Brought to us through the lens of war in several books and movies over the years - depicting the futility of war in Coppola’s Apocalypse Now and its aftermath in Born on the Fourth of July – Vietnam is just opening its borders and participating in the global economy – - one of the fastest growing in the world. Today, looking past the darkness of earlier days, one will find a country of lush, illuminate beauty Read more »
Filed under: Vietnam on July 23rd, 2010 | No Comments »
To obtain a permit to travel to Tibet, one must be on an organized tour *Cringe*. Fortunately, the others in our tour group felt the same about their new compulsory travel companions. Our guide, Ben, an overly enthusiastic British bloke and a bit too quixotic for Dirk’s realist take on life, goes off to bribe the Quingzang Railway attendants for tickets for the 48-hour high-altitude train from Bejing to Tibet. Read more »
Filed under: China on April 26th, 2009 | No Comments »
One World. One Dream. So says the slogan of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as we whiz over a newly sealed overpass under a blood red sunset reflected in the tall shiny buildings. Read more »
Filed under: China on April 26th, 2009 | No Comments »
Brought to us through the lens of war in several books and movies over the years - depicting the futility of war in Coppola’s Apocalypse Now and its aftermath in Born on the Fourth of July – Vietnam is just opening its borders and participating in the global economy – - one of the fastest growing in the world. Today, looking past the darkness of earlier days, one will find a country of lush, illuminate beauty Read more »
Filed under: Vietnam on August 31st, 2007 | No Comments »
We found the most splendid paradise on Ko Samet Island. Our own little piece of utopia – a simple hut smack on its very own private beach secluded by trees. A large gecko agreed to share his tiny sanctuary with us in return for a position on the ceiling, high above the mosquito netting. Butterflies the size of hummingbirds and bumblebees were already hard at work in the lush plants and flowers when we arrived. Birds welcomed us with their songs. Read more »
Filed under: Thailand on August 17th, 2007 | 5 Comments »
Bangkok. Sweet, Sexy, Sultry Bangkok. If Bangkok were a lady, she’d be smoldering, bejeweled, glistening skin and maybe a bit promiscuous. By day, grounded by the monks that walk the streets of her mind. By night, her inhibitions unravel – loud music obstructing her thoughts, forgangs having their way with her on Khao San road. Read more »
Filed under: Thailand on August 11th, 2007 | 4 Comments »
I didn’t write much since South America but that trip wore me out and I’m ready to chill in Asia. But not quite yet. Couldn’t bear to get on another long haul flight after the 21 hours back to Toronto so side-tripped it and got on a 2 hour flight to Halifax instead. Read more »
Filed under: Canada on August 8th, 2007 | 2 Comments »
Don’t attempt the above title. Bolivia deserves so much more. We started to run out of time in South America and wondered if we would achieve our raison d’entre a la Bolivia – the salt flats in the south. We arrived to La Paz late Monday night to deserted streets filled with thugs and bums, enjoying a $1 beer at the Hard Rock with Mr. Jones blaring a deafening beat. We riffled through brochures and the guidebook debating whether the salt flats were worth the 11-hour bone jarring bus drive. Read more »
Filed under: Bolivia on July 26th, 2007 | 2 Comments »
The floating islands of Lake Titicaca, albeit somewhat beautiful, are barely a one-nighter on the way to Bolivia overland. The town in which it resides, Puno, is a complete dump. Read more »
Filed under: Peru on July 25th, 2007 | 1 Comment »
There are various ways to get to Machu Picchu, one of the newly designated seventh wonders of the world. We chose the road less traveled, the Lares Trek, over the illustrious Inca trail. It was just us, our guide, Julio, and herd of llamas – and not one encounter with another gringo soul. Read more »
Filed under: Peru on July 17th, 2007 | 3 Comments »