Monthly Archives: January 2014

Australia: The Sixth Continent

That’s not its formal name, but it’s how I think of Australia. My perhaps indulgent goal is to reach all seven continents someday. Australia is number six. Despite reading and talking to friends who’d visited, seeing movies and consulting online … Continue reading

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Off-Roading in a Honda Accord?

When I first got to Guam, I reveled in the high speed internet, the working telephone, the ability to rinse off all the soap and the shampoo in the shower, the clean linens and the A/C that smelled only very … Continue reading

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Welcome to America: Guam, USA

What a relief. After a week of mildew, mosquitoes and nearly no communications, I am in the land of high-speed Internet, regular cell phone reception, nice linens, clean water and safe food (as long as you don’t count irradiated fish … Continue reading

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Underwater Photography is Hard, Especially in a Graveyard.

Graveyard? Yes, a graveyard. The wrecks in the lagoon of Chuuk, Micronesia, are many and not all parts are accessible for removal of the human remains therein. Coral grows like wildflowers on these ships, tanks, cars and airplanes, and hides … Continue reading

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Chuuk is a Wreck

The island of Chuuk in Micronesia is known for its shipwrecks. Not its hotel-wrecks or its town-wrecks. But it turns out to have a few of those latter items as well, unfortunately. It was once, I think, a pretty island. … Continue reading

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Karibu Kosrae

I know, I am mixing Swahili and Micronesian. Sorry. But to me, it’s right. Karibu is the Swahili word for “you are welcome” or “you are welcome to …”. My experience with Karibu in Tanzania, Africa, has taught me that … Continue reading

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On the Way to Kosrae

Two days in a row now I am up before six. This is not my usual routine. It’s been hours since I rose in Hawaii, got a taxi (another $45 gone), and found my gate at the airport. We’re on … Continue reading

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Aloha: The Adventure Begins

I set my alarm for 5:50 AM. My friend was coming to pick me up at 7:30 and I had to be ready. It was a departure day. On this journey, I go to all new destinations. Nowhere is familiar, … Continue reading

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Terrific Toronto

You may have guessed from talking to me that I have been to Toronto a few times this year. I have always liked it there. Now that I am living in Maryland, I like Toronto even more. I like it … Continue reading

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Dates and Lamps: Doing Business in Marrakech

The next day in Marrakech, I started off with a beautiful breakfast up on the roof. That’s a traditional location for breakfast in Marrakech, in fact, as it’s usually a comfortable extra “room” and decorated accordingly. I had a nice … Continue reading

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