……commentary from the road
Visiting a glacier turned out to be one of my best experiences in terms of nature tourism. “Perito” means an expert in Spanish, and “Moreno" was the last name of the guy who discovered it in 1876 (though supposedly he never actually saw the glacier as the expedition stopped a few miles short of the... Continue Reading →
(Photo above; Brasilian with Maradonna and Messi)... Want to visit Western Europe on the cheap? Buenos Aires is a pleasant surprise and possibly a cautionary example. Architecture rivaling historic Madrid and Paris, restaurants, parks, and history galore. Steaks for $8 bucks that are second to none and prevalent to the point you soon tire of eating... Continue Reading →
Reconnecting with the In-Laws after a 10-year absence, which means a trip to “Alcobaça”. Alcobaça is a small fishing village on the southern coast of Bahia where my wife’s family has had a history for years. I first went there in 1987, and not much has changed since then. Brazil is famous for its beaches... Continue Reading →
The first week of March and that means the 81st Annual Bike Week in Daytona if you’re in the States. Daytona is a quick 110 miles north of me and a straight shot up I95. This will be my 4th year to visit and the first for Katia. With the pent-up demand post-pandemic, promoters are forecasting... Continue Reading →
The time had come for our second genuine road trip post-retirement, so BOOM, Katia, and I pulled the trigger on destinations in Greece and Eastern Europe. Plans included round-trip tickets (MLB-Athens) to Greece and then it would be off to Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, etc. Plenty of time, money, and interest, as I’d never really traveled or worked... Continue Reading →
(Photo above; Cherohala Skyway North Carolina) (Photo above; Tail of the Dragon)... That first official "retirement" trip is under the belt. After years of looking at my Harley in the garage, Katia and I headed out for 10 days and 2,000+ miles through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and North / South Carolina. The "Smokies" are spectacular,... Continue Reading →
(Photo above; Al and Katia, Cable Beach)... Mixed reviews after 2 months in Nassau. Due to the pandemic, the area we stayed in (port or downtown) or the ability to explore never really hit full stride. Most bars, restaurants, and services remained closed during our stay. I never saw the inside of Senior Frogs (closed),... Continue Reading →
(Photo above; Jacaranda Hotel, 1922...is it haunted?)... If you live along the Atlantic coast of Florida, you’ll hear from the locals that there are really two Floridas. The real Florida, they say, is everything east of Interstate 95, and the rest is, well, the rest. That’s a bit of a narrow view, mostly held by... Continue Reading →
I've lived in Thailand for more than 12 years and can honestly say I've been to Pattaya maybe twice. Since the COVID bite, the collapse of tourism, and heightened pollution in Bangkok, I decided to give it another look, and what a gem! Clean air, uncrowded beaches, and affordability are the new Pattaya. In no... Continue Reading →
The pandemic is in full swing, and it’s impossible at the moment to travel back to Bangkok and the office. Dad’s recent passing brought me home to Florida, and there is no indication whatsoever when Thailand will allow return flights. AID is graciously allowing me to “work remotely” from my home in Florida, but I’m... Continue Reading →
