At the start of our group trip with Walk Japan on the Nakasendo Way I decided to liven up the evening meal with what I called “The First Ever Salty Plum Haiku and Limerick Contest”. There had been discussion in our group about the surprising Japanese dish umeboshi, which is an intensely sour and salty … Continue reading Salty Plum Poetry and Soft Tennis?
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Tea on the Tokaido
The next morning in Mishima we enjoyed shifting views of Mt Fuji — Fuji-San — in the distance. The clouds were constantly changing, one moment obscuring, the next revealing the peak of the volcano. Our route that day included the Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum which contains an extensive collection of classic woodblock prints, and where … Continue reading Tea on the Tokaido
Dimosari Gorge: Plane Trees and Waterfalls
The most scenic hike on the island of Evia is from Petrokanalo Pass on Mt Ochi down through the Dimosari Gorge to Kallianu Beach. Our tour bus took us on the long drive up to the pass using the rough dirt roads constructed for the wind turbine farm. At the start of the trail our … Continue reading Dimosari Gorge: Plane Trees and Waterfalls
The Ancient Stones of Mt Ochi
At 1398m (4586ft) Mt Ochi on Evia is the island’s highest peak and is well worth a visit. There are no good trails from Karystos, where we were staying, but there are decent dirt roads leading up through the wind turbine areas just below the top. Our tour bus dropped us off at about 1000m … Continue reading The Ancient Stones of Mt Ochi
The Eternal Need for Answers: Consult the Oracle!
For thousands of years, humans have had questions. What will the weather be like tomorrow? Will this years crops be plentiful or fail? Will my sick child be better soon? What does the future look like for me, my family, and my tribe? Humans are constantly wondering because we can time travel in our heads; … Continue reading The Eternal Need for Answers: Consult the Oracle!
Changing Perspectives: Travel is More Than a “Perfect” Photo
Spending time in other countries isn’t just about seeking out peak experiences; enjoying a world famous view, walking through spectacular architecture, or visiting extraordinary museums. It’s also about the mundane actions of daily life and how they differ in even small ways from what you are used to in your own country. Note that what … Continue reading Changing Perspectives: Travel is More Than a “Perfect” Photo
Great Bear Rainforest: Water, Water, Everywhere
The coastal forests of northern British Columbia are thick and green, nourished by regular rains year round rains that continue throughout the summer. Except the week we were there onboard the MV Cascadia out of Kitimat. We had no rain at all, which amazed the crew because the previous trips that summer had all had … Continue reading Great Bear Rainforest: Water, Water, Everywhere
Great Bear Rainforest: Tracks on the Beach
Not bear tracks; this was Wolf Track Beach, and it deserves its name. There were tracks everywhere on the clean white sand. The crew said that the tracks were always there but they had never seen the wolves. The coastal wolves of British Columbia, commonly known as “sea wolves”, are a genetically distinct population from … Continue reading Great Bear Rainforest: Tracks on the Beach
The Great Bear Rainforest: It’s Grrreat!
Humpback whales rubbing up against our boat hull. Coastal wolves loping along a foggy beach. A grizzly bear crossing the river in a morning haze of insects. Enormous fin whales slipping silently through glacier-fed waters. Thousand meter cliffs intersected by multiple cascading waterfalls. All those experiences are possible when exploring the narrow inlets of the … Continue reading The Great Bear Rainforest: It’s Grrreat!
Staying Connected Anywhere With Starlink RV
There was a time, long ago, way back in the…1990’s when going “camping” meant you were out of touch, could not be reached, had no idea what was happening in your usual world or anywhere else for that matter. Those under thirty years of age may find it strange to imagine that in those days, … Continue reading Staying Connected Anywhere With Starlink RV
Electric Travels 