Due to my extensive travels, people often ask me about favorite places around the planet. I love the outdoors so I always rattle off inspiration nature highlights including the Amazon River, various mountains including the Himalayas and the Andes and various deserts. But I also enjoy the activities that big cities bring - and invariably I Los Angeles always comes up in conversation as one of my favorite cities. I always start with LAX, one of … [Read more...]
Discovering Bambang
The journey began as I and several friends arrived and converged at Manila Airport. Our shuttle van waited to fetch us, ready to set off for Bambang - site of a special gathering for a poetry circle we would be attending. It was, indeed, a tedious long land journey. However, the enjoyable company of my friends and the vibrant view outside the car window somehow comforted me during the ongoing long hours of travel. I noticed ourselves getting … [Read more...]
Impressions: Ulanbaatar, Mongolia
I landed in Ulanbaatar in the very early am. My pre-arranged ride was not waiting at airport so I found a taxi who promptly delivered me to my guest house, 20 mins to town w/o traffic. Two story guesthouse. I ended up on the second floor - frustrated because the inside door to the guesthouse was locked and it was 430am. Knocking over and over again resulted in no action from within. I began to prep a rudimentary sleeping arrangement in the … [Read more...]
What Should You Do if Your Car Breaks Down in the Middle of Nowhere?
What could be worse than your car breaking down? Your car breaking down in the middle of nowhere. While car owners never expect such an incident, it is best to be prepared for it. There are many reasons why a car could suddenly malfunction and leave you stranded in an unfamiliar location. Fortunately, the situation can be managed no matter what has happened to your vehicle or where you are. Continue reading below to learn about the steps to … [Read more...]
Brazilian Cachaça trip day 7: Luis Alvez and Itajaí
I’d been on the road for a week when I woke up in Itajaí, my last full day in Santa Catarina. The storm clouds had cleared and there were people getting in their morning exercise along the dishwater gray beach. An old couple sat on a park bench holding hands. I was on my way back to Luis Alvez to take a look at the fermentation and distillation processes. It was rush hour when I left. The city moved languidly around me as I maneuvered over … [Read more...]
Jose Rizal in Calamba
Co-Authors: Junfil Olarte, Mark Alexander Farrell Calamba in the province of Laguna is one of the most historic places in the Philippines mainly because it serves as the home and birthplace of Jose Rizal, the 19th-century Filipino nationalist and polymath and the national hero of the Philippines. The spirit of his martyrdom and patriotism still lives to this very day ever since at the tail end of the Spanish colonial period in the country. … [Read more...]
Brazilian Cachaça trip, Days 5 and 6: Florianopolis, Itajai, Luis Alves, Santa Catarina
I departed Nova Petropolis at 6:30 am. There were so many more things to see in Rio Grande do Sul, of that I was sure. But I had to get on the road, appreciate the tight curves and tailgaters for one last time. The nearly two hour drive back to the airport in Porto Alegre was relatively uneventful, fortunately. I’d chosen to fly with Gol for my entire trip, though I realized after I bought my tickets that it might have been better to mix up my … [Read more...]
11 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Iceland
Our excitement, which had been building prior to our trip to Iceland, reached a crescendo after we landed. We immediately saw beautiful snow-covered mountains, contrasting in the harsh rain. Every mountain was white and the landscape was devoid of people. Over the next few weeks, these scenic destinations changed our definition of beauty and natural elegance. Here are the top 11 things you must know before visiting Iceland. 1) Plan your … [Read more...]
Top Water Sports to Enjoy While on the Road
Some of my favorite activities while traveling are participating in a variety of water sports. Over the years I've often traveled to islands (especially in the Caribbean) where water sports are a part of the culture and often a part of people's daily lives. I've participated in the following water sports ... and you can to :) Stand up Paddle Board - my first introduction to stand up paddle boarding was a few years ago in Bermuda. During my … [Read more...]
Cachaça Trip, Day One, Part One—Brasilia, Porto Alegre, Ivoti
I awoke as the orange rays of the sun bled through my bedroom window. Nerves always eat at me before I travel, and so it wasn’t surprising for me to rise early. Day one of my cachaça trip. There were so many unknowns. I shuffled around my apartment, ensuring my belongings were together, made my coffee, and ate a bit of breakfast. By the time that was done, my wife and kids were up. Besides being a travel day, it also happened to be my kids’ … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 26
- Next Page »