Land’s End Resort puts on a great food-n-wine event each month. Usually it’s the first Friday of the month. But they pushed it back this month to give everyone a  break after New Year’s Eve!! Here’s a shot of my chiropractor, Rick Abbott. He and his wife are having a great time at a recent “Uncorked!” event. Don’t miss out:

So, it’s coming up this Fri., Jan. 9. Here’s the line-up:

Theme: New Year’s Traditions from the Old World in Europe. Created by: Executive Chef Maggie Burns

First Course: Blini Ikura. Russian buckwheat pancake with Alaska Salmon Roe. Garnished with Creme Fraiche and chives. Wine: Codoniu Pinot Noir Brut

Second Course: White Bean Fennel Soup with Gravlax. White beans, leeks and fennel pureed and topped with a slcie of salmon gravlax and fennel frond. Wine: Dry Creek Chenin Blanc Clarksburg ‘07

Third Course: British style mixed greens garnished with beets, English cucumber and tomatoes. Srteaked with a traditional Irish dressing of cider vinegar, mustard and boiled egg. Wine: Montinore Vineyard Gewurztraminer ‘06

Main Course: Duck Breast with Dark Cherry Demi. Duck slow roasted in its own juices and served over dark cherry demi-glaze. Accompanied by rosemary roasted red potatoes. Wine: Foppiano Petite Sirah ‘04

Dessert: Rosquillos de Vino. Spanish cookie rings adorned with red grapes and semi-hard Le Petite Basque Cheese. Wine: Gonzalez Byass

Cost: $70 per person, includes tax and gratuity. See you at the Chart Room (907)235-0406. Plan on spending the night. Era Aviation has great web specials to get you there. Check online for room specials, or call the front desk: (800)478-0400.

Her suggestion? “China Airlines is the only carrier providing year-round service from Anchorage to Asia, via Taipei,” she writes.

It’s a bummer you cannot get Alaska Airlines miles on China Air. For that, you have to fly Northwest out of Seattle or Honolulu, or Qantas out of L.A. or Honolulu.

Here is a sampling of the latest fares that Penny researched:

ANC-Manila = $924 rt + ~$279 taxes

ANC-Seoul = 984 rt + ~$279 taxes

ANC-Hong Kong = 864 rt + ~$279 taxes

ANC-Beijing = 940 rt + ~$279 taxes

ANC-Bangkok = 924 rt + ~$279 taxes

All travel must begin by May 20, 2009 to qualify. Check with Penny for rates to/from Taipei, Dehli, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and other Asian destinations. 

Give her a call: (907) 486-4272 or email her: penny.lampl@ustravel.us

Tell her I sent you! Learn more online.

Anchorage-New York-Anchorage $479 roundtrip (including a-l-l taxes and surcharges). Fly Alaska Airlines to Chicago, then hook up with one of the worst-ever airlines: American Eagle. Do your own research. This fare takes you right into LGA (LaGuardia). It’s a great rate–and it’s available right now. Laura over at USTravel has some great theater packages to go with it.

Anchorage-Hartford-Anchorage $481 roundtrip (including taxes). Again, take Alaska’s #130 nonstop to Chicago and hook up with American Eagle. This is about half the price of a ticket to Boston. So, Hartford is a great option for travelers to/from the Northeast. 

There is a 14-day advance purchase required for these tickets. Check with USTravel for the best flights, plus your hotel/rental car reservations. Janelle, Tesa and Linda are available Monday-Saturday to book your flights. Call ‘em at (800) 622-6449. 

Anchorage-Washington, DC-Anchorage: $513 roundtrip. Of course, you cannot get this fare to get back to the inauguration party on Jan. 20. Fuggetaboutit. There is a 21-day advance purchase. Northwest Airlines offers this rate in/out of Dulles (IAD).

Anchorage-Denver-Anchorage: $490 roundtrip. This is a Delta flight through SLC. There’s a 21-day advance purchase. I’m not a big fan of Delta Air Lines, but I’m glad they fly in/out of Anchorage. More competition is better than less. Much better. 

My prediction? Watch for big air fare sales in a matter of days, not weeks. Stay tuned.

Big shout-out to readers from the Anchorage Daily News who now will be surfing online to get current travel news. Welcome! Be sure and subscribe to the weekly newsletter (on the right-hand column…just enter your email address). It’s free.

Oh, I snapped this shot at LAX last month on the way to Mexico. It’s as close as I’ve gotten to one of those big Qantas A380 double-deckers. Yet!

So this weekend in Anchorage, lots of folks turned out to hear music, see performances and watch fireworks to celebrate the occasion. 

I snapped this picture at the Egan Center earlier this evening. It’s a copy of the Anchorage Times’s “Extra” proclaiming “We’re In”. Sallie Perkins told me her mother bought the paper and saved it–50 years ago.

So, Happy Birthday, Alaska! We all look forward to a rich and rewarding future here in the Last Frontier! I wonder what our 100th birthday will look like!

(I told Sallie that my first job out of college was at the Anchorage Times–back in 1978. I’ve worked for newspapers since I was 11 years old, until today. Actually, I haven’t worked for a newspaper since 1980, but I was a freelance contributor to the Anchorage Daily News since 1982. My last travel column appears tomorrow, Jan. 4, 2009, here. )

Oh, we went fishing earlier this week in Manzanillo, Mexico. S-o-m-e less-than-charitable sportsmen have mocked us, saying we didn’t catch anything. Well–here’s PROOF. Our able deckhand, Hugo, nearly threw his back out hauling this trophy up over the side. Behold, you skeptics!!

The customs/immigration process at LAX is a little convoluted. However, the lines moved quickly, even though foreign nationals have to deal with fingerprints, photographs, etc. After clearing customs, travelers drop their bags to be loaded onto connecting flights–but they still must go through additional TSA screening before boarding those flights. This is nonsense, IMHO. But that’s LAX. In spite of the extra security-related steps, we were able to board our connecting flight to Seattle without incident.

Every time I go to Mexico, I love it. In fact, I love the land more deeply after each journey. During this trip, we started at our family’s favorite tropical getaway: Vida del Mar in Manzanillo. This is an enclave of Alaska ex-pats–and it’s a great place to lay in a solid suntan. Pool. Beach. Great food. Great people. Here’s a shot:

We rented a car and headed upcountry to Patzcuaro, in Michoacan. This is a major trip–about 320 miles each way. And it was quite a surprise. 

First, our route was somewhat circuitous. We had to go up to Guadalajara, then over to Morelia and back to Patzcuaro. That’s because we were told to stay on the toll roads. These roads are expensive–but worth it.

Our digs  in Patzcuaro, at Casa Werma, were incredible. Hostesses Eva and Christine preside over a five-acre walled garden with two houses on the property. There is a small casita that is perfect for two people. We opted for the larger casa, which boasts three bedrooms and at least three fireplaces. It’s a delightful oasis in the middle of town.

Patzcuaro and its surrounding villages are quite a testimony to the influence of the Spaniards–as they set up shop in the 1500s. Their influence remains today, not just in the pervasive Catholic faith of the people, either. The first Archbishop of Patzcuaro, Vasco Quiroga, set up a system for the indigenous Purepecha indians which remains today: each village concentrates on a specific task or craft. Tuscuaro, for example, makes masks. See below:

In Santa Clara del Capro, all the copper is crafted. In one shop, we saw an entire dining room made of copper:

Tzintsanshin is known for the dried reeds of Lake Patzcuaro woven into baskets and other handiworks. And in Santa Fe de la Laguna, they concentrate on pottery (lead-free):

Also in Santa Fe de la Laguna, we visited one artist who was throwing some clay, making a traditional candelabra–as her family has done for many generations:

For our family, the trip to Patzcuaro was a wonderful immersion into the Mexican way of life. Most people spoke only Spanish–and as “Yankees” we definitely were in the minority. We began to identify with our exchange student, Sulis, from Indonesia, who accompanied us. In fact, she studied Spanish diligently and acted as our interpreter from time to time. 

Coming home from a trip always is bittersweet. As we were packing up, Christy looked at me and asked: “Well, did we have a good time?” 

It’s funny. Of course we did. But it was so much more. We struck out to see new territory. We went on an adventure as a family. There were some awkward moments. Some disappointments. But it’s so much fun to meet new people and see new things–it’s worth it.

We met many other artists in villages that surround Lake Patzcuaro. We hired a guide recommended by Eva and Christina. Her name is Marcia and she’s an art historian. She took us to the home studios of many artists–and we learned quite a bit about the how and why of the folk art they produce. 

We look forward to returning to Mexico soon!

True story: Alaska Airlines did a fine job hauling me back from Mexico the other day. Manzanillo-L.A.-customs/immigration-Seattle-Anchorage. After our arrival at 3am, was I tied up in knots?? 

You bet. After waking up yesterday, I wandered over to Laughing Lotus here in Anchorage–yoga studio to the stars. Stretch, twist, flex…repeat.

It’s just what I needed to unwind after a long flight. My New Year’s Resolution is to maintain a good Yoga practice schedule–and Laughing Lotus is just the place. It’s located near 57th and Old Seward Highway in Anchorage.

On Jan. 10-11, Alanna Kaivalya is hosting a Jivamukti yoga workshop at Laughing Lotus. On Sunday evenings, beginning Jan. 4, Carrie Moore is hosting a Tribal Belly Dancing class through Feb. 1.

There’s plenty going on at our local Yoga studio. For me, it’s important to unwind, literally, after a long flight. Give it a try. I have two free passes for practices I’m giving away.

To win one, just tell me EXACTLY the address of the studio. Just drop me a note here: zoom@gci.net. In the subject line, put “Laughing Lotus Yoga”. In the body of the email, put your name/address/phone, as well as the correct answer. I’ll make a random drawing. Enter now–YOU might be a lucky winner! Below, co-owner Kim Greeff leads a practice at the studio:

Oh, there’s also a link to my article in the Anchorage Daily News. For those of you who don’t know, next week will be the last time my weekly travel column runs in the print edition of the News. Honestly, I’m still processing the event, since I’ve been writing a weekly article for the News for 26 years. But we’ll be tracking the deals here at Alaskatravelgram.com and in the weekly newsletter. Stay tuned. In the meantime, check out the newsletter. Let me know what you think–leave a comment….

Oh–we had cactus for lunch the other day in the heart of Michoacan–upcountry from our beach digs in Manzanillo.

One of the great things about traveling is that it gives you a chance to see and do new things. This week, I feel like a stranger in a strange land. Usually, I’m at home in Anchorage, singing in the choir at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. This evening, we joined the community here in Patzcuaro to celebrate the arrival of “El Nino” on “Noches Buena”. Aside from an occasional phrase, we couldn’t understand a thing. See photo below:

But we did feel included in the community celebration–including the nightly “Posada” celebration. Families set up bonfires outside the front doors of their homes and invite folks to sit, eat and drink well into the night. It’s a wonderful celebration.

So–from our family to yours: Feliz Navidad!

Oh, if you cannot make New Year’s Eve, plan now for Jan. 9 “Uncorked” dinner. Should be a doozie! Menu items to follow.

a. Alaska Alpine Adventures.  Dan Oberlitz and his crew operate in Lake Clark National Park. It’s been 20 years since I’ve been there, although I’ve flown over several times. And the one time I was in the park–it was over Thanksgiving. That’s another story. Good news: two of Dan’s 7d/6n trips (a hike and paddle trip and another hike through the hills) are in this year’s Great Alaskan TourSaver book. That means if you have the book (order online for $99.95), you get a 2-for-1. Check ‘em out.

b. Bear Viewing with Island Air. Bob Stanford runs Island Airways over in Kodiak. After July 4, the pink salmon literally storm the streams around nearby Afognak Island. Fly over there with Bob and take a look at the big Grizzlies. And, yes, this adventure also is featured in the Great Alaskan TourSaver. And, yes, there’s a 2-for-1 ticket in there. Here’s a picture of some of those Kodiak bears we saw while flying with Island Air:

c. Northern Alaska Tour Company. I want to drive up the Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to Deadhorse. But, honestly, I don’t want to take my own car. These folks have a camp at Coldfoot–about halfway up the road. So the itinerary includes a leisurely drive up, with stops along the way–including the Yukon River and the Arctic Circle. There are a bunch of adventures available in Coldfoot–including checking out Gates of the Arctic National Park. Umm, these guys are NOT in the TourSaver book. But I’m working on them. Tell Brett and Matt I sent you. Check ‘em out online: www.northernalaska.com

d. New Wilderness Lodge at Aialik Glacier. This brand-new lodge in Kenai Fjords National Park was constructed by my friends at Alaska Wildland Adventures. Kirk Hoessel and his crew are so green they would disappear when standing in front of a chroma-key cyclorama. Ask your local weatherman what that means. HAHAHAAA. Really, tho’, AWA is on the cutting edge of sustainable tourism–and we love ‘em. Cruise from Seward past glaciers and wildlife to get to the lodge. Kayak. Hike. Explore. Learn more from the experts while you’re out there on your wilderness adventure–just out of Seward, Alaska! Good news: This adventure is in the Great Alaskan TourSaver. You know what that means? HA! If you answered “2-for-1″ you get a gold…er….”green” star. Here’s a photo of Aialik Glacier take from a Renown Tours cruise (also available 2-for-1 in the TourSaver book!):

These are just a few trips in my queue. There are many others, including a trip up the Stikine River with Alaska Waters in Wrangell, a glacier adventure with St. Elias Alpine Guides in McCarthy, a trip to Glacier Bay with Wings of Alaska and Glacier Bay Resort..among others. Of course–all of these trips are in the TourSaver book–so they are all…you know….all together now: “TWO-FOR-ONE”. 

Class dismissed! Order now!

a. Seattle on sale. Pre-season sale of the Seattle TourSaver saves you $20 off the regular $79.95 price tag.

b. Passport with Purpose. This is a great fundraiser we’re doing with some other travel bloggers for Heifer.org. There are a BUNCH of travel prizes (including a couple of FREE TourSaver books). 

c. Tina cannot mask her enthusiasm. World traveler Tina Baugher always brings back loads of souvenirs from her trips to Southeast Asia. Then she sells them in her shop at Mermaid Imports (across from Costco on Dimond Blvd. here in Anchorage). Read all about it. 

All that and oh-so-much-more. Check it out here.

Do you like the video? Big shout out to my son Drew, who did quite a bit of the camera work. Young David has big plans, as well. He’s already started practicing his cinematic skills. Stay tuned.