I'm standing at the edge of a mountain, taking in the gorgeous city sprawled below me. I hear the commands "Run, run!" The body instinctively resists but I take a leap of faith and go. I'm up in the air before I even know it, the parachute lifting me up and away. And just like that I'm paragliding in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. The name Dominican Republic more often than not stirs up images of a blue green Caribbean sea, and miles and … [Read more...]
Mongolia, Land of the Horse People
It’s almost impossible to tell the story of Mongolia without inevitably mentioning Chinggis (Genghis) Khan. Seven centuries ago, he exploded onto Mongol and world history with a sonorous impact that still reverberates throughout the nation today. But there is far more to Mongolia than our fanciful musings of green, pastoral steppes trampled by marauding hordes of nomadic warriors on horseback. Indeed, Mongolia is a study in contrast, a traveler’s … [Read more...]
The Feel is in the Destination, Baros Maldives
Opening in 1973, the Baros Maldives was only the third island destination resort in the Maldives. It's gorgeous beauty and proximity to Male were among the primary reasons for it's opening. Even though such history is fairly recent - things were significantly different back then. There were no banks on Male, fishing was still the primary income source for the country, the population was less then a 1/3 of what it is today and on Baros the … [Read more...]
Everything is impossible, until it happens
In late 2013, I decided to ride a bicycle through Africa in an attempt to turn my life around. My parents had passed away back home in Ireland but, to tell the truth, it was not their memory that had dislodged my equilibrium, it was me indulging in self-destruction. It all seemed so impossible on the airplane as I sat reading a beginner’s manual about how to repair punctures, but after a year spent riding through deserts, mountains, remote … [Read more...]
MGM National Harbor—Local Flavors, International Appeal
It may sound like a crock of balderdash to start out a review of a luxury resort with a statement about how happy the employees seem. Or that the property has transformed an area by emphasizing local hiring and local artists. But cross my heart, the service people weren’t smiling at Maryland’s MGM National Harbor resort because they were Westworld robots. And the place has such regional roots that the very clay from the property … [Read more...]
Suzhou, China’s floating city
Suzhou is often referred to as “the Venice of the East.” In a less ethnocentric world, we would perhaps call Venice “the Suzhou of the West.” The original canal city, Suzhou was already a over a thousand years old when Venice was founded (514 B.C.E. vs. 421 C.E.) It is also significantly larger than Venice, a full order of magnitude more, in fact. Its canal system is indescribably extensive and complex, spreading through a vast network of fields, … [Read more...]
4 Classic San Francisco photos and where to shoot them
Point your camera in any direction in San Francisco and you will capture the city’s iconic beauty, distinctive architecture and diverse people. Golden Gate Bridge, the city skyline, Alcatraz Island and the Palace of Fine arts are four among many that immediately say “San Francisco”. There are many places where you can capture these four icons with a camera but these suggested spots offer unobstructed views and a minimum of people. They're … [Read more...]
Puebla – City of Angels
Mexico City. Acapulco. Puerta Vallarta. Cancun. If you're like most people, these are the Mexican cities you are familiar with. However, Puebla, or La Puebla de los Angeles (“the city of the angels,”) is the most beautiful Mexican city that you've likely never heard of. Only a couple of hours from Mexico City, I first visited it during a backpacking trip in 2005, more by coincidence than by design, and was astounded by one of the most remarkable … [Read more...]
Florida’s Oldest and Largest Flea Market
The Market, as we kids called it, has been in existence as long as I can remember. Looking through the eyes of youth, it seemed huge, with lots of sheds and tables and vendors. To us, it was the perfect playground, especially during the long hot days of summer. As I grew into adulthood, I began to realize what an important role the Market played in the lives of so many, especially the farmers who were its mainstays. The Need to Survive In … [Read more...]
4 Adventures for Thrill-Seekers in the Dominican Republic
Located in the heart of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic was the first place to be reached by Christopher Columbus in 1492 - making it the oldest country of the Americas. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, the Dominican Republic’s 18,704 sq. miles consist of rain forest, savannah and highlands. While the island is mostly known for its beaches, resorts and golf courses it also boasts the … [Read more...]
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