I have never been a fan of the Big Island or its ancient culture but when I was offered a free trip there with my wife Diana to attend a medical conference, well, who was I to say no. In fact, I think “just say no” is a pretty dumb idea in any context, but … Continued
The natural form of Cape Cod has changed continually over many eras as sand and ocean currents currents wash up and down its shores, altering the coastline endlessly. When the first Europeans arrived, they were so astounded at the numbers of Codfish that swam its waters that the name Cape Cod was given to the … Continued
I used to hang out at an open-air bar in downtown Athens. In 1976 the place was a travelers’ gathering point, a spot where people would gather in the warm summer evenings to swap tales tall and short about life on the road. One fine ouzo-soaked night I had the great good fortune to meet … Continued
Russia is a country that offers as much diversity and cultural richness as any nation on Earth. Getting around has never been easier or more convenient, and the sights in a nation that spans over ten time zones cannot possibly be described in in a few paragraphs. When the old Soviet Union divested itself of … Continued
I nearly died in Kathmandu one winter. Or I certainly felt as if I was about to expire. Walking in the new city one fine late winter morning, weak from dysentery and generally feeling the aftermath of months of travel, I found myself holding a telephone pole while traffic roared past on a wide boulevard, … Continued
The Western coast region of Tuscany is one of Italy’s most renowned tourist spots. Its renaissance architecture, delicious local recipes and warm climate attracts millions of tourists each year. It’s also part of Italy’s famous wine country and connoisseurs regularly flock to the award-winning region. The region is made up of a number of provinces, … Continued
Most people who know Peru are familiar with the Nasca Lines, those wonderful geoglyphs that are properly appreciated only from the air. Less famous is the city of Cahuachi, an adobe brick complex mostly visited now by grave robbers, who over the decades have trashed the innumerable burials in their relentless quest for gold. Objects … Continued
Far from the commercialism of Tunis City, in a forgotten quiet glade away from the crowds, several small statues forming Le Tophet rise from a dip in the earth. 1) Le Tophet: photo from Wikipedia These unassuming relics are virtually the only remnant of the great Phoenician civilization which had its capital at Carthage. … Continued
Moving within the Andean countries of South America requires a certain adaptability. The rigors of travel are formed by both geography and culture, and distances are deceptively longer than they appear on a map. A person can pull out a map and measure the space between two towns and think, “Well, how far can that … Continued
Many years ago I arrived in the West African country of Gambia, broke as the day is long. Having a poor understanding of the country’s infrastructure, I assumed that having money wired from abroad would be a relatively easy task and was not overly concerned. I was misinformed. I had come to this sliver of … Continued