John M. Edwards sings the Buddha electric, embarking on a quest in the Laotian capital for the world’s most unique body posture. People thought I was a lunatic for coming all the way to Laos, a landlocked nation without any beaches, for a “vacation”? Even I thought I was out of my mind. After a couple of days lying on the wavy grass in the hazy egg-yolk-shaped sun of Vientiane, a Southeast Asian Wild West boomtown, though, I was bronzed … [Read more...]
The High Life, McLeod Ganj
We are now at about 8000 feet up in the Himalayas near Mcleod Ganj just outside of town at a guest house; we will stay here 2 nights and then move further up into the Himalayas. Very very humbling to be back in the shadow of the WORLD'S GREATEST mountains, no apologies given to the Andes in this regards, as the Himalayas are in THEIR OWN CLASS and everyone should see them at least once in their life. These 5 and 6 thousand meter mountains tower … [Read more...]
Lost in the City of Dreams
I had long been promising myself a visit to Istanbul, European Capital of Culture for 2010. So with the Bayram festival now approaching and the summer sun warming the earth, I couldn't resist a visit to this most ostentatious city of spires, a fabulously inspiring metropolis of imperial dreams; and it was only a magic carpet ride away. I arrived exhausted but excited, my heart in my hands here at the epicentre of three empires. Straddling two … [Read more...]
The 4 Bridges Crossing the Canal Grande in Venice
The two most striking characteristics of Venice are its extremely romantic appeal and the picturesque canals that are like the unique equivalent of streets in other cities. The biggest of these canals is the Canal Grande (in Venetian referred to as Canalasso). At a length of 3800 meters it stretches through the whole city in the shape of an 's'. Curiously enough there are only four opportunities to cross the Canal Grande throughout the city, … [Read more...]
Thailand: One man’s virgin tour
Dried fish at a Bangkok street market I wake up at 5:30 a.m. on the 57th floor of the Lebua at State Tower, an upscale hotel in the thick of Bangkok, the Praya River snaking by below. I stand and listen, hearing a throaty growl seeming to gather steam in the distance and figure it has to be an airplane leaving the city from Suvarnabhumi Airport. But how can that be? For one thing, the airport is 19 miles away. For another, the sound doesn't … [Read more...]
More Thai Village Life
We spent the better part of the afternoon husking and opening very mature coconuts in preparation for a big dinner tonight (coconut curry). I had flashbacks of Wilson in that Tom Hanks movie from several years ago. I've eaten hundreds of coconuts over the years but never from one that had already started sprouting. The inside of the coconut fills with a white foam like growth which can then be eaten in its own right or more appealingly sucked on … [Read more...]
The Malvern Experience, be inspired
Journeys of a Lifetime The strong winds that blow from the highest point of the Malvern Hills orchestrate their own music and as I stood on the Worcestershire Beacon, the words of Sir Edward Elgar who was born within sight and sound of these ancient limestone hills came to mind, "there is music in the air, music all around us and you simply take as much as you require." Then there are the magnificent views; to the east, the smooth curve of … [Read more...]
Historic Coventry – Then and Now
Synopsis: Detailing the history up to the present day of Coventry, a once medieval city in the heart of England. The recent discovery of the Doom Painting, "one of the most important discoveries ever made in the field of medieval art" in Holy Trinity Church. 65 years have gone by since the ending of World War 11 and much water has passed under the bridge. We have seen dictators come and go and come again with the accompanying abuse of … [Read more...]
Planeterra’s Voluntourism
Endangered Species, Ancient Culture and Voluntourism Combine in Planeterra's New-for-2010 Project China IRichard G. Edwards, Director Planeterra Phone: 416-260-0999 Email: richard@planeterra.org www.planeterra.org TORONTO, March 23, 2010 - With fewer than 1,000 giant pandas left in the world, travelers on Planeterra's new Project China voluntour will have an opportunity to directly participate in efforts to protect this endangered … [Read more...]
Trains and More Chaos
Chaos reigns at the New Delhi airport - pre paid taxis are a joke. Many people in old dirty clothes hanging around. The fog here was TERRIBLE last night. Its the norm in the winter during the nights with merely 5 to 7 feet visibility. We landed around 9pm and arrived at our hotel around midnight just to catch the New Year's festivities. Drive from airport normally takes 25 minutes! Hahaha yea. Driver kept stopping every few seconds while getting … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- Next Page »