I taught middle school science in Fresno for thirty-one years, and I first put my face in salt water at Hanauma Bay on Oahu in 1989, on my honeymoon, in a rented mask that leaked from the left side all morning. My wife Linda took up diving a few years later. I never did. My ears don't equalize well, and frankly I've never wanted to be more than an arm's length from air, so for thirty-odd years she's gone down, and I've floated above her bubbles. … [Read more...]
Reading the Water – Why the Best Scuba Diving in Bali Depends on the Morning Briefing
I fly freight for a living, mostly overnight runs out of Ontario, California, and I've sat through more weather briefings than I could count. So when I booked eight days of diving in Bali last August, eleven months after finishing my advanced course off Catalina Island, I assumed the dive briefings would be the dull part of the trip. I pictured a guy with a whiteboard and some hand signals. I'd planned the whole week around one site, Manta Point … [Read more...]
Why Malapascua Island Is Still One of Cebu’s Most Rewarding Island Trips
Malapascua Island is one of the most memorable island destinations in Cebu, especially for travelers who want something more purposeful than a normal beach vacation. Many people know it because of thresher shark diving, but the island is also worth visiting for slow travel, snorkeling, quiet beach walks, local food, and simple island life. Located in Daanbantayan, Cebu, Malapascua sits off the northern tip of Cebu Island. It is not as easy to … [Read more...]
Untamed Paradise: Exploring the Galápagos Islands
The Galapagos islands have long been on my radar, but a visit has so far eluded me. There are few places left in the world that I'm certain feel so untouched. The Galápagos Islands located roughly 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador—are certainly one of those places. Remote, carefully protected, and biologically unlike anywhere else on earth, they are not simply a destination; they are an experience that reshapes how you think about nature, … [Read more...]
Day Trip to Eneko Island, Majuro Atoll
The Marshall Islands are one of the planet's most remote island countries, but even within 'remote' one can find places even further removed from people. And Eneko Island is the perfect example. For reference the Marshall Islands are closer to Papua New Guinea than Hawaii, are slightly north of the equator and are located west of the international date line. Nonstop flights are available from Honolulu, Guam and Kiribati. Unless you live in these … [Read more...]
Best 5 St. Thomas Beaches (How to Maximize Your Visit)
Intro What better way to spend a vacation than to be relaxing on a beautiful beach in St. Thomas in the U.S Virgin Islands (USVI.) I can’t think of a better trip than by the beautiful Caribbean Sea where swimming, snorkeling and breathtaking sunsets are just waiting for you to observe with your own eyes. Whether you’re visiting St. Thomas for relaxation or to get into some water activities, there are plenty of beaches to suit your needs. Here … [Read more...]
Exploring Paradise: Key West Boat Tours
Whenever I am in south Florida, I always take a day or two to drive down to the keys. I usually fly into the Fort Lauderdale airport as its smaller and easier to navigate than Miami. My favorite time to visit is in December and or January when much of the rest of the U.S. is experiencing cold weather. Key West, the southernmost point of the continental United States, is a tropical paradise known for its vibrant culture, historic sites, and … [Read more...]
Hideaway Island, Vanuatu – April 2023
Easy to access, only about 15 minutes by mini van from Port Vila this private island is a favorite place to dive or snorkel by locals and visitors. Mini vans may drop passengers off at the driveway to the island or pull in next to the ferry dock (the walk down the driveway from the road is a short one). The ferry operates 24 hours a day and takes about 4 minutes from the mainland to the dock on the island. Alternatively, if the tide is low, one … [Read more...]
Sips to Remember: My Top 5 Unforgettable Drinks
I have been fortunate to have sampled a lot of alcohol on my travels around the planet, ranging from regional beers, to homemade rice wine, local concoctions in various villages including illegally made home-wine in a remote Iranian dessert village and some truly special beverages that were memorable due to their quality, pedigree and age along with external factors including companions and location. But there are a few drinks I count as being … [Read more...]
Al Dar Islands, Bahrain – July 2022
A trip out to these islands takes about 10 minutes from Sitra - an island within the country that is partially set aside for industrial use. Sitra is located about 20 minutes by car from the central part of Manama. You come here for relaxation to enjoy one of several bucolic beaches that surround clear and calm waters. Park yourself on one of the beaches during a weekday (to avoid the often large crowds that descend upon the island during … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 5
- Next Page »