Admittedly a short sensual experience - but certainly a memorable
one - the numbing ritual of Sydney's Bondi Icebergs is famous
within the confines of water-mad Australia and unheard of outside
the country. Every winter Sunday (May through September), anyone
who wishes to can plunge in and swim a lap of the Bondi Public
Bath's 50-meter pool, flushed by the frigid Pacific it abuts. The
shock sets the heart hammering and the lungs gasping, and, oddly,
produces an intense pain across the bridge of the nose. But the
skin-tingling aftermath ("Probably frostbite, mate," explains a
regular) is without peer. 011-61-2-9130-3120, icebergs.com.au
12 Ride Horseback On The Beach
The song of the surf in your ears, the ocean breeze tousling your
hair - astride a horse, the world slows. You can ride in many
places, but if you're looking for something different, try Uruguay.
The South American gem has miles of untouched beaches. Boojum
Expeditions rides with Criollo horses, favored by the local
gauchos, for a unique taste of salt, sand, and sun. (800) 287-0125,
www.boojum.com
Ken McAlpine's most recent book,
Off Season: Discovering
America on Winter's Shore, was published last June by Three
Rivers Press. He has received two Lowell Thomas awards for his
travel writing in
American Way.
Planning Your Trip
After an evening in Louisville and dinner at Maker's Mark Bourbon
House & Lounge, base yourself in Bardstown for the first night
(the Jailer's Inn is a lovely historic B&B), and Frankfort the
next (try the Meek House Bed & Breakfast). Hit Beam, Heaven
Hill, and Maker's on your first day and Four Roses, Wild Turkey,
and Buffalo Trace the next. Go during the week if you can, as there
is far less to see on the weekends.
Maker's Mark
Loretto, Kentucky
(502) 865-2099
www.makersmark.com