Luxor lies along the banks of the great Nile (the longest river in the world). If it wasn't for the Nile there would be no population here (a ribbon across the great Sahara Desert. The green of the agricultural fields extends both sides of the river maybe 8-10km where it abruptly ends at the sands of the Sahara Desert. The town is spread out along the east and west banks with most of the population centered on the east side. There is no bridge … [Read more...]
The Los Angeles River
From north of downtown. Every time I'm in town I try to stop by a different section of the Los Angeles River - this time I visited the part of the river immediately north of downtown. This stretch is surrounded by the 5 and the 134 freeways and the concrete almost seems to shake at times when large trucks go over the bridges. From looking at some of these photos you might think this river could be in the mountains, or in a very natural setting, … [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...]
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...]
Hangzhou: Marco Polo Called it the Most Magnificent City in the World
When I asked our guide to describe Hangzhou, he said: " We in China say, 'above is heaven; down here Hangzhou." His, were no idle words. They had a ring of truth. Marco Polo, the medieval traveller and the first Westerner to visit Hangzhou, was stunned with its beauty and described it as 'the City of Paradise.' China National Tourism has named it 'China's Best Tourist City' and other organizations have labelled it as 'China's Happiest … [Read more...]
Rambling Through Quebec’s Eastern Townships
I was glad the bus was air conditioned as our group of eight drove on that hot July day, through Quebec's Eastern Townships - a part of Quebec famous for its tourist appeal. I was happy and content. Inside it was cool and comfortable and outside it was a scenic world. The countryside was covered with flowers, greenery as well as cultivated fields. At times we drove through rolling hills; at other times through flat and fertile landscape. As … [Read more...]
Too Much Sunlight
Asif, the mid-thirties grizzly of a man, was driving our office's green Land Rover rapidly down the sun-baked and vehicle-beaten dirt road. I, the sole foreigner on our trip, assumed the seat of honor (and obligation), shotgun, while my trusted friend and colleague, Torialai sat behind me. Beside him sat Ustad Raqem, the principal of the elementary school which we were journeying to visit. It was July and each of us therefore had shed our … [Read more...]
Blundering in the Balkans
The sweat dripped down my face as I gyrated to the throbbing techno trying to keep up with a six-foot Serbian bombshell that had taken a keen interest in me, or at least my obvious American appearance. We walked out to the deck of the club, docked on the banks of the river Danube in downtown Belgrade to escape the heat of the nightclub and catch a breath of fresh air. As I took a sip of Jelen Pivo, the standard Serbian beer, my mind was fighting … [Read more...]
Esotouric’s July Literary Tours Explore Raymond Chandler’s and Charles Bukowski’s Personal Cities
WHAT: Esotouric's July literary bus tours in Los Angeles: Raymond Chandler (Sat 7/10, 12-4pm) departing from the LA Athletic Club (431 West Seventh Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014), and Charles Bukowski (Sat 7/24, 12-4pm) departing from Philippe The Original (1001 N. Alameda, Los Angeles, CA 90012) COST: Regular price $58/person per tour. Special offer: ride both July literary tours for $86 (save $30). Contact Esotouric to reserve. MORE INFO: … [Read more...]
Shanghai World Expo – China Showcases its Place in the Modern World
With its management of the 2008 Olympic games a smashing success, China will, from May 1st to October 31st, 2010 at the Shanghai World Expo, try and outdo its Olympic success. As one of the Chinese workers at the Shanghai World Expo told me, "Like it left its footprints during the ancient ages, China is beginning to make its mark on the modern world." Well, he had a point. No one can deny that this country contributed much to the ancient … [Read more...]
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