Opening Summer 2003 is the first phase of the San Diego Zoo’s latest exhibit project - the New Heart of the Zoo. It’s going to be a swinging time in the “Absolutely Apes” orangutan and siamang exhibit. For the first time in Zoo history, these two species of apes will live together in a lush, tropical setting resembling their native region of Indonesia. The brilliant, eye-catching flamingos that have greeted Zoo guests at the front plaza for more than 50 years will also have a new lagoon.

Dozens of rare and obscure animals can be found throughout the facility alongside more familiar zoo faces - polar bears, camels, lions, tigers, pygmy chimpanzees and much more. Guests to the San Diego Zoo become immersed in lush, tropical settings called bio-climactic zones such as Tiger River, Gorilla Tropics, Ituri Forest and Owens Rainforest Aviary. In these naturalistic habitats visitors will find an array of plants and animals native to specific regions of the world. In other areas of the Zoo, guest may come face-to-face with bears, elephants, koalas and more. The San Diego Zoo is also a botanical garden with a prominent collection consisting of more than 700,000 plants. Like the Zoo’s world-class animal collection, many species of flora are rare and endangered.

The Children’s Zoo features more than 20 exhibits designed with children in mind. Low glass windows in many exhibits create easy viewing. A petting paddock allows children to interact with friendly sheep, goats and pot-bellied pigs.

The zoo, however, is only one part of Balboa Park. The rest is spread out over hundreds of acres. The part of the park that attracts the most attention is an area called El Prado. Here, nestled in beautiful gardens enhanced by majestic palm and eucalyptus trees, are most of the park’s impressive museums, galleries and other attractions, all within walking distance of each other.

A great place to begin or conclude a tour of Balboa Park is at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (11) (619-238-1233). This large 93,505 sq. ft. science center showcases over 100 “hands-on,” interactive exhibits and attractions that the whole family will enjoy. Plus, they offer several fantastic films on the world’s first IMAX® Dome Theater that surrounds visitors, creating a “you-are-there” experience. New to the Science Center is the Virtual Zone housing two different virtual reality attractions and the motion simulator ride, SciTours, where visitors take a voyage into outer space to intercept a comet headed towards Earth. The virtual reality experience, Smoke and Mirrors aimed at children and teens, is intended to increase their knowledge of the consequences of tobacco use. On the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. you can take a tour of the planets and stars during their planetarium shows. Five fascinating science exhibit galleries, each with a different scientific and technological theme, are popular attractions to explore. Be sure to visit ExploraZone - over thirty hands-on exhibits from San Francisco’s Exploratorium - located in the Main Exhibit Gallery. In addition to their exciting permanent collection, this wonderful museum presents major national travelling exhibitions several times a year.

The next major attraction on your self-guided tour should be the San Diego Natural History Museum (16) (619-232-3821). This fascinating museum features marvelous seasonal and permanent exhibits which focuses on the bi-national region of Southern California and the Baja California, Mexico peninsula. Learn the secret stories of rocks, fossils, plants and animals, such as the prehistoric sabertooth tiger that roamed this area millions of years ago. Don’t miss their must-see, award-winning film on Baja California and the Sea of Cortés called Ocean Oasis in the museum’s giant-screen movie theater.

Between the Natural History Museum and the zoo is the Spanish Village Art Center (3) (619-233-9050), which is one of Balboa Park’s hidden treasures. This historic landmark, built in 1935 for the California Pacific International Exposition, is the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind works of art at reasonable prices. Here, in a charming courtyard accented with colorful flowers and majestic trees, are artists at work creating, demonstrating, and displaying their beautiful creations. Surrounding the courtyard is a collection of 37 studios, galleries and guilds presenting the works of over 300 of San Diego’s finest artists and craftsmen. Various mediums are used by the many artistic creators including blown glass, ceramics, enamel, jewelry, polymer clay, paints, pottery, sculpture, wood and more. On the Pradois the Casa de Balboa. The largest operating model railroad museum in North America is on display on the lower level. The San Diego Model Railroad Museum (619-696-0199) features scaled model train exhibits, complete with bridges, tunnels and depots. Visit their new interactive Toy Train Gallery, where you can play engineer.

Also located in Casa de Balboa is the San Diego Historical Society Museum and Research Archives (14) (619-232-6203). The museum features temporary and traveling exhibits on the history of the San Diego region utilizing journals, photographs, clothing, artwork and historical artifacts. Signature events are scheduled throughout the year in celebration of the museum’s 75th anniversary.

Also be sure to visit the newly expanded Museum of Photographic Arts (14) (619-238-7559) on the west end of the Casa de Balboa building. Featured here are twelve different shows a year that present the captivating photographic and cinematic works of art by well-known and up and coming photographers world-wide.

Next door to the west is the House of Hospitality, which is home to the 400-seat Prado Restaurant and Lounge (13) (619-557-9441). Their unique menu and charming setting make it a great place to dine. Most popular is their beautiful terrace and fountain garden, which is one of San Diego’s favorite wedding locations. They also hold cooking classes and wine-tasting events. For a meal to remember, ask for their fabulous jumbo prawns. Seating is provided indoors in the courtyard room or solarium (ask for tables 204 or 301), or outdoors on the terrace (ask for tables 127 or 128), which is especially delightful on warm, summer days.

Camera buffs never tire of taking photographs of the Lily Pond (9), which is one of the most photographed sites in the park. It was built in 1915.

Just behind the Lily Pond is the Botanical Building (17), which contains over 2,500 permanent tropical plants, including an outstanding fern and orchid collection. The fine old wood lath structure is one of the largest of its kind in the world. It’s open Fri-Wed., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free.

The Timken Museum of Art (12) (619-239-5548) is considered the most critically acclaimed collection of Russian icons, European Old Masters and 18th- and 19th-century American paintings. It contains an extraordinary collection of French, Italian and Flemish paintings, including works by Rembrandt and Reubens. Admission is free .

The historic San Diego Museum of Art (10) (619-232-7931), the county’s first, largest and primary art institution, provides a rich and diverse cultural experience for more than 500,000 annual visitors. Its world-renowned collections consist of over 12,000 art pieces dating as far back as 5,000 B.C. and includes Dutch and Spanish Baroque old masters, Italian Renaissance, American art, 19th- and 20th-century European paintings and sculptures, Asian art treasures and contemporary art. You can even take a virtual tour of the museum’s collection by visiting their website online. In addition, the museum has garnered international recognition for organizing and hosting major exhibitions featuring art from throughout the world. The museum also offers a broad variety of supportive cultural programming that includes lectures, concerts and films.

While browsing through the park, you will undoubtedly hear the majestic sounds of the bells from the 198-foot California Tower ringing every fifteen minutes. The California Tower is considered to be one of the finest examples of Spanish-style architecture in the United States. The Museum of Man (7) (619-239-2001) features fascinating exhibits on human evolution, Egyptian artifacts, Kumeyaay culture and Mayan monuments. Little ones can also enjoy the Children’s Discovery Center, which allows them to experience living in ancient Egyptian times.

Tucked behind the Museum of Man is one of the country’s leading regional theater complexes and California’s oldest professional theater organization. It’s the world renowned, Tony award-winning Globe Theatres (6), and is comprised of three theaters-the Old Globe Theatre, Cassius Carter Centre and Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. Each theater is uniquely designed and continues the over 67-year tradition of offering high quality, entertaining productions, which include a great variety of classical and contemporary dramas, comedies and musicals. For performance schedule and prices, call (619-239-2255).

To appreciate the works of San Diego’s best artists, you should visit the San Diego Art Institute (8) (619-236-0011) in the House of Charm. Every four to six weeks a new exhibition is presented showcasing the contemporary works of local talented artists.

Also located in this same building is the Mingei International Museum (8) (619-239-0003). Mingei is a word used transculturally for “art of the people.” This museum features dynamic changing exhibits of traditional and contemporary folk art, craft and design from cultures throughout the world. The museum’s permanent collection consists of 14,000 objects from over 100 countries.

At the Spreckels Organ Pavilion (18) (619-702-8138) you can hear a variety of music played on the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ. This organ has 4,518 individual pipes, ranging in length from less than one quarter of an inch to over 32 feet! Free organ concerts are held every Sunday at 2 p.m. During the summer, they also have special free evening performances on Mondays at 7:30 p.m.

In the interest of park safety, mounted police patrol the park throughout the year. Patrons of the arts, as well as visitors attending evening theater performances are encouraged to park in lighted parking areas and to use the well-traveled sidewalks.

Balboa Park is the culture center of San Diego with spectacular museums and attractions, highly acclaimed theaters, and the San Diego Zoo. It epitomizes the beauty, history and heart of America’s Finest City. It’s no wonder that San Diegans never tire of visiting and revisiting this major attraction.

About the Author

Barry Berndes celebrates 35 years as San Diego’s Dean of Restaurant Reviewers. He visited over 100 restaurants, went unnanounced, inspected their kitchens, paid for his own meals and wrote about his findings in the SAN DIEGAN. The SAN DIEGAN is your travel & liesure review resource for attractions, hotels and dining in America’s Finest City, San Diego.

When you discuss holiday destinations with people, the better trodden paths are the ones most frequented, not many people I know have traveled to the Philippines. Let me tell you, if you enjoy tropical islands with white powdery sand merging into the jungle on one side and then disappearing into the turquoise blue water on the other, then this is the place for you! After all there are 7,107 islands in the Philippines, take your pick!

The Philippines is the third largest English speaking country in the world, which makes getting around so much easier. Tourism has not really taken off like in neighboring Asian countries, like Thailand and Malaysia and the infrastructure is not quite there, which in a way makes it all the more exciting because your holiday will become an adventure, it can drag you down at times but once you arrive at your final destination the trip getting there will be long forgotten.

My journey took me to the resort town of Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro. Puerto Galera is the port where Spanish Galleons use to take refuge from the might of the typhoons. Letting your imagination wonder a little as you glance around the port, you can almost see the Spanish Galleons swinging on their anchors.
Puerto Galera has recently won the 2005 Most Beautiful Bay in the World Award. It is easy to see why.

Getting to Puerto Galera

From Manila you need to take a bus to Batangas which takes approximately three hours, depending on the time of day and which day it is, the longest it has taken me was seven hours. From Batangas which is south of the Philippine capital of Manila you can catch a ferry across to Puerto Galera which is about an hour to an hour and half. The trip to Batangas is pretty uneventful, the real beauty starts when you get on the ferry. The water is a deep cobalt blue, if you are lucky you may even see dolphins, turtles and flying fish.

The Beaches

The majority of the resorts are centered around the beaches of Sabang, Small La Laguna and Big la Laguna. Sabang is where most of the action is, discos, pubs, restaurants and lots of accommodation. The next beach along is Small La Laguna which has more accommodation and the beach is quite nice. Make sure you stop off at the Point Bar which separates Sabang from Small La Laguna Beach the view is outstanding. Moving further away from Sabang you come to, in my opinion, the pick of the beaches, Big La Laguna Beach. The beach here is beautiful and it a lot quieter than Sabang, with some superior accommodation.

What to do in Puerto Galera?

The main focus here is the water. Scuba diving and snorkeling are the number one pursuits. The scuba diving is first class. There is no swell so swimming is safe, as are other water activities, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking.

Do try and get up to Ponderosa Golf Club for some jungle golf, lots of fun. Trekking is also available and do combine the trek to visit a Mangyan Village. Or you can just curl up on the beach with a good book!

Back to Reality

Pondering over my icy cold San Miguel, my first two week stay in these enchanted islands left me relaxed and ready to get back into the rat race of modern society. My first trip seemed like years ago, but I have visited and lived in this wonderful country on and off for a decade.

About the Author

Brett Jankowiak is the owner of http://www.philippines-travel-guide.com, Philippines Travel Guide, his passion for the Philippines is reflected in his writings and articles on his information based website.

VISITING BEAUFORT…

If you are fortunate enough to visit a small town in Beaufort, North Carolina, you will soon discover its uniqueness.

Beaufort is a waterfront town, and one of those places you could term as “charming.” It is rich — both in its history and the natural beauty of a seaside atmosphere.

I would term it “nice.”

Nice in the relaxing sense.

Nice like savoring the flavor of a fresh, delicious tuna sandwich with your special someone while allowing the calming presence of a beachfront view remind you one more time of what it means to “take time to live.”

PERSONALLY YOURS BY THE SEA

You could pass it by and not see it.

The sign is not huge by any standard. A few words painted on a wooden marker: “Personally Yours By The Sea.”

The size of the sign might easily be an indicator of the size of the gift shop it is advertising. In a word: small.

An area less than the measurements of an average living room houses the contents of “Personally Yours By The Sea, Ltd.” Should you discover this somewhat hidden treasure, upon entry you would no doubt receive a warm Southern greeting from Laura Lee.

Personally Yours By The Sea is a place of transformation.

You give Laura Lee a blank picture frame, for instance, and she will transform the frame into a personalized gift.

By combining a thought or two of your own with Laura Lee’s handiwork, the frame becomes a uniquely designed souvenir or present created for the sole purpose of causing someone to
experience a moment of joy each time it is viewed.

THE POINT

What was a blank picture frame becomes a *personal expression* of beauty for you or someone special to you.

It just takes…

Some time.
A personal thought or two. And a dash of creativity.

You might say that we each own a store — not too unlike the one in Beaufort. We are the sole proprietors of our own “Personally Yours” establishments.

As storeowners, we have the power to use our resources in whatever ways we choose. We, like Laura Lee, may add our unique “signatures” to the lives of those we influence.

Day by day we can design and distribute moments of delight, encouragement and hope to people.

IT ALL ADDS UP

Laura Lee has been personalizing her gifts for about fourteen years.

Fourteen years!

Allow your mind to wander for a few brief seconds. How many individualized expressions of happiness have been crafted over the years from Laura Lee’s tiny shop in Beaufort, North Carolina?

And…

In how many different places around the United States — or even the world — do you think these unique gifts can be found? (I can name at least two states that I know of for sure!)

Fourteen years.
And no doubt multiplied hundreds of customers.

That’s a lot of smiles for a lot of people

It also reveals the value of…

COMPOUND INFLUENCE

We know the value of compound interest. Consistent investments — even of relatively small amounts of money — made over a long period of time can add up.

Consider the “compound influence” we can have in the lives of people.

Our influence can “travel” — just like the personalized gifts purchased from a small waterfront town in North Carolina have traveled to the homes, places of employment, and vacation hideaways of many people in a variety of different locations.

WHAT’S THE SECRET?

Consistency –> That’s the secret of compound influence.

Some time
+
A personal thought or two +
A dash of creativity

*Repeated again and again over time* =
“Compound Influence”

I know this is not a new concept. It is not unique and certainly doesn’t qualify as brilliant.

But the determination to take small, consistent steps of action in order to delight the hearts of others according to the unique motivations and gifts we have been given is both *needed* and *valuable* in our world.

And with that in mind, maybe each of us should ask…

“HOW’S THE STORE?”

Do I have too much unused inventory?

Am I allowing my gifts, talents and abilities to lie somewhat dormant in the back room of my heart?

Or…

Is my inventory being consistently used to brighten the lives of people?

Am I utilizing the tremendous value of compound influence by consistently adding my personal “signature of joy” to the people in my world?

Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,

Lee

P.S. Why not spend a moment or two and take an inventory– an inventory of your strengths, gifts or abilities?

You don’t have to list all of them — just a few.

Once the list has been made, ask yourself this question: “How can I use one or more of these gifts I have been given to create a moment of joy for someone I care about?”

Just a thought

——————————- Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business at home, and writes two motivational ezines: “A Beautiful Moment In Time” and “Hope For Daily Living.” Permission is given to distribute article. This paragraph must be included. Email: Lee@seariches.net Link: http://www.seariches.net

Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business at home, and writes two motivational ezines: “A Beautiful Moment In Time” and “Hope For Daily Living.”