This is the story of how Stalin lost his nose and why the face of former British prime minister Tony Blair pops up in the strangest places in a former Soviet republic. But first I want to tell you about Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan. And later I’ll tell you about kyz kuu, a kind of lovers’ kissing game they play on the steppe of central Asia. Kazakhstan, independent since 1991, and squeezed between those other ‘stans’ (homelands) … [Read more...]
The Imaginary Kingdom of Belarus
John M. Edwards researches a future trip to a country he suspects doesn’t really exist. . . . I’ve never been there, and neither have you. The imaginary kingdom of Belarus, way off the beaten track, so far away in fact that no one ever seems to find it, belongs more to the world of fictionalized Tintin comics than the grip of postcardy Paid Advertisements. Even asking former communist expats from the various SSRs how to get there usually … [Read more...]
“Two Tickets to Paradise”, Palau
“I’ve got two tickets to paradise. Pack your bags and leave tonight” – Eddie Money In the evening we arrived to the Airai Hotel located conveniently near Palau’s international airport. The Airai hotel staff was welcoming and our hotel room that overlooked the coastline from a distance and the hotel waterpark below us was a spacious and comfortable midrange option. At the restaurant we sampled tasty white snapper pesto served over a bed of … [Read more...]
Guide to Breckenridge, Colorado – There is Plenty to Do!
Breckenridge, Colorado is known for it’s quaint historic downtown and it’s epic 2,358 acres of skiing. Tucked away in the Rocky Mountains, it’s a small town that offers a lot. My husband’s family owns a small condo in Breckenridge, so we find ourselves up there quite often. It’s the perfect place to get away from the city life of Denver and relax. Over the years of visiting, we’ve discovered the best Breckenridge has to offer during both … [Read more...]
Sacred Guides
The eighty degree weather we’d had at breakfast in a California border town transitioned sharply into the fifties by lunchtime at the Grand Canyon. I exchanged my flip flops for socks and hiking shoes, threw a jean jacket over my summer dress, and donned a beanie, the only warmer things I had easy access to. My dress whipped around my legs in the chilly wind. The weather was unexpectedly far from ideal for sightseeing, but we couldn’t drive past … [Read more...]
A Sanka in St. Petersburg
The "Manhattan Candidate" John M. edwards has an Eye-Opening experience in Cold War Russia's St. Petersburg: Attempted Brainwashing Anyone?! The Neva is clad in granite Bridges stand poised over her waters --Alexander Pushkin INTERESTED in finding the St. Petersburg salon where the protagonist of Doestoevsky’s Notes from the Underground is snubbed and ridiculed by his friends, I set off for that fair city sometime in the springtime, I … [Read more...]
Rio de Janeiro Becomes the First Big City to Receive Title of World Heritage Site
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (November 9, 2012) – The UNESCO Heritage Committee has elected the city of Rio de Janeiro as the first big city to receive the title of World Heritage Site in the Urban Landscape category. The decision was made at the Committee’s 36th session in Saint Petersburg, Russia on July 1, 2012. The National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage – IPHAN – presented Rio’s candidacy in 2009 with the concept of the harmonious … [Read more...]
Travel Unscripted
Travel Unscripted by Mark Murphy is just that, a sort of travelogue - free flowing stories based on many of Mark's International trips and adventures. And yes, Mark is probably in planes more often then he likes to admit. These tales range from China to Russia, from the Middle East to Asia. He writes of engaging stories that can only be experienced while "on the road". Spontaneity: from continuing to bump into a beautiful dark haired stranger … [Read more...]
Paradise, Ohrid – Macedonia
I've discovered Paradise - Ohrid on the shores of Lake Ohrid in Macedonia. This is the ideal spot for anyone to spend a few weeks or months or more. But especially for travel writers - where one can easily be inspired to write by the natural beauty of this area. September is a good time to visit - many of the tourists have already left, leaving still warm weather and empty beaches for one to enjoy. Bring a lot of good books, browse the shops … [Read more...]
Reflections of Ohrid – Macedonia
Let us set the scene for your visit - Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of Macedonia's true natural gems. Here are the basics: the old town of Ohrid is the place to stay with its ancient architecture, site of Europe's first University, site of where the Cyrillic alphabet was invented, steep cobblestone streets, small cafes and bars that are only accessible by foot or by boat and rocky secluded beaches perched at the base of steep … [Read more...]
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