TravelWorld International: Adventure Mar/Apr 2014

TRAVEL TRIVIA QUIZ

MARCH /APRIL 2014

travel world

I N T E R N AT I O N A L M A G A Z I N E

ADVENTURE

ISSUE

DIVING IN MICRONESIA EXPLORING ECUADOR TRACKING TIGERS IN NEPAL RV’ING THE BIG ISLAND, HAWAI ’I A LLAMA AS A HIKING COMPANION CULTURAL ADVENTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES PHOTOGRAPHING CALIFORNIA’S SIERRA NEVADA RANGE

b Olympic Hockey in Sochi, Russia

The Magazine Written by North American Travel Journalists Association Members

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Getting high means something completely different to us.

Over 16 million people have gotten naturally high soaring up the face of Mt. San Jacinto on the remarkable Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The two-and-a-half-mile journey to an altitude of 8,500 feet will take you to another world completely. With hiking trails in the summer. Family snow fun in the winter. Both casual and fine dining with spectacularly amazing views all year long. Come on up. It’s a trip all right. And it’s a natural.

VisitPalmSprings.com

Like no place else.™

travel world MARCH /APRIL 2014

F E A T U R E S

I N T E R N AT I O N A L M A G A Z I N E

ADVENTURE

ISSUE

IN MICRONESIA 6 DIVING

BY SHARON SPENCE LIEB ECUADOR 15 EXPLORING

BY LINDA BALLOU TIGERS IN NEPAL 22 TRACKING

BY RICK BIELKE THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAI ’I 32 RV’ING

BY DAVID HOUSER

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Perhaps the more appropriate, but lengthier title for this issue would have been “Adventure Around the World,” as that more accurately defines the compilation of stories and photos assembled in this publication. Each one meets the basic, Webster-definition of adventure, “an exciting or very unusual experience.”

From swimming with manta rays in Micronesia to crossing suspension bridges in the Ecuadorian rain forest, from trekking tigers in Nepal to RV camping on the big island of Hawai`i, from hiking with a llama in the mountains of New Mexico to experiencing cultural adventure in the Philippines (particularly cock- fighting), and from hiking and photographing the northeastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California to attending the Ice Hockey games at the Olympics in Sochi, Russia .... we have covered the world in many exciting and very unusual ways.

Go ahead! Live vicariously! Step into each exciting, adventurous experience as it is brought to life through the talented, written works and photography of the North American Travel Journalists whose contributions are handsomely brought together here.

A new small feature, just for fun, is an interactive Travel Trivia Quiz (shown below). Like a Seinfeld episode, it really has no particular purpose. It’s just for your enjoyment and the opportunity to stretch your mind on a subject we all love ..... travel!!

Joy Bushmeyer, Editor

TRAVEL TRIVIA Quiz 1. Which seas are the ancient “Seven Seas”?

2. Can you see Russia from Alaska?

3. What is world’s largest lake? (Hint: Called a sea) 4. What is the currency of Norway?

5. What US City is nicknamed “Rocket City”?

(Answers on Pages 58 & 59)

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TravelWorld International Magazine is the only magazine that showcases the member talents of the North American Travel Journalists Association

MARCH/APRIL 2014

travel world

I N T E R N AT I O N A L M AG A Z I N E

Group Publisher: Publisher: Editor: Art Direction: Web Manager: CVB Liaison:

NATJA Publications Helen Hernandez Joy Bushmeyer Artistic Design Services Yanira Leon Dawn Vivenzio

Staff Writer / Photographer: Bennett W. Root, Jr. Contributing Writers : Sharon Spence Lieb Linda Ballou Rick Bielke David Houser Deborah Stone John Edwards Dick Bushmeyer Lucas Aykroyd

Editorial /Advertising Offices: TravelWorld International Magazine 150 S. Arroyo Parkway Pasadena, CA 91105 626.376.9754 www.travelworldmagazine.com

Volume 2014.2 March 2014. Copyrignt ©2014 by NATJA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Advertising rates and information sent upon request. Acceptance of advertising in TravelWorld International Magazine in no way constitutes approval or endorsement by NATJA Publications, Inc., nor do products or services advertised. NATJA Publications and TravelWorld International Magazine reserve the right to reject any advertising. Opinions expressed by authors are their own and not necessarily those of Travel World International Magazine or NATJA Publications. TravelWorld International Magazine reserves the right to edit all contributions for clarity and length, as well as to reject any material submitted, and is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

This periodical’s name and logo along with the various titles and headings therein, are trademarks of NATJA Publications, Inc. PRODUCED IN U.S.A.

AS A HIKING COMPANION 40 ABYLLAMA DEBORAH STONE ADVENTURE IN THE 44 CULTURAL PHILIPPINES

BY JOHN EDWARDS

CALIFORNIA’S 48 PHOTOGRAPHING NORTH EAST SIERRA NEVADA RANGE PHOTO ESSAY BY DICK BUSHMEYER

HOCKEY IN SOCHI, RUSSIA 54 OLYMPIC

BY LUCAS AYKROYD

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44 48 54 58-59

DESTINATION INFORMATION

A Paradise

By Sharon Spence Lieb

What if you could dance with giant manta rays?

Pet friendly jellyfish?

Wave hello ( and goodbye!) to black tipped reef sharks?

Fasten your seatbelts for a long flight to Palau, Micronesia, the “Eighth Wonder of the World.�

Called Palau Photos courtesy of Palau Visitors Authority

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Underwater Euphoria Why is Palau considered one of the world’s best dive and snorkel destinations?

Most folks wonder where it is, and for good reason: from the U.S. east coast, it involves 20++ flying hours to Micronesia.

Palau is an archipelago of more than 586 islands, with a population around 20,000. In the westernmost corner of Micronesia, Palau is located four hundred miles north of the Equator, east of the Philippines, in the stunning turquoise Pacific Ocean.

Plan on staying at least a week, two weeks even better.

Palau has many excellent dive operators, like Splash Dive Center, Palau Diving Center, Sam’s Tours Dive Shop, and Fish ‘N Fins. Their expert guides are helpful, and will escort you to amazing underwater adventures with some of Palau’s 1,450 species of fish and 500 species of coral.

Donning my snorkel/mask/fins, I encounter a four-foot silvery black tipped reef shark, who gives me the eye, then flashes away into the depths. A limey/pink parrotfish arrives, inviting me for sea tea in his coral castle, then introduces me to his pals, a school of rainbowy butterflyfish.

Our boat cruises to several popular dive sites, but my favorite is aptly named “The Big Deep.” Hopping off the boat, we snorkelers stand on the sand in four feet of clear sea. Face down, I stare at clams the size of my dining room table, and brain corals the size of my car. Corals, sea fans, and reef fish are rainbows of raspberry, gold, emerald, and lavender. I swim into thick schools of fish, trying to wrap my arms around themthey’re just out of reach. A short swim floats me to the reef’s edge, which drops down hundreds of feet. I hang happily over the abyss, a happy underwater Space Girl. Big fish cruise below, and I’m jealous of what my diver pals are seeing. Probably giant manta rays, which grow to fifteen feet and weigh 3000 pounds. Or graceful hawks-bill turtles, navigating thousands of miles. Is that a school of sharks I see, patrolling the depths?

Surrounded with such beauty, I’m euphoric. Why must I remain a landlocked human, when the sea is so alive and dramatic?

Could I become my authentic Mermaid self, here in Palau?

Opalescent bubbles from the diver’s air tanks float upward, popping all over my body. Palau Champagne. Underwater, I laugh out loud.

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Kayaking The Rock Islands The islands of Palau boast the most diverse species of flora and fauna found anywhere in Micronesia. The Rock Islands are limestone, ancient relics of coral reefs that surfaced to form Palau’s southern lagoon. Kayaking around these 250-300 lushly forested Islands is an up close way to see many plants, birds, and shallow marine creatures. “We have 163 plant species, 23 endemic orchids, and 46 species of reptiles,” our guide Jayden Tuelbang explains, as we paddle along the limestone cliffs. “Not to mention 153 species of birds.”

Peering into the clear sea, huge bronze basket corals and mammoth clams impress us. Delicate pink sea fans look like Bolshoi Ballerina tutus. Paddling quietly, we embrace the silence. A soft bell chime pierces the air. “That’s our Palau Bush Warbler,” smiles Jayden.

“She’s calling for her mate.” I’m wishing my mate was here too, to share this magnificence. A baby black tipped reef shark streaks past my kayak, darting for safety into the mangrove grasses. One foot long, he’s perfectly beautiful, waiting to join his pals in the Pacific Ocean.

Friendly Jellyfish Living near the Atlantic Ocean in Charleston, South Carolina, I’m not the biggest jellyfish fan. When they line our beaches for miles, that usually discourage swimming. So when I hear one of Palau’s most fascinating nature encounters is swimming with “friendly jellyfish,” my initial response is: ya’ll have fun, I’m going for cappuccino.

But I’ve flown so far, why not take a look? First there’s a steep up and down hike on a rocky tree limbed trail. Nice workout. Then a peaceful lake filled with snorkelers. Hmm, how dangerous could it be?

I nervously hold hands with my pals Yuri and Emma Krasov, and off we swim into the warm murky lake. A few hand sized jellys waft past us. Then dozens. I grab Emma’s shoulder, don’t panic Sharon. Emma is petting the jellyfish like they’re puppies. She gently pushes one towards my hand. I give it a tap. Feels like jello, soft, rubbery jell-O. In the middle of this warm lake, we’re guests at a jellyfish party. I feel them bobbing all around me and think, ok, everyone stay calm and just enjoy this Twilight Zone moment. I wonder-do they have brains? Are they happy we are here visiting or are they waiting for us to leave? Surely they have a busy day, sunning, swimming and snacking. Unless you speak jellyfish, all your communication must be telepathic.

Later we learn that when Jellyfish Lake was sealed off from the ocean, the moon and golden jellyfish living here lost their ability to sting. They now live on algae, and spend their day bobbing to the surface, following the sun.

Sounds good to me.

Creatures Great And Small

For mesmerizing adventures above and below the Pacific Ocean, Palau Micronesia is truly the “8th Natural Wonder of the World.”

If you’re curious and open to magnificence, you’ll be awed by this special place.

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WHERE TO STAY: Palau has a wide variety of hotels and resorts catering to different tastes and budgets.

Luxurious PALAU PACIFIC RESORT is popular with honeymooners, offering 160 bungalow style guestrooms on a pristine Pacific Ocean beach. Palm trees surround the beachfront fresh water swimming pool/Jacuzzi.

The COCONUT TERRACE RESTAURANT serves excellent Continental/Asian cuisine, and guests enjoy weekly culture/dance performances. Guests can scuba, snorkel, kayak, and aqua bike, through the on-site dive shop, Splash Dive Center. This resort has a wonderful gift/art shop, Milad beauty/nail salon, and the Elilai Spa. www.palauppr.com The AIRAI WATER PARADISE HOTEL & SPA will appeal to families. The Hotel has waterslides, jungle spa pools, a swimming pool, and a beautiful beach. The Restaurant serves Chinese, Korean, Japanese and South-Pacific dishes. Enjoy massages at the Balinese Spa. www.airaiwaterparadise.com

NGELLIL NATURE ISLAND RESORT is a true Palau getaway experience. The Resort is on a

tropical island, a ten-minute boat ride away from Airai Island. There are serene rooms in a jungle setting, excellent local cuisine, and tours to caves, relics, and historical sites. Kayak, canoe, snorkel, or just relax in a hammock with a Pacific Ocean view. plantation@palautelecoms.com For information on Palau, contact: www.visit-palau.com

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Your Alaskan Base Camp

#alyeska GIRDWOOD, ALASKA

Spring delivers more daylight hours than any U.S. ski resort, making Alyeska Resort a great late season getaway.

Stay at the Hotel Alyeska and indulge at Seven Glaciers, our award-winning mountaintop restaurant.

Alyeska is located 40 minutes south of Anchorage in the Chugach Mountains.

Find convenient year-round flights from most major US cities.

alyeskaresort.com 800-880-3880

Explore the Wonders of

Ecuador Story and Photos by Linda Ballou

From the dizzying heights of the northern Andes to the depths of the Amazon basin, ECUADOR offers far more than its famous Galapagos Islands 600miles off shore.

This pint-sized country boasts the largest bio-diversity on the planet and is packed with outdoor adventures.

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estled in the Andes between snow-capped volcanoes, Quito, at 9,350 feet, is the best preserved historic center in Latin America and the gateway to treks in the highlands as well as explorations into the Amazon basin. After spending a full day in Quito, I immersed myself in nature for a week at Sacha Lodge in the heart of the basin. My tour of Quito began with a15-minute cable car ride that glides from 9,000 to 13,000 feet on the flank of active Pichincha Volcano. The reward: a panoramic 360-egree view of the colonial capital and surrounds. Quito’s downtown skyline and valley, home to 2.5 million people, was illuminated by a shaft of light beaming through an ominous black cloud working itself up to a dramatic afternoon rain.

Next stop was a saunter through the charming lanes in Old Town that were lined with artisan shops, and cafes all festooned with flags and flower boxes bulging with blooms. Modern-day Quito is a mix of cultures that include the indigenous Quitu, first subjugated by the Incas, and then the Spanish who brought African slaves into the mix. The World Heritage site that recently received a $250 million facelift boasts noteworthy colonial architecture and thirteen cathedrals. La Compania de Jesus, also known as the Gold Church, is encrusted floor-to-ceiling in fifty tons of intricate gold leaf filigree. Cars are banned on Sunday so pedestrians may enjoy a relaxed stroll in the central plaza graced by the Presidential Palace that houses a mural done by esteemed artist Oswaldo Guayasamin.

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connected with the Sacha Lodge hostess at the Quito Airport. Just getting to the lodge is an adventure that begins in Coca, a short flight from Quito where motorized canoes await travelers for the three-hour trip downriver to the lodge. Long canoes are still the main means of transport for native Quichans living on the river.

Children waved to us from villages hidden in thick foliage along the shore. We rocked in the wake of the motorized craft of the oil boys blasting down river to depots and barges carrying heavy equipment to create more. A half-mile hike through jungle spiked with dangling red Haliconia claws brought us to a dock where paddlers awaited us with dugout canoes.

It was a glide across Black Lake in the dugouts that brought us to Sacha Lodge--the lodge itself is engulfed in towering palms draped in epiphytic vines.

Nestled in a 5,000-acre preserve, this Robinson Crusoe fantasy made from local wood, covered in a shaggy palm roof, and staffed by 65 indigenous workers is totally self-sufficient. The lounge upstairs overlooking the lagoon is cooled by most-welcome fans after a session of hiking in equatorial heat. Raised walkways lead to spacious rooms with open beams, wood floors, and inviting hammocks on the deck. There is nothing but a screen between you and the wild mish-mash of jungle trees and plants that are home to millions of thrumming insects, barking tree frogs, clicking cicadas, and the sharp whistles of birds that make up the chorus that intensifies as night draws nigh.

In the morning, my day with a group of six travelers began with a canoe ride across the lake beneath a tender sky in a wash of pink and lavender. Mountains of cotton candy clouds morphed overhead. Mists rose from the lake rimmed in giant philodendron and tawny bull rushes. The breathy call of the stinky turkey, or Hoatzin, could be heard. Our guide, Marco, paddled us across to a meandering channel ensconced in green. We landed and hiked a boggy trail to the Kapok Tower.

“Okay friends, we go up,” Marco said taking the first step on a wooden stairwell wrapping the tallest tree in the forest.

Like Jack in the Beanstalk, around and around we went until we reached a viewing platform overlooking an endless sea of endless shades of green. “Friends,” Marco began, “the Kapok is the father of the jungle. If he were to be cut down, it would take a hundred years for the forest floor to recover.

He is the canopy that provides shade for the plants below.”

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flock of toucan lifted at our arrival. The droplet sound of the industrious weaver bird could be heard. Orange, crimson, and yellow blooms rested on the tree canopy below and brightened the scene. The blanket of green was broken by the platinum stripe of the Napo River in the distance.

Meanwhile, back at the lodge, a buffet of salads, tender beef in pepper sauce, chicken prepared with unique seasonings known only to our native chefs, and an array of desserts awaited our arrival.

Torpor sets in after lunch, and a nap in the hammock on your private deck is in order. Outings begin again in the cool of the late afternoon.

“Sacha” means forest. Miles of trails loop around the lodge provide a great variety for jungle walks that allow easy access to the otherwise impenetrable primary forests. Our walks took us across moss-covered bridges, over swampy flooded forests on raised boardwalks, up root-strewn steps though a tangle of ferns. Highlights include a 94foot steel observation tower with a 940-foot suspension bridge linked to three towers. Nearly 600 species of birds have been spotted in the area and the tower allows you to see what you are hearing from the ground. An auburn howler monkey clung to a limb in the distance. Three different stripes of toucan could be seen with the naked eye and many more birds like the colorful Mot Mot were witnessed in our guide’s spotting scope.

The heavens opened wide on our night glide on Black Lake beneath a crescent moon. I leaned back in my comfy seat in our canoe as Marco pointed out constellations in the southern sky with his magic green laser. The stillness of the night was broken by the serenade of the frogs and cicadas. Marco lowered his headlamp into the glittering eyes of gigantic pre-historic caiman (of the alligator family) floating in the reeds along the shore. “He lives here on the far side of the lagoon and has never bothered a swimmer so far.” Marco assured us of this, yet I never saw him take a dip in the inviting waters.

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IF YOU GO: Cafe Cultura, a boutique hotel in Quito situated walking distance to a farmers market and art in the park, is a perfect place to rest from a long flight. A charming restaurant with tasty selections, a welcoming study, and gracious hosts make this a comfortable safe haven. The staff arranged for an English-speaking guide who took me on a tour of Old Town and made arrangements for transport to and from the new Quito Airport. www.cafecultura.com

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Tiger Tails

Tracking Bengal Tigers in Nepal’s Bardia National Park

By Rick Bielke

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epal, known better for trekking up the likes of, boasts a couple of “jungle” national parks. Just as like its Indian neighbor to the south, the wildlife promised by our guides ranged from elephants, to black rhinos, to a few varieties of monkey’s, to peacocks and cranes, and bengal tigers.

There are two main wildlife national parks in Nepal, Chitwan and Bardia. On a break from a trip to Nepalganj, a trading post on the southwest border of Nepal and India, I booked a three night stay at Tiger Tops, a lodge on the edge of Bardia National Park which also happens to host the Elephant Polo World Championships each year. It’s namesake, “Tiger Tops,” boasts itself as the eco-friendly resort that offers elephant rides and nature tours of the park of which they help the local government track and preserve their rebounding bengal tiger populations.

Tiger Tops can claim to be tops in price as well. After spending nearly a week in an overrated three star hotel in Nepalganj (which was the best the town had to offer), I made the two hour trek in Tiger Tops Toyota mini van. The all-inclusive western style accommodations, while easily three times as much as anywhere any competitor within a stones throw, could be describe as rustic elegance. While a heating system was left off the master plans, staff put hot-water bottles in our beds to warm the sheets during turndown service.

Pulling up to the lodge, night had fallen and there were torches outside the gates and local Nepalese woman dressed in the traditional scarlet red dress singing and dancing by the fire lit entrance. I couldn’t figure if this was done for show or a random act of kindness as I was there during the Maghe Sankrant festival-- a weeklong Hindu festival in Nepal that rivals America’s obsession with the Christmas season.

The guides were Dan and Bim, two tiger tracking veterans with more than 20 years experience each. Dan, who started out as an elephant trainer with Tiger Tops but switched to tracking tigers when his elephant passed, was the elder statesman who planned and coordinated our itineraries.

Our choices were to track tigers, ride their domesticated elephants, and take a ride down the Karnali river. All billed as safari trips where the guides would point out and explain the local wildlife.

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ay one was a safari into Bardia National Park. The lodge, while adjacent to the park, was about a 15 minute ride to the entrance in a 1980’s era british green open-air Land Rover that felt like the shocks were last replaced when the bald spare mounted to the hood was. Once in the park, Bim and Dan diligently pointed out the local habitats. Our first vision was a herd of spotted deer--and it became clear over the stay that there is an overabundance of spotted deer in the park. Taken to the “spot” where a tiger had been seen the last three days in a row, Dan and Bim were careful to caution us that they can’t guarantee a run in with a bengal tiger. As we walked out of a bluff, an elephant was spotted which boosted our optimism for a fleeting moment--these ended up being domesticated elephants grazing with their trainers. We spent our time between a bluff that overlooked a river runoff with the Himalayas deep in the background. Dan said this is a main crossing point for larger game and a good place to spot both rhinos and tigers.

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ur long traveled exit out of the park was a drive around the semi-paved roads looking for nature and mostly finding the deer, woodpeckers, and other birds. We stopped one last time for a viewing at the bluff. While a crocodile was sunning himself on a ledge to the right, off in the distance, a Bim spotted a black rhino. Handing me the binoculars, I looked in vain and could not find it. After about 10 minutes of passing around the binoculars, the rhino disappeared into the tall grass and, with the help of a fellow nature watcher, determined I was looking at the wrong side of the bluff the entire time.

As the day fell to night, our adventure on day one ended with no tigers or rhinos--but not shortage of spotted deer. In the evening Dan and I talked about the park and its history. Originally set aside as hunting grounds in the 1950’s, the boundaries were then recognized as a nature preserve and now a national park. Dan explained that when it was a preserve, the locals could go in and use the parks natural resources. Now that it’s a park, that’s not allowed (but from the looks of it it’s still going on). The tiger population recovered when it was a preserve but dwindled during the civil war that engulfed Nepal up until 2010--Bardia is smack dab in the middle of the what was then the Maoist insurgency stronghold and Dan explained there were no resources to curb poaching during that time. Now that the two sides have found peace, the tiger population is on the rise and some 50 plus tigers now call Bardia their home.

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The morning of day two was not unlike the previous day, tracking tigers to no avail. We went back to the same dry delta viewing area for a few hours then hiked around up one of the narrow river tributaries. Plenty of signs that rhinos and tigers had traversed in the high grass including dung and what Bim tried to convince us was blood on a dried tiger track, but none of the big game we were seeking. A few hours later we headed back to the Land Rover and when we go to the “spot,” other adventurers with their guide said we missed a tiger crossing the dry bed by about 20 minutes. Just not my day, again.

What did we see? Spotted deer, plenty of them.

The end of day two we drove about an hour north of the lodge for a rubber dinghy boat ride down the Karnali river. On the way up to the launch point, Bim listed the different things to look out for. Once we were in the boat, he fessed up that many of natures wonders that were part of the river are in decline, including the fresh water dolphin that is now assumed to be extinct.

On day three, I needed to leave the lodge by the afternoon to trek back to make an evening flight back to Kathmandu. Dan set up an elephant ride back towards the park where I then hopped in the Range Rover for a few more

hours of tiger watching on the bluff where the day before a tiger was spotted. No luck again, just not my time to see a tiger in the wild. Bin was disappointed he couldn’t find anything. He said if I would have come in April or May, just prior to Monsoon season when the park is at its driest, the viewing at the bluff is at its best for that’s the last remaining water source before the rains start (he also said the viewing at Chitwan National Park is better than Bardia). I appreciated the many excuses but it’d couldn’t dampen my tigerless disappointment. As I departed, I offered up some advice to Dan and Bim, maybe the name should be “Spotted Deer Tops” instead of “Tiger Tops.” Per usual, they both found me mildly amusing yet dejected they couldn’t find me just one tiger.

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Hawaii

RV Camping

By Dave G. Houser

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Our three-day Big Island camping adventure originated early in the morning in Hilo, the Big Island’s capital and largest city, where along with my native Hawaiian friend Vicky, I arranged the rental of a vintage 1987 VW Westphalia camper from Happy Campers. I’d owned a couple of the venerable “Westys” in my earlier years and the opportunity to get behind the wheel of one of the compact little campers once again seemed a given choice, not only from a nostalgic standpoint but for the Westy’s suitability in negotiating the island’s mostly narrow two-lane roads.

Our immaculately preserved and maintained Westphalia – with its name, Kila Kila Kai (Majestic Ocean) emblazoned on its rear side windows -- is one of a fleet of 15 of the popular pop-top campers, mostly from the ‘80s, offered

by Happy Campers. This enterprising mom and pop, or rather mom and son, operation is the brainchild of Teri Kelli and sons Cody and Jake.

The Kellis, a family with a long-time affinity for the compact and cleverly designed Westphalias, presented Kali Kali Kai, spotlessly clean, ready to go and fully stocked, right down to bedding, pots and pans and beach towels -- a complete package and quite a good value for the daily rate of $125.

While it’s not a major RV travel destination, Big Island is dotted with campgrounds, most of which have RV spaces, although sans such amenities as hookups. Following lunch, we made a bee-line for Namakanipaio Campground, nestled within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Highway 11 about three miles west of the park entrance.

This is a lovely little campground, shaded by giant eucalyptus trees and, best of all, it’s free – or better, it’s included in the park’s $10 per car entry fee. No reservations or registration is required. Spaces are available on a first-come basis, however, so we figured the earlier the better to secure a spot for Kila Kila Kai. Luck was with us and we had our choice of several idyllic spaces, flanked by a fire pit and picnic table. Namakanipaio features well-maintained, wheel-chair accessible restrooms but no showers.

A group of camping cabins sit near the entrance and we learned they’re connected to Volcano House nearby and will reopen simultaneously with the lodge and restaurant this summer.

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Eager for some beach time and a dose of that fabled Hawaiian sunshine, we headed south on Highway 11 to Punalu’u Beach Park, near Big Island’s southern tip. Centuries worth of overlapping lava flows have produced black sand beaches along most of the island’s southern shores and Punalu’u is without a doubt the most beautiful of the lot. Its ebony sands are home to a number of endangered sea turtles and we were fortunate to observe one of the creatures emerge from the sea to bask in the sun just yards away from where we were sitting. We could have spent the day here but we’d reserved a space for the next two nights at Spencer Beach Park on the Kohala Coast, a drive of several hours (including a few mandatory stops) along the island’s western shore.

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The nearby town of Na’alehu, notable as the southernmost town in the Untied States (Lat. 19.063N), marked our first stop – for brunch at renowned Punalu’u Bake Shop -- which bills itself home to “Hawaii’s Finest Sweetbread,” not to mention its position as the nation’s southernmost bakery. Seated in the shop’s tropical garden patio, we washed down tasty chunks of the stuff with fresh-roasted Kona coffee, tossing crumbs to a pair of admiring doves.

We paused for photos at several dramatic viewpoints along the lava-crusted Kona Coast and spent an hour or so perusing Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, an authentically restored settlement, once home to ancient Hawaiian royalty. Situated along a stretch of black lava flats flanked by a coconut grove and a network of well-engineered fishponds, the park consists of a dozen or so reconstructed thatched buildings, canoes and religious sites – all protected by a pair of larger-than-life warrior-guardians carved from native hardwood.

Pushing on in hopes of reaching Spencer Beach by sunset, we managed to arrive just in time to catch the fading rays of golden light spreading across one of Hawaii’s most picturesque beaches. We grabbed a couple of beers from the cooler and took a grandstand seat for the event on the gnarled trunk of a fallen kiawe tree. Just as this was the finest beach we’d laid eyes on all day, the park itself is superb as well, nestled next to the sand with plenty of paved parking spaces for RVs and nicely equipped with restrooms and hot-water showers. Spencer is a state park, requiring advance reservations and a $12 nightly fee, which seemed to us a pittance for a parking spot in paradise.

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Aside from a brief hike up to Pu’ukohola Heiau, an impressive stone temple built in 1791 by the last of Hawaii’s great kings, Kamehameha I, which stands atop a hill adjacent the park, we spent the rest of the day at Spencer’s, barely budging from our beach towels.

Next morning we packed up Kila Kila Kai for the long drive back to Hilo, hardly saying a word -- reflective, I’m sure, of our regret over having to leave this special place.

In all likelihood, you’ve probably never given thought to an RV adventure in our distant 50th state – but please, take my advice and think again.

Happy Campers (808) 896-8777 www.happycampershawaii.com Big Island Visitors Bureau (800) 648-2441 www.bigislandhvcb.com

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‘Silent brothers’ make ideal hiking companions

by Deborah Stone

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Among those I have taken to lunch over the years, I can now add a llama to my list.

My dining companion, K-2, was one of six llamas that accompanied our small group on a recent day trek with Wild Earth Llama Adventures in Northern New Mexico. A handsome blonde and statuesque creature with plenty of personality, K-2 was ever-alert and curious as we hiked the trails in the Columbine Hondo Wilderness Area of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

I led my trusted wooly friend through the dense woods, over bridges and into the gentle creeks within this picturesque and unspoiled wilderness. With his leather padded, two-toed feet and natural agility, he walked with a self-possessed air, exuding confidence as he navigated the terrain without faltering, while carrying a load of gear. “Llamas are the perfect low-impact, high altitude pack animal,” says Stuart Wilde, owner and head wilderness guide of Wild Earth Llama Adventures. ‘They are sure-footed because they have the perfect ‘mountain moccasins’ - like mountain goats - and they have little impact on fragile wilderness trails. They exemplify the ‘leave no trace’ ethic we practice and teach out here.”

Wilde, who started leading wilderness trips in this area 22 years ago, notes that llamas make great hiking companions, adding, “The word ‘llama’ in Spanish is pronounced ‘yama’ and means ‘silent brother.’

Who else would carry your stuff for miles without saying a word?” He explains that llamas are very intelligent and gentle creatures and adds that like humans, they are equally excited about being out and about in the mountains. They walk at a comfortable pace for hikers at all levels and their keen sense of smell, hearing and sight will often spot a distant herd of deer or elk. They are also extremely lovable animals and bond with people well.”

Wilde continues to explain that the llama is a member of the camel family and is one of the oldest domesticated animals with a history of helping people carry their wares for thousands of years. Those that are well-trained will eagerly follow adults and kids alike, which enables outfitters to facilitate wilderness experiences with a wide range of individuals.

Wilde currently has nearly forty llamas at his ranch that he has rescued from unwanted, neglected and often abandoned situations. He receives calls and emails on a regular basis from people and municipalities throughout the Southwest asking him to pick up the creatures and give them a new home. He says, “Many folks get these animals as an exotic pet or breeding investment and sadly, the novelty wears off in a few years or the llama market didn’t meet their expectations.

Most of the llamas are already adults by the time we get the call and they have usually never been haltered, handled

W

ilde’s aim is not to breed or sell the llamas, but simply to provide them with a good home where they can live out the rest of their lives. He adds, “We actually stopped needing more llamas for our trekking operation when we reached sixteen. We do this out of our love for the animals and as a way to give back to them for what they have given our family and to the thousands of people who have trekked with us.”

On my adventure, there were eight of us, including two children, plus Wilde, along with the llamas – all males or “machos.” K-2 was joined by his buddies Picchu, Rio, Raja, Diego and Zephyr. As we hiked, Wilde kept us entertained and educated with information about the environment. He pointed out the native flora and fauna, as well as a number of edible and medicinal plants, while providing some details about the natural and regional history of the area. The pace was relaxed and non-competitive and the emphasis was on simply enjoying the backcountry.

Lunch was in a lush meadow on the bank of the

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Columbine Creek, where we tethered the llamas so they could munch to their hearts’ content on the grass and nearby bushes. Meanwhile, we humans watched in amazement as Wilde unloaded a foldout table, stadium style seats, coolers and an assortment of supplies from the packs on the llamas. He proceeded to assemble a tasty, gourmet lunch with all the trimmings, which we heartily devoured. Perhaps my wooly companions would disagree, but I felt that our sumptuous spread far outranked their “green” buffet.

Afterwards, we headed back down the trail with K-2 and I assuming the lead. It quickly became very obvious that my hiking pal was eager to get home. He inched increasingly closer to me and soon I could smell his alfalfa-scented breath on my neck. As I picked up my pace to get a bit more distance between us, he followed suit, practically stepping on my heels in the process and almost breaking out into a trot. We made quite an amusing spectacle and just as I was ready to call, “uncle!”

Wilde stepped in and facilitated a llama swap for the remainder of the journey. My new companion, Rio, proved to be less interested in reaching the

trailhead and more keen on eating whatever and whenever he could along the way.

IF YOU GO: WILD EARTH LLAMA ADVENTURES

“These guys are total goofballs,” comments Wilde.

“They are very playful and can be real characters, which is why they’re so much fun!” He adds, “I love being around them and I get great satisfaction from seeing people interact with them for the first time.” For Wilde, being a wilderness guide has both professional and personal rewards. He takes pleasure in giving people the opportunity to reconnect with the natural world and do things they might not otherwise get to do, while being able to spend most of his days in the wilderness doing what he enjoys most. “You can’t get a better than this for an office!” he says.

offers single-day escapes and multi-day wilderness adventures in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Rio Grande Gorge near Taos and Santa Fe, NM. Small group and custom-designed private tours are available.

Wilde has taken thousands of people from around the world on llama treks. Many come for a day hike the first time and then return for a multi-day experience the following year. He adds, “My hope is that leading unique and memorable wilderness experiences will help to foster a greater sense of stewardship and promote conservation of our public wild lands.”

(www.historictaosinn.com)

For more information:

www.llamaadventrues.com 800-758-5262 To complete your experience, spend the night in Taos before and/or after your trek at the fabled

HISTORIC TAOS INN

and make sure to have dinner on site at the legendary and award-winning DOC MARTIN’S RESTAURANT. It’s a happening spot with live music in the lounge, killer margaritas and inventive Southwestern cuisine.

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Cultural Adventure in the Philippines

By John M. Edwards John M. Edwards attends a “cockfight” on Bantayan Island in the Philippines, only to end up wondering what exactly were the ingredients in the national dish of adobo . . .

COCK-A-DOODLE-DON’T! Here we were all the way out on remote Bantayan Island in the Visayan Islands chain off the coast of Cebu watching a sport that might be illegal in America. Even though cockfighting is the world’s oldest blood sport, with Persian origins over 6,000 year ago, it is now the Philippines’ number-one national pastime. Thought by many to be introduced by Spanish colonization, instead “Sambong” (cockfighting) was already prevalent when Antonio Pigafetta, a supernumerary aboard Magellan’s voyage around the world (1521), chanced upon the practice. However the term “gamecock” first appeared in George Wilson’s The Commendation of Cocks and Cock Fighting (1602).

Cockfighting might also be responsible for the Tagalog term “amok.”

So, why here?

Where everyone avoids using the middle finger, including the peace sign, for two beers; instead, flapping the hand up and down like a wave means “come here” and two raised eyebrows meaning “yes indeed.”

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Where taxi drivers blasting American pop music, such as Celine Dion singing the theme to “Titanic” (very popular here) turn down their radios whenever they pass a church!

Where everyone claims to have zero crime, plus fifty-cent bottles of San Miguel beer, all on perfect beachfront props rivaling such places as Thailand and Indonesia.

As a supplier of millions of eggs a day, Bantayan Island, also jokingly known as “Egg Island,” also offered byways punctuated by ubiquitous wooden coops and the best breakfasts in Southeast Asia: not just eggs and bacon, but the national dish of “adobo” (best with birds) which at first to my untutored eye resembled cannibalism on sticky rice.

There are over 5 million roosters and chickens on Bantayan—and the over 150,000 local inhabitants go through them quickly, not only in the cockpit but in the crockpot.

With over 7,000 islands, “Pilipinas” (The Philippines) offers some of the world’’s best island-hopping opportunities on near-perfect beaches. Which means, if you went to a different island each day it would take you over fifty years to visit all of them. Its unique cultural heritage comes from the fact that as a former colony of Spain and the United States, Filipinos spent 500 years in the convent and 50 years in Hollywood. Now, the local color prides itself on being the best musicians in all of Asia.

As is always the case, part of the fun of going to Bantayan (“Keep Watch” Island) is somehow getting there. So after a PAL (Philippines Airlines) flight to Cebu’s Mactan International Airport, where offshore Magellan was offed halfway through his circumnavigation of the globe by the fierce forces of Chief Lapu Lapu, think “deserted beaches.”

Paying fifty pesos for a ticket on The D’ Rough Riders bus company, named after the military troops run by Teddy Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War (1898), I felt the thrill of actually going someplace new. Four hours later

we were dumped at Hagnaya to catch a clunky regular one-hour ferry or “Special Ride” scary outrigger boat. On the unseaworthy official ferry to Bantayan I marveled at the lack of any other passengers and the proliferation of empty egg cartons stacked like Lego ™ pieces in the cargohold.

Arriving at the aptly named Christian depot of “Santa Fe” on Bantayan Island, we were treated to a prosaic port straight out of a Tintin comic. Even though one of the best restaurants for “chook” is right there (as well as grilled mystery meat resembling stunted animals on skewers—cats?), The Majestic by the Sea, I decided to head straight to the budget resorts and cheaper fare, only a simple Jeepney ride away.

In these iconic antique Jeep taxis, Jeepnies are usually covered in Jesus-influenced Christmas-kitsch psychedelia—including Deadhead stickers and ads for PHISH (I used to play in a high school band with Page McConnell, now the keyboardist for PHISH)— and so you feel that you have arrived in somewhere, well, different.

Or, better, take a misnomered “tricycle” (bicycle rickshaw) for about ten pesos to the Kota Beach Resort (right near the Budyong Beach Resort). All of the resorts are almost deserted in the off season (our summer), where for a Hamilton or a Jackson you can get traditional thatched-roof cabins called nipa huts scattered pell-mell right smack dab on the beach, with only a few expat Australians showing off their new mail-order Filipina brides.

When I first arrived I was the only guest, which made me wonder if some calamity, such as a tsunami, was imminent. With no electricity, I sat out on the porch of my bungalow right on the beach with a candle, stargazing.

Far away from any light pollution, you could outline almost every constellation in the sky, with more stars even than Imelda has shoes.

The very next day several more guests arrived: the already mentioned Norwegians, a Swiss couple working in the Philippines, and a German businessman for a cement company, who had spent many years in Colombia. He said Colombia was not as dangerous as people think, while admitting, “But of course you have to hire private bodyguards.“ Another other new guest was an American, a Harvard college student and Let’s Go editor named John, who was wary of international terrorism and

upscale tourism, and whom complained that every night a prozzie tried to pick him up and make him pay, per almost any third-world demesne (big menu, low prices).

Most nights, we met at the expat center of Moby Dick’s restaurant, filled with Germans and Americans involved in “Import Export” (an international euphemism for “chronic unemployment”). A long-haired guy resembling an AWOL hippy Vietnam vet, now living in the Bantayan barrios, then, sotto voce, told me about the upcoming “Stations of the Cross” festival, wherein a real Filipino volunteer suffers an enactment of a real crucifixion.

Seriously! Which, I guess, er, adds new meaning to devout. . . .

Other than that there were only copper-colored “natives,” such as “Ramon” and “Boy” (both popular names in Pilipinas), who addressed me every day in Cebuano (a variant dialect of Tagalog), “Selamat, Mister John!”

(As a frequent contributor to Mabuhay Magazine later, I dealt directly with Filipinas with flash names like Lynette Corporal and Anika Ventura.)

One local hotbod Filipina girl, with a pink orchid stuck behind her ear, asked me while I was suffering through a hangover on the beach, “Are you interested in buying a home here? I can get you a good house right on the beach for only twenty thousand dollars!” (I wondered idly if she came with it.) Tempting, but nah!

And then the obviously available Filipina introduced me to an obvious “sea gypsy” with a rag tied around his head and a wooden cross knocking against his chest, scraping the old paint off his outrigger. “He is a Bubble Man!” she enthused. Or, witchdoctor.

During my nearly month-long stay, it only seriously rained once, pounding on the corrugated metal roofs everywhere like John Bonham, or Keith Moon, or Neil Peart doing a drum solo on Rush’s “Tom Sawyer.” (In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda decimated Bantayan, but with relief aid, it is now already on the mend.)

To at last leave the overenthusiastic hospitality of my Visayan Adventure, resembling cannibalistic attraction and intent, without causing anyone “hiya” (shame), I considered taking another “Special Ride” by outrigger for less than 2,000 pesos to nearby Malapascua Island (dubbed “Bad Christmas Island” by Magellan), another friendly island with perfect beach babes. . . .

Of course, on my last night I had my best meal at Santa Fe’s foodie heaven: “The Majestic by the Sea.” Here, as well as elsewhere at the “point-point” eateries, where you finger either a facsimile in a display case or a laminated photo menu, were to be found weird fishes: “lapu-lapu” and “samin-samin,” washed down with “Kalamansi juice” made from Ping Pong ball-sized limes.

Even so, judging from the plates of the other passengers ready to leave Bantayan, “adobo” ruled the night, even if it was not made with your average “Food of the Gods” avian assassin, but instead (maybe) rooster. . .

“Cock-a-doodle-don’t!”

BANTAYAN BUDGET RESORTS KOTA BEACH RESORT: tel. (63-918-254-2726) SANTA FE BEACH RESORT: tel. (63-918-254-4765)

BIO: John M. Edwards is an award-winning poet BIO: John M. Edwards, an award-winning travel writer and Mayflower descendant directly related to William Bradfield, has written for such magazines as CNN Traveler, Salon.com, Islands, and North American Review.

He turned down a job as lead bassist for STP (The Stone Temple Pilots) way back when before they were big, plus he helped write “PLUSH” (the opening chords), voted The Best Song of the 20th Century by Rolling Stone Magazine.

P.S. I just won 5 NATJA Awards for 2012.

(Last year I won 4 NATJAs.) I also won 2 Transitions Abroad Narrative Essay Contest Awards (2010 and 2012), as well as 3 Notable Essays nods in The Best American Essays (2011/2012/2013).

Oneida Lake

Photographing California’s Almost every fall we spend time in the Eastern High Sierra Nevada Region of California. This time of year is particularly enjoyable. Besides the many activities such as backpacking, boating and fishing there is a splendid array of photographic opportunities. This time of year the mountains are ablaze with rich colors from the foliage to the dark blue skies with bright white cloud formations. This last trip included a 4.5 mile and 2,200 elevation gain hike to Oneida Lake (elevation 9,600 ft), which starts at a trailhead next to Lundy Lake. Oneida is one of the prettiest alpine lakes I have ever seen. Along the way are the remains of the old Lundy Gold Mine with vestiges of metal rails, gears and other assorted mining equipment.

Lower Twin Lake

Traveling west from Bridgeport (see map on page 51), and after passing the Hunewill Cattle Ranch, one finds a fisherman’s paradise called Twin Lakes.

June Lake

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Summers Creek

Story & Photos by Dick Bushmeyer

North East Sierra Nevada Range Towering to the west of these lakes are a spectacular array of mountain peaks, the most prominent appropriately named “The Matterhorn� due to its striking resemblance to the peak of the same name in Switzerland. In the fall the valley surrounding the lakes is ablaze with yellow, orange and gold aspens.

Just to the south of Lundy Lake and Twin Lakes is the small town of Lee Vining.

Here you can take the turn off leading up the breathtaking Tioga Pass and over the mountains to enter Yosemite National Park from the east. (Only open in the warmer seasons). At the top of the pass is a turn off to Saddlebag Lake (elevation 10,000 ft). The trailhead here is the start of a splendid loop hike among several alpine lakes. Most notable along this trail are the beautiful wild flowers and pockets of residual snow which do not disappear until fall. Most important equipment here ... your camera!

Dunderberg Peak

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Matterhorn

Hunewill Ranch

BACKPACKING • CAMPING • FISHING • HIKING

Twin Lakes

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Saddlebag Lake

Bridgeport Twin Lakes

S 395 I E Lake R Tahoe R A Yosemite

395 Lundy Lake

Saddlebag Lake

Reno

Tioga Rd

Bridgeport Lee Mono Vining Lake

Lee Vining

Mammoth Lakes

June Lake Loop Rd

Bishop

Mt. Whitney

Lone Pine

Tioga Rd 120

Tioga Pass

June Lake

N E VA DA

Mono Lake

June Lake

N W

E S

M

395

TN S.

HORSEBACK RIDING • MULE PACK TRIPS

Kavanaugh Ridge

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Summers Creek

Lake Oneida

BOATING • KAYAKING • MOUNTAIN BIKING • ROCK CLIMBING

Lundy Lake Campground

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June Lake Loop

BIG TIME ADVENTURE

BIGTIMEFUN Whatever the season, there’s a good reason to explore Niagara Falls and beyond to find what you're looking for. From breathtaking views and picturesque parks to endless excitement and adventure, Niagara USA offers fun for everyone all year long! Make a day of it, make a night of it, and then make a day of it all over again. It’s a world wonder you didn’t come sooner.

For more information, including events, attractions, and lodging, visit Niagara-USA.com

Powerful.

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Inside Olympic Hockey in Sochi

b Sochi Olympics

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By Lucas Aykroyd

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” The opening words of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities could well have applied to the public perception of the Sochi Olympics.

Was it a $51-billion boondoggle rife with human rights abuses and toilet-related mishaps? Or was the first Winter Games ever held in Russia the “extraordinary success” that International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach dubbed it at the closing ceremonies?

Realistically, it was somewhere in between. As a Vancouver-based hockey writer covering my fourth straight Olympics for IIHF.com, the International Ice Hockey Federation’s official web site, I had a first-hand view.

This was my sixth visit to Russia since 1985.

From a creature comforts standpoint, I realized that much of what Western journalists complained about wasn’t unusual in this vast, chaotic country still dealing with its Communist legacy.

Now, especially when you cover a specific sport, you live in a bubble. I was barely aware of figure skating or Alpine skiing, let alone of the Ukraine crisis.

Here’s an approximation of a typical day for me in this Black Sea outpost. “Intense,” “exhausting,” and “fun” don’t quite convey it. Things blurred together.

I woke up at 9 am in a tiny single bed in my room at the brand-new, four-star Bridge Resort in the suburb of Adler. Scratching a few fresh mosquito bites, I hopped in the shower, pulled on an IIHF-branded polyester shirt and jeans, and headed out for breakfast in the main central building.

While foraging through a buffet with cherry juice, pancakes, spaghetti, and roasted vegetables, I spotted Vladislav Tretiak, the legendary ex-Soviet hockey goalie who’s now the president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation. He was chosen to light the flame outside Fisht Olympic Stadium on February 7.

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Surrounded by other hockey dignitaries and blonde NHL wives (like Russian tennis player Maria Kirilenko, fiancée of Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin), I sat down to eat with a British colleague, who regaled me with how his compatriots were faring in curling.

I hustled back to my room, brushed my teeth with bottled water, grabbed my laptop, and took a 10-minute shuttle bus ride to the Olympic Park. With the sun-tinged, snowy Caucasus Mountains in the background, the route was lined with palm trees, golddomed Orthodox churches, and TV antenna-topped houses that didn’t exist five years ago.

At the security screening zone outside the Main Press Center, I scanned the Olympic accreditation card hanging around my neck and went through a turnstile.

After putting my stuff through the X-ray machine and passing through a metal detector for a pat-down, I was ready to get to work. (The process was smoother than you might think: in Salt Lake City in 2002, it often took 20 minutes to get into the hockey arena, and the military presence was more overt.)

I took another bus on the Coastal Cluster ring road to the Bolshoy Ice Dome, and spotted former NHL scoring champion Daniel Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks riding a bicycle.

Inside the practice rink, I interviewed Finnish forward Petri Kontiola, an ex-Chicago Blackhawks prospect, about his national team’s chances in Sochi. I transcribed my Q&A, filing it just in time to rush upstairs to the press tribune to cover the first hockey game at 12 noon. The Slovenian men scored a 3-1 upset win over favored Slovakia.

After incorporating post-game quotes for my second edition, there was barely time to grab lunch. It consisted of salmon sandwiches and tomato soup in the IIHF canteen at the adjacent Shayba Arena, served by watchful young Russian women who whisked away my dirty dishes instantly.

Stuffing a few “Enerline” energy bars and apples in my jacket pocket, I rushed off to cover my second game at 4:30 pm. Switzerland’s women staged a surprise comeback 4-3 win over Sweden for bronze. Cue

one group of exultant blondes and another group of teary ones.

After a quick dinner of plain chicken and pasta in tomato sauce, I banged out a retrospective on memorable Olympic hockey shootouts. I kept one eye on the nearby TV showing the 9 pm game, so I could help out my British colleague who was writing the late story by asking some pertinent post-game interview questions.

Fortunately, I love hockey. If I wasn’t obsessed, this could be a gruelling gig.

At the end of the night, I returned to the Main Press Center for the bus ride back to the hotel. I had more work to do there, and got to bed by 2 am. The NHL Players Association had a party tent set up outside my window, and I fell asleep to the sounds of a cover band cranking out U2’s greatest hits.

Speaking of “the best of times” and the “worst of times,” did I ever get outside the Olympic hockey bubble? Yes, once. I took a half-day train trip to former Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin’s dacha (country home), complete with a giant chess set, private movie theater, and bulletproof sofa.

The whole thing was like some fantastic dream. It wasn’t a vacation, but it was a rush.

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DESTINATION INFORMATION UNITED STATES ALABAMA Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau (205) 458-8000 www.birminghamal.org Hunstville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (256) 551-2235 www.huntsville.org

FLORIDA Franklin County Tourist Development Council (850) 653-8678 http://www.saltyflorida.com/

ALASKA Alyeska Resort (907) 754-2592 www.alyeskaresort.com

Leigh Cort Publicity (904) 806-3613 http://www.leighcortpublicity.com/

ARIZONA Visit Phoenix (602) 452-6250 www.visitphoenix.com ARKANSAS Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau (479) 783-8888 www.fortsmith.org/ CALIFORNIA Visit Oxnard (805) 385-7545 www.visitoxnard.com Visit Palm Springs (760) 778-8415 www.visitpalmsprings.com Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (562) 495-8345 http://www.visitlongbeach.com/ San Diego Zoo Global (619) 685-3291 http://sandiegozoo.org/ Visit Pasadena (626) 395-0211 http://www.visitpasadena.com/ COLORADO Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association (970) 945-5002 http://www.glenwoodchamber.com/

TRAVEL TRIVIA QUIZ ANSWERS:

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DELAWARE Kensington Tours 647-880-1581 www.kensingtontours.com

IDAHO Visit Idaho (208) 334-2470 http://www.visitidaho.org/ LOUISIANA Visit Baton Rouge (225) 382-3578 http://www.visitbatonrouge.com/ Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau (318) 429-0658 http://www.shreveport-bossier.org/ Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (318) 442-9546 http://www.theheartoflouisiana.com/index. cfm The Ehrhardt Group (504) 558-1795 http://www.theehrhardtgroup.com/ MASSACHUSETTS Open the Door, Inc. 617-536-0590 http://www.openthedoor.biz/ MICHIGAN Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau (517) 377-1423 http://www.lansing.org/

1. Adriatic Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf, Red Sea 2. Yes: From “Little Diomede Island” (USA) to “Big Diomede Island” (Russia) ...

About 2 miles apart. (Not Wasilla).

MISSOURI Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB (417) 243-2137 http://bransoncvb.com/

RHODE ISLAND Discover Newport (401) 845-9117 www.gonewport.com

The Beenders Walker Group (573) 636-8282 http://www.tbwgroup.net/

TENNESSEE Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway (423) 442-9147 http://monroecounty.com/

Maryland Heights Convention & Visitors Bureau (314) 548-6051 http://www.more2do.org/

NEW YORK Dutchess County Tourism (845) 463-5446 http://dutchesstourism.com/

Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation (716) 282-8992 x 309 http://www.niagara-usa.com/ NEVADA City of Henderson Department of Cultural Arts and Tourism (702) 267-2171 www.cityofhenderson.com OHIO Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitors Bureau (330) 602-2420 http://www.experiencecolumbus.com/columbus-ohio.cfm?id=7778 OREGON City Pass (503) 292-4418 www.citypass.com/ Lincoln City Visitor & Convention Bureau (541) 996-1271 www.lincolncity.org/

South County Tourism Council (401) 489-4422 www.southcountyri.com

TEXAS New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau (830) 608-2803 http://innewbraunfels.com/ Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau (888) 653-3788 http://visitnacogdoches.org/ VIRGINIA Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau (VA) (757) 728-5316 http://visithampton.com/ Virginia Beach CVB (757) 385-6645 http://www.vbgov.com/Pages/home.aspx WASHINGTON San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau (360) 378-6822 http://visitsanjuans.com/ WEST VIRGINIA Pocahontas County CVB (304) 799-4636 http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/

INDIA

MEXICO

KERALA The Travel Planners (905) 230-2701 Www.ttpkerala.com

PUERTO VALLARTA Visit Puerto Vallarta (212) 633-2047 Www.visitpuertovallarta.com

TRAVEL TRIVIA QUIZ ANSWERS (Contd.):

3. The Caspian Sea (Landlocked by Russia, Iran and Kaya) 4. The Krone 5. Huntsville, Alabama (The site of the 2014 NATJA Conference)

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