My husband, Jerry, wanted a beach vacation — somewhere warm in the middle of the winter. I love to sit and read on the beach. . . but not for a whole 10-day vacation. The solution? A beach resort from which we could take day trips to see new things.
My husband, Fred, and I along with our daughter Rebecca Couillard, son-in-law Greg and 8-year-old granddaughter Sarah visited Australia, Oct. 18-Nov. 12, 2007. This was the fifth trip to Australia for Fred and me, the second for Rebecca and a first-time adventure for Greg and Sarah. In planning the trip, we wanted to limit the days traveling between locations, sample three different parts of Australia and include activities suitable for an 8-year-old.
Larry Taylor, Fullerton, CA. Photos by Gail Taylor
Jeju, a tiny island paradise just 55 miles south of mainland Korea, is a paragon of peaceful relaxation. Truly away from the madding crowd, it is a place where anyone can simply listen to the quiet. Many couples choose to honeymoon there.
by Lew Toulmin, second of two parts
by Lew Toulmin, (First of two parts, jump to part 2)
My husband, Peter, and I joined 12 other snorkelers on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef for two weeks, Nov. 7-25, 2006, on a tour led by Ann Fielding of Island Explorations (Box 1107, Makawao, HI 96768; 808/572-8437, www.maui.net/~annf).
Ann, a marine biologist, organized the special trip for snorkelers because we all had been bugging her to do an “all snorkel” trip.
by Larry Taylor, Fullerton, CA
Claire McElarney is the energetic and always-smiling Activities & Dive Mate aboard the S.V. (sailing vessel) Mandalay, one of the fleet of four tall ships run by Windjammer Barefoot Cruises (Box 190120, Miami, FL 33119; 800/327-2601, www.windjammer.com).
I interviewed Claire on the deck of the Mandalay in summer 2006 as the 236-foot vessel sailed from Grenada to St. Vincent.
Q: Tell me about your background, Claire.
A: I am from Fleet, Hampshire, in the U.K., and I’m 25. I have an unmarried older brother.
by Wayne Wirtanen (Third of three parts, jump to part 1,