Looking to escape? Local readers have been busy exploring far away lands in Croatia and Tangier.
Here are two recent trips readers took to Alaska and Vietnam.
Check them out, then find more reader travel inspiration at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here/.
Wish You Were Here
ALASKA: Martinez resident Sandy Eger spent one week photographing brown bears in Lake Clark, Alaska. She stayed at Silver Salmon Creek Lodge, which is about 100 miles southeast of Anchorage on the Cook Inlet. “It is very remote and accessible only by boat or a small plane that lands on the beach,” Eger says. “Experienced guides will take you within feet of the bears while they clam or play in creeks. It’s not exclusively for photographers; some people are there for the adventure and take shots with their phones. It’s pretty amazing!”
TRAVEL TIPS: “The weather is always unpredictable, but rain can happen frequently. Bring rain gear for your camera and yourself. Waterproof knee-high boots are needed to follow the bears while they are clamming. We weren’t bothered by mosquitos but some people brought head nets in case.”
San Rafael resident Kelly Mason’s trip to Vietnam last fall included a rickshaw ride through Hanoi. (Courtesy Kelly Mason)
VIETNAM: Kelly Mason from San Rafael traveled solo and joined a small group with Overseas Adventure Travel. Mason took a rickshaw ride through Hanoi. “The Vietnamese people were so welcoming and friendly,” Mason says. “The food was outstanding and the travel company was first rate. From busy, eclectic Hanoi in the North, to civilized Saigon in the South, the country seems very much like California in geography, seaside towns, lush agriculture in the mountains and thriving cities.”
TRAVEL TIPS: “The ancient city of Hội An is a must stop to see the silk making and have a customized dress or suit made for you within 24 hours. The beach is beautiful and we even swam in the warm Pacific Ocean.”
Join the fun! Send a photo of yourself on your latest adventures — local, domestic or international — to jmastrodonato@bayareanewsgroup.com. Tell us where you are, who everyone is and where they’re from, and share a travel tip or two to help fellow readers go there, too.
