Travel is about moments suspended in time. When travelling I try to consider a place my temporary home. Running around, visiting one sight after the other in order to tick off the list of sights you really have to see and cannot miss, blurs one’s mind into one undistinguished pile of memories of churches, castles, landscapes, cafés, restaurants and other things you have visited but actually can’t remember. You look back at all those pictures you … [Read more...]
Winding the Watch of Island Time
I was in such a hurry to get to the Micronesian island of Kosrae, such a hurry to see its isolated beauty, such a hurry to begin my first year of teaching—in such a hurry to be out of my old life and in this new. After arriving, I wanted to jump right in, get my new house settled, fill it with food, set up the computer, arrange my classes and office, drive the length and breadth of the landscape and snorkel my fool head off in the island’s … [Read more...]
How to spend 48 hours in Bogota
Many travellers will arrive in Bogota with the intention of staying for a couple of days before moving onto somewhere else... Cartagena, Santa Marta, the Coffee Region. So in case you happen to be spending just 48 hours in Bogota (let's say a weekend) here’s a suggested itinerary (with alternatives suggested in the event of rain!): Saturday 8.00am: It’s Saturday morning and chances are you’re staying near the historical part of Bogota (the … [Read more...]
A Crazy Day of Dune Bashing in Southern Qatar
I knew our drive out from Doha was going to be interesting as soon as we started our journey to the sand dunes from my hotel. Our driver, a large Omani soon crossed to the other lane of traffic and stunned an opposing driver by doing so. He had one hand on the wheel, one hand on his mobile and his eyes were looking somewhere else. Once he got off the phone he became quite liberal with the use of the horn and headlights - using both many times … [Read more...]
Comedy, Kayaking, Museums and Farmer’s Markets in Los Angeles
Looking for some comic relief in the evening after fighting traffic earlier in the afternoon, I stopped in at the famed Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd - just down from the celeb rich Chateau Marmont for some comedy. Many famous acts have started here or performed on its stages including Jim Carrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin and Chevy Chase among others. It was #blackout Tuesday and I was the only Caucasian in the audience. Oh and I was in the … [Read more...]
Gibraltar: the end and the beginning
My original plan for the end of my Encircle Africa expedition was to return to Gibraltar’s southernmost point, Europa Point, where I began. I liked the idea of looking back at Africa with renewed eyes. But all my reserves of energy were spent, and it was consolation enough to know that all that separated me from Africa was nine miles of often still water, after having travelled a distance equivalent to circumnavigating the earth at the … [Read more...]
Testing out the Can Am Spyder RT-S on California’s Open Roads
As I rode through the California foothills on a late Spring day it certainly felt very summer like. Warm temperatures and the wonderful smell of dry grass baking in the sunshine greeted me as I made my way up to Brentwood, California to test out a new Can Am Spyder Model RT-S. In the early morning I rode past all the windmills that dot this part of California enjoying the fact there wasn't yet that much traffic around. As I rode through the … [Read more...]
31st Annual Whitesbog Blueberry Festival, June 28th, Browns Mills, NJ
This annual celebration of all things blueberry – the official state fruit of New Jersey – is considered to be one of the finest old-fashioned festivals in the tri-state region. The Burlington County Times described the Whitesbog Blueberry Festival as “a reminder that good old country life is alive and well” in the region. Browns Mills, New Jersey, June 3rd, 2014 - The 31st Annual Whitesbog Blueberry Festival will be held Saturday, June 28th, … [Read more...]
Reflections on Bangkok
I initially came to the "City of Angels" in 1996. It was my first big trip outside of the United States - to a country that was so different compared to the lifestyle I was used to. I was in my early 20's; everything about the city was new, exiting and unfamiliar. Mundane things I take for granted when traveling in Asia now - made a huge impression on me at the time. Writing these words while sitting under part of the Sirat Expressway near … [Read more...]
Koh Yao Noi Island, Thailand
If Thailand is considered the land of smiles, then Koh Yao Noi is the island of smiles. The locals are genuine, down to earth, very friendly and yes, often you will be greeted with a smile. You will surprisingly find this small island laid back despite being only about a 30 minute boat road from two fairly developed urban areas focusing on mass tourism - Phuket and Krabi. There are no high rises here, crazy nightlife and accompanying noise, … [Read more...]
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