Tourist site 4: Piazza del Popolo

History: Since the Middle Ages, this was the main entrance to the city from the north, encouraging a gathering of foreigners to the square. The place was turned into a square by Pope Sixtus V, who erected a 24m high Egyptian obelisk in the middle, making it the junction for Via del Corso, Via di Ripetta and Via del Babuino. Under Pope Pius VII, two semi-circles, a slope to the Pincio terrace and symmetrical constructions on the cornersof the square were created. Several fountains were put in place, the middle one having been placed in 1818 by G.Valadier. Piazza del Popolo for centuries wa also a place for executions, the last one taking place in 1826.

Martin’s comments: A beautiful square, far superior to Navona, a fabulous oval shaped piazza, mirrored by two identical churches and an obelisk in its centre, overlooked by Pincio gardens which provide a fabulous city view with St.Peters right in the middle.

A staircase leads from the piazza up to the Pincio gardens, which look far more daunting than they actually are. The gardens are simply stunning, full of mature woodlands, a tranquil lake (boats could be hired but a little too small for boats), even Keats, Ghandi and Mussolini had been known to stroll up there. These shaded gardens join onto Villa Borghese, another vast area of parkland owned by the state since 1901.

Rome’s most popular park, divided by avenues of trees, hedged walls, flower beds and gravel paths. It also holds a zoo, the Bioparco.

The small zoo ( 8,50 euro per adult) provided some much needed tranquility; parrots, monkeys, mouflon, birds of prey, tigers, crocodiles, hippos, a whole Noah’s Ark. The female lion seemed to have a bee in her bonnet as she began to roar at the top of her voice, encouraging the male lion to join her in the chorus as it echoed through the zoo and park. The baboon enclosure had several generations within, including some incredibly cute baby ones who could hardly get up to the level where the others dwelled. The hierarchy was obvious and there was no disputing that the alpha male’s arse was definitely the reddest of the bunch. The bioparco and its surrounding parks really does give one a gentle relief from the Roman traffic and if you have time to chill out, then this is definitely the place to do it in.
Having refreshed, they headed towards the Piazza di Spagna where they would find the famous Spanish steps.

Tourist site 5: Piazza di Spagna

History: This hugely popular piazza has been the destination for many a pilgrim to Rome. Hardly a square as it is such a strange shape formed by two sharp triangles. The Spanish Steps (Scalinata della tinita’ dei Monti) are a majestic series of three flight of steps that lead up to the impressive double bell-towered church. In early summer they are sometimes covered in flowers whilst caricaturists ply their trade sketching all the tourists. The fountain at the bottom of the steps (La Fonatana della Barcaccia) is set very low in order to function with the low water pressure that arrives here. The fountain is shaped as a small boat, an idea Pitro Bernini used after Rome had been flooded and when the waters subsided a small rowing boat had been left in the mud. In the southern part of the piazza, there is a column erected in 1856 to commemorate the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception as proclaimed by Pius IX. (The Pope comes here every year on December 8th to celebrate the Immaculate Conception)

Martin’s comments: The steps again provide a great vista of the city, and though many foreigners gather here, they basically are a set of steps with a lot of hype. (Though this may have had something to do with the fact that is was February)

A little walk further and our intrepid two reached the world famous Trevi fountain. Rome seemed to be a never-ending tour of treasures, one after the other they spring out and make you enjoy the city furthermore.

Tourist site 6: The Trevi Fountain

History: Probably the most beautifull fountain in Rome, the Trevi fountain takes water from the Salone springs (about 20km away). In 1732, Pope Clement XII commissioned Nicola Salvi to create a large fountain at Trevi Square, with its completion in 1762. The central figure in the fountain is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. One is calm and the other is restive. They symbolises the fluctuating moods of the sea. The water at the bottom represents the sea and legend has it that if you throw a coin in the water over your shoulder you will return to Rome.

Martin’s comments: This impressive 18th Century fountain faces the public every day waiting for the first coins to ensure a return to Rome, a second coin suggests you will fall in love with an Italian, a third coin and you’re hitched.

Just one coin then as they both felt that one day they would return. Feeling rather peckish, they headed back towards the Piazza Novana and found a quaint little restaurant where more pizza was devoured. The walls were adorned with paintings, including Barcelona’s white gorilla Snowflake. The artists was in the restaurant, gradually getting slaughtered, tormented as he chain smoked and spent most of the evening talking to himself.

Heading back, Maya was about to burst her banks, so a wine bar accommodated her inundation as well as topping her up with a double brandy. On the walls were framed vinyl records of Queen, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan and Genesis, obviously the owner had some great taste. The rest of the way was walked off as bed beckoned, completing a far gentler day all round.

Boston By Foot has been around for more than 30 years now, providing walking tours of Boston throughout the year except from November to April, when it might be a little chilly, but if your not in Boston during the spring and summer, they have custom tours at any time of the year. These tours aren't of the whole city, rather they focus on a specific neighborhood or theme, so the tour won't be as long as you would expect. They go to various places, such as the Victorian Back Bay, a beautiful place, and the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston. Each tour comes with the story of Boston and it's rich history, while experiencing beautiful architecture back since the beginnings of Boston in 1630. Each tour goes to multiple important historical cities such as the location of the Boston Tea Party. Some other tours include, Beacon Hill, Ashmont Hill, a Contemporary Boston tour, the Wharf District, The Liberty Hotel, etc. There are so many to choose from. However, not every tour is available everyday, so you should use careful planning if you are planning to go on one of these tours, but they do have tours everyday. The address is 77 North Washington Street if you want to go check them out. It's a really cool company and if you are planning to go on a walking tour of Boston, I would recommend this one from personal experience. Boston is a wonderful place and I can't think of a better way to experience it now that I've experienced a walking tour for myself.

I took a look around for some other walking tour companies and one that came up was at a website called Walking Tours of Historic Boston at Walkingboston Now, I've never actually taken a tour from this company so this is all information from their website. Unlike Boston By Foot, Walking Boston is a private tour company so it's smaller group and there's more questions you can ask and more info you can get out of it. There are 14 historic sites that you could potentially visit, all linking to Boston's rich history. The tour guide shares original documents and newspapers from the colonial period so you would hear stories that wouldn't be heard by anyone else, which makes this a truly unique tour. You must book your tours in advance since this is a private tour company. Rates are $130.00 for a private family tour (under 10 people) and $13 for adults and $10 for children under 12 for a group tour of 10-30 people. I would like to take a tour at the company and experience Boston with them, but I don't have family in Boston, but for those that do, this seems like a wonderful company to experience Boston with. They are located at 221 Massachusetts Ave.

So, whether you live in Boston or you're just visiting or going to visit, I recommend experience Boston in a way unlike any other, a walking tour. It's a really cool experience that anyone would love. Whether you want to go in a public tour and a lot of people or a private tour with just some close friends and family, both options are wonderful for any time of the year. You'll learn a lot about the history of Boston while hearing enjoyable stories and seeing the most amazing buildings. Walking tours of Boston are absolutely amazing.

Instead of making sure that you're packed and planned for three months in advance for a week away, do it the night before. It might sound like an incredibly bad idea; packing the night before, however, makes life more interesting and it's that element of risk that adds to the feeling of elation that you get when going away.

Just make sure you have your tickets, passport, etc before the last minute. Worrying about that sort of thing makes for panic, as opposed to hurry; the latter is more fun, the former an accident waiting to happen (last time I panicked before travelling I managed to leave hair straighteners on, on the bed, and burnt the duvet: not fun).

II. Travel with Friends, Not Family:

Unless your family don't burst into argument over dinner on at least a once weekly basis and enjoy the same activities as you it's probably a good plan to avoid going on holiday with them if you can. Basically, if you're old enough to travel alone then give it a shot and see how much more fun it is when you're doing what you want and, if not what you want, then something you can enjoy with friends.

I've been travelling by myself since I was fourteen and with friends since a year after that, it's much more interesting when you can go where you want and do as you will, rather than get stuck somewhere less fun than in front of your PC.

III. Absorb Foreign Culture Instead of Planting Yours:

“Travel” and “holiday” are not synonymous. Travel is often what comes prior to the holiday, or maybe the entire holiday will be spent moving around; either way it can be an experience rather than a requirement.

Cutting to the point, when travelling in order to enjoy a place, it's hypocritical to go somewhere because it's different to your own home (sunnier/more interesting/busier/quieter/etc) and persist in treating it like that home. If you go to Africa, go visit something that you don't have at home, by all means, but keep it interesting by doing those things in a different way. If you go to the Mediterranean and want an interesting experience then don't lock yourself away in a compound full of people of your own cultural background, surrounded by little houses built by people of that culture for their own.

IV. Make It Interesting - Be Interesting!

Be interesting yourself. Don't expect a different place and its people to be interesting just because they're not the same as at home. Places and people differ, but on the other side of the coin they also share a lot of traits. Therefore the people on the train don't talk to you because you don't talk to them; the man at the foreign restaurant does not make an effort to speak your language, not because he doesn't speak any of it, but because you didn't go to an effort to learn his; the pictures you take look like boring holiday photos because you took them like that.

So be responsible to yourself and make an effort to actually be interesting to both yourself and other people, it's hardly hard to do it and have fun. You actually have more fun when you feel as fascinating as the place you're going and you make life more interesting and better for other travellers and the natives.

I have been advised to use a guide in Varanasi because of the crime in the city, gang culture, and their tendency to pick on unsuspecting tourists. Mr Dipate repeatedly tells me that it is not safe to walk around by myself and assures me I have made a good decision by selecting him as my guide.

The ride is highly entertaining because of the traffic along the way. Twice we stop, once for two grossly overloaded tractors carrying some precariously balanced bales of hay, and the other for an autorickshaw which hits us and scratches the car up the side. The driver and his mate jam on the brakes, leap from the vehicle, chase down the culprits and demand money from them for the damages and repairs. After a huge amount of loud "discussion" between our driver and the autorickshaw driver, we eventually get going again.

We arrive at the hotel at which I am stoked to finally find a place that is reasonably fancy and inviting. I get an official Indian welcome including flowers and religious blessing, a cup of hot tea, and staff eager to accommodate me. My room has a powerful, hot shower, a European toilet, and a fantastically soft bed. This hotel has come at just the right time as my stomach is not good at all.

After a short but refreshing nap, Mr Dipate takes me to a carpet emporium where I am treated to traditional Indian belly dancing and lemon tea, and then shown some expensive and beautiful, hand made, carpets and rugs. The dancing is just amazing. I sit around the edge of a wooden dance floor on a pillow with a host of other would-be carpet buyers and am just enthralled with the intensity, culture, and passion that is put into the display by these ladies; a once in a life time experience. I am sure there is an element of disappointment from the emporium owners because I don't by a carpet and I leave feeling slightly guilty about it because of how welcoming they have been and for what they have shared with me.

I get to bed fairly early after dinner to prepare for an early start to my Ganges River experience.

1. Hosts

   You ask, they serve. Isn't it a nice break to not have to go and fetch some apple juice yourself? And to have your meals delivered right to you, without having to move at all. Can't complain.

2. Entertainment

   Music, movies, games, radio, television shows and dramas. There's something for everyone when you're flying long-haul. You can watch a recent blockbuster, before listening to some calm, relaxing music, followed by an episode of your favourite drama.

3. Neighbours

   If the people sitting next to you are wide awake, and if you are too, perhaps a little conversation wouldn't hurt. You never know, you may find that you're sitting next to the most interesting person in the world!

4. View

   Looking out at the clouds... aren't they pretty? You can just imagine a city up there, with creatures light enough to stand on the clouds... or maybe it's just me who can imagine that. Anyhow, the view is often spectacular, and you can't miss the city and country views during takeoff and landing.

5. Food

   Although it may not always be great, there's always at least 1 item of food that's delicious, no matter how your appetite is. And best of all, it's made and served straight to you! 6. Relax: Flying long-haul is the perfect time to relax and ponder things over. All you have to do is sit down, and think. (You can also even listen to music on demand while you do this)

6. Travelling

   Last, but certainly not least, you're travelling! You have a new location to enjoy once you land. Often this is something to look forward to, after the long (and fun!) flight.

Come for a visit, stay for the experience.

Experience the grandeur of vast mountain ranges and simplicity of endless waterfalls. Be intrigued with wild and marine life that can be viewed without binoculars. If after coming, all you want is to see it, stay a few days. But I am sure you will agree after being here, it's more than scenery. If you want to truly derive an experience that will alter your life -you need to stay.

Returning to My Home

After thirty years of being away from this remote wilderness it would seem that I was traveling to a strange place, one I had read about in books or watched on television travel shows. The only communication I had during those years with friends from my past experiences in Alaska were yearly updates on annual Christmas cards. Those certainly didn't communicate anything about a void that was missing in my life.

I grew up not really knowing any place as “home”. We moved a lot and I cherished every new place and the broadening horizons provided. But I could never lay claim to one location as a home. Home then simply was where my family was. The closest I came to having a home was a place that is rare and unique. I often times wondered if it was the atmosphere and the people or the captivating wildlife and scenery that made it a treasured place in my heart.

It was a place where friends abound, acceptance is the norm and beauty is a simple word. So simple that by expressing it verbally one cannot convey the warmth of community and majesty that exists.

I moved from my birthplace in Wyoming to Alaska when I was seven. I wasn't anxious to leave behind existing friends, cousins and grandparents I loved dearly. But somewhere inside I yearned for new things and the new experiences that were waiting. I had never flown on an airplane. But in 1969, most people hadn't. This adventure was only the beginning of a life that would change my perceptions forever. As I boarded the wide body plane I left behind a small pickup truck of family belongings that would be shipped at a later date. We left much behind both in a material and emotional sense.

At the airport my Aunt purchased Pez candy dispensers before we entered the plane and embarked on a 3000 mile journey far to the North. The flight did not seem long as it was broken up with a three hour stop over in Seattle. As a child we were in no hurry to get anywhere and loved anything that brought about another opportunity for fun. Three hours to stretch, run and explore an airport that had just finished construction of an underground subway train system. Another new adventure.

After our stop over in Seattle we boarded a flight to an unknown and virtually uncharted territory that had only recently gained statehood. Alaska. It was 1969. The oil boom hadn't really hit hard yet so life was still unsettled and to some uncivilized. Such conveniences as running water and indoor plumbing were not available to all residents yet. Wilderness buffs thrived on living in the “bush”, miles from any hint of civilization and often only accessible by plane, atv or snow machine.

We arrived late in the evening in September. The weather was a bit cooler than where we had left, but not uncomfortable. We were greeted by an eight foot encased brown bearing staring down at us with claws that put an NBA star's fingers to shame and much sharper and deadlier. The airport was small with only one airline serving the rural town of Kenai. The twenty or so passengers who accompanied our flight quickly grabbed their bags and went on their way. My father had moved to Kenai earlier in the summer. He was not there to meet us as he had some problems preparing the gas lines in the mobile home that would be our new house. This would be quite a change from the five bedroom home in a newly developed subdivision that we left behind. Here we sat, a bit apprehensive and certainly uncomfortable with a place so foreign to our previous lifestyle.

The flight this time was a bit different. Things were different than in 1969 and had changed some even since my Flight Attendant days in the 1980's. New technology gave digital flight numbers at the boarding gate. Also quite different from the time I spent as a Flight Attendant, the check in screens for standbys was conveniently displayed overhead with appropriate seat assignments. No waiting to hear your name called and rushing on the plane at the last minute.

This time though, it seemed to be the same diverse crowd that usually traveled to this still remote area; wilderness buffs, a few executives, kids, and those just seeking great fishing holes and an escape from the mundane routine of life. People waiting for the thrill of hours battling and reeling in fish that were often times larger than themselves and hunting game that any sports enthusiast would envy. Trophy animals are the norm and not the exception. Alaska is all about a life that is bigger than yourself. Even if you don't relish the thought of bagging these mighty animals you will want to observe them from your car along with endangered species and creatures that are rare and sometimes inhibited. Animals you probably won't see anywhere else. They are native to the North Country. The animals that inhabit this vast expanse are at home and not particularly bothered by the people who come to watch them. They can be quite shy. Don't disrupt their native habitats; they may not have the social graces to make you feel welcome!

This time my flight to Alaska was four hours long with no stop overs. Even with the modern advances in technology; television shows, computers and movies as opposed to foreign radio stations speaking a language most on the plane didn't understand, the time seemed to drag. There were no playing cards distributed and even the on board popular magazines seem to have gone by the wayside. When we were young we used to play cards (provided by the airline) and impose on the Flight Attendants to help distribute drinks and clean up trash, all just to make the time pass. Imagine paying for the privilege of picking up trash! But a seed was planted that would flourish into a full blown career as a Flight Attendant later in my life. Was it the job or the Alaska experience that fostered such a dream?

I was to returning to the dreamland of my youth; looking for an experience that few ever achieve. It's a world of its own. If you could put a price on memories, I'd be a millionaire. Seeking to return to my childhood I embarked on a journey back to events so profound it ingrained into my being moments that cannot be diminished with time. Is a matter of fact they expand with the passage of time. I am not sure the real experience can even touch what my mind has envisioned took place in my past.

I was coming home. Upon our arrival the first night we were surrounded with stores, hotels and airports that certainly did not resemble the 1969 experience. But there was an essence that was profoundly familiar. Something had not changed. I could feel it.

As a child I remembered sighting moose on a regular basis. Squirrels in the back yard would have been family pets had my pet poodle not chased them incessantly every morning on her trip outside. They would sit up in the trees and chirp down at her while mocking her efforts to climb the tree and capture them.

Hunting licenses were not for single animals but rather you purchased one license for moose, bear, dall sheep and unlimited fish. Fishing on the Kenai river was simple; you just went when you wanted and to your favorite hole. None of the land was privately owned and anyone looking for a morning of excitement was welcome, if you could endure the giant mosquitoes that vied for your hole.

Weekend trips around the peninsula provided more experiences in a small radius than most have in a whole state. The Kenai River was the Salmon capital of the area and Russian culture was present at every turn. Small Russian Orthodox churches were plentiful. Deciphering road signs that were engraved with the native language were fun to try and transcribe. Crabbing on the “Spit” down in Homer, only an hour's drive away, was only half the fun. The other half was riding home with live crabs stored in a large tub of water in the back of our station wagon.

Short cruises out of Seward and Whittier into bays that are filled with marine life and glaciers are a rich adventure. Monumental glaciers, calving into the bay are quite a site. It is Sea World in the wild with marine life and feathery friends that only inhabit these shores.

After spending the night in Anchorage we arose early and inadvertently took a tour of downtown Anchorage. We were seeking a homestyle breakfast complete with native Alaskan sourdough. None of the places we found were touting this specialty so we finally conceded and went to a restaurant with an Alaskan motif - Gwendies. After surveying the menu for sourdough pancakes and only finding one item unique to the state, reindeer sausage, we waited for the waitress to come and place our order. I inquired if they had sourdough, instead of regular pancakes and sure enough they did! Maybe it's just a “given” in this part of the world. Anywhere else would specify this gold panner's delight. Here it seems to be just understood that you can have it.

After winding our way out of the simple and small metropolis we finally were on our way to the Kenai Peninsula. Our tour was really just beginning. About 15 miles out of Anchorage on the opposite side of the scenic Turnigan Arm I spotted a few, what appeared to be patches of snow on the cliff lined highway. Upon closer examination we discovered they were lounging Dall Sheep. They were hard to see from that distance so we pulled out the binoculars and studied the still life. Whoa! Wait a minute, one moved. We watched it for a few more minutes and then moved down the road a few hundred more feet; yes - more of them. This time they were moving and climbing. They are graceful and strong and it is an awesome experience to watch them scale sheer cliffs with ease, totally oblivious to their audience. My excitement was on the rise as I watched more and more of these “patches of snow” come to life. There is something exhilarating about observing wildlife in their native habitat.

We continued down the road being ever alert for more distractions. After just about passing the turn off to a wildlife refuge for injured, abandoned or orphaned animals we made a squealing turn into the entrance, paid our fee and continued the photo/video journal of our animal adventures. Although very easy to spot, these animals mostly wanted to sleep. We saw moose, caribou, Siberian wild boar, porcupine, bald eagle, black and brown bear clubs, muskox, elk, Sitka black tailed deer, a coyote and caged in a dog kennel was small red fox. He had buried himself so deep he was difficult to see except for two small eyes peering through the straw. It was apparent he was not accustom to the human touch and didn't want to experience it.

It was nice to observe them but it didn't have the flair of witnessing them in their natural state. I was glad there is a place for them and didn't regret paying money to support their cause, but they were so docile and passive it would be hard to categorize them as “wild”. Later, as we went to the marine life museum in Seward and I discovered from my readings that studying injured or abandoned animals has a tremendous benefit on understanding their development and migratory patterns. That furthers the cause of saving an endangered species along with helping preserve their homes and their existence.

Across the highway we traveled down another side road to our daily destination. Portage glacier. As with all good things, there must be some disappointment. The glacier itself had receded much from what my childhood memories had recorded and information boards confirmed my memories. It had retreated back. It used to stretch clear down to Portage Lake. A lake choked with icebergs. They were small icebergs, but icebergs none the less and lots of them. Not to let a closed visitor center or a seasonal cruise that had not yet started, deter us from enjoying our stop we did see another ice field that in my mind dwarfed Portage. Maybe it was just because I didn't get to ride the boat up next to Portage glacier, but this ice field was far more magnificent. It draped the canyon walls and was a beautiful site. Pristine lakes, rivers and mountains surrounded us at every turn. Even our most disappointing site was a pleasure to behold.

I had returned to Alaska once- years ago- for a brief stint. Having been a Flight Attendant for several years I retired before my thirtieth birthday and wanted to use my airline travel benefits before they expired. I needed to go home. But with three small children who I needed to leave with family, and a short supply of money, I didn't feel I could be gone long so I looked up an old friend, called her and found I was still very welcome, even after 18 years. Then I caught a flight to Kenai.

On that particular trip I flew into Anchorage on a large jet designed to fly high, too high to see much of anything. Thus, I was anxious for the flight into Kenai. It was a smaller plane and flew much closer to the ground, but I was concerned that because of the time of day I would not be able to see much. I guess I didn't remember as much about Alaska as I would have liked. On June 21, 1992 the sun really doesn't set and although it was 10:00 pm, the view was perfect. What a treasure.

The feeling of returning home on my present trip becomes stronger and stronger. I feel like a salmon on their return journey home. Although not a native born Alaskan, I know my heart and the old adage that “home is where the heart is” proved true. My heart is here. Now that I am home, I don't want to go “Outside” again. The calm, peaceful feelings that the splendor of Alaska brings tugged at my heart strings. The pull is strong. Stay home. What is on the Outside? How could anything compare. Scenery may compare, but nothing touches the emotional state I am experiencing; content, peaceful, and calm.

This vast cold expanse that is large enough to encompass even the strongest and most powerful sentiments could also reach deep and touch you with its simplicity and serenity. Alaska is real, it's not a zoo or a dream. It is real life and one needs to experience it first hand to fully appreciate it. This trip and my last, I was a visitor. Before then we didn't visit Alaska, we lived it and had an experience no tourist can comprehend.

After leaving Portage we continued down a simple back road highway to Seward. Upon our arrival we found it to be a typical harbor town with a jam packed small boat harbor dwarfed by a commercial cruise liner, a princess of a ship. Along side it was an old, well used barge that shipped coal from the mines of Denali on the interior via railway and then transferred it on to a mile long conveyor belt to board the ship. This particular ship's destination we found out was Hong Kong. Alaska is truly a diverse place, serving a multitude of occupations, peoples and needs.

We found a small, clean motel in Seward. The staff was friendly and eager to point out all the places to eat and sites we could see. Alaskan's love to talk about Alaska and share the best of their uncharted world to Outsiders. One point of interest was a waterfall. It was hard to imagine there were more waterfalls after the hundreds we counted on our way from Anchorage. But there were, one's that emptied right into Resurrection Bay. One in particular that was high upon a mountain, only to be seen with binoculars. Alaska is a love affair of a lifetime that never ends, even if you leave.

The hotel staff also shared all the favorite eating spots and so we strolled down the wooden boardwalk and found a cozy little café. After eating tender fresh caught Halibut and Caribou burgers with a very mild wild flavor we retired for the night, anxious to take our long awaited harbor cruise the following day.

We arose early the next day so we could visit the Sea Life Museum in Seward before our real day began. It turned out to be one of the highlights of our day. Once again, witnessing marine life up close and personal can be captivating. You experience their precious faces and massive bodies in a way you just can't have in the wild, being a short time tourist. The museum was very hands on and full of educational opportunities for young and old alike. They had a petting zoo for those who wanted to touch sea anemones and star fish. You could go outside and watch Stellar Sea Lions and Harbor Seals when they surfaced or go downstairs and observe them through their glass enclosed tanks. They were really quite friendly and loved to show off for their guests.

Sea Otters are playful and fun. Lounging on their backs with babies or food on their bellies is an entertaining site. This was a miniature SeaWorld focused more on research than entertainment, but fun none the less.

Ah- we were now ready for the highlight of our visit. The harbor cruise aboard the Star of the Northwest; owned and operated by Major Marine Tours and operated by a friendly and most accommodating and knowledgeable staff.

Boarding began at 12:15 pm from the end of Pier E. The staff photographed us as we boarded the small vessel, well prepared with cameras, rain gear, coats, sea sickness medication and literature galore. What we weren't prepared for was the absolutely clear, beautiful skies, the calm waters of Resurrection Bay and the elegance of the mountain and coves that encompass the Kenai Fjords National Park.

We had come hungry being informed that there would be an all you can eat salmon and prime rib buffet. Thus our original thoughts were focused more on food than listening to the safety presentation. Being a bit apprehensive of the water I did give it some of my attention, just in case!

We exited the harbor and ventured into the fjord. A fjord I discovered is a passage that is carved by glaciers over thousands of years. These passages can then be filled with sea water which allows the marine life to migrate in, ever closer to shores. The snow capped mountains encased the bay and were magnificent as they reached upward inviting the eye to scan for wildlife on its banks and cliffs. Many bald eagles and their nests were spotted, even by the Junior Rangers aboard. One passenger was able to detect a black bear sunning on the side of the hill. Everyone raced to that side of the boat to watch it in hopes it would arise and forage for food. No luck with that one!

A short while later the Captain announced that he had spotted a sea otter just off the starboard side. By the time everyone arrived, it was gone. Patiently we waited to see if he would resurface and sure enough with a little bit of encouragement, he did. He entertained us all while swimming on his back for a few moments before returning to his responsibility of gathering food.

The captain also spotted a Stellar Sea Lion but few witnessed this event and we were reassured by the Tour Guide that we would see plenty up ahead thus we were content to let this one pass. Someone briefly noted the very swift passing of Dall porpoises. Far too quick for many to see.

It wasn't too long before our goal of viewing stellar sea lions was realized. Not one, not two, but too many too count!

It was getting time to serve lunch so tables were called numerically to ensure an orderly effort to distribute the food. True to their word, the food was more than one would expect on a small harbor cruise. Not being a fish lover, I gingerly tasted the first bite. It did not take more than that to convert me. The delicately spiced salmon melted at each bite. After that I might be willing to contend with the bears for their tasty meals. My love of prime rib was overshadowed that day by a fish! Fresh baked sourdough bread and a green salad with the chef's special recipe for dressing were an added delight to the meal. I ravenously devoured far more helpings than is typical for one who usually doesn't get their money's worth on “all you can eat” deals.

The Captain kept us in calm waters for the meal to minimize the potential for risk - in more ways than one. But now it was time to venture into the Gulf of Alaska. The waters were a bit rough, but a very capable crew kept us apprised of tips and tricks to enjoy our trip with minimal to no seasickness. We rounded the last stretch of mountains in Resurrection Bay while learning about and watching a variety of bird species from the Park Ranger.

We were all anxious to enter the deep waters of the Gulf in hopes of spotting a whale. Far in the distance someone announced they had seen a whale spray. Unsure if this was really the case, we moved closer and the Captain indicated he was communicating with a boat that was closer to the spotting and sure enough - it was confirmed. We were on our way to see a humpback whale. Spouting is a good sign, we found out, because it means they are close to the surface and coming up for air. Once you witness the popular splash of the tail, they are diving for food and chances are, they won't surface again for quite some time. Since we didn't see the tail splash we waited. The boat was turned off and we sat quietly in the water. Soon the Tour Guide announced that it had surfaced again at the 1 o'clock position. It provided the guests with ample photo opportunities before it decided to retreat for food.

By now most were ready to start our journey back to the dock. Before leaving the Gulf we enjoyed viewing the Harding Ice Field and Bear Glacier. We didn't take the boat in close at the Captain's request. Even from a distance it proved a sight worth slowing down to see.

After getting a valuable education on glaciers, their properties and the remnants left behind we rounded the corner and re-entered Resurrection Bay. Skimming close to the shore we were easily able to spot a few mountain goats, up close and personal. Another great photo opportunity!

The galley announced the call for dessert. This time those of us at the last tables were called first. What a treat. Being back in calm waters we could enjoy a variety of sweet treats without a thought of the consequences that might ensue.

A short time later we were once again docked in Seward and glad to have our feet on solid ground. A part of me was sad it was over. It left behind a taste for more and a desire to return. I wonder if you ever really get filled up with Alaska?

While on board the ship we were informed there was an active glacier nearby that might be calving. A few miles up the road from Seward was Exit glacier. We decided to drive by and check it out. The drive was nice and the glacier well worth viewing but we were tired and ready to get to our final destination of the day- Kenai.

To really enjoy your Alaskan experience - don't take the crash course that we did! Take time to smell the aromatic bouquet of wildflowers. The rewards of your trip will pay you dividends you can't soon forget.

That will be a return trip for another day later in the summertime. We are worn thin from our short adventure and ready to return to the lower 48. We quickly hopped down to the “Spit” in Homer before turning the SUV north to Anchorage. We had hoped to sample in large quantities some Alaskan King Crab, but they weren't serving it soon enough for my stomach's time table so we had the Mother's Day buffet complete with delicately designed desserts, almost too pretty to eat.

We stopped on the way off the “Spit” and purchased crab to be shipped home so others could enjoy it with us. This would provide a small taste of Alaska for those who couldn't come along.

While visiting a church in Kenai, the speakers shared two sentiments that sum up well all my Alaska experiences.

One - you don't come to Alaska because you like the taste of fish - you come to experience fishing! Come to Alaska to experience what you might not ever experience anywhere else.

And two - probably one of my most profound thoughts throughout this whole experience - the words to the hymn may change, but the theme remains the same. That's Alaska.

The people here are well below the poverty line as is their wages and their homes. Little would set it apart from the rest of the small Missouri villages, well kept gardens share with plots covered in rusty old cars.

In the 2000 Census Figures:

The average household income was a paltry $14,000 a year giving it its dubious position of being so far below the poverty line. Although it is a small improvement as in 1990 census the average income was a mere $8,453.

Haywood City Mayor:

Has stated that the reason Haywood is so far below the poverty line is because of a number of reasons, the population has been stated as 239 but he said it could in reality be slightly higher. Also the age of residents does not help, as there is a great many elderly residents that live on Social Security income. The mayor moved to Haywood City when he was a child in 1967, and has been mayor for a few years now although even he has to go to work in Aquila.

What's There?

The town boasts only two-day cares and a small candy store; it seems a shame that most people have to go to neighboring villages to work. He said the town was due for a new water and sewage system that should be finished shortly.

The Towns Topography:

The towns sandy terrain came in useful recently when there was local flooding, as the sand soaked up the moisture and left the people reasonably dry, though of course the same sand in summer can be quite a problem if you want to open your window because of the heat. Just goes to prove what is bad one day can sometimes be a blessing the next.

Jobs for men:

Drivers, sales workers and truck drivers, Cooks or food preparation assistants, Laborers, and hand material movers. Then there are agricultural workers and supervisors as well as Metal workers and plastic workers.

Jobs for Women:

Production and supervisors, Child Care workers, Nursing, psychiatric and home health aides, Food preparation assistants and cooks, Health Technicians and Technologists.

Perhaps I shouldn't have done. We had been told by our guide - who turned out to be an expert on grizzly bears - that this is what she would be doing as we moved deeper into the forest. And she had assured us that it was correct procedure. It's just that it seemed to go against everything that i had learned and experienced about being around wild animals; as well as my natural inclination to try and make myself as inconspicuous as possible.

But, it turns out that going about quietly when walking through these forests is the worst thing you can possibly do. We were to learn later that most attacks by bears on human beings happen when the animals are taken by surprise. If that happens, their natural instinct will be to consider you a threat and attack. Therefore, you stand a much better chance of avoiding a nasty encounter by ensuring that the bear knows you're coming.

It may, of course, still decide to take you on - especially if you're unfortunate enough to come between a female and her cubs - but, with enough warning, it may have time to decide that you don't pose a threat and leave you alone.

I learnt quite a lot about the character, social structure and habitat of grizzly bears during my three day stay at the Knight Inlet Lodge: a wonderful floating eco-lodge situated in this spectacular inlet in the Northwest Pacific Coast of Canada. One hundred and fifty nautical miles from Vancouver, and across the Johnstone Straight from Vancouver Island, This marvelous inlet stretches one hundred and twenty kilometers across the magnificent Coast Range of mountains.

The Lodge began its life in a different part of the inlet from where it is now and it was established mainly to house people on fishing trips. According to one of my fellow guests who used to come to the inlet on fishing expeditions, the lodge became notorious for a time as a place where business tycoons came for week-ends of rest and recreation. They were supposed to go there for the fishing, but soon word got around about wild parties and prostitutes being flown in from Vancouver to entertain. It was euphemistically called the Inlet Hilton for a time.

The present lodge is certainly very different. It was bought by two dedicated conservationists, Dean and Kathy Wyatt, and moved to its current position in Glendale Cove on the foundations of an old logging camp. It accommodates up to 30 guests and has very comfortable wood-paneled rooms, some with views to the inlet, all with private bathrooms. Each room can sleep up to four people. It is open from May to October and is there to give people an opportunity to see grizzly bears in the wild and to learn more about them.

And we certainly got to see them. Everyday we were able to see them from boats in an area of sedge between the forest and the river estuary. There, in the early summer, the bears come down from the forest to feed on the grasses, succulents and barnacles that constitutes their main diet until the berries come out later in the summer.

Regrettably, and despite my initial fear of attack, we didn't manage to see any bears on either our forest walk or on the bear-spotting hike. The most reliable time to watch bears in great numbers is during the salmon-spawning season, in the late summer. This is when they are at their most active - attracted to the rivers by the nutrient-rich salmon that come up river to spawn and die. It must be a fantastic sight to see them struggling with these slithery and determined fish.

We were also too early for the other highlight of a visit to the inlet: the Orca whales. The Johnstone Straight, an hour and half by boat from the lodge, is considered the best spot in the world in which to watch Orcas; as well as porpoises, minke whales, and, in the early autumn, humpback whales. During the season, the lodge includes a day trip out to the Straight to spend the day observing these wonderful animals.

We may have missed out on the whales, but there was still plenty of wildlife to see: bald headed eagles, loons, seals, deer and, on a trip to Guilford Island, a pod of very lively white-sided dolphins surfing in our wake.

Then there is the beauty of the Inlet itself. And it is stunningly beautiful. Spectacular snow-capped mountain peaks come straight down to the sea. Waterfalls plummet down sheer rock faces. Islands of every size dot the channel. The water is nearly always calm and creates a perfect surface on which to reflect close majestic peaks, and, toward the end of the inlet, the runoff from a glacier gives the water a surreal tinge of arctic green. In the mornings, low-lying clouds hover above the hills, like suspended strands of cotton wool, intensifying the silence and the enigmatic quality of the place.

But in an area of so much natural beauty, it was the forest that appealed to me most. Different people connect spiritually to different natural habitats. I always find temperate rain-forests to be magical places, and The Great Bear Forest is no exception. It is said to be the largest tract of contiguous ancient temperate forest left on Earth. It stretches north all the way to Alaska and its habitat supports the largest grizzlies in Canada.

And it is a wondrous place. Firs and cedars, some growing to enormous sizes, form a marvelous canopy over the forest - especially beautiful with raindrops sparkling in the sun after a passing shower. In some particularly dense parts of the forest, the ground is thick with all manner of ferns, bushes and layers of fallen logs; all crumbling in the damp atmosphere and covered in wildflowers and mosses in a thousand shades of green.

Opportunistic trees that grow over the top of much older ones, twist their roots into fantastic shapes in the slow process of digging them into the ground; and as they do, they form wonderful “grottoes” that make it easy to see why people in the past believed that fairies and other magical beings inhabited the forests.

And perhaps in Knight Inlet they still do. The indigenous people of the area considered bears to be sacred creatures, and were spoken of as such in their legends and featured in their totem poles. If you come across one of these magical beings, it's best not to contemplate them in quiet awe. Better to call out and let them know you're there.

In Singapore, the cable car is used to commute one from the summit of Faber Mount on the Singapore Island to a low hill on Sentosa, a famous resort island just off the southern part of Singapore.

The cable car resembles a carriage which hangs from a strong steel cable suspended in the air. It moves along the cable with other cars on pullers turned by electronic motors. Each cable car is painted with eye-catching color and can seat up to six persons.

Through the glass window of the cable car, passenger gets a breathtaking view of the modernized city of Singapore, harbor bustling with workers, and some tiny islands off the coast of Singapore.

As the cable car is hung so high in the air, ships on the sea appear to be small boats or the boats like toys. You can view workers on the ships in the dockyard below busily moving cargo from the ships to the shore or from the quay on the waiting ships by looking through binoculars or a telescope. On sunny day, the sky above is beautifully blue and the sea below looks crystal blue.

Passengers have adequate time to capture a magnificent view during a trip to Sentosa Island as the cable car moves at a leisurely manner. When reaching the island, the visitor can walk round viewing some interesting sights or swim in the artificial lagoon. The visitor can also take a bus to travel round the island if he or she is not eager to walk. Golf lovers can have a round of golf course on this island.

After spending some memorable times on the island, you have to take a cable car back to Mount Faber. The return trip is equally enjoyable and interesting as during the trip to Sentosa Island.