El Yunque

Nestled inconspicuously within the interior of Puerto Rico, off the beaten path for most of the travellers who flock here for the warmth and sun, lies a tropical forest a world part apart from the sun bleached beaches and palapas-dotted resorts which round the island's exterior.

If you are longing for something a little more adventurous than sipping Mojitos and renting jet skis by the hour, then maybe a hike in El Yunque is the thing for you.

Part of the extensive US Forest System, El Yunque is the rainiest of them all, so you should expect to get a little wet, depending on your chosen route. The impact of such dependable rains is that the forest is blessed with spectacular waterfalls, rare orchids, and trees that have remained alive for close to thousands of years.

So put a hold on that order of snapper, grab a poncho or hat and head out for the wilds.

---

Angel Island

The San Francisco Bay Area may be known for its hills, cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, and waterfront Relatively unknown is an island which played a significant part in recent history of our country. Once widely referred to as the Ellis Island of the West, Angel Island in San Francisco Bay offers the visitor a relatively easy escape to the wilderness area which remains a thoughtprovoking--a destination where you can walk, ride, hike or camp, while contemplating a chapter in American history which, for better or worse, signaled a new era for the nation. Bill Drummond reports.