For many generations the same families have owned and preserved ancestral houses in the Philippines as part of their culture. Several houses of prominent families have become points of interest or museums in their communities because of their historical, cultural or architectural worth. Some of these houses, too, have become endangered because of negligent businesses that have no interests in preserving them. I find “preservation” of these homes … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2014
Five Selfish Reasons to Add Volunteering to your Travels
Let’s face it; volunteering our time and effort to a worthy cause is a nice, feel-good thing to do. For many of us, however, the idea of doing work when we could otherwise be relaxing on a beach or exploring the jungle just sounds … crazy. We’re traveling to enjoy life, not to waste our precious time milking cows or digging ditches. Well, I’d like to help you see the light: not only can volunteering let you to contribute directly to a cause … [Read more...]
Local Insights with Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours
Brothers Linc and Brandon Walker run Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours located just north of Port Douglas in Queensland. They are part of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal heritage; they grew up here - they know the land, they know the ocean, they know the habitat and they have a strong relationship to their environment. Their ancestors have been here thousands of years and they are passing on their unique heritage through a variety of cultural and … [Read more...]
On Board Oddities & Activities: Unusual Airplane Terminology
I was recently on a Qantas flight between Adelaide and Brisbane in Australia when I had a moment of inspiration upon exiting the bathroom. I opened my door at the same time as the bathroom directly across from me at the same time the flight attendants pushed a cart by. We all hit each other simultaneously. I thought to myself, there has got to be a word for this. Why not make up some words and definitions incorporating some humor out of all … [Read more...]
Walking Tour of Vilnius with Viator
Waiting on the steps of the prominent Vilnius Cathedral bell tower, we met Yurga, our guide for the afternoon. A Vilnius resident who is fluent in several languages, Yurga would lead us for the next three hours on a Vilnius city walking tour with Viator and Travel Mindset. A tour like this is educational, is rich in history and allows one to discover parts of the city that only a local would know. The old part of Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, … [Read more...]
Amsterdam
Capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is an incredible city to visit filled with an incredible history and excitement. One of the cultural must-sees when getting to the city is the Begijnhof. Dated back to 1307, it is one of the oldest inner courts in the Netherlands. The court was originally a secluded area where only women lived promising obedience to the parish priest. A soothing sight with beautiful architecture and a perfect little … [Read more...]
Huatulco, Mexico, More than an Exotic Name!
When one mentions vacationing in Mexico, perhaps a few of the more well-known destinations such as Cancun, Los Cabos, or Acapulco come to mind. Every place has its own unique charm, but I often find myself yearning for a more remote and undiscovered destination. So when I received the invitation to visit Huatulco in Mexico, I was excited to have the opportunity to familiarize myself with this unknown location. The mere fact that I had never heard … [Read more...]
How to Make Sense out of Scoring “Sense” in the Caribbean
Greetings from General Montgomery! ON a vacation island retreat, a young John M. Edwards rollies with a real live Rastafarian - and lives to regret it. “BOY! BOY!” I looked over at the sculpted resort hedge, shivering in the breeze like a wet Chia Pet and illuminated by a Tikki torch, and stepped uncertainly off the porch. I felt like a young adult waking up from a Frank W. Dixon Hardy Boys mystery. “Boy! Boy! Come here!” I walked … [Read more...]
My New Jersey Adventure
Ok, let’s be honest, besides Six Flags, the only part of New Jersey any traveler in their right mind would bother visiting is the boardwalk of Atlantic City on the New Jersey Shore. As an addict of the HBO series ‘Boardwalk Empire’, I finally got the opportunity to explore the world renowned Atlantic City Boardwalk. Built in 1870, the American landmark is lined with shops, restaurants, food stands, casinos and is ideal for people-watching. … [Read more...]
Just woke up in “prison” in Helsinki
"Am I there yet? Am I there yet?" This question rattled around several times in my jet lag induced brain for a few moments before one eye fluttered open. In the foggy haze of nonstop travel for the past few days I looked around. I was in a small room. I noticed the window. It was high up the wall, not in a normal spot for a window. I glanced at the blinking red light. It was 4am. But there was plenty of outside light in the room. There was … [Read more...]
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