One can travel around the world and one will certainly collect his share of experiences - but then can one write about his travels in an engaging and a humorous way? The answer is a resounding yes when it comes to author Albert Podell who made it his mission to visit every single country in the world. Author, adventurer, former editor of Playboy and explorer - the titles mount up for Albert - this is his latest book about his life wandering … [Read more...]
Bhutan: My Trek in Paro Chhu Valley, Jomolhari and my time in Thimphu
April 6th, SFO–Osaka–Bangkok My flight at 1055 was to Osaka (KIX) with another flight continuing on to Bangkok (BKK). My flight is delayed by one hour. I arrive at the airport at 0955 but the check-in agent needs to see an onward ticket from BKK and does not know where Bhutan is - and has not heard about Druk Air either! It takes 30 min, even though there are few people in the check-in queue while he verifies Thailand entry requirements for … [Read more...]
Mud Pond & Raymond Burr Gardens, Fiji
With the weather remaining dark, gloomy and at times spitting buckets of heavy rain scattering people under overhangs in downtown Nadi - it was a "weather weight off my back" today as the clouds parted and we finally had sunshine! Too much of this rain and gloomy weather is bad for my personal psyche. The cyclone watch was lifted a day or two ago and it was just a waiting game for the storm to dissipate. Today I set out for the hot springs and … [Read more...]
Top Five Savvy Reads that feel like Traveling
Can't get away but want to feel like you've traveled? I recommend these five stories to get your Fall full of far-away places that will make you feel as if you did leave home, even if you don't get further than your back yard! The Newlyweds, by Neil Freudenberger This tale about all types of love captured my heart. The story features intercontinental online dating (New York to Bangladesh) and moments in rural Bangladesh, all set against … [Read more...]
Flight from Jo’burg to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
On BA operated Comair flight now from JO'berg to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. I asked FA what my choices were for lunch as the announcement as often is the case on these small aircraft was garbled and coupled with the flight noise was impossible to hear. Her answer was "they are delicious" - I asked again, "delicious" was the answer repeated. Oh boy - vegetarian lasagne was all I was given. Edible - that's all I will say. Certainly much better … [Read more...]
Hanging out in the ‘Desh
We leave for our trip to the Deep South with 38 other Bengalis. We are the only Western tourists on this trip - we will fly back because of the great distance and terrible delays that plague the river ways this time of year (usually fog related). Interestingly the airline we fly back on is called United....Airways that is. We seeking out sightings of the rare Royal Bengal Tiger, one of the last few places in the world that you can see this very … [Read more...]
Heading to the Maldives
We arrived in Male late last night after a several hour stop over in Colombo Sri Lanka. We were in Sri Lanka early last year for several weeks and would have liked to have explored more this time but we satisfied ourselves with using the free Internet consoles. It was wierd to land at country's capital city airport (Male). There were no lights here only the darkened ocean. Reminded me of a totally different reason for no lights - when I dropped … [Read more...]
The 2011 Travelers GO/NO Go List
Los Angeles, CA - 22 December 2010 - The website has published the ultimate New Year's resolution wish list for travelers, with their '2011 Travelers GO/NO Go List' for those looking for something different. "Serious travelers want authentic, exciting and participatory adventures nowadays," says the website, "they want to visit places that seem exotic, places that are new on the horizon and that offer them a chance to get out of their comfort … [Read more...]
Sundarbans, Bangladesh – December 2010
The Sundarbans are the world's largest Mangrove swamp with the majority of this swamp being located in Southern Bangladesh. The endangered wild Royal Bengal Tiger makes its home here and is one of the major reasons to visit the swamp. You can fly or drive depending on availability. You must have a guide to enter the Sundarbans and if you are serious about seeing wildlife (tigers, board, deer, snakes, birds, monkeys etc), it is best if you go … [Read more...]
65 Countries Enter Race for 2010 Foreign Language Film Oscar
Beverly Hills, CA - Sixty-five countries, including first-time entrants Ethiopia and Greenland, have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 83rd Academy Awards'. The 2010 submissions are: Albania, 'East, West, East,' Gjergj Xhuvani, director; Algeria, 'Hors la Loi' ('Outside the Law'), Rachid Bouchareb, director; Argentina, 'Carancho,' Pablo Trapero, director; Austria, 'La … [Read more...]