Introduction Quite simply, Highway 101 that circles the Olympic Peninsula has it all. The approximately 330-mile-long loop offers a bucket-list of natural wonders that have to be seen to be believed. Pristine lakes, waterfalls, striking shorelines, expansive mountain top vistas and even rainforests are all accessible along this stretch of road. Starting Point No matter what interests you most, almost any point along the loop is a good … [Read more...]
Visiting the United States of America, Where to start?
As with other large countries, a visit to the USA can be daunting. Distances are great, attractions numerous, there are plenty of events to partake in regardless of the time of year and due to its size weather can sometimes be a concern. In my opinion quality always trumps quantity when traveling and because of America's large size I recommend visiting specific parts of the country rather than trying to see it all. And make multiple … [Read more...]
Dining on Vancouver Island
John M. Edwards, the only smoker ever allowed onto the premises of snooty “Sooke Harbour House,” visits Vancouver Island in the Pacific Northwest on his own terms. As a paying contributor to “The United Negroe College Fund,” for sage reasons of philanthropy as well as tax evasion, I was a little surprised to find in the maritime city of Vancouver, British Columbia, absolutely no black people—only Commonwealthy Europeans and Asians, plus a few … [Read more...]
Can food broker peace? Mamnoon Restaurant, Seattle
Celebrating Syria: “We couldn’t go back, so we started mamnoon instead.” -Richard Bangs “For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business.” -T.S. Elliot There are so many delicious facets to this story. I first met Wassef Haroun in Zambia, at the Kafue River Camp, owned by a mutual friend who had invited us for a week-long private safari. Towards the end of the week Wassef excused himself from the Rhodesian teak table … [Read more...]
Expedia.com Partners with Passports with Purpose to Raise Funds to Support Children’s Education and Adult Literacy in Mali
BELLEVUE, Wash., November 25, 2013 – Expedia.com®, the world’s leading online travel company, has agreed to serve as the platinum sponsor of Passports with Purpose, a community fundraiser powered by travel bloggers. Passports with Purpose aims to raise $115,000 for buildOn – relying on the support of thousands of travel enthusiasts – to fund the construction of three primary schools and support three adult literacy programs in Mali, Africa. This … [Read more...]
New Survey Finds Americans Feel They Need Help with Romance
Marriott Caribbean & Mexico Resorts Responds with "Cupid on Call" New Program Designed to Help Guests Say “I Love You” ..or Maybe “I’m Sorry” NEW YORK – According to a new survey of more than 850 Americans conducted by Marriott Caribbean & Mexico Resorts (www.paradisebymarriott.com), a majority feel that, when it comes to love, they are more romantic than their partners but could still use a little help to spark passion in their … [Read more...]
The Howler Monkeys of Nicaragua
A deafening jungle downpour assaulted the clay roof of my cousin, Rob’s Nicaraguan ranch house. Lying snug in bed, I foresaw the cancellation of our excursion at first light to track the elusive Mantled Howler Monkeys. Every day for the last week, I’d been woken by the guttural roaring of howlers somewhere off in the Mombacho jungle, but I had yet to lay eyes on one. The fierce rain was so loud from inside the house that even if they were calling … [Read more...]
Exploring the outskirts of Seattle
July and August are great months to visit Seattle. The weather is generally mild to warm and there usually isn't much rain (as one knows, Seattle has a reputation for rain much of the year). We took my friends car which he kindly let us use for a few days and headed out of town. Our goal was the Snoquamish Falls - a massive drop off of water that one can view from several viewpoints. Lovely. Except we were so tired from jet lag we ended up … [Read more...]
The Power of Experiential Travel, Speech in Seattle
When my friend invited me to make a speech to some of his investment clients at a location in downtown Seattle about some of my travel adventures I jumped at the opportunity. With the challenge of creating a speech for his "mixer" I came up with one titled, "The Power of Experiential Travel" - in summary highlighting a number of my interesting adventures from around the world and finishing with some lessons learned from all these … [Read more...]
Saul Bolanos: A Modern Day Alchemist
John M. Edwards finds out that Costa Rican Artist Saul Bolaños’s Medium Is Hot Costa Rica, a coffee democracy in a sea of banana republics, is known more for its number-one export than its art. So perhaps it is only natural that Costa Rican photo-artist Saul Bolaños decided to fuse the two and extract art from the ubiquitous bean. His CAFEGRAFIA®, sepia-color photo images made real by coffee, explore the offbeat flight paths of Central … [Read more...]