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The sea, the sun, the smell of lemons in the air. Positano left a breathtaking memory of fun in the sun! Although its know for its shopping, I believe this picture captures the essence of what makes Positano both unique and beautiful. To call it home for but a few days leaves a lifetime of cherished memories!

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POSITANO SUN
by Dave Fulton, Jr., Waukegan, IL

Dave's Dream Trip
Australia

For the Fulton family, Australia presents itself as our destination for the dream trip of a lifetime, let alone 2008. First and foremost, my wife and I have had and will have the opportunity to travel to many beautiful and exotic vacation destinations in the future. But in order to qualify as a dream trip , our 3 sons would have to share the wonders and adventures that wait. When one travels a great distance, the destinations seem to carry a greater mystic and exotic flavor. You certainly can get no further from northern Illinois than the continent of Australia.

I have a Bachelor's degree in zoology, and the animal kingdom has always provided a source of wonderment to me. Australia grants the opportunity to view first hand some of the most unusual animals (and humans) our planet has to offer. From the interior of the Outback to the Great Barrier Reef, we would have the opportunity to bear witness to the vast array of creatures cradled in and around this distant continent and to the fragile balance of existence, which as its stewards we hold in our hands. A trip would not be complete without a visit to Steve Irwin's great love and legacy, the Australian Zoo.

Australia has blossomed as one of the world's great producers of fine wine. A tour through some of southern Australia's vineyards would certainly fulfill a wish of mine. Through my travels, I've appreciated the great connection between wine and the earth from which it came along with the people and cultures which bottled it.

With Australia's proximity to New Zealand, a trip to the land which was the dramatic backdrop to The Lord of the Rings would top off the trip of a life time.

Dave's Travel Tips

• Do your homework! A vacation is intended to be fun, but go prepared. Whether it's discovering the nuances of a foreign culture, the favorite eateries of the locals, or simply the directions to points of interest for you, educating yourself ahead of time will allow for a much more relaxed stay when you get there.

• Assimilate to your environment; resist trying to assimilate your environment to you. Whether traveling abroad or simply another part of our great USA, ease into the culture of the area. Before you know it, you'll be speaking with the accent of the locals!

• Besides pictures, always bring back at least one physical item for your home from the place and people you visited. Your life was hopefully enriched by where you just vacationed, by adorning your home with a "souvenir" from that vacation spot; you will permanently blend a small bit of that distant land into your daily life and surroundings.