It is not just the layout and appointments of the six cottages at Spindrift make the stay unique, however. The most important aspects of Spindrift are peace, rhythm, and tranquility. Spindrift is on a peninsula, so the sea has a large effect on the area. The coming and going of the tides, the smell of the ocean, and the subtle whispering of the waves soon capture the spirit. The changing of the tides creates a rhythm of waves, scents, and sea breezes that soon creep into both your soul and your mind. Even rainy days are enjoyable as the cottages are cozy, and provide the perfect place to read. (In case guests have forgotten to bring books, each cabin has a bookshelf stocked with various types of reading material.) At night, all is still, except for the action of the waves below the cottages, and a slight breeze in the trees.

Animals and the geography of Welbury Point also contribute to a sense of well-being. Approximately twelve deer inhabit the peninsula and will do anything for a feed of carrots. Though some are brave enough to eat out of your hand, especially the dominant buck and doe, even the fawns crowd the edges of the group to get their share. My husband and I have learnt, after holidaying at Spindrift for ten years, that baby carrots are best for the fawns, but the small ends of big carrots are also welcomed.

Welbury Point is also inhabited by other animals. Raccoons can sometimes be heard at night leaping from the trees that surround the cabins, and taking shortcuts across the cottage roof. They often come out later in the day to scrounge for food along the cliffs or on the shore-line when the tide goes out. Guests should be careful, however, if they are walking along the shore in the early morning or during the evening as the peninsula is inhabited by mink which can be somewhat aggressive.

Spindrift sports two white-sand beaches, which are suitable for swimming, or just lazing the day away. There is a wooded trail that goes to Welbury Point, and is spotted by benches where guests can watch the sunsets or sunrises: terrific picture-taking spots. The beach that is closer to the cabins has a double chair where guests can sit under the trees and watch the boats go by.

Boats play an integral part of life on Salts ping, as do ferries to B.C.'s mainland or to other gulf islands. One of the best boat-watching areas is Welbury Point where ferries, private boats, kayaks, canoes, and personal water craft are always passing by.

If walking appeals to you, there are several quiet tree-lined roads nearby. Just a short distance from the Spindrift entrance is Old Scott Road, a narrow, tree-lined road which runs for about two miles and joins the main highway. There is little doubt that those who take this walk will find many friendly people with whom to pass the time of day. For a longer hike, follow Welbury Drive to the end, walk down the main highway past the ferry terminal, and take the first road on the right. This road is Scott Point Road and provides a good work-out of hills, and plenty of stunning scenery.

Spindrift is easily accessible by ferry from the B.C. mainland or by inter-island ferries from other islands. This resort provides something that we all need in today's world: retreat, quiet, and tranquility.

Trail to Welbury Point showing arbutus trees.

Fawn in the meadow

San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is the main part of the country that tourists like to visit. Puerto Rico also has many small towns where there are hotels, but the main reason tourists like to visit Puerto Rico is for its beautiful beaches. Some of the most popular
beaches include:

1. Shacks
2. Isla Verde
3. Seven Seas
4. Sun Bay
5. Crashboat

Accommodations are in abundance when you visit Puerto Rico. The range of lodgings is designed to suit any budget and any taste. Stay at a luxury resort, with a golf course, casino, several pools and spas and located on a white sandy beach. All the well-known hotel chains have a presence in Puerto Rico, such as Best Western, Hilton, Wyndham and many others. You can have a comfortable holiday with amenities at your fingertips.

Try an all-inclusive vacation package to Puerto Rico. This includes a stay at one of the popular resorts where you can enjoy swimming, golfing and other activities. In an all-inclusive vacation, all your food and drink is included in the cost, and is paid for in advance. Therefore. All you have to worry about while you are there is having some spending money for gifts and souvenirs.

There are also guesthouses scattered around the island. These guesthouses, called paradors, are often located on plantations amid spectacular scenery where you will be treated to the local cuisine. It is not hard to get around Puerto Rico. You can rent a car at a very reasonable price, take a taxi or a ferry or even get to see the island by tour bus. The rental rates are all posted for the various places, so you will know how much it will cost before you start.

Explore miles of white sandy beaches, hidden coves, natural wonders and an exciting culture. The peak tourist season is from December to April, but you can visit Puerto Rico and have a wonderful vacation at any time of the year.

Many famous hotel chains provide the finest first class and deluxe hotel living. English speaking staff and gourmet restaurants are all part of the package. And most major hotels would provide limousine buses to connect the guest from hotel to airport.

Many businessmen find solace in the wide range of business hotels across the country. Less expensive with less amenities, and no room service. Food and drinks vending machines are available on the guest floors with a restaurant on the ground level. Located closest to train stations for convenience, few would have staffs whom can speak or understand English. Catering to traveling businessmen, room types are usually confined to singles with individual bathrooms.

Pod hotels is a unique feature of Tokyo City. Catering to people who need no more than a bed for one night, usually used by people who missed the last train home, a few do have small rooms to cater to traveling businessmen. Guests are provided with a bathrobe and towel, rooms are spaces only as wide as a lain adult body. , piled onto one another and lined, much like small cavities in cave walls. Facilities include a small TV, radio and lights. Baths and toilets are shared, necessary toiletries are available from vending machines. This is, however, not for the claustrophobic.

Ryokans (Traditional Inns)

These establishments are quite small with a limited number of rooms and usually built surrounding a well kept Zen garden. Room rates normally include 2 meals, dinner and breakfast.

Ryokans are one of the unique aspects of traveling in Japan. Generally associated with a hot spring on their premises, so live in guests may enjoy the onsen. Baths are communal, and very few would have western style rooms. Typical ryokan wear, a blue and white patterned cotton yukata would be provided for use.

To fully appreciate the experience, it is advised that travelers choose a quiet district to stay in.

Youth Hostels

A backpacker's haven, these are quite the cheapest lodgings available. Not many are open to public, as membership of the Japan Youth Hostels, Inc., or the International Youth Hostel Federation is usually required. There aren't any age limits although an older guest may be bypassed for a young one in need of lodging and there will be an evening curfew imposed.

Guest Houses (Minshuku) and Pension Houses

Generally family-run, the lodgings are part of the owners' own homes. Amenities are hardly available and in more suburban areas, guests may be expected to fold and stow away their beddings just like any family members. Meals are provided in most of these cases too.

Pension houses are similar in running styles of the minshuku, but guests can expect more amenities in comparison. You may find the standard toiletries in the bathroom, free internet, pay to use washer and dryer and usage of common rooms like the kitchen and living area.

It is not uncommon to find both run by immigrants or young Japanese couples who can speak relatively good English. In any case, it would be a relief to travelers who cannot speak the local language and a good way to penetrate the surface of Japanese daily life, at lower room costs.

Madrid was made the capital of Spain by King Phillip II in the mid 1500's. During this particular period of time, Spain was at the height of its colonial power.

Although, the Spanish Colonial Empire began to decline during the 1600's, Madrid remained a significant cultural governmental center during this time period.

Madrid incurred a great deal of damage during the Spanish Civil War which occurred from 1936 to 1939; therefore, a good deal of the town needed to be reconstructed from the ruins of war.

The Puerta del Sol (meaning Gate of the Sun) is a crescent shaped plaza located in the center of downtown Madrid.

The Calle de Alcala is one of the city's main streets and extends in an eastward direction from the Puerta del Sol. Some of the buildings found on this street were constructed as early as the 1500's and 1600's.

Madrid's business district is located north of the Calle de Alcala. Here the visitor will find banks, hotels, restaurants, shopping and theater.

The Salamanca district is located in the northeast portion of the city and is a residential area built in the latter part of the 1800's and early 1900's.

Madrid's most famous and significant monuments and buildings are inside or near the older section and central business district of the city. The Royal Palace is found at the western border of Madrid's “old section” and was constructed in the 1700's. The Royal family of Spain occupied the palace until the year 1931. In that year, King Alfonso X111 was forced out of the country. The palace is quite extraordinary, and became a museum after the Royals no longer took up residence inside of it.

Not to be missed are Madrid's lovely old churches. There are also a number of public squares with statues and fountains.

Beginning in the 1950s, Madrid began to expand from a population standpoint in all directions.

The people of Madrid are referred to as Madrilenos. (This is pronounced as Mah druh La Yn Yohs). The language is Castilian Spanish which is the official language of Spain.

The visitor will find many fine restaurants in the city. Favorite dishes of the people include beef, lamb and seafood.

Madrid's most popular sport is soccer. The city's soccer stadium is one of the world's largest with a seating capacity of more than 100,000. Also, Madrid is host to the traditional bullfights held at Plaza de Toros.

The University of Madrid is the country's largest University.

The Prado is one of the world's foremost art museums. The museum is also referred to as the National Museum of Painting and Sculpture. Here you will find well over two-thousand paintings by Spanish and other well-known national masters. Works by artists such as El Greco and Francisco Goya are “housed” within the museum.

Madrid is home to other significant museums of art and other museums “devoted” to natural history and science. Additionally, Spain's national Library and National Historical Archives are located inside the city. Madrid, therefore, is full of culture and significant historical and architectural sites.

You'll find the climate in Madrid as dry. The summers are hot and the winters are on the “cool side.” The temperatures average around forty degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees c) in January and around seventy four degrees Fahrenheit (23 degrees c) in the month of July.

Today, Madrid is a major industrial center. Spain encouraged the establishment of industry during the 1900s.

A brief history of the city follows:

During AD 900, a fortress was built by the Moors on the site that became Madrid.

In 1083, individuals under the rule of King Alfonso VI of Leon and Castile gained control of the area.

Madrid remained insignificant until the year of 1561. It was during this year Phillip II made Madrid the capital of the country. Madrid quickly grew during the late 1500s and early 1600s and became one of Western Europe's great cities.

Although aristocrats and royal officials built homes in the city during the time period, a large portion of the population were poor and lived in rundown and overcrowded conditions. As a result, epidemics were not uncommon and there was a great deal of crime.

All of that changed during the 1700s when the Spanish government took measures to clean up the city and, thus, make it a safer place in which to live.

During the time frame of 1808 to 1813, the French, under the leadership of Napoleon, occupied the city. In 1808, a group of Madrilenos revolted against the French forces. This initial revolt, however, proved unsuccessful. The uprising started a resistance movement by the Spanish and in time, the Spaniards were able to “drive” the French out of Spain.

Madrid was not able to develop industries during the 1800s. This was opposite of many other cities in many countries during the time period. As a result, the city did not attract “new” workers and it experienced a decline in its population.

The scenario, however, changed in 1936. The city attracted worldwide attention due to the Spanish Civil War.

Madrid experienced fighting between the Loyalists (whose allegiance was to the government), and the rebel forces of General Francisco Franco. The Loyalists moved the nation's capital to Valencia in 1936, and then to Barcelona in 1937. The Loyalists were defeated in 1939. After their defeat, Franco reestablished Madrid as Spain's capital.

Beginning in the mid 1900s, Madrid's population quickly grew.. Programs designed by the government, in order to develop industry and construct modern housing and office buildings has aided in the city's expansion.

In conclusion, Madrid is a large modern capital and is mainly visited for its world class museums as well as its art galleries. Additionally, the visitor will find the city has the best shopping in Spain, excellent places to “take in” a libation and the country's most exciting nightlife.

Following are some very well-appointed as well a historic places where you may wish to make your base when exploring Madrid.

The first suggestion is The Palace. It is said that the infamous Mata Hari stayed at The Palace.

The Palace can easily match the Ritz in its grand appearance because of its significant size and the fact its service is a bit less personal than the Ritz. The Palace architecturally provides a magnificent Art Nouveau rotunda, and neo-classical columns. The address is: Plaza de las Cortes 7, 28014 Madrid.

Another selection for accommodation is the Madrid Ritz. The top rated hotel has been in service since 1910. The grandest of accommodations was constructed at the insistence of King Alfonso X111. The common areas are elegantly furnished, as would be expected, with “priceless” carpets and tapestries. The rooms are most spacious and furnished with antiques. The service, of course, is “second to none.” Needless to say, The Ritz is easily one of Spain's first rate hotels. The accommodation is located at Plaza de la Lealtad 5, 28014 Madrid.

La Residencia de El Viso is a 1930's style villa with a quiet garden setting. The rooms are very well-appointed with coordinating fabrics. The areas open to the public provide high-backed chairs upholstered in a vivid red. Classic local dishes are featured on the dining room's menu. The address is: Nervi don 8, 28002 Madrid.

Another option as far as accommodations is AC Santo Mauro. The 19th century, French designed Palace house is located behind a black wrought-iron gate. There is a new annex to this luxurious hotel. Modern furnishings have been introduced to the interior of this hotel comprised of oak, marble, silks and velvets. The grand hotel is located at Zurbano 36, 28010 Madrid.

It has been said that Madrid is perhaps not as visitor-friendly as Barcelona; however, with its historical and cultural locations of interest, it still remains very much worth the visit.