Walking Cambodia: A 15 Day Trek

Walking Cambodia: A 15 Day Trek

Walking. Perhaps there is no better way to see your surroundings and get to know the locals than when you walk. When we planned our trip to Cambodia, we wanted to see Angkor Wat, Siem Riep, and we wanted to hike.

We came across a website for Cambodia Cycling & Trekking. That appealed to us. The company replied promptly and was very willing to tweak and answer questions. They offered a 15 day trek that included accommodations and luggage transport. The detailed itinerary included things like “Day 3: Siem Reap to Kratie. Breakfast at the hotel, visit Kompong Kdei Bridge, transfer to Santuk Mountain, climb to hilltop pagoda, transfer to Kratie.” What we didn’t realize until we were actually there, is that the ‘transfers’ that day amounted to driving 400 KM. Each day listed the walking distance, ranging from 3 to 17 KM but also included driving to many different regions of the country.

Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous: Canada's Wildest Celebration

Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous: Canada's Wildest Celebration

Have you ever had the urge to go bowling with a frozen turkey? To pull a train caboose? To chuck your chainsaw in the snow or to show off your hairy legs? Most people will plan to visit Yukon during the summer. But winter brings a chance to participate in one of Canada’s most exciting festivals…


Hiking & Biking in The Netherlands: Drenthe Pad

Hiking & Biking in The Netherlands: Drenthe Pad

Much of The Netherlands is flat as a table top. And so it is a popular destination for cyclists. Riding a bike in Holland is as common as eating rice in China. But we often choose the country as a hiking destination. Hiking on flat terrain is nice, too, and the system of trails and accommodations across The Netherlands is second to, almost, none. This time, we’re tackling the Drenthe Pad.

Among Literary Ghosts in Salamanca and Extremadura, Spain

Among Literary Ghosts in Salamanca and Extremadura, Spain

Spain offers many wonderful hiking trails. But Kees found it sometimes difficult that he did not speak Spanish, especially when hiking in more remote regions. Along the Camino the Santiago you can get by with English, but elsewhere our Spanish was limited to “una serveza por favour!” So we found a school that teaches Spanish at all levels., in groups or to individuals. The city of Salamanca was recommended because of the pure Spanish spoken in this area. And we were happy to have a good reason to spend some time in this glorious city.

Africa Unplugged: Safari in Zambia

Africa Unplugged: Safari in Zambia

Mfuwe is a small town in northern Zambia. For us it is the jump-off point to visit Luanga National Park, perhaps one of the most gorgeous and impressive of Africa’s national wildlife preserves. We flew here from Lusaka, the capital city in southern Zambia. The airport isn’t much more than a quonset hut with a tiny gift shop attached. We are booked in for a three night safari stay at Lion Camp, located inside the boundaries of South Luanga National Park. But, really, we have no idea what to expect…

Tiptoeing through the Tulips: A Little Dutch Lesson

Tiptoeing through the Tulips: A Little Dutch Lesson

There might not be a better herald of Spring than tulips. Once tulips raise their pointy green hats from the still frozen ground, we know there is hope.

Tulips originally came from Turkey and Persia in the late 1500’s to the Netherlands. When we were in Turkey we visited the palace of the very Sultan who gifted the first tulips ever to arrive in the Netherlands. What started with one bulb is now a major export industry. And the most famous garden to see Dutch tulips in all their glory is called The Keukenhof (the kitchen garden).

Southern California: Whose Fault Is It Anyway?

Southern California: Whose Fault Is It Anyway?

We were hiking in an oasis near Palm Springs. Having driven here through endless dry, sandy desert, I marvelled out loud about the presence of water in the desert. “Well,” said the volunteer park ranger, “that’s because of the cracks in the earth here. Water comes up from underground and is collected in the canyons along these cracks. You are standing on top of the San Andreas Fault here.” And she pointed to my feet.

Romania: Vampires and Pastries

Romania: Vampires and Pastries

When I was invited to work with students in an international school in Bucharest, Romania we jumped at the chance to visit a ‘new-to-us’ country. I didn’t know much about Romania and we didn’t have nearly enough time to explore the sights and the history of the country. But what we did see was fascinating. Did you know that the fountain pen was invented in Romania? And it was a book, of course, that made the country famous.

Pompeii: City of the Dead

Pompeii: City of the Dead

As with so much in our lives, this trip, and our interest in it, started with a book. Pompeii by Robert Harris is a fantastic read that has you walking and living in ancient Pompeii, among rich families who have water front homes, who take hot baths, discuss politics and stroll along shops. In the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, it has you hearing the rumblings of the earth with no prior knowledge of such a thing as volcanic eruptions. I found the book riveting since it made me feel as if I was there. And now now we were going there!

Thailand: among tuk-tuks and golf carts

Thailand: among tuk-tuks and golf carts

Airplanes always feel like time machines to me. As soon you walk off the plane you feel the humidity or the heat, or cold of a new place in a different season. We knew we were in a different place when we disembarked in Bangkok - hot and humid. The international school had arranged for us to stay in a service apartment with much needed air condition.

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ABC: Islands of the Caribbean

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ABC: Islands of the Caribbean

We didn’t visit the ABC Islands in alphabetical order but were thrilled to spend a day each on Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao while on a Panama Canal cruise through the Caribbean. Now we know that we’d love to return, one day, to spend more time of these sun kissed islands.

Kenya: mangoes, a black mzungu and a story of hope

Kenya: mangoes, a black mzungu and a story of hope

Along the main highway I spot women carrying babies, bananas and everything in between. Men hail down matatu’s (busses) and cling to the doors. Goats are narrowly missed by the many cars that swerve to avoid potholes. There is red dust and exhaust fumes in the air. When the traffic slows to a crawl you can buy sugar cane to chew or a newspaper or new sunglasses, from all the vendors who walk past the cars. Well outside the city I spot a forlorn herd of zebra, a sad reminder of days when abundant wildlife still roamed these plains. This is Kenya!