Reef.

Australia's underwater ecosystem is diverse and scenic making snorkeling an experience that is not only fun but one that will raise awareness of marine life. Submerged in the warm waters are baby sea turtles, red bass and giant clams to name only a few of the amazing sights a snorkeler will see.

On our trip to the Outer Great Barrier Reef out of Cairns we went by catamaran, travelling about ninety minutes before arriving at an enormous floating dock. On our trip, those who were snorkeling went down from the dock to a platform that each swimmer pushed off from. On this occasion, the area was contained and snorkelers were required to stay within that area. Also, wearing a life jacket was mandatory for anyone over fifty years old as the waters were not entirely calm.

Some trips out of Cairns will have participants jumping off a boat into the water while others are in shallow waters where you can walk in fron the water's edge. Some excursion companies will take snorkelers to an area where there are buoys and those who are not as comfortable in the water can go between the buoys. There are enough options available that even a nervous beginner such as myself will feel confidently mesmerized by the view below them.

On most trips instruction will be given to those who have never snorkeled before as well as there is often an instructional video to view snorkeling techniques. It is important to be able to swim and be somewhat fit. Even if a life jacket is used, there should be some ability to swim.

Some snorkeling tips are:

- Swim with a buddy, never alone.

- For first time snorkelers, it's best to go from a beach rather than a boat, initially staying in shallow water that is calm.

- Never look directly down; keep face looking forward.

- Realize that in salt water your body floats higher than in fresh water so excessive movement of arms and legs is unnecessary. The key is to relax.

- Ensure that you are using a correctly fitted mask that doesn't leak or is too tight. To prevent the mask from fogging up, clean often and use an anti-fog solution on the inside of it.

- A snorkel should have a splash guard. But if water gets in it, blow it out forcefully and the water will shoot out of the top.

- Fins also should fit your feet properly. Fins make it easier to swim.

- Avoid areas with heavy boat traffic or dangerous currents.

- Do not touch any of the reef because the coral is easily damaged and it can readily cut the skin's surface.

It is important to respect the reef and be a coral friendly snorkeler. One of the ways to do this is to follow snorkeling etiquette by not wearing a common sunscreen which will cause reef damage. Choose instead one that is biodegradable.

By following the above suggestions, you will enjoy your snorkeling experience and all that you can see of the astounding reef and breath-taking sea life.

Travelling and Stress

Is there stress in travelling? Or is it the stress of preparing for a vacation and what may happen on the trip? What can you do about it? From experience, I know there is some stress when planning a trip on your own. What are the hotels, or the hostels, (as in our case), like? Will you be disappointed? Are they in a good area? Are they clean? Are they central to what you want to do? Are they close to the metro stations? Do they offer breakfast? Do you have to take your own linen and towels? (This is sometimes a requirement in some hostels). Are the rooms ensuite? Do they have WiFi and internet access? How many are in a room and are they same sex rooms or mixed gender? Do they take Visa or cash only? What are the check-in and check-out times? Do they have a custodian on site 24/7? Do they offer laundry facilities? A lot of these concerns will apply when booking hotels too, particularly lower budget ones and especially when travelling internationally. And we had to make a decision about how long we were going to stay in each place and where we wanted to visit in our limited time.

To try and avoid as many problems as possible, we thoroughly researched each hostel or hotel, the area, where the attractions were and the metro stations and read all the reviews. Reviews were difficult because there was such a variety of opinions so we went with the majority. We were very fortunate that in all of the places we stayed, they were all decent, fitting most of our criteria. There were some that were better than others but we considered ourselves lucky in the ones we chose. And only once did we end up with a man in our room but this was taken care of quickly and with no problems.

There is also some stress in determining what your travel options will be. When we went to Europe, we travelled within the cities either by metro or by walking. We did an awful lot of walking. Between cities we travelled by Euro Rail except between Paris and Switzerland, we travelled by the TGV railway system which was much quicker. Trying to decide which Euro Rail passes to get was difficult too, i.e.: how many days would we need, how many stops were we going to make, how many countries would we be stopping in, etc. And then after those decisions had been made, it was necessary to determine the time schedules for each and on what track or level they were leaving.

After those decisions had been made, we had to decide what attractions were important to see and on what days, depending on our arrival and departure times, and in what order so as to be able to see as much as possible. We knew we wouldn't have time to see everything and there were three people who may have had differing views. In this respect we were in agreement with what we all wanted to see.

There is stress, to some degree, even when travelling with a tour group. What are the people going to be like? Is there going to be anyone who is difficult, are they going to be friendly and inclusive? And if you are sharing a room, what will your roommate be like? What is the tour guide going to be like? Is the trip going to be as enjoyable as you thought it would be? Are you going to see all that you expected to see?

There is no way to completely avoid stress altogether either before, or while you are travelling. But some suggestions are to read reviews avidly, know as much about the area you are visiting before you go as possible, and best of all is to have word-of-mouth recommendations from someone you know and respect.

But once all the decisions have been made, hop on board and enjoy your next adventure.

Queenstown - A Small Town With a Lot to Offer

Built on a bay on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has a view of The Remarkables, as seen on Lord of the Rings. It is a small resort town of 29,200 people offering tourists a huge range of attractions and activities.

When we first arrived in Queenstown, we took the Skyline Gondola up to the restaurant for a wonderful meal and spectacular views of the town and Lake Wakatipu. Not far from our lookout point, there was a bungy jumping area. There is also a bridge outside of Queenstown where the first bungy jumping ever took place. After dinner, we walked around the small town, an area so friendly and compact that even walking alone at night would not feel uncomfortable.

The following morning we climbed back onto our bus to travel 307 km through rugged but captivating nature to Milford Sound. Unfortunately, on arrival it was drizzly and foggy for our cruise of the fjords. The area is considered to be the wettest inhabited place in all of New Zealand. But we enjoyed our lunch and what scenery we could see, particularly the magnificent waterfalls cascading down sheer, rocky cliffs. Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls are the biggest and most permanent of the waterfalls but after a rainfall hundreds of other waterfalls can be seen cascading down the steep cliffs. Some waterfalls are as high as 1,000 metres. Surrounded by staggering rock faces rising 3,900 feet or more (The Elephant Peak is 4,977 feet), Milford Sound runs 15 km inland from the Tasman Sea.

The fjords, in Fjordland National Park, weren't discovered until about 1812 by European explorers. Before that it was well-known only to the Maori people. There are only 120 people who actually live in the Milford Sound area at this time, mostly those involved in the tourism industry.

Another trip out of Queenstown was on the TSS Earnslaw, a one hundred year old coal fired steamer. After travelling on Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station, we enjoyed a delicious dinner and then headed outside to watch the sheep dog round up a group of wayward wanderers. From there we went to view the deer farming portion of the farm. Some of the male deer population still proudly displayed their rack of antlers. From there we went to the barn to watch as one very large sheep was being sheared. And then it was time to cruise back to Queenstown under slowly darkening skies and to the accompaniment of a piano player and some robust singers.

The following day some of us took a safari to many of the locations where Lord of the Rings was filmed. Queenstown, over the years, has been the location for many television and film productions. On the safari, travelling in Land Rovers, we drove through rivers and along narrow, windy mountain roads to the top of peaks where the views were amazing. Much of what we saw could almost rival the beauty of the Grand Canyon, in my opinion. At one point we stopped to do some gold panning.

Queenstown, surrounded by picturesque mountains and a crystal-clear lake, holds you close to its heart and makes leaving difficult. But all too soon it was time to return to Christchurch and begin our homeward journey.

On our way back, we stopped at Arrowtown, an historic gold mining town of the 1800's. At that time there were as many as 7,000 people in the small village. As of 2006, the count was about 2,150 people in residence. Many of the buildings in this quaint village are well-preserved. Following that we crossed the Kawarau River, eventually arriving in Mt. Cook National Park where we were going to be spending the night. Unfortunately, here again the weather was drizzly and foggy so Mt. Cook was lost in the clouds making visibility virtually impossible.

The rest of our drive back to Christchurch was through New Zealand's typically magnificent landscape, and although it was a little on the soggy side, it was still beautiful. We spent our last evening in Christchurch having dinner on the grounds of the Dean family home, the first European settlers in the area. We ate in an outsized tent as their beautiful home was one of the many damaged in the earthquake.

Sadly, the following morning it was time to wave goodbye to New Zealand and the wonderful time we had, as we boarded our plane to begin the first leg of our journey back home.

The Pros and Cons of Tour Travelling

There are pros and cons to both taking a tour and to planning a trip on your own and being in control of your own destinations. I have done both and have enjoyed each one.

Pros of Tour Travelling:

- Everything is looked after for you, i.e.: your large pieces of luggage. You just have to look after your personal items and get where you're suppose to be on time. When travelling on your own, you are in charge of all your luggage and it can be a lot of hard work depending on the type of travel and places you are going.

- Many of the meals are included. You don't have to scout around or find suitable restaurants. For the meals not included, restaurants or at least areas, will be recommended to you with suggestions of places to stay away from.

- You have a pretty good idea of what your trip is going to cost you. There will be extra costs but you can limit them because you know what they will be, i.e.: optional tours, the meals that are not included and of course, souvenir shopping and general spending money.

- You have many friendly (hopefully) travelling companions, especially if travelling on your own. And often there is the option of room sharing to cut down on the costs.

- When travelling in a group there can be a lot of laughter and camaraderie adding to the enjoyment of the trip. I found this definitely to be the case.

- Your various modes of transportation have been taken care of for you. You don't need to find out train schedules and prices, metro stations and if in a foreign country, how to get along with a language unfamiliar to you. All will be taken care of for you.

- There are explanations and historical commentary about the areas you are travelling through. It's always nice to get to know the area you are travelling in. Tour travel means you will know without having to search it out yourself either before your trip or after.

- The included meals are usually quite good and almost always includes breakfast and many of the dinners.

- Besides the optional tours you can choose to take, being on a tour includes many interesting places you may not have been able to get to on your own or have known about. An example of this was when we were in the Outback and we went into the bush and had dinner; when we were able to try some bush food of the variety that the Aboriginals eat, and the opportunity to be able to try and throw a boomerang.

- During free time, you have the option of staying with members of your tour group or exploring on your own. The choice is there to be able to do what you want.

The Cons of Tour Travelling:

- The destinations may not be exactly what you would have chosen on your own. Tours often include certain areas, i.e.: you may go to a particular park, a certain area in the city, or a factory that you may not have wished to do had you been on your own.

- The trip is generally more rushed than it may be if you were travelling on your own. You are more in control of your travel decisions if you have planned your own trip.

- You have the opportunity to change your mind about what you're going to do on any given day and do something else. You are more able to be a free spirit.

- Your time is your own and your decision whether to spend the day relaxing at some wonderful beach you've just discovered or enjoying other experiences. When travelling with a tour group you don't have this opportunity. You go where they go, when they go or you get left behind.

- You can better make the decision about how you are going to spend your money. When travelling on your own, you may decide to stay at budget hotels or even hostels which is not done when travelling with a tour group. You may decide that by doing this, you'll have extra money to be able to see more of the attractions. This is also the case when travelling by train and public transportation versus flying or going on tour coach buses.

For myself, visits to different countries would determine which way I decided to travel. I think on a trip to Africa and going on safaris, or going to Brazil, I would choose to join a tour group. But if I was going to visit Ireland and Scotland, I would rather plan my own trip, choosing my own places to stop and possibly rent a car for travelling. Any decision, by necessity, would have to be based on whether it is a single person, a couple, or a family, and even the age of the travellers would need to be considered.

When I went to Europe with my daughter-in-law, we planned our own trip, staying in hostels and travelling on public transportation. It worked well for us. The only tour we signed up with was one to Pompeii. Both ways of travel, however, have their pros and cons and each must be evaluated on their own merits.

Travelling in Australia

How is the best way to travel in Australia? Do you want to see the most in the least amount of time? Do you want to have complete control over what you see?

Australia is such a large country that, unless you have unlimited time, it will be necessary to determine exactly what it is you want to see and then decide how you want to do it before you plan anything else.

I took a tour for my first trip to Australia. Not realizing the true immensity of the country, I realize now that for me, it was a good way to travel. To make seeing this vast country easier, we took three flights within Australia, (Melbourne to Alice springs, Ayers Rock to Cairns and from Cairns to Sydney), and bussed between Alice Springs and Ayers Rock. To get a better idea of the distance between places, each flight took us an average of three hours. Translated into driving, this would be a lot of time spent in a car.

Friends of mine took six months to travel around Australia in a camper van. Without flying to various areas as we did, a long visit was necessary. They set themselves an itinerary relating to time spent in each place and a list of what they actually wanted to see. Having already spent about eight weeks in the Down Under on a previous trip, they knew exactly where they wanted to go. Although my trip was only three weeks, I felt we did see a lot in the time allotted us. However, it was rushed and if I decided to go back, I would definitely opt for a longer period of time. You can't possibly see a country that size in a short period of time and properly do it justice.

I may choose the tour option again but specifically pick a tour that went to the places I particularly want to see and do my own add-ons, if necessary. My real preference would be the travel van option so as to be in control of my own destinations.

After having been to Australia, I would definitely choose to go to Cairns and Sydney again and see more of what those cities offered. And I'd like to go to Brisbane which we didn't get to at all. In Brisbane there is the Alma Park Zoo with Australian and exotic animals located on forty acres, South Park Parklands on the banks of the Brisbane River, Queensland Conservatorium and the Botanic garden.

Also on my list would be Tasmania. Separated from the mainland of Australia by the Bass Strait, it is 364 km long and 306 km wide. It has rare rock formations, beautiful waterfalls, a rainforest and with magnificent views and scenery, it would definitely be a must-see. There are also five convict heritage sites and an opportunity to see the tasmanian devil, as well as native Australian animals in nature and up close.

Fraser Island would also be one of my destination spots. At 122 km long, it is a sand island with long stretches of white beaches, specifically Seventy-Five Mile Beach; sparkling lakes, especially Lake McKenzie, a fresh water lake; ancient rainforests, sand cliffs, wetlands, Maheno Wreck and Sandy Cape Lighthouse. It is reportedly the world's largest sand island.

Also, the Gold Coast would be included with its beaches, rainforest, Lamington National Park, Surfer's paradise, Mt. Warning National Park, Sea World and the rainforest hinterland. It is a gateway to whale watching and island hopping and is only 94 km south of Brisbane.

Whitsunday Islands would also be on the list. It includes 74 tropical islands, of various sizes, many of which are deserted. The islands are the tips of mountains fringed with coral and they are approximately 900 km north of Brisbane. A visit there would offer a sailing cruise, a crocodile safari or one could take a ferry and explore the islands by hopping on and off.

And, last but not least, is Port Douglas in Queensland about 70 km north of Cairns where I'd make a visit to Cape Tribulation. It is near the Great Barrier Reef (which I have already visited but would do so again), and the Daintree Rainforest.

Establish where you would like to go for your next trip, then plan how you will travel and how long you would need for a trip of this type. After establishing where and how, next determine if, i.e.: a tour would take you to places of your choice and if not, how else would you travel? What would be the cost? Is it within budget and time constraints? And after that, just count the days until you go.

Christchurch and Our Introduction to New Zealand

New Zealand, the land of the Kiwi bird, of sheep and cattle, mountains, rivers and lakes and beautiful natural scenery. And Christchurch, the city that two years ago suffered two serious earthquakes with at least 10,000 follow-up tremors.

When we arrived in Christchurch, we found it to be much cooler than anticipated especially after Australia but our welcome was warm. On our first night there, we went to the home of a New Zealand family for a typical New Zealand home-cooked dinner. Our meal consisted of roasted lamb with mint sauce, vegetables from their garden and the traditional dessert of Pavlova, a meringue base filled with whipped cream and covered with kiwi, peaches and strawberries.

They, like many others, had sustained some earthquake damage to their home although it was not extensive because they lived on the outskirts of town. The downtown section was the hardest hit. Even the hotel where we stayed had some cracks in the walls and scaffolding around some of the outside areas.

Christchurch, founded in July of 1856 is the second largest city in New Zealand with a population of 367,700 people. On our second day there, we were driven around to see the earthquake damage in the downtown area which, in some areas, was almost decimated. Many of the buildings had to be demolished while others, particularly those that have heritage value, are still being worked on in an effort to preserve them. Many have container cars placed in front of the facades to prevent them from crumbling or toppling over. It was a sad sight to see. During the second earthquake, 185 people lost their lives. A memorial in the downtown area had been established to honour them.

Because of the extensive damage, many restaurants had been closed, as well as hotels and tourist attractions. As a result, there were fewer places in Christchurch that we could visit and explore. A group of us took a cab to the Botanical Gardens and walked around. I admired many of the towering, majestic trees, some reportedly more than 120 years old. The flowers were still colourfully prominent and there didn't appear to be any major earthquake damage to this area. The Botanical Garden was begun by the planting of a solitary oak tree in 1863. It is bordered on three sides by Hagley Park and in some areas you can see the gently flowing Avon River beside it.

We also visited the Canterbury Museum established in 1867 but not opened to the public until 1882. The museum specializes in early Maori, European settlement and Antarctic exploration and was extremely interesting to look through. Over the years the building has been added to several times. During the recent eqrthquake it did sustain some minor damage to its facade. However, it is suspected that there was not as much damage as might have been were it not for the earthquake upgrading that was done during the latest addition.

Following our visit to the museum, we decided to walk back to our hotel, a distance of about three miles. It was quite pleasant when we started out but turned into a rainpour halfway there. However, it was fairly warm so once we were wet, it wasn't really that unpleasant. And after a stop at a Chinese restaurant for a nice hot bowl of soup, we were ready to go again. Well, almost.

From Christchurch we caught the Tranz Alpine Express for the scenic trip through the Southern Alps to Franz Josef Glacier Region. We chugged our way up picturesque mountains, across trestles with rivers flowing far below, passed scenic lakes, saw the lush greenness of valleys where sheep and cattle grazed and enjoyed the wonders of this fabulous nature. The Tranz Alpine Express, operating since the end of 1987, has an on-board cafe, large windows for excellent viewing and an open air carriage in the middle of the train to even better see the passing scenery. After about three hours of travelling, we bid adieu to our train life and again boarded the coach bus for the remainder of our trip to Franz Josef Glacier Region where we spent the night before heading to Queenstown.

The landscape between Franz Josef and Queenstown was stunning with rainforest vistas, the twisting coastline, magnificent waterfalls and gorgeous, green glacial lakes. One particularly impressive lake was Hawea. At its longest point it is 35 km and at its deepest, it is 392 metres. But most striking is its natural beauty and spectacular colour.

So far New Zealand has not been a disappointment. It surpasses any of my expectations with its beautiful and diverse scenery and for its abundance of mountains, rivers, waterfalls and lakes. Our next stop is Queenstown. Can it get any better than what we have seen so far?

Sydney, Australia - A City of History and Charm

Sydney is a beautiful city. It is also a city full of history, being the first area where English ships landed and where those on board, mainly convicts, carved out a place for themselves in this new land. It is now a fun-loving city with much to see and do.

Sydney Cove, adjacent to the Rocks, is the first site that the English convict ships landed in 1788. During the 18th and 19th centuries, for over eighty years, more than 165,000 convicts were transported to this area in Australia. The last convicts arrived in 1868. But things began to change with the advent of the gold rush between 1851 and 1871. In 1852 alone, 370,000 gold seekers arrived in Australia looking for riches and by 1871, there were 1.7 million people in this new world. As of 2009, Sydney's population was 4.6 million people.

Over the years, the settlement was slowly established through many challenges and hard work and gradually thrived. But eventually this area became frequented by sailors, prostitues and gangs and became known as a slum by the 1870's.

This area of Sydney, the Rocks, is now a popular tourist area with many historical buildings and pubs and much of it has been renovated. Mrs. Macquarie's chair is a popular tourist spot next to the Royal Botanical Garden and with a view of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Mrs. Macquarie, wife of the then Governor, was reported to have sat there regularly watching for English ships to come into the harbour. Eventually her 'chair' was carved into the sandstone by the convicts in 1810. During our first evening in Sydney, we walked to the Rocks and had dinner at one of the historic pubs.

On another excursion, we went to Darling Harbour and took a tour of the Opera House. Planning for this structure initially began in the late 1940's with construction beginning in 1958. But it was not completed and open to the public until 1973. From there we were also able to get an excellent view of the Harbour Bridge with some brave souls walking along the upper arch high above the water. (Four people from our group decided to give it a try also). This impressive bridge opened in 1932 and is still the largest steel arch bridge in the world.

There are many things to do and see in Sydney. We got a guided tour of the well-known Sydney Aquarium, went to an opal factory where we heard the story about the history of opals and to the Koala Park where we saw koalas, a wombat, emus, dingos, an assortment of indigenous birds and large kangaroos. There are many parks, beaches and museums in Sydney. Other places to visit are Queen Victoria Building, St. Mary's Cathedral, Government House, Chinatown, Sydney's Wild Life Zoo, Cadman's Cottage at the Rocks and a chance to take the Manly scenic walkway.

We also got an opportuny to try an Aussie pie which we had heard so much about. It was delicious and I'm glad we didn't leave Australia before we had a chance to try it. Unable to go up to the Summit earlier, (a rotating restaurant), we regretted leaving it to the last because we were unable to do so later. It would have given us an excellent view of the entire city.

On our last evening in Sydney, we went on a harbour cruise, complete with dinner and champagne and said goodbye from the water, to this beautiful city. The design of the Opera House is a marvel and interesting to see from a true waterfront vantage point. We also got a unique view of the Harbour Bridge as we sailed beneath it. It was a lovely evening to enjoy new friends, the harbour and the natural beauty that is Sydney.

A Visit to Cairns, Australia

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Rainforest. It is lush, green and tropical, a welcome relief from our recent visit to the Outback. Devoid of the flies that had previously harassed us, we sat back and enjoyed our visit.

Cairns was more humid than hot. The hotel where we were staying was like a southern plantation situated on the edge of the rainforest. At night, behind the hotel there was a large pond, or possibly it was a swamp, and we could hear the musical songs of frogs, crickets and other creatures from the rainforest. We stood and listened for a while to enjoy nature's recital - an unusual orchestra for those of us who are normally surrounded instead by the sounds of the hustle and bustle of the human kind.

Excitedly we boarded a catamaran for a two hour trip out to the floating dock at the outer Great Barrier Reef. With a typhoon threatening a day or so off land, the waters were extremely rough resulting in about half of the passengers on board being sick, including some of the staff. I was fortunate that my equilibrium was in complete sync with the rocking, lurching boat. When we arrived, underwater scooters were unloaded, scuba and snorkelling gear was prepared for use and a wonderful lunch was served to those who felt well enough to partake of it.

After lunch some chose the scuba and snorkelling options while others took the submersible where we could go down and view the reef and the fish with no chance of getting wet. Surprised and somewhat disappointed, I expected the reef to be much more colourful than it was. I also thought there would be more varied fish as well as ones that were more colourful than what we saw. However, in spite of my expectations and what I didn't see, there are reportedly 30 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises in the Great Barrier Reef, 1,500 fish species, 17 species of sea snakes, 6 species of sea turtles, 25 species of shark, stingray and skates and 9 species of seahorse. There are estimated to be 2,900 reefs in the Coral Sea of which the Great Barrier Reef is part with 400 coral species which are all living organisms. There are also 500 species of seaweed and 15 species of sea grass in the reef system. Saltwater crocodiles live in mangrove and salt marshes near the reef. In spite of not seeing what I expected to see, the excursion was a wonderful experience.

We later took the Skyrail, a cable car system over the rainforest above Barron Gorge National Park. We travelled from Kuranda to the suburbs of Cairns, a distance of 7.5 km of cableway stopping at two rainforest stations. One stop was Barron Falls station where we walked along boardwalks leading to three of the fall's lookouts. In some areas we barely skimmed the tree tops while in other areas we were high above them. In most places the foliage was so thick we couldn't see the trunks of the trees. The Skyrail cable cars began operation in 1995 amid controversy over potential damage to the rainforest's ecosystem.

Cairns was officially founded in 1876 although in 1770 James Cook mapped the future site of the town calling it Trinity Bay. It is 1,700 km from Brisbane and 2,700 km from Sydney. It is a tropical climate with monsoon season during the months of November to May and dry season from June to October. We were fortunate that we experienced no rain while we were there in March. This lovely city has a population of approximately 153,000; is laid back and unpretentious. Besides tourism, sugar cane, bananas and coffee are grown on reclaimed land that had once been mangroves. As well as what we saw, there is a lagoon to visit, the botanical garden, Trinity Beach, the historical society museum, the opportunity to take a harbour cruise or go on the Gulflander-Kuranda Scenic Railway, take the ocean road to Port Douglas by car or explore one of the 200 walking trails.

A city with many things to do and see, a pleasant, warm climate, lush, green surroundings and with welcome arms extended, it is a place I would return to for another visit. Unfortunately, the time we were there didn't allow for all I would've liked to see.

Ayer's Rock in Central Australia

Ayer's Rock, with its mystery and beauty of changing colours from sunrise to sunset, was our next stop in Central Australia. Although Ayer's Rock was the main attraction, there were other things to see in this vast area.

Driving toward Ayer's Rock, in the Outback, we passed Konna Mountain. It has been crystalized since the ice age although the area surrounding it has since eroded. We also visited the Olgas, meaning 'many heads', which is another rock formation jutting out from the desert dunes and otherwise relatively flat landscape. In one area we walked into a box canyon to experience the immenseness of the rock and to see the hidden pool. The heat was too much for many, as high as 44 degrees, and they turned back. However, it didn't in any way discourage the determination of the flies to torment us.

And finally we could see the amazing Ayer's Rock in the distance. At that time of the day it was a mauve colour. We drove through Kata Tijuta National Park which is the home of possums, different types of wallabies, the Woma python, various types of frogs, bush turkey, emus, lizards, camels, fox, rabbits and many different species of reptile, many being poisonous snakes, and spiders. We saw none of these. However, we didn't venture off the well-defined paths either.

From there we drove into the town itself, although it could hardly be described as such. It is mainly a cluster of hotels and other sleeping accommodations, a very small shopping area and a few restaurants. The main reason for anyone to be there is the mystery and the beauty of the rock itself. There is even a campground but after hearing the story about the dingo carrying off a baby, it would not appeal to me and especially when you also consider the many varieties of poisonous snakes in the area.

Ayer's Rock, called Uluru by the Avangu, an Aboriginal tribe in the area, is 450 km by road from Alice Springs. It was discovered in 1873 and is 2,831 feet above sea level. But more interesting is the fact that two thirds of the rock exists below the ground's surface. There is a 1.6 km climb to the top but our tour guide said it would probably be the last year this would be allowed beause the rock is considered sacred. In some areas there are ancient ancestral paintings on the rock faces. However, the ones we saw have almost disappeared because of time and the elements. The Aboriginals consider there to be five seasons in the area. We must have arrived in the hottest one.

The main attraction to Ayre's Rock is the changing of colours from pinks, mauves, rusts, orange and reds from sunrise through to sunset. Taking a camel ride at sunrise, I have to admit that I didn't notice the change in the colour of the rock so much as the beautiful sunrise as we rode for about an hour through the desert dunes. Both the camel ride and the sunrise were magnificent in spite of the infernal flies. Riding a camel is definitely an experience. It is one I would repeat agaqin even though I very quickly became aware of the bones I didn't remember I had or even knew were part of my body.

And in the evening we watched the sun set over Ayer's Rock while we enjoyed a glass of champagne. In this case also, both the sunset and champagne were enjoyable. By taking a picture every ten or fifteen minutes, we could see the changes in the colours of the rock. Apparently the colours were not as intense as they often are because, although it was hot and sunny, there was a slight cloud cover over the rock itself.

On the following day on our way to the airport for our flight to Cairns, we drove the circumference of Ayre's Rock. It is 9.4 km around. Stopping periodically we could see some of the markings on the rock which, from the distance, looks to be relatively smooth. There are numerous canyons within the rock walls which, with a guide, can be explored. Exploring the entire circumference as well as the canyons would extend the walk to about 35 km.

Although the area of Ayre's Rock was interesting and informative, I was looking forward to our trip to Cairns and all the sights and experiences that area promised us. Expecially the promise of no flies.

Alice Springs in the Outback of Australia

Stepping off the plane onto the tarmac at Alice Springs, the heat hit us like a blast furnace, seeming to make the air around us thick and difficult to breath. And flies hovered around our faces. They were everywhere in the Outback, a constant irritation.

From the airport we drove into the little town of Alice Springs for lunch. And I do mean little; it was mostly comprised of one main street and a small but fairly new and modern mall. Most of us didn't walk around too much, instead finding an air conditioned spot to have our lunch and wait until it was time to get back onto the air conditioned bus again.

A brief repreave from the heat and then we went to visit the first telegraph station in the Outback, built in 1860. It was named after the station master's wife. No doubt it was an effort to help her forget her rather deplorable living conditions and surroundings. It wouldn't have worked for me but she did stay and raised several children in this very isolated area. Another story goes that the kitchen staff had to constantly whistle so the station master would know they were not eating any food they shouldn't be. The reason for this was because all the supplies had to be brought in on the backs of camels from Darwin - and they were only able to do it once a year. It was a hard life for all of those living at the telegraph station because of the heat, flies, lack of water and the constant fear of being attacked by the Aboriginals.

From there we checked into our hotel, thankfully with air conditioning, surprisingly luxurious, and with a lovely pool. We hadn't expected it in the middle of such desolate surroundings. A dip in the pool was heaven before we headed out to a dinner in the bush with a stop first to see some rock wallabies. They were small, friendly creatures with front paws not much bigger than my thumb nail. They ate out of our hands and held onto us tightly if they thought we might take their food away.

We also met some Aboriginal children and teenagers from the Ulpma, Wongkatjeri and Urrundie tribes who played drums and danced. A few were training to be medicine people and several said their tribes drank warm kangaroo blood. One group of Aboriginals, the Walpiri, said they didn't become Australian citizens until 1967. On our visit into the bush, they cooked a kangaroo tail over an open fire and we were given an opportunity to try this delicacy as well as other types of bush food. I found the kangaroo tail to be very grisly and greasy, however, in other less exotic meal situations, those who tried the meat said it was really quite good. We were also given the opporunity to try and throw a non-returnable boomerang which is the type used for wounding and not killing.

Our actual dinner in the bush was a choice of either beef or chicken and spotted dog (not of the real dog variety but a loaf/cake filled with raisins). This was cooked in a heavy pot under a thick layer of hot embers. It was served warm with butter and honey which would have been delicious if we didn't have to wrestle it away from the swarms of flies before we could get it into our mouths. After dinner, lights were switched off and we turned our attention to the sky overhead. It was a beauty that most of us surrounded by pollution and city lights don't usually get to see. The stars were like diamonds twinkling on a black cloth of velvet and the milky way floated across the heavens. Later we were entertain with songs of Australia.

There are no schools for the children of the Outback because they live so far apart at the numerous sheep and cattle stations. However, schooling is compulsory until they are sixteen years old so they are taught online, hosted by the School of the Air. They have regular hours and must be tutored by someone who is trained to do so. It is usually a parent who does this. They also meet twice a year so they can get together with other children. There also is no hospital in Alice Springs. But there are a group of doctors who are called the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Although it happens in few other places, in the Outback, doctors still do make house calls.

I felt that the Outback was harsh, lacking in amenities, overrun by flies and hot beyond belief, but it is loved by those who call it home. I was glad, however, to have had the opportunity to visit, to learn about the area, and to see the art of the Aboriginal people with their talent for colour and design. But it is not a place I would choose to live.

Melbourne in Ozzieland

After thirty hours of travelling time on a recent trip, we arrived in Melbourne; a city clean in appearance and from what we could see when we first arrived, with interesting areas to explore. After our welcome-to-the-city-and-meet-your-fellow-travellers dinner, we had an early night excitedly looking forward to our tour of the city the following morning.

On our tour around Melbourne, we saw St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Michael's Church and the Parliament Buildings which were opened in 1901. They are now a world heritage site across from the Windsor Hotel. Inside the hotel, we took pictures of the unbelievable luxury of the interior - the lobby, the dining room and the banquet rooms. One could only imagine the luxury of the rooms and how deep in your pocket you'd have to reach to be able to stay there.

We drove by the Flinders Street Railway Station and the Clock Tower, both historical sites of interest. This railway station, completed in 1909, is the length of two city blocks and has a row of clocks above the entrance. We also drove past Federation Square, the old Melbourne Jail which at one time housed Ned Kelly who was considered to be the equivilent to our Jessie James; the Christian Chapel which was built in 1865, past the University of Melbourne, the courts which go back to the 1850's, the old post office, the Regent Theatre and the Treasury Building. We also saw the statue of Sister Mary McCullum, a well-known and respected nun in Australia; the magnificent stadium designed like a soccer ball, and the Shrine of Remembrance for the WWI veterans and later those Australians who fought in other wars who were also included.

We visited Fitzroy Park where we saw Cook's cottage, the gardens and Conservatory, a tree with whimsical carvings on it and a memorial to John F. Kennedy. Some of us were then dropped off at the Queen Victoria Market where we browsed and had a lunch of pizza and people-watched. Some of the shops have been there since the 1870's and it is rumoured there are still bones from a long-ago cemetery buried beneath some of the buildings. There you will find the cheapest souvenirs in all of Australia, with prices that can be negotiated. When it was almost time to meet our ride back to the hotel, we discovered there were several different entertainment venues and a more interesting selection of food than our choice of pizza was.

From the hotel a few of us walked to the Young & Jackson Hotel which is the oldest pub in all of Melbourne, built in 1860. As you enter through doors that people have been going through for over one hundred and fifty years, you can smell the accumulation of age and years that are the history of this landmark. Surrounded by dark wood panelling, beautifully renovated, we drank our first Australian beer. We later went upstairs to visit Chloe's Rooms with her life-size painting gracing the wall as it has done for over a century.

And from there we hopped onto the famous green trams which we were told, because it was a weekend, would not be busy. Unfortunately, everyone else was told the same thing because it was pretty much standing room only. Having just arrived, we were click-happy with our cameras and disappointed that we saw little of the city from this mode of transportation.

Later eight of us met in the lobby of the hotel to go for dinner. We crossed a bridge over the Yarra River near our hotel and close to the entrance of the Flinders Street Railway Station. Walking along the river, we stopped to peruse the menus outside of the numerous restaurants. We discovered that meals in Australia are quite expensive. Having walked for some time, four of our group decided they no longer wanted to continue and stopped where the meals were a minimum of $35 to $40 each, without a glass of wine. The other four of us, no doubt more thrifty by nature, decided to continue walking beside the river. It was a beautiful evening and a lovely walk so we continued until we reached the Casino where we ended up eating at the food court. Not necessary because it was the cheapest place but because by this time we were ravenous and our stomachs would have been in full-out revolt had we taken another step further.

With varying degrees of enjoyment for our dinners, we continued walking along the river, taking pictures as the sun set on this lovely city, before finally crossing another of the many bridges. With some unintended detours, we finally arrived back at our hotel.

Our visit to Melbourne was to be short but most of us felt we had seen some of the high points, a few of the historical attractions and heard a condensed history of this attractive city. It is second only in size to Sydney with over four million people. Founded in 1835, it is considered the Garden City and cultural capital of Australia.

The Romance of Covered Bridges in the Pacific Northwest

The romance of covered bridges draws you with thoughts of those long-ago days when life was simpler and technology non-existent; when there were horse drawn wagons; ladies in long flowing dresses and, lovers stopping beneath their cover for a quick kiss or two, away from prying eyes and disaproving looks.

Using only hand tools, sweat and determination, these early pioneers began building covered bridges in the early 1850's. Bridges were covered because they would last eighty years or more whereas an uncovered span would deteriorate in a few short years. Construction of these covered spans continued into the 1950's when heavier loads and increased traffic necessitated their replacement with concrete and steel.

Oregon at one time had more than 400 of these bridges. Today only about fifty or so remain. Over the years these wooden bridges gradually began to disappear, either being replaced or dismantled. Some were restored for historical preservation becoming part of parks and trails but only a few still allow vehicular traffic.

Oregon has more covered bridges than any other state west of the Mississippi. They are part of the history of Oregon. The following is a list of covered bridges easily accessible for those who feel the draw of romance and an interest in history.

In Benton County, there is a 75 foot bridge crossing Mary's River, built in 1936. It was named after the George Harris family who settled in the area in 1890. Crossing the Alsea River it is 91 feet long and was originally built in 1918 and rebuilt in 1945.

In Coos County, the Sandy Creek bridge is now used only in a park setting. And in Deschutes, there is only one covered bridge. In Douglas County, the Cavitt Creek bridge, built in 1943 crosses Little River. Horse Creek bridge, with a 105 span was built in 1930. The Milo Academy bridge's exact age is unknown. Neal Lane covered bridge is particularly beautiful in the Fall months because of the numerous Myrtlewood trees surrounding it. Pass Creek is only open to pedestrian traffic. Other covered bridges are Roaring Creek built in 1927 and Rochester built in 1933.

Jackson County has Antelope Creek bridge, Lost Creek bridge which, at 39 feet is considered to be the shortest in Oregon. McKee bridge is 122 feet long and crosses the Applegate River. Wimer bridge crossing Evans Creek was originally built in 1892.

Josephine County is home to Graves Creek bridge built in 1920. The creek, and bridge, were named for Martha Leland Crowley who died at this crossing in 1846.

Lane County is home to twenty covered bridges dating back to 1920. Fourteen are still open to traffic. Some of these bridges are:

- Belknap bridge has a 120 foot span. Built in 1966, it is one of Oregon's newer covered bridges.

- Chamber Railroad bridge is the only remaining covered railway bridge in Oregon. This 78 foot span, built in 1936, was named after the Frank Chambers Sawmill.

- Coyote Creek bridge has a sixty foot span and was built in 1922. It is sometimes called the Battle Creek Bridge and was once called the Swing Log bridge.

- Currin bridge is the only bridge in Oregon to be painted in two colours - red and white. Built in 1925, it replaced the original 105 foot span crossing the Coast Fork of Williamette. Foot traffic only.

- Mosley bridge named for David Mosley, an 1853 Oregon Trail pioneer. It is Lane County's oldest bridge. Built in 1922, it has a ninety foot span.

- Dealwood bridge was built by Miller Sorenson in 1932 to cross Deadwood Creek. A 105 foot span, it is surrounded by trees on a quiet gravel road. It reminds those who see it of the romance of these bridges and is well worth a trip to view.

- Goodpasture bridge was named after a local pioneer family. With a 165 foot span, it is one of the longer covered bridges. It continues to be open for traffic.

- Office bridge is the longest covered bridge with a span of 180 feet. Besides being the longest, it is the only covered bridge in Oregon that has the unusual feature of having an attached covered walkway.

- Pengra bridge crosses Fall Creek. It was built in 1938 and has a 120 foot span. It is a beautiful spot to visit, especially in the autumn months when the trees shimmer with their jewel-coloured Fall foliage.

- Wildcat Creek bridge. Romance is at its best at this spot. Built in 1925 with a 75 foot span, the bridge crosses where the Wildcat Creek and Siuslaw River meet.

Some of the other counties with covered bridges are:

- Lincoln County has three covered bridges - the Chitwood, the Fisher and Northfork of the Yachats.

- Linn County has nine - the Bohemian Hall, the Crawfordsville, Gilkey, Hannah, Hoffman, the Larwood and Short, the Shimanel and Weddle.

- Marion County with three - the Gallon House, a must see, the Jordan and the Overfield which is Oregon's newest covered bridge built in 2000.

- Multnomach County - the Cedar Crossing bridge.

- Polk County - the Fourtner and Ritner Creek bridges.

Oregon is a state for lovers of covered bridges to take a step back into time and imagine the sound of horses hooves with riders urging them on as they cross the bridges. And it is an opportunity to enjoy exploring these historic structures without the need to travel to the more eastern states.

For the Love of San Francisco

San Francisco is a go-back-to city. I have visited this city six times and haven't made a dent in the many things there are to see and enjoy.

Besides its other attributes the city has a history of survival. It survived the bubonic plague which became epidemic between 1900 and 1904. And in 1906 an earthquake decimated it resulting in a fire that destroyed eighty percent of the area. But San Francisco survived and grew to be the unique and interesting city it now is where tourists visit and want to come back again and again.

Fisherman's Wharf is one of those places you want to return to. There are a large variety of street performers, each with their own unique talent. And everywhere there are shops which, though expensive, have merchandise ranging from the exotic to the erotic. And definitely not to be missed is Pier 39, the haven of hundreds of sea lions barking their happiness at having found a sea lion's heaven. Dozing on the docks they soak up rays of sunshine and bask in human adoration. On my first trip to the Wharf, we went to a seafood restaurant and had Lobster Thermadore, a French dish of a creamy mixture of lobster and cognac in a lobster shell served with a browned cheese crust. It was spectacular and although that particular visit was close to twenty years ago, it has been engraved in my memory as being my best restaurant meal ever.

On one of our visits to San Francisco, we took a bus tour and visited Alamo Square, a row of houses of Victorian architecture. They are beautiful, historic buildings and definitely worth a visit. We also saw Lombard Street which supposedly is the most crooked in the world. The crooked portion has eight switchbacks and is about one quarter of a mile long. We also saw the cable cars which were originally built between 1860 and 1880 designed to transport people in this hilly city from one area to another. It's worth knowing that one of their stops is Fisherman's Wharf. And we made a brief visit to Golden Gate Park. The gardens were first begun in the mid 1870's, designed by a Scottidh gardener who lived in the park until he died in 1943. There are thousands of trees, several water features, a Japanese Tea Garden, flowers and a number of other attractions in this huge park situated near the Golden Gate Bridge.

On another trip we visited Mission Dolores founded in 1776 and which I particularly enjoyed. It is the oldest intact building in the city and the cemetery is the only one within the city limits. Both cemetery and gardens are adjacent to the old mission. The markers in the cemetery date from 1830 to 1898. Visiting this mission will be extremely interesting for anyone who enjoys discovering and learning about the history of the places they visit. On that trip we also went up Telegraph Hill and viewed the 210 foot tall Coit Memorial Tower, built in 1933. The hilltop area offers an excellent view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay area. Another excursion we took was a boat tour of the Bay so as to be able to view the city, as well as Alcatraz, from the water. It is definitely a different way to enjoy San Francisco and its harbour.

On one trip we visited Chinatown which is the oldest in North America and the largest outside of Asia. Established in 1848, it has its own life and culture. It happened to be my birthday on this visit so we enjoyed a Chinese meal to celebrate the occasion. Although not quite the same calibre as the Lobster Thermadore, it was excellent just the same.

Although I have seen much of this beautiful and interesting city, we have not as yet visited the zoo, the aquarium, the numerous museums and the many hiking trails and parks. And this list is not complete by any means as there are hundreds of other attractions in the San Francisco area.

Interestingly, on my several visits to this city, we had yet to encounter fog to the extent where it distracted from either our explorations or our enjoyment. However, on our last visit we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, heading north as we left the city, and parked on the other side just as the fog was rolling in. It had been a beautiful sunny October day which changed before our eyes as the fog slowly undulated its way towards us. It was a spectacular sight to witness and one I'm glad we hadn't missed.

It is definitely a city I will go back to again ... and again.