When I arrived in Laos, I was delighted to find that bicycles are cheap, easy to rent, and can ride anywhere. Finding a bike was as simple as saying to my guesthouse owner, "Bike?" The …
February 1, 2012
Travel Stories
Biking in Laos
The Cape, South Africa
South Africa is becoming a destination of choice for good reason. We were happy to arrive in Cape Town, the mother city, after a very long flight: 24 hours across two continents on South African …
January 25, 2012
Traveling in Style: A Personal Train through Transylvania
“The painfully slow Personal trains should be avoided as a rule, unless you’re heading for some tiny destination.” – The Rough Guide to Romania “These trains are achingly slow.” – Lonely Planet: Eastern Europe I …
January 24, 2012
Hiking Humphrey's Peak, Arizona
Standing still is impossible. 70 mile-an-hour gales force me to stumble forward at a precarious 75° angle. The frigid gusts are uneven, causing my feet to boogie an awkward three-step on the summit’s razor-sharp rock …
Exploring the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
“I think that thing is staring at me,” someone in our tour group remarked nervously. No, it wasn’t a wild animal spotted while hiking through the wilds of Vietnam. It was the fish proudly displayed …
U.S. Virgin Islands: Domestic Caribbean
The Virgin Islands are a great travel destination. While the islands are American territories, accept U.S. dollars, and speak English, there remains an exotic, faraway flavor about them. West Indian culture strongly influences the islands …
January 19, 2012
Place Django Reinhardt, Paris
New to Paris is Place Django Reinhardt. Well, the site isn't new, but the designation is. The site is where the gypsy guitariste et compositeur lived in his caravan, in the Saint-Ouen neighborhood of Paris's …
January 13, 2012
Hiking the Lower 48's Highest: Mt. Whitney, California
On a lonely stretch of Highway 395 in Central Cali, the Sierras rise from the earth and reach for the heavens. It is here, and more specifically Mt. Whitney, where the modern-day hiker goes for …
January 12, 2012
Greek Island Hopping: A How-to
As we took our last ferry back to the Greek mainland, a few general impressions of the Greek Islands came to mind. Overall, the people were genuine, helpful and friendly – a traditional Greek nod …
Ayutthaya, Thailand: City of Buddhas
The ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya, about eighty kilometers north of Bangkok, is a worthwhile day trip if you’re staying in Bangkok. To really appreciate Ayutthaya, it helps to know a little about its history. …
Havana with my Father: “Por la Izquierda”
As usual, my father disappeared while I was still sleeping. For a second, I wondered what a 65-year-old tourist would be doing alone in the middle of Havana at 8 in the morning. Then I …
January 5, 2012