Hawaii is an amazing place that continues to surprise me.<span><span> After just returning from my fourth trip I am already looking forward to my next visit.<span> This was the second trip to Maui for me.<span> I didn’t get many good pictures to share on the first trip so I tried to make up for it this time.<span> We only had about four days this trip but we made the most of it covering nearly the whole island.<span> Flying into Maui is a treat (just like any of the Hawaiian Islands) so make your journey with good light if you get the opportunity.<span> My first trip I moved around the island staying in various locations.<span> This time we stayed put in Kahalui after getting an affordable package deal for our air tickets, hotel, and car.<span> Being in ... read more

I arrived in Madagascar for an 11-day trip in July (2011) with Zina from Za Tours waiting for me. After taking some money from an ATM we were off. With the conversion rate of 2000 Malagasy Ariary to one U.S. dollar you feel rich getting 400,000 Ariary from the ATM but it’s also hard to find somewhere to put your newfound “brick” of money. Zina and I headed south for about 5½ hours to the Artisan Hotel in Ambositra. The ride through Antananarivo (Tana) was definitely eye opening including all the people on the streets and the huge soccer games going on (a Sunday ritual as I learned). The poverty and poor living conditions of the people is also evident immediately when going through the city. Driving was a bit harrowing as not everyone seems to ... read more

Off to the jungle we went for a week on the Osa Peninsula (March, 2011)! We flew into San Jose and then went off to Puerto Jimenez the next morning. The journey began with an eight and a half hour bus ride (approx. $12US) leaving from the Mexico Barrio early in the morning. We prepared ourselves for a long, hot, sticky ride but it wasn’t too bad except for a couple times when the bus came to a complete stop (we took the earlier bus so it was probably a bit cooler). The temperatures consistently hovered between about 89 – 92 degrees with heat indexes over 100 during our stay. If you take the bus you might consider picking up your own food/snacks. They do make a couple stops along the way though if you just ... read more

Last summer (2010) we had a chance to take a short trip down the Amalfi Coast. We flew in to Rome from Prague and then took the train down to Naples. After a quick run through the neighborhoods near the train station I can see why Naples is the most crowded city in Europe. I just had time to make a run for pizza at a mom and pop place before we headed further south. I eat pizza everywhere I go and I must say that we much preferred pizza in Rome over the Naples style where it all began. The Naples style is a chewier crust rather than the crisper type in Rome. We certainly didn't get see see all of the Amalfi Coast but there are a few things we could recommend. The roads ... read more

I just returned from a 7-week stay in New Zealand on the South Island and was located in Sumner, near Christchurch. The natural beauty of the island will awe you. It is surely a land of friendly blokes, fish and chips, and Kiwis sitting around their tv cheering on their favorite rugby team. I realized shortly after being in New Zealand that it would take an extended amount of time to cover the sites, hikes, and activities offered by the South Island. I did not get to the north coast or the glaciers on the west coast nor even the North Island at all . . . so there are reasons to return. Some comments on my travels and other tidbits about Kiwi life are offered below. Beyond the people I met and my work at ... read more