donnajimtravels

Geo: 41.8955, 12.4823 Spring is such a delicious time of year when the season of new life blossoms and glows in bright greens, purples, yellows...well, all colours. There aren't many places on this earth where spring is more beautiful than in Italy. Arriving in Naples (from India), I was ecstatic; I made it safely out of India on the day my visa expired, my sister-in-law Brenda and I successfully rendezvoused without mishap at the airport and the sun was shining with cool, fresh air after being in transit (indoors) for 24 hours.I suspect Naples never looked more inviting than it did through my eyes - it appeared to be uncrowded with clean streets, reasonable drivers, and unpolluted air. Life took on a reasonableness that India lacks. Who ever describes Naples... read more

Geo: 24.5823, 73.6882We had another rough entry into India...remember our lost luggage back in December? It was a marathon trip from Phuket to Udaipur - 45 hours of travel. Why? We bought discount tickets resulting in a trip spanning 19 hours with 4 different flights. Then we were delayed on the 3rd flight so missed a connection and had to wait 24 hours until the same flight the next day. After a night in a scuzzy New Delhi hotel, we were exhausted once we finally arrived in Udaipur. My Post Concussion Syndrome symptoms were flared up with my head buzzing like a radioactive ball. The only thing that fixes it is rest and I shouldn't have read but intermittent reading was my emotional cure. There is nothing better than escaping into a good book (The Nightingale ... read more

Geo: 22.6367, 97.3911Honestly, who knew...?! 1) that Pyin Oo Lwin, a small town in northern Myanmar, could have such beautiful botanical gardens? We stretched out a couple hour visit to a whole day, riding our bikes, wandering, taking photos, watching a movie being made, watching people, animals, flowers. And did you know that children of all cultures skip as an expression of carefree joy in the moment? It's like the urge wells up and they break free with this simple dance step that is universally known in our bodies. I have observed it everywhere...parks, airports, streets. Take a look next time you are in a public place. 2) that a train ride can be so good and so bad?! That you can get bedbugs on a day train with wooden seats and open wind... read more

Geo: 16.7837, 96.1568 What?! Rangoon is gone; not only in name as it is now called Yangon. We recognized nothing of the Rangoon of 1985 when we were last here. Even the Strand Hotel, where we ate a lobster after months of living on $15/day for all food, accommodation and transportation, was the same. Back then, the Burmese government allowed a one week only visa and all visitors had to fly in and out of this city. Backpackers flocked here, bringing in their duty free whiskey and cigarettes, selling them on the black market for enough profit to fund the week. Oblivious to the potential risks involved, we participated fully (and thus ate a lobster). Most travellers dashed around the country, taking night trains and rickety old buses so they could see the main sites of ... read more

Geo: 12.314, 76.6759 After yet another overnight train ride, this time returning to Mysore from Hampi, we arrived at our hotel (Parklane) and were able to check-in immediately upon arrival at about 9:30am. What a relief! Our room, an air conditioned refuge, was huge with a balcony that we didn't use because it overlooked the quintessentially noisy, busy, dirty street. Jim and I don't typically like cities so we keep our stops short such as this one for three nights. It was Republic Day in India - a big holiday - so the Mysore Palace a short block away was to be lit with its 100,000 lights. We sauntered over before it was dark joined by the throngs of other tourists and locals to view this spectacular sight.The air was alive with celebration and anticipation as ... read more