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AAA Minneapolis 7th Edition – December 2008 ALASKA a peace of land THE NILE river of the pharaohs LONDON crossing the pond for a long weekend U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS paradise found AAA TRAVEL STORE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO SERVE YOU BETTER! ST. LOUIS PARK (HEADQUARTERS) (952) 927-2600 5400 Auto Club Way (Hwy. 100 near Excelsior Blvd.) OPEN LATER! 20 4 10 20 24 26 T H E N I L E river of the pharaohs L O N D O N c ro s s i n g t h e p o n d f o r a l o n g w e e k e n d A L A S K A a peace of land S E T T I N G S A I L 1 0 1 a primer for first-time cruisers U . S . V I R G I N I S L A N D S paradise found M-Th., 8-7; F, 8-6; Sat., 9-5 BLOOMINGTON (952) 888-4232 9872 Lyndale Ave. S. (98th & Lyndale Ave.) M,T,Th,F, 9-6; W, 9-7 Sat., 9-1 EDEN PRAIRIE (952) 944-9585 559 Prairie Center Dr. (Near the Eden Prairie Library) M, 9-7; T-F, 9-6; Sat., 9-3 EDINA (GALLERIA) (952) 925-2244 3452 Galleria (69th & France Ave.) M-F, 10-8; Sat., 10-4 MAPLE GROVE (763) 494-3773 13569 Grove Dr. (I-94 & Weaver Lake Rd.) M-Th, 9-8; F, 9-6; Sat., 9-3 MINNEAPOLIS (DOWNTOWN) (612) 338-8432 Baker Center Skyway 733 Marquette Ave. M-F, 8-5 MINNETONKA DECEMBER 2008, VOL. 29, NO. 7 (BONUS) (Cover photo courtesy of Alaska Travel Industry Association) EDITORIAL EDITOR Dawn Duffy ART DIRECTION / DESIGNER Micah Manganiello BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT / CEO Steven J. Frank CHAIR Mary C. Lilja VICE CHAIR Albert J. Miller, Jr. DIRECTOR Richard J. Burrock DIRECTOR Janet S. Fiola DIRECTOR David L. Hallett DIRECTOR Martha M. Head DIRECTOR Thomas H. Jenkins DIRECTOR Subramanian Krishnan DIRECTOR Monica Murphy DIRECTOR Dale Nitschke DIRECTOR Richard T. Ostlund DIRECTOR William J. Popp We appreciate the trust you have placed in us and we continually strive to satisfy you, our valued member. We work toward making every experience with AAA Minneapolis an enjoyable one for you. Respecting the privacy and security of your personal information is important to us. We categorize client information in four types: information you provide to us (i.e., on applications); information about your use of Club services; information from other AAA or CAA clubs; and other information we obtain that may help us better serve you. We limit who receives client information and what type of information is shared within the Club, our business lines, and our preferred vendors. HOME & AWAY MINNEAPOLIS (ISSN 0274-8266) is published 7 times (bimonthly plus one special edition in December) by AAA Minneapolis, 5400 Auto Club Way, Minneapolis, MN 55416-2576, for $1 per year included in principal membership dues. 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You have choices when it comes to learning about offers and services from AAA Minneapolis. You can choose not to receive savings and marketing offers by mail, phone, and/or e-mail from us or from our preferred vendors. We will honor your request throughout the AAA Club and through our business lines. Please note that you will continue to receive our bimonthly publication, Home & Away Magazine. Please allow approximately 6-8 weeks for your request to become effective. To tell us your preferences: • Call us: (952) 927-2604, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. • Write us: AAA Minneapolis, 5400 Auto Club Way, Minneapolis, MN 55416-2576 • Email us: info@aaaminneapolis.com (do not include sensitive personal information) For the full policy, please visit www.aaaminneapolis.com. NOTICE TO AAA MEMBERS (952) 545-5454 Ridge Square 13007 Ridgedale Dr. M, 9-7; T-F, 9-6; Sat., 9-3 PRIVACY POLICY The Nominating Committee of AAA Minneapolis has met, as required by the Club’s Bylaws, and reports that its recommendations for Directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting on February 19, 2009, are: • RICHARD J. BURROCK (ONE-YEAR TERM) • DAVID L. HALLETT (THREE-YEAR TERM) www.aaaminneapolis.com • THOMAS H. JENKINS (THREE-YEAR TERM) • SUBRAMANIAN KRISHNAN (THREE-YEAR TERM) • DALE NITSCHKE (THREE-YEAR TERM) 3 egypt culture of her larger cities, modern accommodations, and exciting experiences. ASWAN Along the river’s northward journey, streaming past the Sudanese-Egyptian border, the ancient frontier town of Aswan is small enough to walk around. A favorite winter resort area since the 19th century, lazy days are spent watching the felucca (small, wooden sailboats) drift around the islands, eating freshly caught fish on floating restaurants, listening to Nubian music performed by folklore troupes, and sipping tea at sunset at the Old Cataract Hotel (where Agatha Christie wrote “Death on the Nile”). Towering columns, temple walls, and rock tombs, built from blocks of granite carved from local quarries, tell of this once-major center of commerce and gateway to the rest of Egypt. THE NILE river of the pharaohs by Dawn Duffy he arid Sahara – the world’s second largest (just after Antarctica) and hottest desert – envelopes most of northern Africa with sand fields, mountain ranges, and barrenness. Winds whip the terrain, sculpting (and re-sculpting) the landscape with dunes more than 100 feet high. Dust devils dance in spinning updrafts. The sun bakes down and, in some areas, the clouds only squeeze out two centimeters of rainfall annually. FUN FACT The scarab (or dung beetle) is the symbol of Ra, the Sun god, and is a sign of hope and the restoration of life. Today, popular Egyptian souvenirs include jewelry decorated with scarabs, both forged in gold (the metal of choice for pharaohs) and carved semi-precious stones. These amulets also are often given away as good-luck charms. 4 Another 35 miles north, the former Greek city of Apollinopolis Magna, now named Edfu, is a religious and commercial center, producing sugar and pottery. The dramatic Temple of Edfu was also built in honor of the falcon-headed god Horus. This one, however, is one of the most complete and best-preserved cult temples in Egypt, thanks to being one of the relatively youngest and being buried by the dessert for nearly 2,000 years. Excavation in the 1860s found it in near perfect condition, with deeply cut hieroglyphic inscriptions and reliefs telling the mythological story of Horus avenging the murder of his father. This traditional pharaonic structure is the second largest temple in Egypt (second only to Karnak Temple in Luxor). A journey to the roof of the temple rewards climbers with sweeping views of the Nile and the neighboring fields. Adventure kicks in, however, once stepping into the bustling marketplace, or souk, with tables overflowing with hand-woven scarves and baskets, exotically fragrant perfumes, and native spices. T did you know EDFU Where there is thought to be nothingness, there is life. And history. And beauty. This is the place where Egypt thrives, with the Nile River running through the heart of her desert, irrigating her land and sustaining her people. LIFE-GIVING WATERS Bordered by Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel and the Gaza Strip to the northeast, and with the Red Sea on the east navigating through the Suez Canal waterway up to the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt encompasses about 387,000 square miles. With her approximate 81.7 million people, the U.S. Census Bureau’s International Database ranks Egypt as the third largest country in Africa (behind Nigeria and Ethiopia) and the most populous in the Middle East. The vastness of space and population, however, do not correlate. Due to Egypt’s mostly desiccated environment, nearly 99 percent of her people live along the arable agricultural banks of the Nile River, living on just 5.5 percent of all the country’s land. The significance of the Nile was even recognized during ancient Egypt’s “early period” (during the time of the Old Kingdom), when she was called Kemet (derived from kem, meaning “black”) to describe the dark, fertile soil deposited by floods. This life-giving waterway actually begins as two separate tributaries – the White Nile rising from the headwaters of Africa’s largest lake – Lake Victoria – and flowing through Uganda, and the Blue Nile from Lake Tana in Ethiopia – that meet and join at Khartoum, Sudan. As the waters snake northward and into Egypt, they meander through lands dotted with pyramids, drift past city market bazaars bustling with merchants, reflect buildings along urban skylines, and regularly flood agricultural farmlands (a soil replenishment called “The Gift of the Nile”). The dichotomy of old and new along the busy Egyptian Nile spoils visitors with the opportunity to both enjoy the uniqueness of Egypt’s ancient monuments, temples, and relics, while also experiencing the cosmopolitan Home & Away – December 2008 As with most cities along the Nile, Aswan’s historic ruins – both on the west bank and on Elephantine Island – are top tourist attractions. Towering columns, temple walls, and rock tombs, built from blocks of granite carved from local quarries, tell of this once-major center of commerce and gateway to the rest of Egypt. The Unfinished Obelisk, planned to be the largest ever erected had it not cracked before being fully mined, is a fascinating site. KOM OMBO Approximately 30 miles downstream from Aswan, between steep banks of sandstone, Kom Ombo once controlled the caravan routes to the gold mines, earning it the nickname “City of Gold.” Today, visitors flock to the Temple of Kom Ombo, standing tall on a dune overlooking the Nile. Uniquely consecrated in honor of two deities – Sobek the crocodile god on the right side and Haroeris (“Horus”) the falcon god on the left – the gateways and chapels lay symmetrically along the temple’s main axis. Despite the temple’s damage – from the flooding Nile, earthquakes, and other builders pilfering its stones for other purposes – reliefs around the ruins still tell the stories of kings, religious practices, and historical events. Mummified crocodiles also are on display in the chapel. In addition to tourism, this mainly agricultural community farms sugar cane and corn. TEMPLE OF EDFU relief carvings of falcon-headed Horus ESNA Continuing along the Nile, the city of Esna sits atop centuries of silt and mud left behind from repeated floodings. Historically, the area was named Latopolis, in honor of the Nile perch, the largest of the 52 fish species abounding in the river. Similar to Edfu, excavation began in Esna in the 1860s and some of the well-preserved halls of the Temple of Khnum are once again on magnificent display (while other parts are still buried under the city). Dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum, who is said to have made man out of Nile clay and a potter’s wheel, the Temple of Khnum is one of the latest temples built by the ancient Egyptians. Remains of an older building www.aaaminneapolis.com 5 Affordable Luxury Cruising 24 Small Ship Journeys throughout the World also have been found, indicating the temple was constructed on the same site as an earlier structure. Today, the Temple of Khnum stands in the middle of the modern town, more than 30 feet below current street level and with its still intact roof reaching up to the level of nearby home foundations. Esna also is known for its lock system which, unfortunately for ferrying tourists and sea-bound merchants, can hold up river traffic for hours. LUXOR Known as the ancient city of Thebes and formerly the capital of Egypt, today’s Luxor is the “world’s greatest open-air museum,” based on the number of monuments, temples, and tombs in the vicinity. International tourism supports a great part of the local economy, both as a popular destination and as a port for cruising the Nile. Galapagos & South America 7 to 14-day Cruise & Tours from $3,299 Egypt & the Nile 9 and 11-day Cruise & Tours from $2,899 Featuring the luxury Oberoi Zahra and Cairo’s best 5-star hotels Luxor proper, on the East Bank, is heralded by the Temple of Luxor, former setting of the annual Beautiful Feast of the Opet. This boisterous celebration marks the link between the pharaoh and the god, Amun. Discovered in 1881, the temple is approached by a row of well-preserved sphinxes (dromos), with its entrance flanked by a pink granite obelisk (its “twin” now stands at Place de la Concorde in Paris, gifted by the Egyptians to the people of France). CAIRO The capital and largest city in Egypt, Cairo sits just south of the point where the Nile fragments into the delta region and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. This thoroughly modern metropolis offers great culture, including both music and art, as well as a lively nightlife scene and air-conditioned shopping centers. A throwback to ancient days, however, the bounty of the famous old Khan el-Khalili bazaar, is a must-see. Mostly unchanged since the 14th century, vendors hawk jewelry, spices, perfumes, carpets, and glassware. The Great Pyramid of Giza, one of three bordering the city, is the only remaining item of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Constructed within about 20 years around 2560 B.C. as the necropolis of King Khufu, it was the tallest man-made structure for more than 3,800 years (until Lincoln Cathedral in England was erected in 1300 A.D.). The Great Pyramid is the only pyramid to include both ascending and descending tunnels; its three known chambers, however, stand empty, plundered countless times throughout history and robbed of all funerary treasures. For a grand presentation of all periods of ancient Egypt, the Egyptian Museum houses more than 120,000 displayed artifacts, with the most popular being the life-sized, solid Other popular sites on the East Bank include the pilgrimage destination of El-Mekashkesh Mosque, the Mummification Museum, the Luxor Museum, and the Temple of Karnak. China & the Yangtze 12 to 17-day Cruise & Tours from $2,299 Featuring the all-balcony luxury ships of Victoria Cruises European river cruising aboard the 5-star ships of Peter Deilmann 8 to 13-day cruise vacations from $1,869 New for 2009 – Be Our Guest! $100 onboard benefit AAA Members Save $230 to $460 per couple on all General Tours World Traveler vacations (952) 927-2525 www.aaaminneapolis.com Prices shown are per person, double-occupancy, land-only and subject to change 6 Home & Away – December 2008 cup of tea from Cairo’s spice market gold funerary mask from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Where there is sand, there also is water. Where there is nothing, there also is life. Where there is Egypt, there also is the Nile, nourishing the land then and now. Dawn Duffy is Minneapolis Editor of Home & Away Magazine. EXCLUSIVE MEMBER DISC OUNT SAVE $50 SPLENDORS of The West Bank is home to Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, the limestone-cut royal tombs. The most well-known, discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter, is the tomb of Tutankhamun. Although small in comparison to the others in the valley, this undisturbed necropolis was found packed with funerary gifts for the boy king’s afterlife. Such abundant opulence had never been unearthed here before and, upon first glimpse, Carter breathtakingly recalled, “Details of the room within emerged ... [of] strange animals, statues, and gold – everywhere the glint of gold,” and, when asked if he saw anything, all he could barely gasp was, “Yes, wonderful things.” Despite a modern bridge built in 1998 just upstream, ferry service dominates as the preferred way to cross the Nile for both locals and visitors. Tourists can rely on horse carriages to see the East Bank. The West Bank sites, however, lay further away and require additional transportation. Taxis are plentiful, but negotiate (and confirm) the price before stepping inside the vehicle. KHAN EL-KHALILI BAZAAR (SOUK) PER COUPLE! THE NILE 12 Days • 22 Meals Cairo • Pyramids • Memphis • Sakkara Valley of the Kings and Queens • Luxor Deluxe 4-Night Nile River Cruise Aswan • Egyptologist STARTING AT $1949* For your FREE Brochure call 952-927-2525 or 1-800-871-7352 or visit AAA.com/mcv Explore the World with one of our other tours: Wonders of Iceland - 8 Days • 10 Meals Reykjavik • Blue Lagoon • Golden Circle • Thingvellir National Park Skogar Folk Museum • Skaftafell National Park • Nature Cruise • Icelandic Farm starting at $1499* Great Trains, Wineries & Cultures of Australia & New Zealand - 28 Days • 41 Meals Why Cairns • Great Barrier Reef • Ayers Rock • Alice Springs • The Ghan Barossa Wine Valley • Great Ocean Road • Melbourne • Sydney Opera House Queenstown • Milford Sound • Mt. Cook • Christchurch • TranzCoastal Train Wellington • Rotorua starting at $6699* ? • AAA member discounts on every tour, every time. • Unique vacations exclusively offered for AAA members. • Travel gift with every booking! • No Worries cancellation waiver with a full cash refund! AD1079 1208 *Rate is per person, land only, based on double occupancy. Member Benefit discount not included in rates. www.aaaminneapolis.com 7 Ruby Princess..................FROM $789 • Roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale • Bahamas, Ocho Rios or Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Princess Cays ................................................... 7-DAY EASTERN CARIBBEAN ms Eurodam...................FROM $649 • Roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale • Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, Half Moon Cay Liberty of the Seas...........FROM $864 • Roundtrip from Miami • San Juan, St. Maarten, Labadee Crown Princess...............FROM $869 • Roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale • Princess Cays, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Grand Turk ................................................... 7-DAY SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN Caribbean Princess..........FROM $659 • Roundtrip from San Juan • Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, Tortola, St. Thomas 10-DAY SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN ms Noordam..................FROM $949 • Roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale • Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; Tortola; Castries, St. Lucia; Martinique; St. Maarten ................................................... 7-DAY MEXICO ms Oosterdam................FROM $719 • Roundtrip from San Diego • Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas • Anchorage to Vancouver • College Fjord, Glacier Bay National Park, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Inside Passage ms Zaandam..................FROM $799 • Roundtrip from Seattle • Stephens Passage, Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria Carnival Spirit................FROM $829 • Vancouver to Anchorage • Inside Passage; Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway; Sitka; Prince William Sound; College Fjord 10-DAY ALASKA CRUISE Sea Princess................FROM $1,199 • Roundtrip from San Francisco • Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines, Tracy Arm Fjord, Victoria ................................................... 6-DAY ATLANTIC CROSSING Queen Mary 2............FROM $1,296 • New York to Southampton, England • Sail Cunard’s legendary Transatlantic Crossing on the grandest ocean liner in the world ................................................... 10-DAY GRAND MEDITERRANEAN ms Noordam..............FROM $1,399 • Roundtrip from Rome • Florence; Monte Carlo; Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; La Goulette, Tunisia; Palermo, Sicily, and Naples, Italy ................................................... 7-DAY CANADA & NEW ENGLAND ms Maasdam..............FROM $1,399 • Boston to Montreal • Bar Harbor; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown; Quebec City 10-DAY CANADA & NEW ENGLAND ms Eurodam...............FROM $1,829 • New York to Quebec City • Newport; Boston; Bar Harbor; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown ................................................... 15-DAY HAWAII ms Zaandam..............FROM $1,499 • Roundtrip from San Diego • Hilo; Lahaina, Maui; Nawiliwili, Kauai; Honolulu; Kona 15-DAY ALASKA & FAR EAST Diamond Princess........FROM $1,596 • Anchorage to Beijing • Sapporo, Japan; Vladivostok, Russia; Pusan, South Korea; Dalian, China ................................................... 10-DAY SCANDINAVIA & RUSSIA Emerald Princess..........FROM $1,640 AAA CRUISES AAA TOURS • Vancouver to Fairbanks • Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, Anchorage, McKinley Explorer to Denali National Park, Tundra Wilderness Tour, McKinley Explorer to Fairbanks, Discovery Riverboat Cruise, Gold Dredge No. 8 Tour ................................................... • 7-Days/11 Meals • 4 nights Savannah. 2 nights in Charleston. Includes airfare, home and garden tours, plantation tours, dolphin cruise, and carriage rides .................................................. 13-DAY ALASKA CRUISETOUR ms Statendam.............FROM $2,049 ................................................... 12-DAY GRAND MEDITERRANEAN Ruby Princess..............FROM $2,090 • Barcelona to Venice • Monte Carlo; Florence; Rome; Naples; Mykonos and Athens, Greece; Istanbul and Kusadasi, Turkey ................................................... ................................................... SAVANNAH & CHARLESTON March 28-April 3, 2009........$1,999 ................................................... MACKINAC ISLAND & TULIP FESTIVAL TRAIN TRIP May 3-12, 2009..................$2,539 • 10-Days/16 Meals • Fly to Detroit; motorcoach to Tulip Festival, Mackinac Island, Door County, Green Bay, and Chicago; return to St. Paul by Amtrak train. • Ford Factory tour, Veldheer Tulip Gardens, 2-nights at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac, fish boil, Chicago tour with Sears Tower Skydeck TRAIN TRAVEL SEMINAR • Roundtrip from Copenhagen • Stockholm; Helsinki; St. Petersburg; Tallinn; Gdansk; Oslo ................................................... 10-DAY TAHITI & POLYNESIA Pacific Princess............FROM $1,720 • Roundtrip from Papeete, Tahiti • Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora, and Moorea, French Polynesia ................................................... 15-DAY PANAMA CANAL Coral Princess.............FROM $1,839 • Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale • Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Puerto Caldera, Fuerte Amador, Panama, Transit Panama Canal, Cartagena, Aruba 14-DAY CHINA, KOREA & JAPAN ms Volendam..............FROM $2,399 • Hong Kong to Kobe, Japan • Shanghai, Xingang (Beijing), and Dalian, China; Cheju City, South Korea; Kagoshima, Japan ................................................... ................................................... 13-DAY NEW ZEALAND Sun Princess................FROM $1,895 • Roundtrip Sydney • Fiordland National Park, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland, Bay of Islands ................................................... 14-DAY HEART OF BORDEAUX ms Prinsendam............FROM $1,999 • Rome to Amsterdam • La Spezia, Italy; Marseille, France; Barcelona and Cádiz, Spain; Lisbon; Hendaye and Bordeaux, France; St. Peter Port, Guernsey; Dover; Brugge, Belgium 16-DAY TRANSATLANTIC CROSSING ms Eurodam................FROM $2,899 • Copenhagen to New York • Edinburgh and Invergordon, Scotland; Reykjavik, Iceland; Nanortalik, Greenland; St. Johns, New Brunswick; St. Pierre, France; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2009 10:00 A.M. AAA Minneapolis Headquarters St. Louis Park • Showcasing escorted tours in 2009, which include train travel. Relive the nostalgia and history of the railroads, experience spectacular scenery, and enjoy the comfort and freedom to move about the train. These tours are coupled with motorcoach and air flights. .......................................................................................................................................................... • Roundtrip from Tampa • Key West, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Maya ................................................... 7-DAY ALASKA CRUISE Sapphire Princess............FROM $649 .............................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................... 7-DAY WESTERN CARIBBEAN ms Veendam...................FROM $599 .............................................................................................................................................................................................. AAA CRUISES ................................................... OBERAMMERGAU 2010 TOURS– Once every 10 years, more than 2,000 people from the village of Oberammergau, Germany, perform the Passion Play. In 1633, the village lost 80 lives to the plague and made a vow to present the Passion Play if the town was freed from the sickness. The epidemic ended and the people kept their promise. HOLLAND IN BLOOM RIVER CRUISE & PASSION PLAY May 7-17, 2010 ...........FROM $5,149 • Roundtrip from Amsterdam, fly to Munich, motorcoach to Oberammergau and back to Munich. GRAND CAPITALS LAND TOUR & PASSION PLAY June 22-July 4, 2010 ...........$6,249 • Arrive in Munich, motorcoach to Oberammergau and back to Munich, then on to Prague, Cracow, and Budapest. ROME TO MUNICH ON RAIL & PASSION PLAY August 8-16, 2010 ..............$5,449 • Arrive in Rome for 3 nights, train to Munich for 2 nights. Motorcoach through Bavaria to Oberammergau and back to Munich airport for departure. BERLIN TO PRAGUE RIVER CRUISE & PASSION PLAY September 8-22, 2010 ...FROM $7,149 • Arrive in Berlin for 2 nights, cruise to Prague for 2 nights, motorcoach to Oberammergau and on to Munich airport for departure. TREASURES OF THE DANUBE RIVER CRUISE & PASSION PLAY September 18-29, 2010 ..FROM $5,649 • Arrive in Munich, transfer to Passau for roundtrip cruise, motorcoach to Salzburg, on to Oberammergau, transfer to Munich airport for departure. BLOOMINGTON......................... (952) 888-4232 DOWNTOWN - BAKER CENTER.... (612) 338-8432 EDINA - GALLERIA .......................... (952) 925-2244 EDEN PRAIRIE ............................. (952) 944-9585 MAPLE GROVE ............................ (763) 494-3773 MINNETONKA ........................... (952) 545-5454 ST. LOUIS PARK .......................... (952) 927-2525 TOLL-FREE ......................................1-800-871-7352 www.aaaminneapolis.com/travel Cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and are subject to change. Restrictions may apply. Air, transfers, taxes, and fees are additional. 8 Cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and are subject to change. Restrictions may apply. Air, transfers, taxes, and fees are additional. All tour prices are per person based on double occupancy, and include hotel accommodations, deluxe motorcoach transportation, sightseeing, and meals as indicated. Home & Away – December 2008 www.aaaminneapolis.com 9 europe isn’t a circus but instead, based on the Latin word for “circle,” describes the round open space created at the intersection of Regent and Oxford Streets), Piccadilly Circus (again, no clowns or trapeze artists at this West End shopping district), and Trafalgar Square (identified with its trademark Nelson’s Column guarded by four lion statues). Sitting atop the open-aired bus, we had excellent unobstructed views of famous sights, like Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral. Our knowledgeable and personable bus guide debunked a couple of common misconceptions, informing us that the name Big Ben actually refers to the bell hanging inside the four-faced Clock Tower (and not the clock or tower itself), and that the most scenic bridge over the Thames is Tower Bridge (while the famous London Bridge is, in fact, quite flat and plain). LONDON crossing the pond for a long weekend by Christine E. McDermott W hen my youngest sister announced she’d be spending a college semester in London, I immediately began plotting how I could visit her on just the two remaining vacation days I had left for the year. Would it be worth it to hop the pond for a long weekend with little chance to recover from jet lag before it was time to fly back home again? did you know FUN FACT With more than 3.5 million riders annually, the London Eye is England’s most popular “paid” attraction. Constructed in 1999, Europe’s biggest Ferris wheel soars 443 feet high – equivalent to 64 red telephone boxes stacked on top of each other! Traveling at just 0.6 miles per hour, passengers hop on and off without the wheel stopping. Each of the 32 passenger capsules holds 25 people and takes about 30 minutes for one revolution. On the occasional clear day, riders enjoy 25-mile views. 10 A quick chat with my travel agent confirmed that my idea was not so crazy: I'd leave town on a Wednesday night and arrive at London Heathrow on Thursday morning. The hours gained flying back west would still give me most of Sunday in London. Not such a crazy idea after all for a long weekend vacation! I'd been to London before and done all the typical popular tourist attractions – Westminster Abbey (location of all royal coronations since 1066), the Houses of Parliament (where visitors can attend debates and see the Archives), Buckingham Palace (check the flying flag – the official Royal Standard flag means the queen is at the palace and the Union Flag announces she is not in residence), and the like – so I really wanted this trip to be more about enjoying the city itself. I wanted to watch “football” (soccer) in a pub, eat Indian food on Brick Lane, and shop (well, at least window-shop) on Kensington High Street. That’s not to say my sister and I completely avoided looking like tourists that weekend; we did, after all, partake in a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Big Bus Company tickets turned out to be a wise investment. For just 20 pounds (about $35), we received 24 hours of transportation around the city, a cruise on the River Thames, and an invitation to three themed walking tours. The value is even greater in the winter, when one ticket is good for 48 hours of all that transportation and sightseeing. We hopped off the bus after crossing Tower Bridge, figuring we could wander the Tower of London a bit before catching the river cruise. Not only does the Tower house Great Britain's famed Crown Jewels (various pieces of elaborate royal jewelry and regalia worn at coronations and other state functions), but also an amazing amount of history. A medieval fortress founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, the Tower was the spot of Anne Boleyn’s execution, Guy Fawkes’ interrogation, and Richard II’s and Elizabeth I’s incarcerations. The boat ride along the Thames afforded us a glimpse of the South Bank and new London, including the energy-efficient, rounded-glass City Hall; the Tate Modern, whose galleries display collections of modern art; the pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge, London’s newest bridge since the 1894 construction of the Tower Bridge; and the London Eye Ferris wheel (see “Before You Go” on page 10). We spent my arrival day (Thursday) exploring Kensington, the upscale and densely populated area of West London where my sister attended school and where Princess Diana, who lived at Kensington Palace, once frequented shops and restaurants. Though we kept our wallets safely tucked away, we still had fun browsing the fashions of the moment at stores like Mango, Zara, and Marks & Spencer. Friday morning, we boarded the sight-seeing bus for a two-hour orientation of the city. We rode through the fashionable Notting Hill, Oxford Circus (which really Home & Away – December 2008 WESTMINSTER BRIDGE Big Ben and Parliament along the Thames River TRAFALGAR SQUARE pigeons flocking Nelson’s Column Back on land, we hustled to Trafalgar Square for the “Ghosts by Gaslight” walking tour, subtitled by many in the know as “The Spooky London Pub Crawl.” Our guide, Gordon, took us to several establishments. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, his elaborate stories became ever more plausible as the evening went on (though in London, thankfully for me and my sister, you can pace yourself on a pub crawl by ordering half-pints). Competition is stiff on Brick Lane, where outdoor greeters beckon with special menus and promises of free bottles of wine. Gordon told us some eerie tales. There once was an hysterical woman who alerted a policeman to a possible suicide at Cleopatra's Needle, a monument in Westminster that the Egyptians gave to the British. The woman mysteriously vanished, only to magically reappear at the Needle and jump into the river just as the officer arrived. No body (real or unreal) was ever found. Then, there was the actor who was killed in a bout of jealousy after a show at the Adelphi Theatre more than 100 years ago. His ghost – complete in period attire – has been spotted at the theatre, as well as around various London-proper locales. Afterward, we rode the Tube (the London Underground metro system) to Aldgate East, one of the stations the actor is said to haunt, and did what I'd admittedly most been looking forward to: dined on Brick Lane, the South Asian enclave teeming with Indian restaurants. Competition is stiff on Brick Lane, where outdoor greeters beckon with special menus and promises of free bottles of wine. We figured we couldn't go wrong if we found a place that already looked busy with satisfied patrons, and so we followed a group of young Indian men into one of the more noisy establishments. www.aaaminneapolis.com 11 the neighborhoods we’d ridden through the previous day. We peered into the windows at some of the hundreds of higher-end stores housed along Oxford Street, munched on sandwiches and sipped tea at Pret (London's ubiquitous and delicious answer to Panera), and made pledges to our true loves at the Eros statue in Piccadilly Circus. LONDON UNDERGROUND waiting for the Tube While the free wine was mediocre and the decor was disappointingly nondescript, the piles of curry we ordered completely satisfied my cravings for something authentically spicy. After squeezing so much into our Friday, we thankfully had another day and a half to just leisurely hang out in London. We spent Saturday exploring on foot some of EUROPE ESCAPE TO A PLACE THIS WINTER THAT WILL WARM YOUR HEART! On the way back to Kensington, we made a pit stop at Harrods, the world's most famous department store (as well as the largest, with more than 1 million square feet of retail heaven and 330 different departments). Outside, the elaborately decorated window displays alone make Harrods worth a trip, but we excitedly ventured inside and fought through the crowds to check out the “luxury” restrooms and the shoe section. After pulling ourselves away from the $600 pairs of handmade Jimmy Choo high heels, it didn’t seem so bad to spend about $5 on a Belgian chocolate bar downstairs in the Food Hall (especially since it was the most delectable chocolate I ever tasted in my life). We departed, content in the knowledge that Harrods motto – “All Things for All People, Everywhere” – was so easily attainable by us in just that one piece of scrumptious candy. That night, we hit the pub scene and happily discovered a group of football (soccer) fans absorbed in the hotly contested Barcelona-Madrid match. They were so into the televised game that we naturally assumed they all were Spanish tourists refusing to miss even one game, only to learn they actually were a mix of ardent British and Belgian fanatics. We pretended we knew enough of the sport to root along, dropping into the conversation our knowledge that David Beckham once forsook his native England to play for Madrid. As expensive a city as London can be, the British do place great value in the public’s access to art, and many of its top museums offer free admission. We took advantage of Sunday with stops to the Victoria & Albert (for collections of art and design) and the Science and Natural History museums. A highlight was the fashion exhibit at the V&A, particularly the stunning collection of clothing from Queen Maud of Norway. From beaded gowns to hand-cut suits, the queen's outfits exemplify the impeccable high standards of dress in early 20thcentury Europe. Twenty hours later, I was back in the office. It may have been a whirlwind weekend – and, I confess, the jet lag was a bit rough when I returned to work Monday NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM panoramic view from Cromwell Road morning – but the trip across the Atlantic was jolly well worth it. And, to top it off, I had the best water-cooler story of them all that day. Christine E. McDermott is managing editor of AAA Horizons Magazine. sive clu fit*: A Ex Bene AA er b fa oice o e, Mem n ch Your obile pho parking, l m airport onal Travel to Europe when the crowds are globa tary opti limen erson long gone and at a savings of up to 25% comp $40 per p oucher. or ur v compared to summer prices. to Amazing Spain & Portugal 10 DAYS.................................... LAND ONLY FROM $1,535 Featuring Madrid, Granada, Seville, Lisbon & Salamanca. Italian Splendours 13 DAYS.................................... LAND ONLY FROM $2,460 Featuring Rome, Sorrento, Assisi, Venice, Como & Florence. Tour prices include first class accommodations, luxury motorcoach, services of a professional Insight Tour Director, guided sightseeing, Premium Highlights, Highlight Dinner, most meals, and more. Call AAA Minneapolis at (952) 927-2525 or 1-800-871-7352 to book your Insight Vacation. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, subject to availability and restrictions. * One member benefit per person, some restrictions may apply. 12 Home & Away – December 2008 www.aaaminneapolis.com 13 Don settle for merely seeing it, ’t experience it. 2009 AAA MEMBER APPRECIATION CRUISE 14-DAY TRANS PANAMA CANAL FROM $1,499 * ms Statendam Oct. 30 - Nov. 13, 2009 FROM THE PACIFIC TO THE ATLANTIC – AND ONE INCREDIBLE MARVEL IN BETWEEN. Join fellow AAA Members on a journey through the epic Panama Canal, one of history’s greatest engineering feats. Hosted by AAA Minneapolis Vice President of Travel, Wendy Weigel, and husband Keith. Start the journey in San Diego and cruise along the Mexican Riviera, with stops in Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, and Puerto Chiapas, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Fuerte Amador, Panama; transit through the Panama Canal; and Cartagena, Colombia, returning to Ft. Lauderdale. FREE CRUISE EVENT! TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2009 AAA MEMBER APPRECIATION CRUISE, JOIN US: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2008, 6:30-8 P.M. AAA MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY ROOM • 5400 AUTO CLUB WAY • ST. LOUIS PARK RSVP TO (952) 927-2546 or RSVPTRAVEL@AAAMINNEAPOLIS.COM Inspired by Travel. * Price shown is cruise only - airfare, transfers, taxes, and fees are additional. Cruise price includes port charges of $270. Prices and shipboard credit are per person, based on double occupancy, and are subject to change. Restrictions may apply. ES CARGO DUFFEL Large, spacious luggage for the experienced traveler. Available in SM, MD, LG, and XL. Black, Palm, Sienna. MSRP $60-90 Member $5395-7995 10 $ $10 OFF 10 $ ANY EAGLE CREEK WHEELED LUGGAGE PURCHASE 10 $ 14 Home & Away – December 2008 Redeem this coupon at any AAA Minneapolis Travel Store. Must present coupon at time of purchase. Limit one coupon per customer. Restrictions may apply. Expires December 31, 2008. 10 $ HOVERCRAFT Lightweight, sensible, and functional our lightest luggage, four sizes under 10 lbs. 20”, 22”, 25”, and 28”. Tomato, Graphite, Marine, and Tree Frog. MSRP $185-250 Member $16995-21995 50% OFF 50% OFF NEW! WALL STREET VIP For the business professional, featuring laptop compartments and precisely organized pockets for files, documents, and overnight necessities. MSRP $120-360 Member $4995-15995 H O L I D AY G I F T I D E A S S A L E ! Travelpro luggage - We changed the way the world travels. TRAVELPRO QUICK CHECK FREE With any Travelpro purchase. Keep passport, tickets, and papers neat and accessible. While supplies last. Limit one per customer. Restrictions may apply. 50% OFF CREW 7 The Travelpro signature series that put the luggage industry on wheels - ON SALE NOW. MSRP $160-660 Member $6995-29495 50% OFF COMPASS Our lightest-weight and lowest-priced full-framed luggage with honeycomb PVC construction. Black, Blue, and Ruby. MSRP $50-175 Member $2995-12495 TM 50% OFF WALKABOUT LITE 2 Whisper wheels and exclusive FlexPro® lightweight construction. Water resistant. Provides for your travel needs and budget. Moss or Black. MSRP $100-360 Member $4995-17995 50% OFF 50% OFF 50% OFF TPRO XTREME LITE Now lighter, stronger, and featuring a nearly indestructible frame. Meets new airline check-in size regulations. Granite, Blue, and Brown. MSRP $120-200 Member $4995-10995 FLIGHT PRO 4 All the features that made Travelpro famous over the years, now at a lower price. Heavy duty ballistic nylon fabric. Black, Copper, and Ice Blue. MSRP $120-440 Member $4995-18995 INFINITY ELITE Strong 2520 ballistic nylon fabric for maximum durability. Lightweight frame. Removable garment sleeve. Chocolate or Denim Blue. MSRP $180-350 Member $6995-19795 GIFT IDEAS UNDER $30 $1795 $1295 Member 95 $19 Non-Member $2495 Member 00 $30 Non-Member MICROLINK FR150 Self-powered AM/FM/NOAA weather radio with flashlight, solar power, hand crank power, and cell phone charger. Member $14 Non-Member Easy View Travel Clock Eagle Creek’s best-selling travel clock with date, time, and room temp. Batteries included. Pack-It® Liquid/Gel Set Comply with TSA regulations! Onequart zip top bag and three oz. bottles. AAA GETAWAYS! 95 12-day Australia/New Zealand 14-day Hawaiian Islands Sail from Sydney to Auckland on the Fares from Diamond Princess®. Itinerary includes $ * Melbourne, Tasmania, Fiordland National Park, Dunedin, Christchurch, and Tauranga. 1,445 1,645 14-day South America Fares from 1,795* $ Roundtrip from Los Angeles on the Golden Princess®. Itinerary includes Fares from $ * Hilo; Kilauea Volcano; Honolulu; Nawiliwili, Kauai; Lahaina, Maui. 11-day Alaska Cruisetour Sail from Santiago to Rio de Janeiro on the Star Princess®. Itinerary includes Chilean Fjords; Punta Arenas, Chile; Tierra del Fuego; Cape Horn; Falkland Islands; Montevideo, Uruguay; Buenos Aires. Fares from 2,022* $ Sail from Whitter to Vancouver on the Coral Princess®. Itinerary includes Fairbanks; Denali National Park; Mt. McKinley Wilderness Lodge; College Fjord and Glacier Bay; Skagway; Juneau; Ketchikan; Inside Passage. Fares shown INCLUDE a fuel supplement of $9.00 per person per day up to a maximum of $126.00. Call AAA Minneapolis at (952) 927-2525 or 1-800-871-7352 to book your Princess cruise. * Fares are cruise only, per person, USD, based on double occupancy group pricing, capacity controlled, subject to availability, and may be limited by residency and may expire. Fuel Supplement of up to $126 is included in cruise fares and subject to change. Government fees and taxes of between $63.38 and $238.92 are additional and subject to change. See the applicable Princess brochure or princess.com for terms, conditions, and definitions. Ships’ registry: Bermuda. $1,445 fare is based on December 10, 2009, Diamond Princess sailing, Cat JJ. $1,795 fare is based on March 2, 2009, Star Princess sailing, Cat JJ. $1,645 fare is based on February 18, 2009, Golden Princess sailing, Cat J. $2,022 fare is based on June 4, 2009, Coral Princess sailing, Cat I. $995 $64 95 Member $80 Non-Member 00 SOLARLINK FR500 Self-powered AM/FM/NOAA weather radio with flashlight, solar power, hand crank power, and cell phone charger. Member 95 $12 Non-Member $795 Rick Steves Silk Money Belt or Neck Wallet Comfortable spun silk. Your best guarantee against pickpocket theft. Anne McAlpin Freshen-Up Set FREE with any Anne McAlpin travel bag purchase. While supplies last. Member $8 Non-Member 95 $11995 Member $150 Non-Member 00 VOICELINK FR1000 Self-powered AM/FM/NOAA weather radio with flashlight, alert beacon, siren, GMRS walkie talkie function, and cell phone charger. AAA PREMIUM ROAD KITS 42-Piece Emergency – Reg. $2995 Member $1995 63-Piece Severe Weather – Reg. $5000 Member $3995 $2995 AAA Minneapolis St. Louis Park Headquarters Hours: Now Open 8 - 7 p.m. Monday - Thursday • 8 - 6 p.m. Fridays • 9 - 5 p.m. Saturdays Bloomington Downtown Eden Prairie Edina Maple Grove Minnetonka 98th & Lyndale Baker Skyway Prairie Ctr. Dr. Galleria Grove Sq. Ctr. Ridge Sq. N. (952) 888-4232 (612) 338-8432 (952) 944-9585 (952) 925-2244 (763) 494-3773 (952) 545-5454 St. Louis Park Hwy. 100 & Excelsior Blvd. (952) 927-2505 www.aaaminneapolis.com 19 “Whale, starboard side!” I drop my book and look out my cabin window to see a humpback whale breaching 100 yards off. by Sandy Klim I t’s going to be another awe-inspiring evening as we push forward into Alaska's Inside Passage aboard Cruise West's Spirit of Yorktown. Throwing on a jacket and slippers, we rush topside with our fellow cruisers. Dave Miller, our onboard Alaskan guide, enthusiastically calls out, “Over there! Wow, he's done it again.” It's 9:30 at night. In Alaska's time, however, evening is still day, creating a low dusky-dawn effect. The whale again heaves its bulk out of the water before slapping back down into the frigid northern waters. Dave continues, remembering to raise his microphone so the folks still in their cabins know we are experiencing something truly remarkable. No one's completely sure why humpback whales enthusiastically perform these difficult maneuvers, though they are generally carried out in groups, perhaps as courting or to stun fish when feeding. These Frederick Sound humpbacks made the long journey to feed in Alaska. They'll migrate back to warmer waters to mate and give birth during the winter months. As the whales fade from sight, we head back to our cabin after chatting with Dave, who has been with Cruise West since 1983. With a degree in Environmental Science, he teaches during the winter months and spends his summers hosting cruises, hiking, and backpacking. I'm amazed at his knowledge and insight into this wilderness and the wildlife that call this land home. visitors experience the beauty of Alaska in a personal way. His son, Richard, is now at the helm, and the up-close and friendly atmosphere remains true to his father's vision. Today, Cruise West has a fleet of nine small ships that voyage to Alaska, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the South Pacific. Alaska – or Alyeska, the Aleut word for “great land” – became our 49th U.S. state in 1959. It was purchased in 1867 for $7.2 million, or just 2 cents an acre. It is one of only two states not bordered by another state. (Hawaii is the other.) The onboard atmosphere of our ship was casually communal. With only 100 or so guests on board, we soon got to know both the crew and our traveling companions. There are no formal nights; evening dresses have been exchanged for blue jeans and sweaters. As we sail through these remarkable waters, it's a bit humbling. The staggering force of massive glaciers millions of years ago shaped huge mountains that now jut from the icy waters. Carpeted in majestic forests and home to millions of lakes and thundering waterfalls, it's the perfect habitat for bald eagles, sea lions, moose, bears, mountain goats, and myriad marine animals. Our journey through the Inside Passage, a route between the mainland and the coastal islands, began a few days earlier in the gateway city of Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” There, we toured the picturesque downtown. Former homes and brothels during the gold rush days have been turned into colorful buildings that now house gift shops and museums. Locals and visitors cast lines off the shore and, to the delight of the crowd, reel in large salmon. I'm traveling with my husband, Frank, and 16year-old daughter, Sarah. We were briefly tempted to rent fishing gear, but quickly realized we'd have no place to cook up our trophies. Instead, we followed the scents of a wood fire and lunched leisurely on smoked salmon and chowder in the warm Alaskan sun. We reboard the ship, one of many vessels in the Cruise West line founded by Chuck West, who pioneered Alaska tourism more than 60 years ago. He created a fleet of small ships, letting www.aaaminneapolis.com Since the ship is small, our captain is able to steer us to the best vantage point for viewing. When a brown bear is spotted, he hugs the shoreline. When we near a pod of whales, he navigates to safely follow their path. Each morning, we wake to yet another spectacular location. On this particular morning, I look out to see a majestic haze covering the gentle waters of Misty Fjords and massive, steep-sided mountains flanking the sides of the ship. We're sailing through tranquil Tongass National Forest, which covers 80 percent of Southeast Alaska. The ship docks at Metlakatla on Annette Island, the native home of Tsimshian Indians. Today, their descendants carry on their rich culture and proud heritage. As we are treated to a traditional dance by Alaska Natives, a young boy approaches. “’Dseen,” he says shyly in Tsimshian. “Welcome.” Totem poles dot the landscape in Metlakatla. These intricate works of art each tell a story or relate a significant event, the details carved out in sections on the totem. Along the Inside Passage, the shores are filled with small villages, all celebrating a flavorful diversity of geographical roots. The small fishing town of Petersburg is known as 21 did you know “Little Norway.” The residents celebrate their past with traditional Norwegian food, dance, and artistry. As we sail inland, emerald-green waters are accented by brilliant blue chunks of ice (called “bergie bits”), a sure sign we're nearing the Sawyer Glaciers. These two remarkable glaciers lay at the end of Tracy Arm, a 25-mile fjord marked by chiseled granite cliffs and cascading mountain-high waterfalls. The captain maneuvers us closer just as a thunderous crack breaks the silence and a huge chunk of ice crashes into the water (called calving), sending spray hundreds of feet in the air. Dozens of birds, relaxing amiably on the ice, scatter into the air. Then there's silence again, except for the rapid-fire clicking of cameras. We pause for a moment. The glacier, as if alive, is creaking and groaning, seemingly ready for another great shedding into the sea. We journey on to explore more of Tracy Arm and are treated to an amazing display of humpbacks and orcas cavorting, breaching, and blowing – many surprisingly close to the bow – that seem to bid us welcome. The ship slows as we pass mountain goats nibbling on the sheer peaks of the granite cliffs. A brown bear bats at the water onshore, looks up momentarily at our passing, and then goes back to the business of lunch. We sail past a laid-back sea otter and his buddy floating on a chunk of ice. Alaska's wonders never seem to cease. The next day, we sail through Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, part of the 24 million-acre World Heritage Site, the largest internationally protected area in the world. More than a dozen active glaciers flow from the Fairweather and St. Elias Mountain ranges, with peaks rising more than 15,000 feet. the largest sea lions, weighing in at 1,800 pounds and measuring up to 11-feet-long. Colorful horned puffins share the shoreline with brown and black bears, mountain goats, and moose. The day is peaceful; the beauty serene. I breathe in the setting, capturing the memory of this experience. Another morning brings a new adventure as we explore the seaside town of Skagway, the original starting point for many early gold seekers. “Gold!” headlines ran in 1897, starting the rush. Thousands, hoping to ease the woes of economic depression, sold farms and businesses, and boarded ships to follow their dreams north. They braved icy passes to reach the interior of Canada, only to find many of the gold claims staked by prospectors who preceded them. A few struck gold, many more returned home penniless. The town of Skagway has restored some of the original buildings, and it is a quaint reminder of headier days. ALASKA’S NATIVE HERITAGE Nearly 20 percent of Alaska’s 650,000 residents (about 130,000 people) are Native or have Native descent. There was a time, however, when the territory was dominated by their indigenous cultures. Today, as the state continues to grow in population and diversity, Alaska’s Natives are working diligently on educating others on the state’s first peoples. Guided by their Mission Statement, the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage works on “[s]haring, perpetuating, and preserving unique Alaska Native cultures, languages, traditions, and values through celebration and education.” This task not only involves educating residents and visitors through workshops, demonstrations, and interactive exhibitions, they also strive for cross-cultural exchanges among Alaska’s cultural Native groups – the Aleut Athabascan (Interior Indians); Tlingit and Haida (both Coastal Indians); Inupiat (Northern Eskimos); and Yupik (Southern Eskimos). Despite the many Native languages, creeds, and philosophies, the Heritage Center builds on the groups’ common goals, values, and challenges in order to continue the cycle of knowledge that has perpetuated their societies for hundreds of generations. photo courtesy of Cruise West Our final port is Haines, and we book a small raft to float down the Chilkat River to view eagles. Thousands of majestic birds migrate to the Chilkat, where they spend the winter feeding on salmon. In summer, many remain, and scores of eagles can be seen perched in the trees and stumps along the shoreline. Our final evening on ship, we dine with our fellow cruisers, now friends. We all lament a bit about the journey's end when we hear a familiar voice: “Everyone, there's a pod of whales on our port side!” Dave beckons us to join him on deck. KETCHIKAN colorfully painted houses in the old port city Many consider the Sawyer Glaciers two of the most beautiful in Alaska. The striking blue color is created by the density of the ice, which absorbs all the colors of the spectrum except blue, which is reflected. The soft light that filters over snowcapped peaks creates a stunning view. 22 The mountains create a dramatic backdrop for the beautiful scenery below of coastal islands and narrow fjords. Throughout the day, eagles soar overhead and we pass by dozens of sea lions soaking up sun on Marble Island. Named for their lion-like roar and a thick mane-like ruff, they are Home & Away – December 2008 We run upstairs to the sight of dozens of whales swimming alongside the ship. One breaches and a roar goes up. We smile and say a few farewells – not only to our friends, but also to a land we've grown to love. Sandy Klim is editor-in-chief of AAA’s Going Places Magazine. www.aaaminneapolis.com 23 cruising you, and will also be a liaison to answer any questions you might have along the way. photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line Furthermore, your agent can help you find the best possible price. Some people tend to think that a cruise is expensive but, when you compare costs, cruising is almost always a better value. While there may be more expenses going in (meals, entertainment, and sightseeing), a cruise often works out to be the better deal. SETTING SAIL 101 a primer for first-time cruisers by Jeff Brown GETTING THERE I f you’ve never been on a cruise before, why not? It’s really not that complicated to plan or that expensive, especially if you keep these tips in mind when planning your first cruise. STARTING OFF Cruising is not one-ship-fits-all. Think about what you liked about your previous vacations and apply that to your cruise planning. For instance, if you’re looking to party, consider a Carnival cruise for a Las Vegas-at-sea atmosphere; Holland America ships, on the other hand, tend toward a calmer, relaxing ambiance. DON’T FORGET It’s more challenging choosing • Pack copies of your a destination. Warm locales passport and driver’s license, like the Caribbean, Bahamas, separate from the actual Hawaii, and Mexico are items, for emergencies. always popular, but cooler destinations, such as Alaska, • It’s never comfortable to Canada, and New England, put a wet swimsuit back attract plenty of cruisers, on; bring more than one, too. River cruising is also so that you can leave the an emerging option. wet one drying. before you go • A cheap plastic watch is perfect for the beach or pool, with no real harm if it gets wet. 24 That said, don‘t cut costs so much that it affects your experience. This often comes into play when choosing a cabin. Smaller interior rooms are the cheapest option but, if your budget allows, consider a balcony or outside cabin. Work with your travel agent to sort out all the details. An agent will ask questions to try to get a good idea of what experience is right for While the majority of cruises depart from traditionally popular ports like Miami, an increasing number of ships are now sailing from other harbors. New York City, Boston, Baltimore, and Philadelphia have seen rapidly growing numbers of travelers coming through their ports, with ships heading north to Canada, south to the Caribbean and Bermuda, and even across the Atlantic to Europe. Regardless of where you debark, have the proper identification. Your travel agent will confirm what documents are needed based on your itinerary. That said, a passport is the easiest document to travel with, so having an up-to-date one is a good idea. DAY TRIPPING Examine the shore excursions available at the ports of call on your itinerary. Nearly every cruise line will offer several different activities at each stop, featuring all manner of tours and activities. While these options are not always included in the cost of the cruise, shore excursions are a good way to see the destination. Prices can range from just a few dollars for a brief tour of the town, to hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars for exotic outings, like a helicopter ride to the top of a mountain. Most cruise lines offer detailed information about their excursions online, as well as the opportunity to book them in advance. Besides the cruise lines, many other companies advertise excursions aimed at cruisers. These may be cheaper than the cruise line’s offerings, but buyer beware; if Home & Away – December 2008 something goes wrong, like your tour bus breaks down and can’t get you back to the ship on time, the boat won’t wait for you if you’re not on a cruise linesponsored excursion. Of course, if you want to relax, plenty of cruisers skip the excursions entirely, preferring just to lie on the beach or stroll through shops located near the port. GETTING READY TO GO When packing, remember that you’re essentially staying in a floating hotel, which will provide towels and some basic toiletries. Pack your most important items (including travel documents, any medication, and a change of clothes) in a small carry-on bag in case your checked baggage is slow arriving to your cabin. (This is also important if you are flying to the port, on the off chance that your luggage gets delayed or lost by the airline.) Almost every ship’s guidelines call for casual-wear during the day. That means jeans or shorts, or even swimwear, depending on the weather. Don’t forget a cover-up for those swimsuits while walking to/from the pool. Depending on the cruiseline, evenings can be a little dressier; no jeans or shorts are allowed at dinner. If your ship’s schedule includes one or more formal nights, remember to pack accordingly; on most ships, a cocktail dress for ladies and a dark suit for men will suffice. DON’T TIP OVER (OR UNDER) One of the most confusing parts of the cruise can be tipping – who gets what, when, and how much? Cruise lines usually offer a list of suggested gratuities, with about $100 per person per week usually sufficient covering the wait staff, cabin attendant, and others. FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD Cruisers have never had more options when it comes to food. Generally speaking, meals (even room service) are included in the price of the cruise. Most ships offer a casual buffet that is open nearly all day, plus a dining room with plenty of daily entrée options and slightly more formal arrangements for dinner. Many newer cruise ships also offer alternative dining. These onboard restaurants are a little more upscale and may offer a little better service, but cost extra, averaging around $20 per person per meal. This primer should be enough to get you started. Now all you have to do is have a bon voyage! Jeff Brown is former editor of AAA World Magazine. www.aaaminneapolis.com 25 U.S VIRGIN ISLANDS paradise found by Sandy Klim I stepped into the salt-scented air of St. Croix. My fellow travelers were a blend of locals, tourists, and those wanting to be locals. Like most Caribbean islands, time moves slower here. As I waited for my bags to make their way along the well-worn carousel, a chap to my left had taken a seat on a randomly placed folding chair. He sipped a complimentary mai-tai (rum is big here, as in most Caribbean islands) and chatted that this trip was the fulfillment of a dream to live in the U.S. Virgin Islands (U.S.V.I). He was here to buy a home for his retirement and St. Croix was his island of choice. did you know DRIVING IN THE U.S.V.I. Vehicles are driven on the left side of the road (the only U.S. possession where this occurs). This law is based upon the Danish practice at the time of the islands’ annexation. This proves problematic to many – with most cars imported from the U.S., the steering wheel is on the left (instead of on the right, as it is placed in England, for example). 26 It's much easier to purchase homes, live, and work here, since residents are citizens of the U.S. As a territory, locals enjoy many U.S. rights and governmental services, such as postal service. The U.S.V.I. also offers a culturally diverse and ethnically rich society whose heritage originates from Africa, England, Holland, Denmark, Spain, France, India, and, of course, the States. There are three main U.S. Virgin Islands – St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, although you'll find smaller islands and more than 50 small islets and cays. Each island is distinct, but all share the benefit of clear azure waters that lap pristine sun-kissed beaches. Add in beautiful national parks, duty-free shopping, hiking, fine dining, and nightlife, and you've got the makings of a lively vacation – all at a very reasonable price. ST. CROIX St. Croix's mountainous landscape is lush with tropical foliage, seemingly unchanged since Christopher Columbus first ventured ashore more than 500 years ago. Today, visitors find colorful shops and fine restaurants housed in old Danish-built structures that line the island's wide streets. There are two main cities on St. Croix – the waterfront towns of Frederiksted and Christiansted – and both share beautiful 18th-century European architecture. Christiansted, on the east side, packs in a lot of history, so be prepared to spend time exploring the fort and surrounding buildings. The imposing yellow-brick Fort Christiansvaern still stands sentry over Christiansted Harbor, although pirates no longer roam the nearby waters. When caught plundering the island's ports, foreign invaders were housed beneath the building. There's an immediate sense of claustrophobia in these small, dank dungeons that is further enhanced by the panoramic views above. The fort has been restored and is now a National Historic site. Home & Away – December 2008 The tradition of making rum on St. Croix is carried on by the Nelthropp family at the Cruzan Rum distillery. A free tour is offered daily. The pungent aroma of steaming molasses and yeast is a paradox, given the sweet concoctions that result in this world-famous rum. Once the mixture has boiled, fermented, and distilled to a clear liquid, it's stored in crafted oak barrels for an aging process of two to 12 years. The whole process can be viewed from start to finish, culminating in a free sample in their guest area – or pu