Destination: Northern Australia; Micronesia

Savvy travel video viewers will notice something quite familiar after popping Pilot Productions' Micronesia into their VCRs: an opening title sequence scored with theme music that is both visually and aurally reminiscent of the highly acclaimed Lonely Planet productions (see reviews of Japan: Tokyo to Taiwan [VL-1/96] and The Vietnam Experience [VL-5/95]). Turns out that the first four seasons of the Lonely Planet travel series have been re-released (and often re-titled--The Vietnam Experience is now sold as Destination Video: Vietnam) under the Pilot Productions label, with the fifth through the eighth seasons comprised of new titles (although, even here, the box can be misleading--Micronesia has a copyright date of 2002 on the video jacket, but lists a 2000 copyright date during the credits). Micronesia hails from the sixth season, and if it's any indication of the quality of the newer material, then it's a bit of a disappointment. The format remains the same: a globe-hopping, curious, hardy twentysomething wings his or her way to a foreign land, hits the ground running, and shares off-the-beaten-track sights and insights with the viewing audience. In Micronesia, our twentysomething leader is Megan McCormick, a rather immature guide who not only pronounces "excavate" as "escavate" (casting some doubts on her knowledge of general, let alone region-specific, archaeology), but also likes to skinny-dip near waterfalls (which is no doubt a fun vacation activity, but questionable in its usefulness to tip-gathering would-be travelers). When she's not mauling the King's English or swimming in the buff, McCormick goes island hopping, visiting five of the hundreds of islands in the Caroline Islands archipelago, starting with Guam (unofficial motto: "where America's day begins"--though you won't hear that on this tape), where she learns a little Guamanian history from a Navy officer before getting tattooed by a Chamorran cabaret performer/tattoo artist. From Guam, McCormick travels to the Micronesian capital of Pohnpei, where she hikes (and skinny-dips), before moving on to Chuuk (for WWII wreck-diving), Palau (where she dives in a jellyfish-laden lake and eats a token bite of fruit bat--a local delicacy--in a segment that comes off as a cheap joke), and finally, Yap (where she dives with manta rays). If you're planning a diving trip to Micronesia, this is your tape (overly cutesy host notwithstanding); those looking for a more wide-ranging, informative overview of the region's history, culture, and attractions will be left with many questions unanswered, however, after watching this superficial, MTV-level travel video. Optional. Other new titles include Hawaii, New Zealand, Scotland, The Greek Islands, Kenya, Egypt, and Mexico City. Aud: P. (R. Pitman) !Featuring two programs on one DVD, Destination: Northern Australia leads off with the too-perky travel guide Megan McCormick visiting Queensland, Australia's gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, where her travels take her to the “surfer's paradise” on the Gold Coast, north to beautiful Fraser Island, Magnetic Island, Lizard Island, and Cod Hole, as well as scuba diving around the reef. Other adventures include sailing a racing yacht, sitting on a crocodile, and drinking aboriginal ant water ("tastes like lemonade!”). In the second program, less vacuous travel guide Ian Wright visits the Outback (not the restaurant--no Bloomin' Onions in sight), with stops at the spectacular Kakadu National Park, the Barunga Aboriginal Festival, Alice Springs, and Ayers Rock. Overall, the gorgeous cinematography and natural charm of the Aussies make this bargain-priced two-fer--which is less commercial than Exploring Tropical Australia (VL-3/94), but not as far-ranging as Australia (VL-11/96)--recommended. Other new-to-DVD titles include Destination: Italy, Destination: China and Destination: England. Aud: P. (R. Reagan)