The following morning I awoke early and knew from experience that the boys would sleep for several more hours. I usually enjoyed this time by myself reading or wandering around, maybe getting breakfast. But I felt an odd surge of energy and curiosity and took flight into the jungle to find me a cave. I got my hands on a poor hand drawn map and bought a bottle of water on the way out of town. According to the map I would come to a bridge on the … [Read more...]
Going Home
A traveler from Singapore finds his country's colorful past in present-day Kuala Lumpur. It's 9.50pm in Kuala Lumpur. Our 'time-travel machine' is here to take us home to 2003 Singapore. And for once, the KTM railway train arrived on the dot. 36 hours ago, we were standing at the tail of a long queue snaking from the departure gate to the main entrance of the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station in Singapore. The gate opened slightly after … [Read more...]
The Flood, The Tsunami Dec 26
If there is a Paradise on earth it must be here. We repeatedly confirm each other in that statement, several times a day. Mai's Quiet Zone is the name of the little resort where we live, here in the Northern part of Khao Lak. It is not a misnomer. With her husband, the Thai woman Mai has created an area where everything breathes idyllic peace. On the beach are some practical little red brick and bamboo bungalows. Two storey bungalows encircle … [Read more...]
Dave’s Travel Corner Offers Adventure in Expo Tickets – NYC Show
(1/07/06) Dave's Travel Corner is giving away free tickets to the Adventure in Travel Expo to be held shortly in New York City. If you would like free tickets to this event, simple email dave@pon.net with the number of tickets requested and your mailing address. The world's leading Adventure and Travel Marketplace returns to New York, January 14-15 ,2006. The Adventures in Travel Expo will help turn your wildest adventure and travel fantasies … [Read more...]
Iquitos, Peru
Iquitos, Peru is the largest city in the world not connected to other cities by roads. It is located in eastern Peru deep in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest - next to the great Amazon river. The only way to reach Iquitos is by plane (which is the fastest and most direct), or by a boat up from Brazil along the Amazon river, or by bus and then boat if one is coming from western Peru. The Amazon river supplies nearly one quarter of the … [Read more...]
New Zealand, South Island – Glaciers
Franz Josef and Fox are the two primary glaciers located on the west coast of the South Island. Visitors who arrive on a rainy day won't really begin to see the beauty and extent of their coverage - both are among the fastest moving glaciers in the world and their footprint is constantly changing from year to year. Glaciers in Argentina and other parts of southern South America are similar to those in New Zealand in that these are the only places … [Read more...]
Iquitos, Peru – Guides
Because Iquitos is difficult and expensive to get to and is somewhat off the beaten path, the city doesn't see huge numbers of travelers. Over eager for tourist dollars are a small number of "rabid guides". These type of guides will say most anything to get your business. They will blatantly lie, they will approach you on the street, may put their hands on your body, pretend to be your friend, make up stories they think you want to hear (like … [Read more...]
Iquitos, Peru – Eco Vagabond Lodge
UPDATE: UNFORTUNATELY THIS LODGE IS NOW CLOSED If it reopens under new ownership we will post the update here. One jungle lodge you will NEVER find in a travel guidebook is the Eco Vagabond Lodge located about 1 hour from Iquitos by fast boat. This rustic lodge sits mere meters from the great Amazon River. It is owned by an Argentine and a Peruvian - they no longer live at the lodge, but a fabulous bilingual guide Carmina who is in her … [Read more...]
Iquitos, Peru – Attractions
We have visited or participated in the following attractions or experiences in Iquitos or the surrounding region. Amazon River - what can you say about the Amazon River except its the world's greatest river. Its mind boggling to think that it supplies nearly a quarter of all the world's freshwater! From the Atlantic Ocean in Brasil, vessels make the entire trip up the Amazon River to Iquitos (some 3,600 kilometers of navigable waterway). It … [Read more...]
Peru 05
Peru trip was incredible. High mountains, steamy jungles, dry deserts and the ocean - all in one country. Can't wait to return and next time will visit the high altiplano of Bolivia and parts of the Patagonia. Article about Iquitos finished but won't be posted on the main page for a few months as there are other articles currently queued. http://www.davestravel.com/articles/iquitos/index.htm & the Peruvian Rainforest Article about … [Read more...]