Letter from the Editor

October 2007

Dear Friends,

cotton field
Cotton Field

First, I have not won the lottery and am still working and traveling!

Here in the Southeast, land of great drought, most of us have forgotten what rain looks or feels like. In North Carolina, the cotton crop has come in at about 50% of capacity and the entire state may be out of water in the next three months. Georgia has the same problem.

Never having lived in such a rural area before it's been a real eye opener to watch the crops turn brown in the fields and the tractors raise massive clouds of dust that are like photos of the great dust bowl pictures from the 1920's.

Climatic changes are making a difference around the world and in just a few more years their impact will be highly visible with rising oceans, melting ice caps and changes in flora and fauna. Animals will migrate to places they've never been before. I'm concerned even as a person who has never been known as a "tree hugger." What are we leaving future generations?

Occasionally when we travel we get sick, either a cold or some intestinal "problem" that interferes for a day or two or can even cause an early end to the trip. I try to take a variety of measures to protect myself without becoming obsessive about it.

On the plane and other places, drafts are my worst enemy and I always carry a scarf or shawl to put over my head or around my shoulders. Even something thin will work. Of course, washing your hands frequently is the best preventative whether you're home or on the road. 

There are a variety of products to increase your immune system or anti-microbial solutions to fight germs. One of the newest is Nozin (www.nozin.com), a nasal sanitizer. Tests have shown that Nozin provides a level of defense beyond hand sanitizers, killing 99.9% of common disease-causing pathogens by creating a nasal barrier that works for up to 8 hours.

What I liked about Nozin was you just crack open this little vial with a swab at the end and coat the inside edge of your nostrils, very unobtrusive and simple to use. It has a pleasant smell, doesn't burn and certainly wouldn't be objectionable to children or adults. Anything I can do to stay healthy on a trip or everyday life with minimal effort is worth it. So far Nozin has fit that bill. It is also available in a small plastic bottle and you just prepare a swab yourself. I like this idea also because I don’t have to find a glass of water to dissolve or swallow a tablet with. Protection is especially important at this time of year when we travel from one sharply differing climate to another—like Maine to Jamaica.

Meanwhile, fall and winter are the great seasons for culture vultures all over the world. Plus if you can handle the low dollar and visit European and Canadian destinations, airfare and hotel deals abound.  South America and Asia remain better bargains.

Here are highlights of a few diverse places you might want to consider.

Washington, D.C.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company's expansion, the $85 million Harman Center for the Arts (6th and F Streets, NW), is the newest performance space in downtown DC's Penn Quarter arts and entertainment district. The new space has enabled the Company to expand its season from five to eight plays and to create themed play cycles. Spotlighting Shakespearean contemporary Christopher Marlowe, the Harman Center will show "Tamburlaine" (Oct. 28-Jan. 6) and "Edward II" (Oct. 27-Jan. 6) in repertory. This spring, the theatre will stage two of the Bard's Roman works in repertory, "Julius Caesar" (Apr. 27-Jul. 6) and "Antony and Cleopatra" (Apr. 26-Jul. 6).

John F. Kennedy Center concert hall
John F. Kennedy Center concert hall

Theatre weekends are also in fashion at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which pays homage to the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, August Wilson, by performing all ten plays in his celebrated twentieth century cycle Mar. 4-29. Directed by Kenny Leon, who staged the Broadway premiere of Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean," August Wilson's 20th Century Festival will be the first of its kind to present all ten plays in a condensed package. The plays will be presented chronologically in the order in which they're set, beginning with "Gem of the Ocean" and ending with the 1990s' "Radio Golf." Each of the plays will be presented in repertory fashion, giving the inter-related plays the same voices and faces and enabling audiences to see as many as three of the plays in a single weekend.  The cast includes stars from the stage and screen, including longtime Wilson veterans who have performed in several of his works on Broadway and in theatres across the country.  Among those scheduled to appear are Anthony Chisholm, Lynda Gravátt, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Eugene Lee, and Phylicia Rashad.  Go to www.Washington.org  for hundreds of deals and events.

Hawaii
Hawaii

Big Island, Hawaii

With over 600 specialty coffee farms, Kona Hawaii has a long and delicious history in coffee. Start in Kailua and travel south to Honaunau to check out Kona Blue Sky Coffee Company, Ferrari Coffee Visitor Center, or Kona Le'a Plantation for a tour. Finish off your visit with a stop at the gift shops to pick up some coffee after enjoying a few free samples. If you secretly fancy yourself a coffee genius yet to be discovered, visit UCC's (Ueshima Coffee Company) Espresso Bar and Roastery where you can roast your very own coffee and give it your own label, start your list of clever names now. Immerse yourself further in Hawaiian coffee by visiting the Kona Coffee Living History Farm where you can experience the lifestyle of island coffee farming on an exclusive tour.  From  www.Kayak.com.

Killer Whale Safari—Arctic Adventures
Tromso–Lofoten Islands–Tromso 7 Days / 6 Nights from $2,149

Arriving in the Arctic capital of Tromso, you may have time to explore this interesting town before your voyage begins. Sailing through the spectacular Vesteralen and Lofoten Islands, you'll call at picturesque settlements and pass through Raftsundet, the narrow channel that links the two island groups that have inspired myths and legends throughout history.

Killer Whales
Killer Whales

Reaching Svolvaer, you'll disembark and transfer to your rorbu—a comfortable, traditional wooden fisherman's cabin. These renovated or newly built chalets are based on original designs and they provide cozy, comfortable accommodations with private bath. The traditional restaurant where you will enjoy your evening meal is famous for its outstanding cuisine and atmospheric setting.

The following morning you'll sail from Svolvaer quay to Tysfjord, a long narrow fjord where more than 600 killer whales come to feed on herring each winter. Your guide will introduce you to the lives of these fascinating mammals. Always watching the sea, eager to sight these impressive creatures, you will learn about the family pods and how orca work as a team to hunt. With luck, you will be able to observe the playful behavior of the younger members of the pod for yourself and perhaps even see their unique hunting methods first hand.

You'll return to Svolvaer later that afternoon for another night at your rorbu and will have the next day at your leisure before rejoining the northbound ship. You will spend the night on board and have a leisurely morning before arriving in Tromso in the early afternoon, where you'll disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Oslo. www.hurtigruten.us.

Homestead, Florida
Historic Redland Tropical Trail

Discovered by pioneers in the late 1800s as a tropical wonderland where fruit was bountiful and the sunshine never ended, The Redlands is South Florida's most diverse family destination for both residents and tourists. The Historic Redland Tropical Trail includes several popular attractions and points of interest.

Coral Castle
Coral Castle

Destinations within the roughly 150 square-mile district include: R.F. Orchids, Coral Castle, Everglades Alligator Farm, Schnebly Redland's Winery, The Bonsai Garden, Robert Is Here Fruit Stand, Monkey Jungle, Capri Restaurant and Fruit & Spice Park. Free maps at each of the nine locations pinpoint the additional attractions on the self-guided Trail with easy-to-follow driving directions. For more information on the Historic Redland Tropical Trail or other activities in the South Miami-Dade area, please call or visit the web site, or visit the Tropical Everglades Visitor Center at 160 U.S. 1 in Florida City.

http://www.RedlandTrail.com
Homestead/Florida City Area
305/245-918


Mary Gallagher

Happy Trails!

Mary E. Gallagher

mary@gallagherstravels.com

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