The Galapagos Islands are among the most popular tourist hot spots of South America, topping the list with Peru's Machu Picchu and the shared Brazilian/Argentine wonder, Iguazu Falls. As a consequence of the islands' appeal, mainland Ecuador is often relegated to a short stopover enroute to the coastal launching point. Visitors choosing to skip the continent and tour only the islands are missing a country with some of the most diverse tourism … [Read more...]
Francis Ford Coppola Winery
We recently visited Francis Ford Coppola's winery and estate (Francis Ford Coppola Winery) in northern Sonoma County which with good traffic is about 1 hour and 20 minutes north of San Francisco California. The location is a rather bucolic one, the winery is nestled against the hills surrounded by vineyards. We have visited hundreds of wineries over the years; this one is unique. While wine is the focus of their operations here, the estate offers … [Read more...]
Taking the Plunge
Somehow the morning had taken an unexpected turn. Instead of finding myself enjoying a quiet breakfast in a little cafe with big picture windows overlooking Lake Taupo, I found myself sitting on a wooden bench on a platform suspended high above the Waikato River, watching as my feet were cinched into a snug harness. Connected to that harness was a very thick piece of elastic rope. And it was from that rope that I would momentarily be swinging. … [Read more...]
Blown Away by Bruges
I was originally planning to be in S. Korea this trip but when a friend canceled due to a family emergency I flew over here instead to explore my family's roots in Luxembourg and the countryside. This has been an inspirational trip so far, from the people I've met to the amazing towns and countryside. Usually when I think of travel I want to visit Asia but now I'm craving more of Western Europe! I came to Bruges, Belgium for one reason and one … [Read more...]
A Taste of Heaven
Like blind tourists, my friends and I stumbled upon a small travel agency one morning in Panajachel, Guatemala. Little did we know, this happenstance would lead to one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life and the most delectable tamale I've ever tasted. I can clearly remember biting into that tamale - warm, delectable cornmeal surrounding a layer of seasoned chicken - after our return from an adventurous weekend in Semuc Champey. It … [Read more...]
Death by Greece
110 degrees. All day, all night. This was my first Grecian experience. That, and an old man waving his reproductive organ at us as he peed in the street outside of our hostel. Welcome to Athens. My friend Melissa and I were prepared for the overly friendly old men (we had just come from Spain after all), but the heat was another story. All day and night we would laid there, in our non-air conditioned hostel, with no fans, waiting for that … [Read more...]
Building Back Peru
Volun-Tourism is one of the fastest growing sects of international travel. Unfortunately, corporations profiting on this burgeoning market have become common. Those looking for travel volunteer opps should seek out groups that are well organized, accept volunteers of varying time commitments, don't charge high participation costs, and most importantly, are non-profit groups putting the majority of resources back into their assisted communities. … [Read more...]
Spending 104 Days In Singapore
PHOTOS BY WILLIAM CHO International Freelance Photographer, Singapore The 7:30 twilight already swathes the entire vicinity as I amble along and pass through the hallways of Changi Airport. My Singapore Airline flight has not given much of a jet lag. But then, routinely, a worker and a traveller desperately need to move out from the terminal. The intended place is in Jalan Kuang, East View Garden, about 10 minutes away from the Singaporean … [Read more...]
Wheels in the Baja
My friends call me "Wheels." My story begins in 1950, after polio left me 'confined" to a wheelchair but certainly not "by it." Inspired by the book Into A Desert Place by Graham Macintosh, my story unfolds into a road trip through Baja, California with my friend Jack. A quick adventure over 7 days and 2000 miles provides a lifetime of memories of a frontier land south of the border that in 1972 presented challenges to all travelers, especially … [Read more...]
Anguilla is a tropical paradise of tranquility
Thirty three beaches beckon tourists I didn't see any Kentucky Fried Chicken or Burger King franchises on the island of Anguilla. In fact, I didn't locate any chain restaurants on the island. A local told me that Subway once opened a restaurant on the island, but it didn't last long. There also are no large cruise ships, no casinos and no nude bathing. Cruise ships can't go to the island because there isn't a port large enough to handle them. … [Read more...]
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