Noordam - October 8, 2023

Famed as a year-round vacation resort, San Diego also carries huge economic clout as California's second largest city. With magnificent beaches and two world-class zoos, the city enjoys a dazzling Mediterranean climate and a rich multicultural heritage. The surrounding county embraces forested mountains, vast desert lands, and miles of sunny beaches. It just doesn't seem fair to the rest of us.

The merchants and friendly residents of Hilo invite you to take time to explore and discover this wonderful city. Visit the many unique and one-of-a-kind stores featuring Hawaiiana (vintage island treasures). Shop for distinctive designer dresses and shirts, and see the famous Hilo Farmer's Market, or stop off for a bite to eat at one of the many local restaurants.

Established as Kauai's principal port in 1930, Nawiliwili was named for the Wiliwili trees that were once abundant in the area. Cruise ships make port in the picturesque harbor, which is overlooked by the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club. Visitors enjoy the crystal clear waters and pristine beaches Hawaii is famous for, while in Nawiliwili.

Honolulu offers many wonderful attractions. Aloha Tower is famous for greeting all who arrive in the port of Honolulu, and has the best views of the city. The Bishop Museum has the world's largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts, and the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil, has served as the residence of the last two Hawaiian monarchs.

Kailua-Kona is a great destination for those looking for small-town atmosphere in beautiful Hawaii. The town offers shops, galleries, gorgeous beaches, and spectacular sunsets. Many record-setting marlin have been caught in the area's waters. Step into the lobby of the Kamehameha Hotel, where you can see many historical Hawaiian artifacts.

If you love nature, you' ll love Christmas Island! 63 percent of this paradise is national park, containing species of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world! Exploring the waters surrounding the island is a grand experience where myriads of tropical fish swim by in only meters of water. A short distance away divers can cruise the drop-off, which plunges dramatically into the abyss.

The largest of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, Tahiti held a magical attraction for artist Paul Gauguin and writer Robert Louis Stevenson. To understand why, simply listen to the winds whistling through casuarina trees on a secluded black-sand beach, or stroll through beautiful botanical gardens and marvel at island flora.

The largest of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, Tahiti held a magical attraction for artist Paul Gauguin and writer Robert Louis Stevenson. To understand why, simply listen to the winds whistling through casuarina trees on a secluded black-sand beach, or stroll through beautiful botanical gardens and marvel at island flora.

Here, you'll find the real South Seas' experience -- a casual, barefoot existence amidst white sand beaches and multi-hued lagoons surrounded by jagged mountains and volcanic spires that reach into the clouds, while below, valleys are blanketed with the colors that one only finds when tropical climates and rich, volcanic soils meet.

Raiatea is the second largest island of French Polynesia after Tahiti. A tour of the island will reveal lush green valleys, numerous waterfalls, pineapple and vanilla plantations. Discover fascinating underwater scenery within Raiatea's deep lagoon which is rich with fish, and surrounded by mountains.

Capital of the Cook Islands, Rarotonga is an exquisite slice of paradise. Only 20 miles wide and home to under 10,000 inhabitants, the island offers spectacular beauty without crowds or compromise. Visit a 19th-century trading post. Sample the delicacies at an Umukai feast. No snakes, poisonous insects, or wild animals live on Rarotonga, so your hikes are sure to be as safe as they are enjoyable.

The Kingdom of Tonga is the oldest, and last remaining Polynesian monarchy. See the place where Captain Cook landed in 1777, along with the now huge tree that was planted on that occasion. Visit the ancient tombs of Tongan kings. Then view local crafts at the Tongan National Centre.

Brisbane, located in Australia's Queensland, enjoys beach-perfect summers and mild winters. Other reasons to stay in this sunny city include its wealth of good food, diverse shopping, and copious arts and entertainment choices. Ride one of the ferries, paddlewheels, or pleasure boats on the Brisbane River. Stroll among the gardens of the city center or relax on the beach.

Say 'G'day' to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Stroll along the world-famous Bondi and Watsons Beaches. Tour the Sydney Opera House on Bennelong Point, shop for Aboriginal art, or go on a photographic safari. This diverse land is home to crocodiles, koalas, emus, and, of course, kangaroos.

In Tasmania, the 'stones are time' and so are the trees, which are believed to be the oldest living things on earth. This small island-state has preserved one-third of its land as nature reserves to keep its many ecological treasures safe. You might even spot a platypus, a penguin, or even a Tasmanian Devil.

Milford Sound is the most famous and accessible of the grand glacier carved fiords scattered along New Zealand's south western coast. Mountain peaks with sculptural, hanging valleys, send waterfalls cascading over sheer granite cliffs to the sea below. Boat trips on the Sound are a must and provide close up views of awe inspiring scenery.

A vast remote wilderness, with snow capped mountains, glacial lakes and valleys, fiords, islands, waterfalls and dense forest. It contains some of New Zealand's best known tramping tracks, including the Milford, Kepler, Dusky, Routeburn and Hollyford. Fishing, hunting, guided walks, cruises on lakes and fiords, scenic flights, penguins, seals, dolphins and spectacular coastal features await you.

The attractive, historic town and modern container port of Port Chalmers, on a tiny peninsula 12km from Dunedin, is worth a half-day trip for its magnificent harbour views offset by bush-covered hills, its fine nineteenth-century buildings and its thriving artistic community. The site was chosen in 1844 as the port to serve the proposed Scottish settlement of New Edinburgh, later called Dunedin. The first settlers arrived on the John Wickliffe in March 1848 and named the port after the Reverend Dr Thomas Chalmers.

Timaru is an attractive, safe coastal city situated on rolling hill country at the southern end of the Canterbury Plains. It has excellent sporting, cultural and recreational facilities and lies within two hours of Christchurch city and international airport.

Christchurch has a long historic connection with Antarctic exploration. It is from the port of Lyttleton (about 10 miles North of Christchurch) that Captain Scott sailed for Antarctica. Today Lyttleton is a port of call for ships of the United States and New Zealand Antarctic programs A monument to Captain Scott (created by his wite Katherine) stands alongside the banks of the River Avon in Christchurch.

Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand / Aotearoa. It is also the cultural, administrative and political center of the country. Two aspects of the city that will immediately strike any visitor are the sprawling harbour and the dramatic, hilly terrain. Everywhere you go, the sounds and smell of the ocean hang in the air, and green hills and valleys wrap you in a bear-hug embrace.

In 1931 a disastrous earthquake destroyed the city. The earthquake heaved 40 square kilometres of water covered land above sea level. Rebuilding began, resulting in Napier becoming the art deco capital. With Napier being a coastal town there are a wide variety of water sports, fishing trips, pleasure cruises and also night cruises which are very popular. Other activities include windsurfing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing and parasailing - all available on the waterfront.

Tauranga is located in the Bay of Plenty and is the region's largest residential and commercial area, boasting profuse sunshine and a fertile landscape. The township is the center of a large kiwifruit and citrus growing area and houses a population of approximately 91,000 people, including those residing in Mount Maunganui.

New Zealand's largest city is draped over seven volcanoes and wrapped around Waitemata Harbour (meaning "sea of sparkling waters" in Maori). Despite its British feel, it is the world's largest Polynesian city. Shop for Polynesian crafts on Queen Street, the main drag. Or from atop Mt. Eden, overlook the "City of Sails," which will host the America's Cup races in 2000.