The California coastline has been completely developed, and the sheer number of people residing there is astronomical. Houses and apartments and condominiums dot the landscape, and yet the incredible lure of the ocean is almost impossible to resist. Laguna Beach is irrestible. There is something about the way the town sits on the hills looking down at an often rugged coast that catches one’s breath. My favorite walk in Orange County is Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, an ecological reserve with walkways and paths to unbelievable coastal views. When you go to Southern California, make time to visit Heisler Park! There is no prettier view in Laguna Beach.











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Ice is everywhere, and beautiful in its different colors, shapes and sizes.























One of the most exciting events to look forward to on the Great Barrier Reef in July are Dwarf Minke Whales! As the name says, for a baleen whale they are rather small, growing to a maximum of 8 meters, or 24 ft, and on the endangered list, thank you Japan for slaughtering Minkes illegally every year. The ones I saw this year, off of the Spirit of Freedom, were not that large, but it was a thrill to see them. Sadly, I only had a few seconds to enjoy a close, eye to eye encounter. A few times we “snorkeled” (we were hanging onto a rope) in order to see them, and on the day whales came close, an event on board shut the encounter down.



















