Tips for traveling with small monkeys: Cruising the Caribbean.

If you want to cruise with small monkeys, you should pick a cruise line that offers special programs and meals for your little ones. For our trip from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico we chose Celebrity Cruises - and were more than delighted by their service. It was truly outstanding: friendly, warm and highly professional at the same time, and truly monkey-oriented. Both Who and Whose enjoyed themselves and never got bored (which can be a big problem when traveling with monkeys). Room service supplied them with a wholesome diet of champagne and bananas.

At Celebrity Cruises they offer a wide range of monkey activities. All programs are geared to specific age groups and supervised by experienced monkey staff members. Celebrity monkeys are happy, engaged, and entertained. They can enjoy crafts, music, karaoke, treasure hunts, theme parties, movies and lots more. An assortment of LeapFrog® interactive toys are available for use in the Fun Factory and can also be checked out for private use.

We also made good use of the private in-stateroom Monkey Sitter (they charge a nominal fee of $8.00 per hour, for up to two monkeys within the same family).

And: Our stateroom attendant Jannis proofed to be a real sweetie. When we didn't make it home in time she read the critters stories and put them to bed. Thank you again, Jannis!

Have you heard from Big Bird lately?

Happy New Year from the Harz mountains!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

What's the Wurst that could happen? Being held sausage.

Beyond vanilla: My all time ice cream flavor favourite.

It's definitely "Maraschino Cherry 'n' Ants". Tastes even better with a touch of concrete.

The hair salon at Pooh corner.

Who would have thought: Christopher Robin works with L'Oreal Paris now. As a hair colorist slash styling expert.

Christopher Robin then. Black and white. Says things like: "Silly old bear!"

Christophe Robin now. It's all about color. Says things like: "Highlights can easily add personality and dimension to your style." What can I say? Bother, bother...

Who's that girl?

Found her in my head this morning and was surprised to have a visitor so early in the day. Didn't quite get what she wanted from me, guess she applied for an internship, but I said I didn't have any vacant positions right now. She left with a disappointed expression on her face (or was that just her face?) and didn't leave a name or number and now that I think about it, maybe there IS some work she could do for me, like filing or tax stuff or feeding the dust bunny. So please, Girl With The Unhappy Face, if you read this, please try again. I'll be in tonight.

Tips for traveling with small monkeys

Traveling with small monkeys is a challenging but very rewarding experience. Most European citys have discovered simian tourists as a promising target group and offer special packages for weekend trips. But there are still some things you should keep in mind when traveling with your furry friend. Before you hit the road I recommend you make sure to book into a hotel that is known for its monkey-friendliness. In Munich Motel One Sendlinger Tor has proven to be the perfect place for Who and me. No stares, no sneers, no problem - hotel guests and staff are pretty relaxed, even at breakfast time when the lobby can get really crowded.

Sightseeing tours are also a fun thing to do with monkeys. Who and I hopped on a bus at Munich central station and did the one hour tour of the most important sights. Although small monkeys are supposed to ride in your lap, you shouldn't have a problem with a well behaving monkey sitting in a regular seat when the tour isn't completely booked.

And then there's one special tip for travelers with a sweet fang. Café Maelu in Theatinerstrasse makes the most beautiful and perfect little cakes, every single one a wonderful little gift in a wonderful little black box. Monkeys just love them! Who truly couldn't get enough of the poppyseed-mousse-with-a-cassis-core "toertchens".

How about a nice bottle of Paradontitis?

No, thanks, I'm still suffering from Kokkineli and drinking gives me Naousa.

Nobody knows how to scare me the way I do.

Gone fishing.

Bavarian highway police report that a truck loaded with fish skidded and capsized on autobahn 7 near Kempten on Friday. The cargo spilled onto the road and was spread over a distance of 100 meters. Only few animals survived the accident, the driver escaped unhurt. It took highway maintenance two hours to collect the seafood, estimated costs of the accident are 40,000 Euros.

Everyday mysteries - What happened here?

Suggestions:

1. Somebody stuffed his wet shoes with paper and put them out in the sun so they would dry faster. The right shoe felt too exposed and walked away.

2. A one-legged vampire was waiting for the "walk" signal to cross the street when he was caught by the rising sun and turned to... errr.. paper.

3. The installation has been set up by a small ad agency in another helpless attempt at guerilla advertising. If you unfold the paper it says "Curious for shoes? Great discounts at Slipper's!"

4. It's a trap!

I know I'm not supposed to pick him up, but ...

... he is so cute. And he smells so good! May I keep him, Daddy?

How many eyes does it take to make a face?

Here's looking at you, kid. I don't remember why I googled "scallop" after ordering my sushi tonight, but I was shocked when I learned that scallops have eyes. Not the regular two or four or even eight - they have 60 eyes! Augsburg College shows some nice pictures here: www.augsburg.edu/home/biology/photoofmonth/scallop-eyes.html. So... I'm wondering: If you don't eat anything with a face - would you eat scallops? How many eyes does it take to make a face? And how many are too many?

Honestly, dear raspberry ...

I don't want to be discouraging, but... don't you think September is a little late to start blossoming?