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THE WORD FOR . . .

Here's a word you don't hear on TV reality shows but certainly could: areodjarekput. That's an Inuit word meaning "to exchange wives for a few days only." Adam Jacot de Boinod has put together a collection of evocative words in The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words From Around the World Penguin Press, $19.95. Tingo, by the way, means "to take all the objects one desires from the house of a friend, one at a time, by borrowing them." Perhaps a nicer way of saying stealing by the Pascuense of Easter Island.

Not a practical phrase book for travelers unless you want to ask about the autumn colors in Denmark (efterarsfarver). Still, it's a lot of fun to look through.

BANK CARD BENEFIT

Your ATM card is good for more than cash. Throughout May, it can get you and a guest free museum admission in nine Northeastern states. Holders of Bank of America debit, credit and ATM cards are eligible. Among 56 participating museums are the Guggenheim in New York, Winterthur in Delaware and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. For information, go to www.bankofamerica.com/museums.

REFUGE OPEN AGAIN

For the first time since Hurricane Ivan struck in September 2004, birders and other visitors are being allowed into the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama.

The refuge had about 100,000 visitors annually before the hurricane, according to federal wildlife officials. Walking trails have been repaired in this forested area for migratory birds, nesting sea turtles and the federally protected Alabama beach mouse.

The Bon Secour refuge extends from Fort Morgan to Little Dauphin Island. More than 370 species of birds have been identified on the refuge during migratory seasons. For more information, go to http://bonsecour.fws.gov/.

TOO NOISY FOR N.Y.?

Boston has them. Philadelphia has them. Seattle, Baltimore and Atlanta have them. St. Petersburg and Tampa used to have them.

But an effort to bring the popular amphibious vehicles known as "ducks'' to Manhattan is being challenged by an environmental group that says they will increase noise and pollution and cause safety problems.

Ducks travel streets like buses, then descend by ramp into water and travel like boats. They each carry about 50 passengers.

Transportation Alternatives, which promotes bicycling, skating and walking instead of using cars, says the ducks will pick up "dirt, oil and other contaminants'' and then deposit them in the Hudson River when they enter the water. Not surprisingly, port officials say the effect on the environment would be negligible. Stay tuned.

JERSEY BOY

New Jersey's tourism industry is getting some help from rocker and native son Jon Bon Jovi, who's lending his new hit single to a state advertising campaign.

Who Says You Can't Go Home will be featured in commercials throughout the region. The Jersey shore version of the 30-second television ad will include video shots of a boat from Cape May, Barnegat Lighthouse on Long Beach Island and other classic shore scenes. The Jersey boy has waived royalty fees.

HOTEL SATISFACTION

The top U.S. hotels for customer satisfaction, by users of Expedia.com:

1. Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne (Miami)

2. St. Julien Hotel and Spa (Boulder, Colo.)

3. Resort at Sonoma County (Santa Rosa, Calif.)

4. ResortQuest Waikoloa Colony Villas (Big Island, Hawaii)

5. Westgate Hotel (San Diego)

6. Hotel Commonwealth (Boston)

7. Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate

8. Grand Hyatt Seattle

9. Westgate Park City Resort (Utah)

10. Davenport Hotel (Spokane, Wash.)

SET SAIL

Trim a sail in Antigua's calm waters during a week of sailing lessons.

The June 16 program will be at the Sunsail Colonna Sailing Resort on Hodges Bay in Antigua. It includes sailing instruction for participants of all skill levels and unlimited use of sailing and water sport equipment.

Other activities include snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and windsurfing. Cost is $890 per person, double occupancy ($445 single surcharge), including lodging, most meals, instruction, resort activities and airport transfers. Air fare and $39 membership fee are not included. To book the trip, call Sunsail toll-free at 1-800-327-2276. See more specifics about the program at www.asa.com.

Compiled by JANET K. KEELER from staff reports and the Associated Press, Dallas Morning News and Chicago Tribune. Reach her at (727) 893-8586 or jkeeler@sptimes.com.

[Last modified April 23, 2006, 10:18:20]