Trying to find a shared taxi in Tashkent for the ride to Oybek on the Tajikistan border turned into an effort in futility. After getting directions where to go from my hotel and after a 35-minute drive I arrived at the provided destination to discover an empty parking lot. Walking over to one of the nearby metro stops I asked one of the officers in Russian using Google translate and she then directed me to another metro stop another 30+ minutes … [Read more...]
Why We Chose the Springs Resort in Costa Rica for Our Wedding
Choosing a wedding venue is never an easy task! We looked at venues in our local area of Fort Lauderdale, Miami, all the way to the Caribbean islands, and many beach resorts in Costa Rica prior to choosing The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal, Costa Rica. Today I’ll share with you what led to this decision and why we feel like this is one of the most unique weddings ever crafted. About The Springs Resort in Costa Rica The Springs Resort and … [Read more...]
Thailand Trails: A Road Trip Adventure
Out of the blue, a friend sent me a Whatsapp note asking where I was. Knowing his proclivity for international travels and knowing my schedule, we both could have been just about anywhere on the planet. "Thailand", was my reply. I had recently arrived in the Kingdom, immediately following three months in the Caribbean and Colombia. Remarkably, he said he was in Khorat which was only about 2 hours north of where I staying. It had been years since … [Read more...]
Abu Dhabi, Too Good to be True?
I discovered Jannah Burj Al Sarab online, a property advertising itself as a 5-star hotel for the price of $39/night plus taxes (total price was $45/night). Always a sucker for deals, I immediately booked. After staying a night here I can say this was one of the better hotel deals I've gotten anywhere on my travels. Taxis and various beautiful cars were lined up waiting on the driveway next to the lobby (always a good sign of luxury), the room … [Read more...]
A Much Needed Reset at Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel, Puerta Vallarta Mexico
Sometimes you need an escape from it all; whether it be the rigors of a heavy work schedule, cold weather, a change of pace, or new scenery. And these refreshers or resets don't necessarily need to be weeks at a time, rather just a couple of days is often just what one needs to feel completely rejuvenated. The destination: Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel and Romantic Getaway in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Puerta Vallarta is an easy flight from the … [Read more...]
Holiday in Erbil, Iraq
Despite my visit in early June, the temperatures were already sweltering during the day hovering around 39 degrees. Not one for sitting around inside or using taxis, I spent most of my several days here wandering the city on foot, trying to stay hydrated. I have yet to meet any international tourists and I'm ok with that. The markets are chaotic and on the weekends (Friday and Saturday's) are particular busy. Everyone seems to have their own … [Read more...]
A Guide to Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
One of a number of my trips to Africa was built around a singular goal - that of reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, one of the seven summits (the tallest mountains on each continent). Hint, I did reach the summit but not without overcoming hardship on the way. While not the tallest mountain on the planet and with routes that aren't particularly technical, its summit still tops out at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). It is the altitude that can be … [Read more...]
Notes from the latest trip to Bangkok from an Intrepid Traveler
I landed at Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok before the sun had even risen. I first landed here in 1996, the first of what would be many trips to the Kingdom over the past few decades. I lingered in the arrival's hall soaking in the nostalgia. New Year’s morning: the roads were empty, and I arrived at my guesthouse just after the sun came up. The always felt excitement of returning to Bangkok had been replaced by the … [Read more...]
Saudi Sojourn: Adventures in the Desert Kingdom
The temperatures have been warm during my stay in Dammam, ranging from 108 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit during the hottest parts of the day. I've been wandering around the city on foot for the past several days. My experience in extreme heat in the past has paid off, alternating between consuming copious quantities of water alternating between fruity and other sweet drinks. To compound things, several days offered up a stiff breeze (and that's … [Read more...]
A Completely Miscalculated Flight
I had booked my flight from Erbil (or so I thought) a few weeks ago. When it came time to sadly leave Iraq, I departed my guesthouse in Erbil and arrived at the airport. The first security check involved lines of cars stacked up as three cars in each lane were checked by guards at one time. Passengers opened all of their doors and trunks, dogs were involved, sniffing the tires and inside of each car and each person in each vehicle was subjected … [Read more...]
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