Insights and Updates

Fine Art and Smoked Mullet What one has to do with the other was a mystery but you have to admit it's an interesting combination--fine art and smoked mullet (a fish of some sort that's been smoked). As we travel we look for the local…

Previously, after our December 2016 Auto Train trip in Business Class, I described riding the Auto Train as Dante’s 10th Circle of Hell. On December 27 this year, we decided to give it another try with a few very important tweaks. I have to admit…

If you've followed my blog for very long, you know that two and a half years ago we decided to sell our house and "ride the rails" as vagabonds for a while.  We spent the summers on our boat (Emeritus) on Chesapeake Bay, as we have for…

In past posts I've had the pleasure of describing our travels from the point of view of already "being there"--elves, geothermal springs, geysers, gazing into the maw of an active volcano, zip-lining through the rain forest, the breathtaking antiquities of Turkey. Only once before have I…

Although Nicaragua shares many of the same features and attractions as other Central American countries -- tropical forests, volcanoes, beautiful beaches -- it has a singular aspect the other countries do not. While Nicaragua has loads of monkeys, parrots, iguanas, crocodiles, horses, cattle, and goats, it…

It isn't Old Faithful but the Strokkur Geysir in southwest Iceland was worth the drive. It's eruptions are not as high as Old Faithful but, like clockwork, it erupts every 6-10 minutes (usually 15-20 meters/50-65 feet in height) . Located a little more than 60…

Because Iceland is, in fact, a volcanic island that has risen from the seabed, the water deep underground is hot from the energy of the Earth. Icelanders use that water to heat their homes and generate electricity, but a side benefit is that thermal swimming pools…

In looking at the landscape around Iceland--volcanic, barren, remote, sparsely populated--it is abundantly clear that if ever there was a place on earth where elves could exist, this would be the place. The landscape is like the setting for a fairy tale...other worldly. One can just imagine…

A mere representation of the Northern Lights created by Icelandic Elves Remember your first date as a teenager?  When you finally got to go out in a car rather than be driven somewhere by your parents?  The excitement?  The anticipation?  The possibilities...(maybe more a guy…

Straddling the Continents in Iceland In 2012 I had the pleasure of visiting Turkey to attend a conference as an invited keynote speaker. During that trip, I was able to see awe-inspiring sites, ancient ruins from the Roman Empire dating back three centuries before Christ,…

As we drive around the countryside of rural Iceland, we are treated to spectacular views of snow-covered peaks, beautiful clear mountain streams rushing down the valleys, and wide expanses of open fields with not a tree in sight. Evidence of Iceland's volcanic roots surround us.

Travel is always exciting and it´s the unexpected that most often provides the "good stuff." We are traveling to Reykjavik, Iceland, a mere 168 miles below the Arctic Circle, primarily to see the northern lights (aurora borealis). This is something on Heide's bucket list, not…

As I sit near the Park Cafe on the indoor pool deck aboard Grandeur of the Seas, I can't help but overhear conversations. It mystifies me why the topic of conversation among geezers is always about health problems: Medicare, what medicines they take, hip replacements,…

Masaya Volcano January 20, 2016 I promise I won't bore anyone to death with more volcano pictures, BUT you've got to see this. Click on the You Tube video link below at the bottom of the article... On January 20, 2016, we looked over the…

Momotombo Volcano Eruption March 2, 2016 One of the many amazing things about staying in Managua is that not only are we living in the midst of one of the world's most unstable seismic areas, we also have two active volcanoes nearby. To our north,…

It was an "unexpected journey" that Bilbo would have been proud of, except there was no party the night before, no wizard to guide us, and no dragon horde of treasure awaiting us at the end. But one similarity to "The Hobbit" was the frightening…

The vagabond life is never boring and two weeks ago was no exception to that rule. Navigating the legal system in a foreign country can be challenging. Much more so when you only understand a little of the language. In the United States (at least in Pennsylvania…

On Sunday we took a short trip to the Masaya Volcano which is just 20 kilometers (about 12.5 miles) outside of Managua. The area actually includes two volcanoes and five craters. The Masaya Volcano is also known as Popogatepe ("mountain that burns") in the language of…

Laguna de Apoyo Along the way to Granada, former capital of Nicaragua and old Spanish colonial city, we stopped off at a small town up on the mountain called Catarina. From the top of the mountain in Catarina you are able to look down onto…

Proprietor of Sal y Pimienta (Salt & Pepper) Since we arrived in Nicaragua, we have been in search of authentic Nicaraguan cuisine. A number of the restaurants in the area seem to attempt to produce food the tourists want but it results in bland imitations.