The whale, as big as a locomotive (火车头), jumped out of the water, spinning (旋转) as though for joy, before jumping back under the waves. We watched silently in astonishment, never having been so close to such a huge, fast-moving creature. It seemed almost possible to count the small shellfish on the whale's skin.

In early December, gray whales, blue whales, and others had just started heading around the tip of Baja California, Mexico, moving as a community from the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Cortez. It's in that protected waterway that pregnant whales give birth to their babies. Other whale babies, born the year before, could be seen sailing behind. All whale babies get two trips like this with their mom before they're ready to start having babies of their own and making the journey on their own.

We're in one of several small powerboats, sent out by ScubaCaribe, which carries on such tours in Cabo San Lucas, the whales seemed to be, at times, less than 100 feet from our boat when they rushed out of the water. At other times, they would get much closer and swim beside the boat.

“What if one lands on us?” a woman next to me wondered. Fernando Del Toro, the Destination Manager of ScubaCaribe said, “We haven't had any incidents (事件) of whales jumping over our boats as we always keep our distance. We're sure they themselves are probably careful not to crash into boats. Such an accident would probably also cause them much harm.”

“Everyone can enjoy this magical trip,” said Del Toro. “However, we do not recommend (推荐) it for kids under 5 years old,” he added.

Though conditions on the water vary, our trip was wonderful. Even when the boat sped up to catch up with the whales, there was little need to “hang on”, and some of us remained standing throughout most of the trip. Still, you may want to pack medicine for those who might get seasick while bouncing (颠簸行进) along the waves.

Coit Tower

Coit Tower provides 360-degree views of San Francisco and the bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge. The most fantastic views can be seen from the observation deck. It costs $7 to get on the elevator. It is 4.9 miles from Coit Tower to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Crissy Field

Crissy Field, a former army, was rebuilt in 2001. It offers wonderful views of the Golden Gate Bridge, picnic areas and a small sandy beach which is popular with families. Along Crissy Field, visitors can stop for lunch at the Warming Hut, the Beach Hut Cafe or the House of Air. Distance from the Golden Gate Bridge: 2.4 miles from the Marina Green.

Fort Point

For a close view of the bridge, visit Fort Point, which is a Civil War time brick fort that can be entered through the Marine Drive park at Crissy Field. Although Fort Point never had any military(军事的) action, the Golden Gate Bridge’s chief engineer, Joseph Strauss, redesigned the bridge to preserve the fort as a “fine example of some kind of art”. Distance from the Golden Gate Bridge: 1.2 miles.

Lands End

Lands End near Lincoln Park offers a perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Visitors can walk along a paved sidewalk near the 17th hole of the Lincoln Park Municipal Golf Course. Here, there are several benches and photo opportunities to picture the beauty of the bridge. Distance from the Golden Gate Bridge: 3.0 miles.

Amsterdam. capital of the Netherlands, is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It is often referred to as the "Venice of the North"due to its huge system of bridges and canals. Here are some key points to remember as you plan your trip to Amsterdam.

Must-see Attractions

The Old Centre is full of traditional architecture and coffee shops. you' ll also want to check out Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter in the South District, which is great for shopping at the Albert Cuyp Market and having a picnic in the Vondelpark.

Transportation

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in the world. You can catch a train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Central Station, which has many connecting routes. Cycling is very popular here, and It's easy to find cheap bike rentals around town.

Recommended Restaurants

Amsterdam is a top destination for foodies(Ex), so it is difficult to narrow down your dining choices. Here are a couple of our favourites.

Money-saving Tips

Unless you really want to see the tulips(郁金香) blooming, avoid booking between mid-March and mid-May.This is when hotel and flight prices rise sharply.

Look for accommodations in Amsterdams South District, where rates are generally cheaper than in the city centre.

Buy train tickets at the machine instead of the counter to save a bit of money.

Instead of hiring a tour guide, take a canal boat. They're inexpensive and will give you a different view of the city.