Track Our Travels On The World Map
My wife and I love to travel and experience other cultures from around the world. Although we most often get a street-level view of the places we travel, this doesn’t mean we don’t occasionally splurge. Travel along with us as we explore the world!
Blazing Trails in Djibouti, Africa
The Afar people who live in the mountains near Mt. Goda haven’t seen such a green landscape for the past twenty-five years. Rare, torrential rains this past November surprised many. Our tour group walks through Foret du Day National Park (Dead Forest), which takes its...
Getting High and Low in Djibouti, Africa
The ride back seems faster, as we backtrack and bounce over the road that brought us to the limestone chimneys. After a repeat of yesterday’s lunch in Dikhil, we soon roll down the windows through twisty mountain roads and let cool winds refresh our faces. We’re on...
Into the Boonies of Djibouti, Africa
After seeing all there is to see in Djibouti City, we meet with the tour group and guides arranged through Intrepid Tours. Introductions reveal nine tourists: two from Canada, three from Germany (one originally from South Africa), three from the USA (including us)...
Djibouti, Africa: Djibouti City
“Where’s Djibouti?” Says everyone who asks where we’re going next. I first heard of this Northeastern African country about fifteen-years ago when reading a report about a man who was arrested for smuggling “khat” into the United States. My research revealed that khat...
Travel On…
Hello, readers. It's been several months since we have posted anything about travel. My father passed away last July, while we were traveling in Columbia, and we came back to my hometown for several months. The hearthache will never go away, but it's time to get busy...
Argentina, From Solar Eclipse to Freaking Out in Iguazu Falls
A one-hour ferry ride takes us from Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since we’re in the area, let's chase the solar eclipse! I thought about taking Tango lessons, but where would I ever Tango? Nah, let’s eat. One cannot go wrong with “Bife’...
Uruguay, “Because Here Nobody Is Better Than Anybody Else”
"Where nobody is better than anybody else" is Uruguay's motto. It rings in our ears as a powerful statement. The smallest country by population (3.3 million) in South America and about the size of Oklahoma, only Suriname is smaller size-wise. With more sheep than...
Along the Way to Banos and Cuenca, Ecuador
Riding in a speeding bus swinging around “S” curves for hours, climbing through 14,000 feet altitude equates to extreme nausea, at least for me. Meanwhile, Marilynn marvels at the high-altitude scenery, snaps photos, and chats with others as if at a party. The reality...
Getting High in Otavalo, Ecuador
Let’s get high. Way up in an Andean forest. Our driver, Julio, points out groups of Venezuelan families walking along the road from Otavalo to Quito. They left their devastated country on foot in search of work and a better life. A harsh reminder of nearby troubles....
A Taste of Quito, Ecuador
The slightest effort makes us huff and puff in the 9,350 feet altitude of Quito, Ecuador’s second largest city. Quito also ranks as the second highest capital city on earth. Our stomachs feel great, so out we walk to La Ronda street in Old Town searching for a taste...
Chillin’ on the Beach in Canoa, Ecuador
Sipping a few beers on a third-floor balcony overlooking the ocean brings temporary relief to our healing stomachs. Watching the fishermen provides all the Zen chillin’ we need. “Fisher people” describes the scene more accurately, as “it takes a village” to prepare...
Stumbling Around Guayaquil, Ecuador
Whew, the travel warnings for most of Ecuador create expectations of getting robbed while walking the streets. Don’t take out your cellphone for photo while near a crowd. Don’t carry anything you are not prepared to lose to a thief, etc., a theme of petty crime from...
Copenhagen, Denmark
Bicycles dominate the city of Copenhagen. More folks bike to work than drive cars, by a long shot. Tourist beware, because stepping into a bike lane could get you a scolding or bruising. Walk with your head on a swivel, and you’ll be just fine. Once off the bikes...
West Coast of Greenland – Final Chapter!
Snowmobiles sleigh us through snow covered mountains and tundra hinterlands to a small colony of igloos, where we shall sleep tonight. Immediately we notice a toilette made of snow, with a green bag hanging under a plastic seat. A “loo with a view” for sure. Anders,...
Welcome to the West Coast of Greenland (Part II)
After a “stick-to-your-ribs” dinner of local delights, including musk ox, reindeer, cod, and halibut, it’s time to gaze at the northern lights before bed. Our tour group celebrates boarding a two-prop plane in the morning for a flight up the west coast to the town of...
Welcome to the West Coast of Greenland (Part I)
We rarely travel with tour groups. A guided tour makes sense in a place like Greenland, if you want to see a lot in a little amount of time. So, off we go, on a four and one-half-hour flight from Copenhagen, Denmark to Kangerlussuaq (which we call the “K town"),...