Sweet and sour. An out-of-season Olympic village that knew better days. As natural vegetation growth outpaces athletic speeds, new generations keep practicing on the ice arenas. Nice historical museums, great Asian buffet. Also, a nice walk in Henry Woods private nature preserve. Thank goodness for landowners like that.
Leaving the Adirondacks, I took a farewell, breath-taking plunge into the astounding Cascade Lake, then relocated to the Thousand Islands Campground, where Johnny Depp welcomed me in the bathroom and a seamstress prayer. A beautiful sunset hung over one of the 1000 islands in the nearby state park. .
Uncle Sam Boat Tours, 1000 Islands. Playing the tourist, I oohd and aahd about the cuteness of the islands and the general magnificence of the area, shot pictures obsessively, visited the must-see Boldt’s love castle, but also a memorial for “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and learned about bootlegging.
Route 132, Gaspe Peninsula. On way to Forillon villages with churches. Holy Marys, windmills, castles, seabirds and trees in colors. Most spectacular were the famous cliffs appearing mid-drive. I ended the day as sola guest in an out-of-season B&B, enjoying the comforts, hearing interesting life stories from owner .
The huge gannet colony on Bonaventure Island is a peak experience for any naturalist. This is a bird lover paradise. Unfortunately, poor boat arrangements did not enable me to enjoy the experience to my heart delight, Still… except for Galapagos, second to none…Also, the amazing Perce rock, a geological marvel.
Seasonal beauty on Road 132 from Perce, QC to the NB border. New Brunswick to Maine: In Campbelton, quaint bilingual border town, I heard local stories at the cozy Super 8 spa. Crossing the border at Van Buren was a bit challenging. I rounded up the day with a seafood meal in Machias, ME, and the Bluebird Motel.
Eagle Lake, Acadia National Park, ME. Circumnavigating the lake was a perfect way to round up my sola trip. Inexhaustible beauty, from smallest details of the forest floor to grand vistas of mountains in automn colors reflected in tranquil waters. Using walking path over carriage road made hike interesting.
As automn is coming to a close, I kayak over the pond for the last time and take some loon pictures on location, with the row in my hand and the cellphone in the other. We enjoy a great getout with oldies music and beer. Eventually I pack up my wonderful trip, ready (kind of) to resettle in the Middle East…
Israelis in Bhagsu. If you thought you knew why Israelis come to India, read this post and be ready for surprises. Post compares Hindu and Israeli tourism to this friendly village in the lower Himalayas. Everybody co-exists and cultural co-fertilization brings about interesting results.
Diet and environment are tightly linked. Vegetarian environmentalism had been around for at least 50 years, but takes a while to take root. Cutting down on meat consumption can prevent deforestation and ecological disasters that affect us all, from Ecuador to the British Isles.
My 24 hours in Mumbai were rich in experiences and human encounters – the train (un)expected ordeal, hotel and dining, and then the awesome Elaphanta Island caves, boat ride, climb. Even the taxi trip to the airport was illuminating.
Udaipur is an Indian dream city – clean, beautiful, majestic. I describe morning and evening strolls, the magic waters, rooftop vistas from hotel restaurants and Israeli Kabbalat Shabbat.
Vashisht didn’t measure up to my expectations, still it was fun to walk up to the famous waterfalls, eat at the Tibetan Cafe to sounds of Israelis playing guitar and singing, dip my toes at the hot springs, emjoy the village atmosphere.
Leh Ladakh, India – enjoying the travellers advantage to the full: food for all tastes, henna art, interesting social encounters, spiritual opportunities, salt in your tea and buying air ticket with cash.
Shanti Stupa Leh with adjacent temples, towering over Leh to the north, are magnificent Buddhist modern holy sites. Breathtaking views, beautiful art, Arduous climb. Visit concluded with unstructured luxurious shanti time with chai and momos at a zula down the “Israeli Road’.
Sweet and sour. An out-of-season Olympic village that knew better days. As natural vegetation growth outpaces athletic speeds, new generations keep practicing on the ice arenas. Nice historical museums, great Asian buffet. Also, a nice walk in Henry Woods private nature preserve. Thank goodness for landowners like that.
Leaving the Adirondacks, I took a farewell, breath-taking plunge into the astounding Cascade Lake, then relocated to the Thousand Islands Campground, where Johnny Depp welcomed me in the bathroom and a seamstress prayer. A beautiful sunset hung over one of the 1000 islands in the nearby state park. .
Uncle Sam Boat Tours, 1000 Islands. Playing the tourist, I oohd and aahd about the cuteness of the islands and the general magnificence of the area, shot pictures obsessively, visited the must-see Boldt’s love castle, but also a memorial for “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and learned about bootlegging.
Route 132, Gaspe Peninsula. On way to Forillon villages with churches. Holy Marys, windmills, castles, seabirds and trees in colors. Most spectacular were the famous cliffs appearing mid-drive. I ended the day as sola guest in an out-of-season B&B, enjoying the comforts, hearing interesting life stories from owner .
The huge gannet colony on Bonaventure Island is a peak experience for any naturalist. This is a bird lover paradise. Unfortunately, poor boat arrangements did not enable me to enjoy the experience to my heart delight, Still… except for Galapagos, second to none…Also, the amazing Perce rock, a geological marvel.
Seasonal beauty on Road 132 from Perce, QC to the NB border. New Brunswick to Maine: In Campbelton, quaint bilingual border town, I heard local stories at the cozy Super 8 spa. Crossing the border at Van Buren was a bit challenging. I rounded up the day with a seafood meal in Machias, ME, and the Bluebird Motel.
Eagle Lake, Acadia National Park, ME. Circumnavigating the lake was a perfect way to round up my sola trip. Inexhaustible beauty, from smallest details of the forest floor to grand vistas of mountains in automn colors reflected in tranquil waters. Using walking path over carriage road made hike interesting.
As automn is coming to a close, I kayak over the pond for the last time and take some loon pictures on location, with the row in my hand and the cellphone in the other. We enjoy a great getout with oldies music and beer. Eventually I pack up my wonderful trip, ready (kind of) to resettle in the Middle East…
Israelis in Bhagsu. If you thought you knew why Israelis come to India, read this post and be ready for surprises. Post compares Hindu and Israeli tourism to this friendly village in the lower Himalayas. Everybody co-exists and cultural co-fertilization brings about interesting results.
Diet and environment are tightly linked. Vegetarian environmentalism had been around for at least 50 years, but takes a while to take root. Cutting down on meat consumption can prevent deforestation and ecological disasters that affect us all, from Ecuador to the British Isles.
My 24 hours in Mumbai were rich in experiences and human encounters – the train (un)expected ordeal, hotel and dining, and then the awesome Elaphanta Island caves, boat ride, climb. Even the taxi trip to the airport was illuminating.
Udaipur is an Indian dream city – clean, beautiful, majestic. I describe morning and evening strolls, the magic waters, rooftop vistas from hotel restaurants and Israeli Kabbalat Shabbat.
Vashisht didn’t measure up to my expectations, still it was fun to walk up to the famous waterfalls, eat at the Tibetan Cafe to sounds of Israelis playing guitar and singing, dip my toes at the hot springs, emjoy the village atmosphere.
Leh Ladakh, India – enjoying the travellers advantage to the full: food for all tastes, henna art, interesting social encounters, spiritual opportunities, salt in your tea and buying air ticket with cash.
Shanti Stupa Leh with adjacent temples, towering over Leh to the north, are magnificent Buddhist modern holy sites. Breathtaking views, beautiful art, Arduous climb. Visit concluded with unstructured luxurious shanti time with chai and momos at a zula down the “Israeli Road’.