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As you’ve no doubt gathered from my blogs, I have a special connection to Japan. I’ve been there many, many times, I speak a bit of the language. I even lived there for a few years back in the 80s. If I had to sum up my feelings about the country, I’d say I go […]

There’s a great scene in Spielberg’s latest film, the Fabelman’s (2022), where young Sammy is granted an audience with the legendary filmmaker, John Ford (played by David Lynch). It goes like this: “John Ford: Now, remember this. When the horizon’s at the bottom, it’s interesting. When the horizon’s at the top, it’s interesting. When the […]

I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.” ― Bruce Lee If Petra had lips, it might well mimic Bruce Lee’s words. I approach Petra, Jordan by horseback, which is a pretty cool experience for a suburban kid like me who […]

Is it bad to like a bargain? On the one hand, when visiting a developing country, I know that I’m far richer than most of the people I meet, especially vendors selling a product or service. On the other hand, shouldn’t everyone, including me, pay something close to the market price? I struggle with this […]

I travel for many reasons. To be inspired. To learn. To focus on the present. But sometimes, I visit a place just for the sheer loveliness. The Oirase Gorge in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, is one of the most gorgeous places I’ve ever visited. (No put intended). Abutting pretty Lake Towada, 3-4 hours north of Tokyo […]

Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of my favorite movies. That isn’t to say that I ever actually wanted to BE Indiana Jones, having headhunters, witchdoctors and Nazis chasing after me. I most definitely do not like snakes. What I like about watching Raiders is observing people solving puzzles that reveal exotic, hidden spaces. […]

I like street names that tell it to you straight. If you go to “Big Pagoda Avenue,” you expect to see a big pagoda! Or “Roman Amphitheater Way” – if there’s not a Roman amphitheater there, it’s false advertising! Well, no surprise that at the end of Monkey Forest Road in Ubud, Bali, there is, […]

If you asked me to put together a bucket list of must-see travel locations, I probably wouldn’t include Vang Vieng, Laos. Oh, I’d probably mention Wow sights like the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Pyramids in Giza, or Petra in Jordan. But Vang Vieng, that’s a second-tier location, a C or D ticket. And yet. […]

When traveling, we continually find ourselves in the role of “guest.” We stay in Guest Houses, or if we’re lucky, Guest “Suites.” Inherent in this relationship is the expectation that we leave a minimal footprint wherever our path takes us. After all, if you stay in a someone’s house, you don’t take the silverware with […]

“You should go in the water, Dave.” “Nah, putting on a bathing suit is such a pain. I’ll just sit here and take pictures.” “Not a chance buddy. You’re going in!” That’s my friend, Steve, insisting that I get off the sidelines and get on the darn field. Or in this case, insisting that I […]