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"Of all the things I've done before these are the things that make my life worth telling- http://faceofsouthafrica.wayn.com/
" I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list."- Susan Sontag
We Decided....
a long time ago to make travel a top prority in our lives. The first time we went to Europe we came back and said "I have changed , I am different now. "And we thought it would never happen again.
Best Trip ever ( so far)
Then we went to Turkey and we came back and we said we are different now ,we have changed, and we can't believe it happened again.
The Back Door Philosophy
Travel is intensified living--maximum thrills per minute and one of the great sources of legal adventure. Travel is freedom. It's recess, and we need it......Globetrotting destroys ethocentricity. It helps you understand and appreciate different cultures. Travel changes people. It broadens perspectives and teaches new ways to measure quality of life. Many travellers toss aside their hometown blinders. Their prized souviners are the strands of diffrent cultures they decide to knit into their own character. The world is cultural yarn shop, and travellers are weaving the ultimate tapestry--Rick Steves
The Emel Tapestry
Funny how travel changes you. We make coffee with a colador and guacamole with a motar and pestal. We have birds named after Roman Emperors. We tend the garden with a machette and decorate with wall hangings and bric a brac that come with a story usually ending with "...and we had to carry it back on the plane!"
We travel to learn; and I have never been in any country where they did not do something better than we do it, think some thoughts better than we think, catch some inspiration from heights above our own.
Maria Mitchell
Travel Blog Posts
May 7th 2012
Lots to do and lots to see! We began with the Muhammad Ali Center a museum that tells the story of a fighter, activist and charity volunteer. The films and exhibits show his life as a fighter, his media speeches and his charity work. You can even watch old films of some of his memorable fights. The show him taunting his opponents in the media and his victory dance after a knockout. We went to the Oaks, the big race before the Derby wearing pink the signature color of the race. The official flower is a lily and they even have a drink named one. It comes in a souvenir glass, but don’t try to bring any glass to the track that, they take away . We signed up for the Urban Bourbon Trail and passport ... read more
May 3rd 2012
There’s a certain energy in the air here in Louisville cause its Derby week. Although many of the locals I’ve talked to say they’ve never been , there is still a party atmosphere. Guess its kinda like New Yorkers and Times Square on New Years eve. The band Velcro Pygmy’s http://www.velcropygmies.com/default2.aspx That I saw last night at 4th street live talked about skipping school and going to work all week with a hangover. They were a Heavy Metal cover band complete with a horn section and choreographed head banging, or so I thought till they played a few old favorites like 867 5309 and Jessie’s Girl but they were a lot of fun to watch. Yesterday I found the Main street trolley-a free trolley that I used as a city orientation. I walked the waterfront ,saw ... read more
August 16th 2011
When all you care about is here , this is a good place to be - Emile De Becque South Pacific We arrived in Sanur , a city by the beach in time for dinner. Once again we picked a seaside restaurant with seating in the sand. The next day we strolled the sidewalk by the sand shopping before we visited the Le Mayeur Museum. Le Mayeur was a Belgium painter who fell in love with a Balinese woman and is credited with painting beauty of the island. His muse was his wife. She later donated his home, filled with paintings to the city as a museum. During his time in Sanur they would accept Politian’s and tourists for dinner and a viewing of the paintings. The museum we saw was very similar to what visitors ... read more
August 12th 2011
Tahiti has been spoiled for many years, but Bali is one of the few cultures with origins in one of the great ancient cultures which is still alive. Arthur Erickson We left Legian, Kuta and Seminyal behind . We drove thru winding roads with Lake Bantan on one side and the mountains on the other. Lush green villages dotted with stone temples; square columns with triangular roofs outfitted in sarongs and sash announced by weaved palm leaves like giant arches. We have started our road trip with plans to see three more cities and everything the roads have to offer on the way; temples and hot springs , markets and monuments. Balinese Hinduism is very different than what I have seen before . Today we saw the god of the book in the 2nd most important ... read more
August 6th 2011
“ a harmony in eating and resting, in sleeping and keeping awake; a perfection in whatever one does…“ Bhagawad Gita A Warung is the name of a traditional roadside eatery As we learned in cooking class food has 6 flavors sweet sour spicy salty bitter and astringent. Sound strange? You wouldn’t believe the taste! I have had a few currys and some other dishes and I havent tasted anything I didn’t like yet. Besides all the glorious food there are the spas. Reflexology, acupressure and traditional Balinese massage, Ill have all my body parts in correct alignment when I leave. Using taxis and car & drivers we have explored the area . We traveled to Tanelot a temple of the sea on the edge of the sea with gray volcanic sand. After an afternoon tea with ... read more
August 4th 2011
I have a bit of a traveling addiction, and, ah, yeah. I went to, ah, Bali this summer. Fisher Stevens After a long commute I finally arrived in Bali to a warm welcome by my friend. At first glance it is a typical asian city: motorbikes, gridlock and storefronts you know will house people and motorbikes after closing. We headed off into the night to explore the beach, the town and all the hopping places on the strip. A perfect intro to a place that is going to be very special. The next day we taxied to Denpasar , the capital city to visit the museum and follow a walking tour outlined in our bibles, the Lonely planet. We visited the state run temple outfitted in the official sarong and belt before we entered the outbuilding ... read more
December 30th 2010
Once again we set off through the countryside of Jamaica, this time venture to Negril. We passed thru towns full of people, shack like stands and pretty little homes. After shopping we went to the famous Rick's Cafe to watch the cliff divers and ended the evening with a Jamaican dinner. The next day we left the Whitehouse resort to travel to Montego Bay for the remainder of our time here. After visiting the hip strip, and meeting at Margaritiaville for the daring slide we went for a swim with unusual friends--- dolphins! We learned about the dolphins and tested their strength as they swam around us jumped and flapped their tails. Of course we got a kiss and petted their bellied before they waved good bye to us with their tails. Our trip is drawing ... read more
O Christmas Sun
Published: December 26th 2010Central America Caribbean » Jamaica » Westmoreland Parish
December 26th 2010
Resort Days! Xmas day began with the sounds of a caroling choir and wonderful buffet breakfast . Santa arrived by boat and we all lined up for the photo op. He even gave out gifts, we each received Sandals brand plates. Since we hadnt yet explored our 2 miles of resort beach, we spent the day wandering the grounds, swimming in various pools and hot tubs, eating and drinking in all the stands and restaurants. At sunset we gathered at the Dutch beach for a photo shoot , sunburnt and beat we ended our excursion there in time for the Xmas caroling at the piazza . After dinner we were treated to a musical act reminiscent of the all girl groups from the past that sang everything from the Motown to Lady Gaga. For the day ... read more
Winter just wasn't my season
Published: December 25th 2010Central America Caribbean » Jamaica » Westmoreland Parish
December 24th 2010
A quick 3 hours flight got us here to paradise. Old school was the name of the game on our AA flight. We had the window and the middle seat but next to us was a man , late 60's I supose dressed in a suit , tie and hat and sat politely in his seat with his overcoat in his lap never removing his hat. On arrival we boarded a bus to our destination Sandals whitehouse. The 1-1 1/2 hour drive quickly turned to 2 . But enroute we passed many houses ,some big, some small and all brightly painted. Some grand, some crumbling , however all one next to another with little difference between rich and poor. After meeting our friends we settled on a seafood dinner at the resort and ended our evening ... read more
March 30th 2010
From Delight we came into existence. In Delight we grow. At the end of our journey’s close, Into Delight we retire. From: The Upanishads We arrived back in Ft Cochin the town that has no cows but instead goats wandering about in sweltering heat, and ran around to 2 places we wanted to return to, for shopping and lunch. Our group gathered once again at Malabar Restaurant for our final dinner and some white glove service without the gloves, it was 110 ! Keri made a cute little speech in award format, repeating all our inside jokes. Frank got a sitar lesson from the band and tried to make some noise that didn’t sound bad. After we slowly said goodbye, cause we really didn’t want to leave, so we hope it isn’t goodbye but see you ... read more
Yellow 
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