Its our last day in Costa Rica (for now) and as Im feeling pretty much back to normal, we can take an Uber into town for a wander. We decide to start to the north of the city centre in Barrio Amn, which Lonely Planet informs me is a pleasant, historical neighbourhood, home to a cluster of coffee grower mansions. Recently many of the areas historical buildings have been converted into hotels, cafe Read on...
The first day of cycling to Oualidia was in lovely sunshine as I had hoped for. There were loads of larks along the roadside. However on the second day the weather took a turn for the worse. In early afternoon a thunderstorm rolled in off the sea. I watched towards me and wondered what the curious orange haze was below the slate grey cloud. I soon found out. As the sun disappeared and wind went fr Read on...
A Franciscan Church - What a fascinating location for our tour of a working museum of traditional Umbrian textiles.
Dating back to 1212, it is the oldest Franciscan Church in Perugia and one of the first Franciscan settlements in Italy. The name Saint Francis of the Women derives from the fact that in 1252 the convent was handed over to the Benedictine nuns by the Franciscan monks. The monastery Read on...
On the fast train to Lisbon but not travelling fast yet as we are still in the suburbs of Vila Nova de Gaia. Modern with functional and fast wifi connection all has gone smoothly since we left the shat! Thats half ship, half boat but I dont think the name will stick. Boip is probably worse though. The windows here are big scenic ones but I share mine with the only person in the entire carriage tha Read on...
Its 6am and the sun is shining brightly. I decide to take my shower now whilst everyone else is still in bed. The bed has to be dismantled and bedding stowed before we can enjoy our breakfast.
Today we have elected to head up to the hills to Pingveiller National Park - home to the first Viking parliamentformed in 980ADand Oxararfoss, a gigantic waterfall.
We start at the waterfall and then walk Read on...
Virtually All of the Good Scenery Shots Were Spoiled by the Suns Refraction or Reflection of the Trains Windows
WED, 01 JUN 2022 – Day 2: Madrid city tour. Stroll through the Retiro Park. Visit to the Las Ventas bullring. Evening transfer. The morning starts with tour through the centre of Madrid including the Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, the Gate of Alcal, Plaza de Coln and Plaza Mayor. Read on...
Woke up to a layer of ice and snow in Bowling Green. Leo had a nice walk and then it was time for some breakfast at the hotel. It was a nice mix of hot and cold breakfast items. We loaded up the truck headed down the road a bit. Still lots of ice on the roads. We stopped at the Krispy Kreme before leaving town just because it was there. We stopped in Birmingham for some nice hot chicken. We arrive Read on...
Here is the secret to eating in Portugal: Portugals cuisine has long resisted the encroachments of fusion or molecular gastronomy. Hearty to a fault, restaurants churn out satisfying variants of bacalhau (salted cod), chicken, and cakes. Another reason, Portugal is relatively cheap, and we are told by travel experts and foodies to forget about counting calories here. Local wines are fairly pric Read on...
There are signs all over Okinawa warning you about the highly venomous habu (a type of pit viper). The akamata is much bigger and actually eats habu.
I imagined Okinawa to be a tropical paradise. I was quite shocked in to land to see that much of the island appeared to be urban. Turns out the southern portion of the island is largely one big conurbation. The few patches of green within it are gen Read on...
Vinh was studying online when this shot was taken. The used phone and clock were the last gifts his father gave him before passing away because of Vinh is my first foster child from Can Tho in the Mekong Delta. (Photo from Dan Tri Sep 2021) B Vinh đang học online khi phng vin bo Dn Tr chụp bức ảnh ny. Chiếc điện thoại cũ v đồng hồ l hai mn qu cuối cng m cha đ tặng cho Read on...