As soon as we stepped out of the shiny terminal of Lahore International Airport in Lahore, Pakistan, my uncle Waheed and I were overcome by the smell of kerosene. I thought at first that there must be a spill nearby, because it was so strong. Eventually we found our ride among all the cabbies and rickshaw drivers, who were jostling among themselves for customers. It was a twenty or thirty minute slog to get into the city from the airport. It was … [Read more...]
Where can you find Islands the Shape of Palm Trees?
All my preconceived notions about the rigid cultural conservativism of countries in the Arab peninsula were thrown out the minute I entered Dubai, a sprawling and mushrooming megalopolis rising up between the fringes of the Arab deserts and the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia may still be the country of chokingly strict laws, but Dubai seems to be the total opposite. Actually it is one of two major cities in the United Arab Emirates, a country roughly … [Read more...]
Young Female, Traveling Alone
Embarking on a Holy Adventure I had a strong grip on the seat in front of mine. I could have felt my stomach shrinking in fear and moving upward, toward my chest. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are experiencing some turbulence. Please keep your seat belts fastened until the seatbelt sign is off," announced the pilot. I looked around. I was the only female in the vicinity. The Indian men kept staring at me. They had been looking since I got … [Read more...]
Indigenous Hill Tribes in Bangladesh
It is generally agreed that Bangladesh is not a heavily frequented tourist destination. But this poor and tiny country has some unique attractions and should be on the list of any curious traveler. Indigenous hill tribes are one of the primary reasons for visiting Bangladesh. The tribal population consisted of 897,828 persons - just over 1 percent of the total population, at the time of the 1981 census. They lived primarily in the Chittagong … [Read more...]
Bangkok, Thailand – Temples & Shrines
Bangkok is home to hundreds of gleaming golden temples - many of which are centered around the old part of town and along the banks of the Chao Praya River or along other waterways within the city. Buddhists believe that monks should be ordained on or near water. Some are more memorable than others for a variety of reasons (size, architecture, unique artifacts, unique Buddha statues, location etc). Some of our favorites are indicated by the … [Read more...]
Mt. Shasta, CA – Attractions
The following attractions are in or around the town of Mt. Shasta - or slightly further afield, but all are in Siskiyou County. Castle Crags are well worth a visit. Besides Mt. Shasta, the crags are what most people remember about their drive north on Interstate 5. These sharp rock formations rise in elevation from 2000 feet to over 6500 feet. There are over 27 miles of developed hiking trails in the Castle Crags area. Pull into the main … [Read more...]