If life is a journey than, in India at least, it chugs along on two parallel steel lines, the railways. No reference here to the local trains of Mumbai, India's commercial capital, where citizens spend a substantial portion of their waking hours commuting increasing distances within ever expanding city-limits. This one is grand - a vast rail network criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country, spanning over plains and rivers, through … [Read more...]
Going Home
A traveler from Singapore finds his country's colorful past in present-day Kuala Lumpur. It's 9.50pm in Kuala Lumpur. Our 'time-travel machine' is here to take us home to 2003 Singapore. And for once, the KTM railway train arrived on the dot. 36 hours ago, we were standing at the tail of a long queue snaking from the departure gate to the main entrance of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station in Singapore. The gate opened slightly after … [Read more...]
My Foreign Language
The preparation for the trip back to Vietnam was almost as unsettling as the trip itself. Mom didn't want me to go because she was afraid something might happen to me. I had planned to go with several other people, including a Vietnamese guy who goes by his Catholic name of 'Matthew,' and I had assured mom that Matthew would look after me since he had gone back several times already. Father had demanded that I not go because he didn't want me … [Read more...]
A Week in Sunny Devon
It was six forty-five in the morning as our USA plane touched down at Gatwick airport. This was the start of my one weeks vacation in Southern England. As we drew up to the disembarkation gate the captain told us the weather forecast for the next few days was warm and sunny ... what a bonus no rain. Once we cleared customs and located our hire car which, as luck would have it, had a diesel engine. What a great reward, considering gas is around … [Read more...]
Death Valley, CA
Death Valley is a very unique and fascinating park. It is a land of stark contrasts and great natural extremes. It is the largest national park in the lower 48 states and as a national park, only dates from 1994. Synonymous with California - a small part of the park is actually in the state of Nevada. Death Valley National Park is 3.4 million acres - as a result visitors need at least 3-4 days to get a "feel" for the park and to visit and … [Read more...]
New Zealand, South Island – Christchurch
After driving around the South Island coming into Christchurch can be somewhat of a shock as this is by far the largest city on the island and it can be a bit crowded - especially in comparison to the empty roads found on most of the rest of the South Island. This is not a large city by global standards but is large by New Zealand standards - with nearly 400,000 people. One can't help but notice the intriguing looking Gothic type buildings and … [Read more...]
Iquitos, Peru – Guides
Because Iquitos is difficult and expensive to get to and is somewhat off the beaten path, the city doesn't see huge numbers of travelers. Over eager for tourist dollars are a small number of "rabid guides". These type of guides will say most anything to get your business. They will blatantly lie, they will approach you on the street, may put their hands on your body, pretend to be your friend, make up stories they think you want to hear (like … [Read more...]
Iquitos, Peru – Eco Vagabond Lodge
UPDATE: UNFORTUNATELY THIS LODGE IS NOW CLOSED If it reopens under new ownership we will post the update here. One jungle lodge you will NEVER find in a travel guidebook is the Eco Vagabond Lodge located about 1 hour from Iquitos by fast boat. This rustic lodge sits mere meters from the great Amazon River. It is owned by an Argentine and a Peruvian - they no longer live at the lodge, but a fabulous bilingual guide Carmina who is in her … [Read more...]
Iquitos, Peru – Attractions
We have visited or participated in the following attractions or experiences in Iquitos or the surrounding region. Amazon River - what can you say about the Amazon River except its the world's greatest river. Its mind boggling to think that it supplies nearly a quarter of all the world's freshwater! From the Atlantic Ocean in Brasil, vessels make the entire trip up the Amazon River to Iquitos (some 3,600 kilometers of navigable waterway). It … [Read more...]
The Yellow Rose of Texas, Iquitos Peru – May 2005
The Yellow Rose of Texas is a must visit for any traveler to Iquitos Peru. Located just off the Plaza del Armas, the Yellow Rose of Texas, is run by former Texas Oil & Gas Engineer, Gerald Mayeaux. This place absolutely bleeds with character. Huge saddles rotate as seats at the bar. An eclectic variety of dead jungle animals adorn the walls and ceilings and hundreds of photos line the walls. The food is tremendous. Never have you had such tasty … [Read more...]
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