by Sharon Spence Lieb Offshore Bora Bora’s jagged peaks, the frenzy begins. Black tipped reef sharks circle a brave group of snorkelers. Thirty stingrays undulate around our legs, hungry for fresh sardines our guide tosses them. Overhead, two massive black frigate birds dive for leftovers.Just another exotic morning for “Tahitian Princess” cruise passengers who signed…
by Sharon Spence Lieb —Churchill, Manitoba, Canada: Wriggling into a too-tight neoprene wetsuit, I’m ready to hug a beluga. I’ve flown 1910 miles from Charleston, South Carolina, to Hudson Bay, Canada, to swim with the 3,000 snow white beluga whales summering in Hudson Bay. “Welcome to The Beluga Capital of the World,” says our guide,…
by Sharon Spence Lieb Chiang Mai, Thailand… In my fantasy, I am Keeper of the Royal Elephants for his Majesty, The King of Thailand: “Bring me a female White Elephant,” my King commands. “Sacred and rare, they’re not easily found. I hear they are charmed by purple orchids.” “Your Majesty,” I stammer. “In all my…
by Sharon Spence Lieb Turquoise Lake Beauvert dazzles from every cozy corner of our Jasper Park Lodge cabin. “Turn off that TV,” she demands. “Don’t answer your cell. Forget email. Come. Someone wants to meet you.” We ignore the pretty lake. Read on the couch, nap in bed. Flip through fifty cable channels of bad…
by Sharon Spence I dream of hiking on the moon. Until I get there though, scrambling among gorgeous red and gold sandstone cliffs will do quite nicely. As a guest at Red Mountain Spa, I’m one of twenty hikers enjoying this challenging morning workout in nearby Snow Canyon State Park. “Utah is a geological fantasyland,”…