When Covid cancelled my school tour of schools across China in 2021, I was doubly disappointed since it would have been the first time that I was able to bring my grandson along. Nico was 10 then. Ever since he was born I dreamed of showing him the world. When our time in China was cancelled, I felt I owed him a trip. “Where would you most want to go?” I asked him. “Egypt!” he answered immediately.
The Elfstedentocht (Eleven cities tour) is a historic long-distance tour skating event, almost 200 kilometres (120 mi) long, which is held both as a speed skating competition and a leisure tour in the province of Friesland in the north of the Netherlands. As a child, I remember that skating tour being legendary, almost mystical. Now, you can also hike that legendary route through a typical Dutch landscape.
Waking up in an Arab country, usually means the call to prayer at 5 AM… I love the melodious, haunting chant that wafts over roof tops and through open windows five times a day.
In Amman, the call to prayer was distant but just enough to wake us for another day of exploring. This time: the Dead Sea.
One of the main attractions of Jordan is Petra. Between 400 B.C. and A.D. 106 Petra was the capital of the Nabataean empire. This thriving city was a center for trade. Its buildings were carved out of the rock faces. How? They had no tools other than stones. But they possibly used ropes to suspend builders from the top of the rock faces. The designs of the buildings are amazingly accurate and symmetrical and include pillars and intricate details.
I’d like to share with you some of our favourite apps that have made our trips easier or more pleasant, and some things we’ve learned the hard way. I’m also adding some book reviews of books we’ve recently read and added to the BOOKS page of this blog that you might not have noticed yet. The best recent invention? E-sim cards!
From Amman, Jordan there are many interesting day trips to make, following ancient routes that, except for the roads’ surface, have not changed locations over the centuries.
The Kings’ Highway follows ancient trade routes, connecting north and south of the country. It is believed that the Three Wise Men followed at least part of this very same route on their way to Bethlehem. Moses used it to lead his people to Canaan… The Bible refers to it by name.
Just recently Nico, my 12 year old grandson, and I flew to Amman, Jordan. I had been briefly to Jordan before - to visit Petra. This time we would explore more of this ancient country and learn much more about its history. While the current Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is relatively new, formed in 1949, the country has ancient roots…
This adventures happened in another lifetime. At least that’s how it feels.
Our children were growing up in Whitehorse, Yukon where Kees worked as Director of Parks. We had build our own dream home overlooking the Yukon river valley. One day an acquaintance walked in and announced that he wanted to buy our house. We told him it wasn’t for sale. No way. But he left us a blank cheque (yes, really!) and we started dreaming of traveling….
This time a different story… Not our physical travels to a special place on earth, but a story of tradition and customs as it traveled around the world and through time. Because the weekend of this blog post is St. Nicolaas Day, I’d like to share with you the story of how St. Nicolaas became Santa Claus, the origins of a celebration that traveled from Turkey to Spain throughout Europe and to the new world…
After having spent three weeks on a repositioning cruise, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, our final stop was New York City. We get up early because how often in your life do you get to sail closely past the Statue of Liberty? She stands in the early morning hours, holding her torch high after we sail under the George Washington Bridge.
In Limburg, we stayed near the Military Cemetery of Margraten so we paid a visit. Rows upon rows of white crosses under a misty sky and bright red and yellow fall colours, were touching and gave me goosebumps. To read the names of thousands of young American boys who came from so far to help liberate a country they didn’t know…. a humbling and sobering experience. When will we ever learn?
One of our favorite places we’ve had the privilege of visiting, was Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as its original inhabitants call it.
And one of the most unusual cultural events we’ve ever learned about is a traditional competition called the Birdman competition.
Birds were important animals on such a remote island where almost no large mammals or reptiles lived. Birds were believed to connect earth, sea and sky.
I have been fortunate enough to attend a potlash and other celebrations on Haida Gwaii, an island of First Nations people with a rich culture and history. A highlight of my life was to be invited as the poet laureate for the Peter Gzowksi Invitational for Literacy event. I wrote this poem to close the event and celebrate the highlights of my stay on this incredible island on Canada’s north west coast….
The Netherlands is likely one of the best countries in the world to visit with children. I mean, where else do you get raisin buns for breakfast and bread with chocolate sprinkles for lunch? And pannekoeken (crepes with syrup) are often considered dinner… There are so many special facilities and attractions for kids, that it is hard to select just a few.
After taking a week of Spanish classes in Salamanca and exploring Extremadura by car, we headed down to the coast and Seville. We had enjoyed driving throughout Portugal and Spain, and now decided to crash on a beach for awhile. Hoping to avoid crowded shores with high rises, we booked an AirBnB apartment in a small town called Matalascañas on Spain’s south coast.
During our visit to Cambodia, of course we went to Angkor Wat. Our time in Siem Riep and visiting Tonlé Sap, the largest lake in SE Asia, was amazing. We are also learning many fascinating things here.
Cambodia’s religion is mostly Buddhist but with its own strong blend of with Hinduism. Cambodians seem to celebrate everything: Chinese New Year, their own and a few others… Smart. This country needs all the celebrating it can get.
