Vartholomio
Βαρθολομιό
Peloponnese
Greece
May 6, 2015
So my friends,
It’s the end of my journey in the Peloponnese.
What shall I do?
Visit yet another marble site of Ancient Greece?
Explore the crumbling remains of the Byzantine Empire?
Climb the stone ramparts of one more Venetian Castle?
Admire the aqua view of the sea once again?
I decide on “None of the above.”
Shkodra (pop 135,612)
Republic of Albania
Republika e Shqipërisë
May 11, 2015
Buongiorno,
Pizza. Pizza. Pizza!
Isn't there anything else to eat here in Northern Albania?
Apparently not.
My driver, Mr. Edmond * and I search and search and search for some local or traditional Albanian fare along the main pedestrian promenade here in Shkodra (Shkodër). Finally we find an outdoor café and order, you guessed it, pizza. We also order a salad and a meatball dish that passes for “local” food.
Balikpapan
East Kalimantan
Indonesia
March 10, 2015
When I called my Cousin Stanley in Florida and mentioned my upcoming trip to Borneo, he had one immediate response. When I called my dear friend Bill in Connecticut and mentioned my upcoming trip to Borneo, he had the same immediate response.
Stanley was born in 1932 and I believe Bill was born in 1931. And so “Borneo” triggered their boyhood recollections of land and sea battles during the Second World War.
Banjamasin
South Kalimantan
Borneo
Indonesia
March 8, 2015
Who needs to travel to the jungle to watch the orangutans? The antics of young children are much more entertaining!
My quiet City Tour begins with a visit to Mesjid Raya Sabilal Muhtadin, a massive mosque that my guidebook describes as “resembling a landed spaceship.”
We continue to Soetji Nurani, a Chinese temple where we encounter a group of young girls in local costume.
We stop at the obligatory batik shop where I choose a perfectly outrageous cotton shirt.
For the main attraction, I board a small motorboat for a Canal Tour.
Mutrah Souk
Muscat (pop 1.1 million)
Sultanate of Oman (pop 3.6 million)
January 12, 2015
Clear and Warm
So, what are those piles of round, tan-brown fruit I discover here in the market? Larger than a walnut, but smooth. Smaller than a tangerine. The manager of the Ground Spices shop informs me, “Dried lemons.”
The manager senses my surprise and asks his helper to peel one for me. Dried lemon tastes like a lemon yet not so sour, with a zesty flavor, chewy consistency and a delightful, palate-cleansing aftertaste.
Misfat al Abreyeen
Oman
January 16, 2015
An hour’s drive from Nizwa, the mountain-hugging village of Mifat (Misfah) is one of the oldest in Oman (pop 300).
Built in Yemeni style, the mud brick buildings and narrow rocky paths provide a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle of the region.
And the views are marvelous!
Back to The Golden Tulip Hotel in Nizwa, the Hajar Mountain Range renders a lovely sunset setting.
Trip Advisor Reviews of Misfat:
