Iguazu Waterfalls are among the most amazing waterfalls on the planet. Do not underestimate the time you need here - allow at least 1/2 day for the Brazilian side and at minimum a full day for the Argentina side. These falls are spread between the Brazil and Argentina border and extend up the Rio Iguacu several miles. The only similar waterfalls in comparison are Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The massive … [Read more...]
Gracias, Barcelona Bystanders
The visit to the Pablo Picasso Museum was a mind-ruminating experience. I can't say I comprehended everything I saw, nor can I say I was able to appreciate everything I saw - what was up with that "blue period" and why did shading every drawing/painting in blue inherently give it special significance? Nevertheless, I enjoyed the tour and was reflecting on what I saw when I plopped myself down on a bench in a park across the street from the … [Read more...]
Welcome to Hong Kong
"Welcome to Hong Kong. If you are connecting to another flight, we wish you safe travels. On behalf of my crew, we thank you for flying Cathay Pacific." The soothing -- we are here to serve your needs -- voice of the head flight attendant jolted me back to reality -- I had been staring blankly at the multi-colored seat in front of me. It wasn't her voice that caused the jolt; the official announcement that I had made it to Hong Kong was what … [Read more...]
Shh…Quiet. I’m in Norway
July 7 - Subject: Greetings from quiet Norway! Shh... the first words we heard on the train from the airport to the city center were "please respect the quiet zone." And its been incredibly quiet ever since! A well known Norwegian painter once wrote that the beauty of the mountains moves him into silence. If that's the case then perhaps people will stop talking altogether once we drive into the mountains. I always like to be keenly aware … [Read more...]
The Guns of Central America
My journey started in Havana - probably the safest capital in Latin America. The Castro regime has put so many cops on the streets that I was instantly told from the very beginning that any assault on a traveller is unthinkable. Scams, theft, yes. But in terms of violence, it is pretty obvious on the streets of Havana who is the boss. Then I flew in to Yucatan, Eastern Mexico. As I wait in the queue for passport control, a guy in front of me … [Read more...]
Exploring the World as Paying Crew
Unlike chartering which requires experience, and that you start and finish from a charter base, you usually don't need any sailing experience and you have many more choices of where in the world your trip will start. This is exactly what I did during August 2006. I had briefly tried the "paying crew" option in Thailand several years ago, and after having a great experience there, was ready to try it again. Since I would be traveling alone on … [Read more...]
South Africa, Surf and Safari – 2006
Here we are more a traveler than a tourist as we set out on safari changing hotels each night. We follow the Garden Route, the premier tour route preferred by locals. I (Adventures for Solo Travelers, 770-432-8225, $1824 land) bring in a way-cool group of 45 singles which includes a fighter pilot, 2 physicians, 2 psychoanalysts (who came in handy for me), mother/daughter, father/son, the uncle of Julia Roberts and one of my favorite clients whose … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Long Beach
Long Beach is located about 30-40 minutes south of downtown Los Angeles - note that the metro also runs down to Long Beach servicing several stops. Long Beach is also a departure point by ferry or helicopter to Catalina Island. The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are among the world's busiest. From the end of the 110 Freeway in nearby San Pedro across the green Vincent Thomas Bridge (or blue at night lit up by hundreds of LED lights) and … [Read more...]
The Pyramids of Giza
The Egyptian Pyramids! One of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World! I had read about them in school. I had seen them on countless TV programs, and I had always wondered what it would be like to see them in person. And now, now, I was going to do just that - see the pyramids in person! The Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt, Germany to Cairo was, thankfully, not even half full. There was lots of elbow room for everybody, and since I'd been … [Read more...]
Malaysian Malls & Singaporean Housing Estates
Although now deposed from their reign as the tallest buildings in the world by Taiwan's "Taipei 101 Tower", the Petronas Twin Towers of Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur still command an attention and respect. Like the late World Trade Center, they are identical twins, but unlike the World Trade Center, they are shaped almost round and taper to two mighty sphere topped spires at a lofty height of 452 meters (1483 feet). Day and night they gleam and … [Read more...]