The marvels of nature – snow-capped mountains, massive glaciers and evergreen forests– surround Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city and home to the state’s largest Jewish congregation. Last September, the 200 families of Beth Sholom—who call themselves The Frozen Chosen–celebrated their 50th anniversary as a congregation.

Despite the fact that Royal Caribbean annoucened last week that its much-ballyhooed Oasis of the Seas wouldn’t be visiting Jamaica next summer after it debuts, few fans gave it a 2nd thought (a port in Falmouth, Jamaica is being custom built for the record size vessel but it won’t be ready in time for the inaugural sailing of the 5,400-passenger ship).

But does it even matter? More than any other ship, the 220,000-ton Oasis, which will be nearly 40% larger than the largest ship currently afloat, is a destination unto itself. Split into seven “neighborhoods,” the massive vessel will be chock full of once unthinkable attractions including Central Park, an open-air atrium with live trees; Boardwalk, a family-friendly amusement area; Royal Promenade, an indoor mall-like zone; a record size Vitality at Sea Spa & Fitness Center; an epic Pool and Sports Zone; and Entertainment Place, a sprawling nightclub district.

Who needs Jamaica–or any Caribbean island for that matter–when you have a virtual island (“city” really) as your own home on the water. This vessel will take cruising to a new extreme and we here at Amazing Journeys are excited to see it. Will we offer a cruise on it sometime in the near future? You tell us!!

 Konichiwa from Kyoto! We are in the throes of this amazing journey to the land of the rising sun and from our final stop, Kyoto, here just a few bits of some of the strange and wonderful experiences we have shared:
*Respect is the ultimate common denominator. Everyone bows, smiles, helps and cares. One can`t help but fall in love with the Japanese people.
*It is truly one of the most expensive experiences on earth. From upwards of $40-$140 for a meal, to $2000 to rent a bus for a group excursion…to $8 for coke (one glassful, with ice)…to souvenir prices that make you want to not bring something home for your friends, this is a destination you have to really save for in order to take advantage of.
*Tipping is an insult. Everyone does their job–and does it wonderfully…. because its their job. What a concept! (at least the tourist can save a few bucks this way)
*Shrines Shrines and more Shrines…
*Vending machines are everywhere. With a few coins in your pocket, you can buy yourself a soft drink, water, whisky, a toothbrush, hot coffee in a can….even a car! Yes…a car.
*Geishas do take a taxi from time to time.
*If someone bows to you, you bow back. So they bow again..and you bow…so they bow….
*We have yet to ascertain the proper moment to stop bowing, so we just keep bowing and walking away until someone is out of sight.
*A Japanese baseball game is like a college football game on steroids. Only more spirited! Bands, chants, songs and cheers…but NOT `The Wave` (there`s a sign that says so).
*Rules of respect: no talking on the subway, no eating while walking, no honking your horn, no talking on cellphone in public….and no tatoos in the hotsprings.

And there ya go! Life in Japan is different…but so wonderful.
Our `rising sun` is setting soon here in Japan. Tomorrow we head home with a lifetime of memories, new friends, new experiences and stomachs full of sushi and udon noodles.

Siyanora…

Amazing Journeys is off again..this time to The Land of the Rising Sun, Japan! We’re very excited to be experiencing all the rich legacies and ancient treasures that this land will bestow upon us. Its been only 140 years since the Japanese opened their doors to embracing the West, but they have done so with a flare for adopting things in their own way.

The summer travel season is upon us and we here at Amazing Journeys are feeling the buzz. As single travelers search for the destination-of-a-lifetime, planning it can be as cumbersome as a day in the office…and then, what’s the point in planning a vacation? One could always fend for themselves and put together a personalized tour to most anywhere, if doing all the leg work isn’t a bother. But, it can be a bother if you don’t have the expertise or wherewithall and patience to plan for you and a travel partner or two.

So, yesterday I went to a local luggage store to get repaired my relatively new but vigoursly used piece of luggage that was brutally bruised by American Airlines on my way home from Barcelona (and the Amazing Journeys Mediterranean Cruise that just concluded). Funny how the airlines have a Claims Office near baggage claim in every airport but for some reason to take no responsibility for virtually all kinds of damage that’s inflicted due directly to their handlers’ mis-care. Broken wheel? Not covered! Tear in the material? Not covered! Zipper torn wide open exposing all your personal belongings? Too bad–not covered!! Someone please explain..what responsibility doesthe airline have when it comes to the damage their mishandling causes?

 It doesn’t happen often, but once in a while I’ll get a call from someone who says “I don’t like cruising” or “Cruising’s not for me”. My immediate response it to ask “How many cruises have you been on?” Usually the answer is either ‘never’ or ‘one, about 15 years ago’. And when I further ask why cruising might not be up one’s alley (or ocean), one of the most common reasons is seasickness.
Now I respect one’s individuality when it comes to travel and I totally understand that not all kinds of travel are good for all kinds of people. But if you haven’t tried a cruise in the last 7 or 8 years, you’ve really missed an evolution in the industry. There are many reasons to take a cruise, but the little ditty here in today’s World According To blog is more about ruling out “seasickness” as a reason not to. The following bits of info should clear up a few falacies:

-Every year the words “state-of-the-art” take on a whole new meaning. The newer and newest ships are equipped with better and better Global Positioning Systems (GPS), advanced equipment and even “wings” (think airplane) underneath the ship to stabilize motion.

-The sensation of sea legs is a real phenomenon. During or even after your first cruise, you may feel like you body is on a moving sidewalk for a short while, but it subsides after a short while and goes away completely after you take on another cruise vacation. These feelings are mostly effected by your lower extremeties and shouldn’t have any effect on feeling nasty in the noggin.

-A ship is not a “boat”. Today’s passenger ships are designed with all the comforts of luxury hotels; from the structure of the vessel itself to personal amenties as common as the little shampoo bottles in the bathroom and concierge service, to some unique amenities such as your own personal stateroom attendant who oversees the tidiness of your room ’round the clock and even makes cute little towel animals to greet you at night. If need be, he can even provide you with some warm milk and hot water bottle if the ocean is too much on your motion. While your amenities are designed to keep you cozy, most of the time…you won’t even know the ship is moving.

-Pills Pressure Points & Patches: All three offer outstanding remedies for the sensitive type. On the rare occasion that the ship is rocking before its docking, dropping a bonine pill down the hatch provides a safe and effective cure of the “whoa’s”. The patch behind the ear is the most popular preventative measure to take; it provides a timed-release dosage of small amounts of medication to help you cope. Put this on before the cruise and you’ll never feel queasy again. You may get a raspy voice or a little bit of blurred vision (side effects), but your cruise will sail on happily with you on the bow screaming “I’m king of the world!!”. Finally, you could opt for the wrist band pressure point remedy. These bands provide no medication but supposedly they massage pressure points that help eliminate supress the sway.

-Another consideration if you’re still worried about motion on the ocean is to take an “inland” cruise like Alaska or the Mediterranean . These types of cruises typically sail fairly close to land; the area of ocean where its less likely to have excessive motion.

-And finally..choose your cabin strategically. Simple physics states that the lower and more center of gravity you place an object, the more stable it is. Select your cabin on a lower floor and as center to the ship as possible–even an interior cabin versus an ocean view cabin will have a more positive effect on supressing motion.

Now, get out there and take a cruise. If you don’t have fun, you can have all your pumpkin seeds back.

Over the years as times have changed, so has the needs and wants of the world traveler. There are a few time-tested suggestions, however, to help you save some dough as alternate means to the more familiar all-inclusives, cruises and organized tours.