Tom

Tommy Rooney

Tom

Hello World

Welcome to my travel blog, dear reader

. During this visit I encourage you to take a walk in my shoes while browsing through these entertaining and informative travel journals. My weblog features journals, photos and videos from many of the world's beautiful countries. I have over two decades of travel experience, and feel blessed to embark on regular trips abroad. There are endless delights to enjoy while exploring foreign countries. After all, how else can you meet so many of the world's proud people and experience as much wonderful culture?

Travel is developing into a lifetime passion and I believe I'm making a positive contribution to global society, thanks to the bountiful gifts bestowed on us by Mother Earth. My journals from around the world commence in 1986, and are written for you to read sequentially as a travel book if you have the time. Otherwise, feel free to pay a short visit until next time to catch up on my blog. The journey through life takes us on an unforgettable adventure, and I'm confident you'll enjoy viewing recommendations on places to stay, locations to visit, and things not to be missed for the traveller in all of us.

Enjoy!

Tom

until my arrival in Iceland, Greenland and Faroe Islands

Switch on my original YouTube music and travel channel here and jam along to my music online tommyrooney.com

until my travel blog ticks over 100,000 views!

You are invited to become a Facebook friend here and follow my journey between blogs on Twitter @tommyrooney64

Travel Blog Posts

Somebody bring me some water

Published: April 6th 2013Asia » Burma » Mandalay Region » Inle Lake

Reflections on the water

Tommy Rooney
April 6th 2013

The calming influence of water has been known throughout human history. Mankind appreciates the role of water in providing a fundamental necessity of human life ... indeed if we don't drink, we die. Perhaps this elementary law of nature is the catalyst for our deep yearning for water, as our collective spirit strives to be in the presence of the ultimate life giver. So if now's the time to get a little wet, there can be few better destinations than glorious Inle Lake in the Mandalay Region. There's more to visiting Myanmar than enjoying big cities, pagodas, monasteries and the famous historical architecture of Bagan, despite their clear and obvious charms. The country also provides visitors with an insight into village life on the water, as it's been lived by the people of Inle Lake for ... read more

Words: 1526 | Comments: 3 | Photos: 15 | Videos: 0181 Views

The Plains of Bagan

Published: March 31st 2013Asia » Burma » Mandalay Region » Bagan

Girl at Bagan temple

Tommy Rooney
March 31st 2013

The Plains of Bagan are dotted with pagodas, temples and monasteries in every direction. If one were to turn back time a thousand years, history buffs would discover Bagan at the centre of the Pagan empire which unified the country for the first time, and set the stage for what has become modern day Myanmar. During the height of the empire there were over 10,000 religious sites, proving to be an incredible achievement. In modern times there are still over 2,000 sites standing, and considering this is a major earthquake area in Myanmar that's a mighty impressive number. Bagan is heavily geared towards tourism, and most travellers to Myanmar have a visit near the top of their travel itinerary. The town is situated in a remote area of the country, and the roads are not that ... read more

Words: 1187 | Comments: 2 | Photos: 14 | Videos: 0202 Views

Southeast Asia's final frontier

Published: March 25th 2013Asia » Burma » Yangon Region » Yangon

Burmese children

Tommy Rooney
March 25th 2013

I determined early in the trip that I would enter Myanmar with an open mind, in fact it was almost blank. Er, perhaps that should read ... a blank canvas! I didn't want excessive research to impede a voyage of discovery to this unique travel destination in South East Asia. Of course I'm aware of Myanmar's recent history, as the country has just awakened from forty years of almost total isolation. Nowadays countries like Myanmar are becoming rare as we live in such an interconnected world, so I got to thinking it's time to experience Burmese culture before the country is completely overrun by tourists, as in neighbouring Thailand. An Aussie guy in the Bangkok hostel was stunned to hear I had no Lonely Planet, was completely oblivious to the absence of ATMs, and had not ... read more

Words: 1334 | Comments: 6 | Photos: 11 | Videos: 0261 Views

Hey sexy lady!

Published: March 20th 2013Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand » Bangkok

Tiger man

Tommy Rooney
March 20th 2013

Psy recently filmed the most watched video in the history of YouTube but may need to have his song's hook amended, for in Thailand there are many sexy ladies! The country is the party capital of the world, and justifiably famous for the good times on offer. There's a cure available for skeptics that goes by the name of 'I'm resistant to the party capital of the world'. It comes in a simple pill form, and the medicated dosage is sure to take effect before you know it. But let's move on from the party scene, and focus on what humans enjoy most (aside from some extra good loving of course) and that's got to be glorious food! In Thailand a divine street meal from a vendor costs the princely sum of a dollar or two. ... read more

Words: 1511 | Comments: 1 | Photos: 14 | Videos: 0222 Views

Intent on leaving to climb into the clouds...

Published: March 13th 2013Asia » Nepal » Nagarkot

Bhaktapur temple

Tommy Rooney
March 13th 2013

Personally I've never seen the attraction in leaping out of a perfectly good aeroplane, or climbing to the summit of a Himalayan mountain as high as the aforesaid plane's crusing altitude, but mountaineers and adventurers are a breed apart. In fact mountaineering in the Himalayas would have to be the ultimate test of endurance, will power and physical supremacy. So I guess that means you can count me out! There's much to admire, however, in these extraordinary people, and gripping reads such as Into Thin Air, No Way Down and Touching the Void leave an indelible impression on the reader down here at habitable altitudes. The perils climbers must overcome at extreme altitude can hardly be imagined, and taking on the death zone above 26,000 feet requires a special kind of person. In fact there are ... read more

Words: 1195 | Comments: 2 | Photos: 12 | Videos: 0139 Views

Shove over Schwarzenegger!

Published: March 9th 2013Asia » Nepal » Pokhara

Temple offerings

Tommy Rooney
March 9th 2013

The strength of the Nepalese is one of the most incredible phenomena in nature. When travelling in this mountain country one should not be deceived by appearances, as the load bearing capabilities of the locals are nothing short of prodigious. As an example, let me introduce my young guide Rajan from Green Valley Tours. He started with the company as a porter at the tender age of 18, embarking on long treks along the Annapurna ciruit and to Everest Base Camp, while carrying 35 kilos on his back for 12 days or more. As you can appreciate this means walking all day, while rising up to altitudes of over 5,000 metres with all the gruelling climbing that entails. I asked him out of curiosity today, so how much do you weigh Rajan? He replied that he ... read more

Words: 1159 | Comments: 2 | Photos: 12 | Videos: 0133 Views

Tommy's hottest 100

Published: March 4th 2013Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu

Durbar square, Kathmandu

Tommy Rooney
March 4th 2013

Landing in Nepal marks a personal milestone for your intrepid travel correspondent. Finally I'm in a position to celebrate 100 countries visited and still going strong! It's my dream that given continued good health and prosperity I can add further to this tally, and trust you will come along for the ride. Travel has become an all consuming passion, and long may the journey of life continue! It seems incredible as I look back at the starting point of this amazing journey commencing in 1986, when a young university graduate took a life gamble that entailed leaving friends and family behind and flying to San Francisco; a somewhat unilkely starting point for an incredible life of travel so far! How can I begin to describe the experiences I've borne witness to since beginning this adventure, but ... read more

Words: 1112 | Comments: 12 | Photos: 10 | Videos: 0163 Views

Objects in mirror are closer than they appear

Published: September 5th 2012Asia » India » Karnataka » Bangalore

Bangalore building

Tommy Rooney
September 5th 2012

Bangalore has a slight traffic problem. The city has turned into an Indian powerhouse, and is the hub of the IT and telcoms explosion that is driving unprecedented growth in southern India. However, I'm sure the founding fathers never imagined their native town would become a major city on the subcontinent. As such, the streets of Bangalore weren't designed on a grid, and the city centre is a mishmash of one way streets that wend their way around town like a sinuous snake. The traffic is the worst I've experienced in India, and the inevitable result of the chaos makes for some prodigious traffic jams. So what does an Indian do when their car or bike has their progress impeded, yes you guessed it, it's time to lean on the horn. Bangalore is a cacophony of ... read more

Words: 1333 | Comments: 1 | Photos: 11 | Videos: 0258 Views

Hooray for Bollywood!

Published: August 31st 2012Asia » India » Goa » Anjuna Beach

Anjuna beach

Tommy Rooney
August 31st 2012

Goa is the richest state in the mighty country of India. This tourist mecca attracts foreigners in their millions, who enjoy the relaxed living and beach life the West Indian state is famed for. The peak season is from November to January, where the party seriously rocks! After arriving in Goa it's hard to believe that one is still in India as the maddening crowds, filth and squalor that can be so overwhelming at times in North India are suddenly a thing of the past. The state was conquered and ruled by the Portugese for 450 years, and only annexed by India in 1961. As such there is a discernable European feel to visiting, and the Goans are hospitable hosts who ensure a visit is something to treasure. The promotional face of Goa tourism is a ... read more

Words: 1026 | Comments: 2 | Photos: 11 | Videos: 0412 Views

Holy Cow meets Holy Man

Published: August 26th 2012Asia » India » Uttar Pradesh » Varanasi

Lost in thought

Tommy Rooney
August 26th 2012

So what about India, then? I suppose I should squeeze her in on my dance card, and not before time to be honest. Indira Gandhi once said of Mother India she cannot understand how one can be an Indian and not be proud. It's great to finally arrive in Incredible India; a country that will shock, titillate, enthral and enrage in equal measure. To gain an understanding of India one must compress the concept of a close call by a factor of ten. Two guys being knocked by a bus, but not knocked down. A guy being sideswiped by a car's side mirror, a guy having his foot run over by a motorbike. There's no real harm done, but that's an Indian close call. When you have over one billion people in a country there's no ... read more