Beaches and Islands

A group of gunmen attacked the tourist resort Le Campement Kangaba in Mali, near the capital, Bamako, on June 19, killing five people and taking guests hostage. 

Mali special forces responded to the attack, killing four assailants and arresting four others. The attackers were found to be carrying explosives, though no explosions were reported. An al-Qaeda-allied group claimed responsibility for the attack. 

Nearly 22 years ago, in October 1995, a new attraction appeared in the coastal city of Esbjerg, Denmark, in the form of four huge statues. Referred to as 'Man Meets the Sea,' these 30-foot-tall, white-alabaster male figures were the subject of our May 2017 mystery photo.

Wanting the "men" to have a universal appeal, Danish artist Svend Wiig Hansen created them to look identical to each other, portraying them with neutral expressions. Their lower legs, with longer-than-normal proportions, were designed to resemble the columns of a Greek temple.

Filipino armed forces attacked militants of the Islamist group Abu Sayyaf in the city of Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao on May 26, using both air strikes and ground troops. During the operation, at least 31 militants were killed as well as 11 soldiers.

Filipino officials said that foreign fighters from Malaysia and Indonesia were among the militants killed. There is concern in the Philippines that Abu Sayyaf, which has declared allegiance with Daesh (ISIL), is importing foreign fighters to help create an Islamic state in the southern Philippines.

9 days, 8 nights in NICARAGUA. Departures Aug. 12 & Dec. 23, 2017, and Jan. 20, Feb. 17 & March 17, 2018. Highlights: In Granada, chocolate-molding workshop, bike Old Town, culinary lesson in kitchen/boat on Lake Nicaragua/Mombacho Volcano/coffee farm in Arenal Reserve/Corn Islands Caribbean beaches. $1,195-$2,495 ppdo (standard) or $2,725-$3,325 ppdo (deluxe). Children (up to age 10), $1,995 (standard) or $2,660 (deluxe). Single supp., $450 or $995. Wildland Adventures (Seattle, WA; 800/345-4453, www.wildland.com).

8-day, 7-night cruise on refitted classic tug in CANADA’s Inside Passage, Oct. 19-26, 2017. Highlights: Embark at Port McNeill, British Columbia/cruise Broughton Archipelago, home to killer and humpback whales/U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay/Discovery Islands/Ripple Rock in Seymour Narrows/Gulf Islands, Georgia Strait. Cabin, CAD4,172-CAD5,967 (near $3,055-$4,370) ppdo. Single supp., 50%. Maple Leaf Adventures (Box 8845, Stn. Central, Victoria, B.C. V8W 3Z1, Canada; 888/599-5323, www.mapleleafadventures.com).