Our plans, decisions, and adventures
Kuala Lumpur (often shortened to KL) was full of surprises for us. First, its size. We hadn't been in a big city for a while and hadn't really researched this one before we arrived. So our first view had us jaws agape as we ogled the skyscrapers that populate the city. Second, the view from... Continue Reading →
We spent a month in Penang and had many opportunities to bus or Grab into town and wander (our home was in Miami Green, about 10km from the center of George Town). This post provides a little taste of our month of exploration. For specific activities that I thought warranted their own post, see the... Continue Reading →
Penang is a small island. Though most of the population and activity is in George Town, in the northeast corner, extending south and west from there, we thought it might be a fun day trip to rent a car and circumnavigate the island. Our new friends, Karen and Rick, thought so, too, so we set... Continue Reading →
We have spent two weeks on our own in Chiang Mai, which has given us the luxury of taking things slowly--no need to cram everything into just a few days, as is often the case for visitors here. We have walked much of the old city, tried the food at the night markets and in... Continue Reading →
Having been in Chiang Mai only a few days, we have just scratched the culinary surface. The food here has an amazing reputation. Unlike when we were in Vietnam, where everyone warned us against eating the enticing street food, here visitors are encouraged to eat what is on offer. Since we can speak no Thai,... Continue Reading →
We are hurtling along northbound train tracks at 100mph, heading for Edinburgh, Scotland. We are on a Virgin Train, sitting in first class (see TripBits, below for details) enjoying comfortable, reserved seats, a large table with power, wifi, and food service, (snacks, hot and cold drinks, breakfast or lunch). We chose lunch, but were still... Continue Reading →
We took a short two-night side trip to Léon, Nicaragua, this week. We were just going to go for one night since I had 2 days free of work, but I squeezed in another night by leaving work a little early on Monday. Ken was already in Managua at the dentist (subject of a future... Continue Reading →
We are now in Granada, Nicaragua, staying a few kilometres out of town in an open-air casita. Besides our casita, on the property are a tiny studio suite, the main house where our host family of five live, and a pool for all to share. We are surrounded by vegetation including coconut palms and giant royal... Continue Reading →
Images in this post are mostly random (some just phone shots) and do not necessarily illustrate specific text. On the first day in Pedasí: Arrival Getting to Pedasí from Panama City by bus is fairly straightforward. We took an Uber to the Albrook bus terminal ($4.68), caught the next bus to Las Tablas ($9.70 each... Continue Reading →
At first, finding food can seem a bit challenging in San Alejo. The nearest SuperMaxi (large grocery chain) is a 45-minute bus ride away, there are no mercados in town, and the small tiendas that are here are often not open. Despite the challenges, we have managed quite nicely here--mostly cooking for ourselves, eating out here... Continue Reading →
After a 2-hour conversation in Spanish about our past travels (my tutor's questions) and all things Quito (my questions), I was ready to tackle the market. Mercedes, mi profesora, assured me that eating almuerzo (lunch) in the market was quite safe health-wise as the market was controlled by the municipality. As well, you can see your... Continue Reading →
Just left: Port Townsend, Washington, USA
Now: Birch Bay, Washington, USA
Up next: Maple Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Life: Phase Next 