Monday, December 8, 2008

Runner Up...Neal Hoss



This picture was taken on a Mediterranean cruise we took in 2007. We were the first people off the Legend of the Seas in the port of Kusadasi, Turkey. When we stepped off the ship, we were met by the band and flag bearers. What a photo opportunity! Beautiful costumes, charming music and happy faces - especially ours! (Susan still thinks they were there just for her.)

On the building to the rear, it says "When in Turkey, do what most Turkish people do." As we thought about it, that statement reflects what we like to do wherever we travel. To make any journey memorable, try to do what the people of that country, state or city do. Walk in their footsteps, eat their food, take their adventures, see their home using their eyes. Then maybe, you can take part of them home with you.

Runner Up...Colin & Debbi Harris



This is a picture of my husband and me following our helicopter tour out of Nawiliwili on the Island of Kauai. My husband is a pilot and it meant so much to us to fly Hawaii. It’s incredibly beautiful and lush, truly the highlight of our cruise. Our flight was spectacular, covering 22 miles of coastal cliffs, waterfalls, mountain ranges, Waimea Canyon (Grand Canyon of the Pacific) and pristine beaches. These vivid blue panoramic views of the Pacific meeting the cliffs of Kauai are unforgettable.

We went on our Destinations Cruise to Hawaii to celebrate our 31st Wedding Anniversary along with our parents who were celebrating their 55th Wedding Anniversary. Thank you so much Destinations for a wonderful trip. The planning and attention to every detail truly made this a vacation to remember.

Runner Up...Brandon Hall



Resting and relaxing on a soft sandy beach in Mexico; not a care in the world. The warmth of the sun beats down on my face as I remember my fellow coworkers held captive in cubicles, while I enjoy the views of waves crashing and people splashing. A vacation will only last so long and will eventually end; however, these memories remain as reflections of tranquility. This picture, Reflections of Tranquility, moves the mind into peacefulness similar to that experienced at a non-crowded Lover’s Beach in Cabo San Lucas. Views of the refreshing ocean, an enormous cruise ship, and other fellow vacationers enjoying a stroll through the sand; a reflection worth a thousand words!

And the winner is...Steve Davis


The highlight of our fabulous Alaskan Cruise was the morning sailing up the Endicott Arm to the Dawes Glacier. I arrived early to get a front row view and I was not disappointed as the scenery, complete with morning mist and dew drops on the ship’s railings, was breathtaking. As dawn broke to morning light, we were greeted with the first views of the fjord, the mountains rising from both sides of the ship, countless cascading waterfalls, and finally the stunning Dawes Glacier. The ice burg speckled water was like glass, reflecting the mountains, sky, clouds, and glaciers. As we moved within close proximity of the Dawes Glacier we all witnessed the magnificent sights and sounds of huge chunks of glacial ice calving into the ocean waters. I feel this picture, in a very small way, captures the grandeur and serene beauty only found in Alaska’s glacier bays.