Bangkok, Thailand
Not every day is a great day. Some days, you make decisions that open your eyes to painful realities. I’m not proud of my decision to ride an elephant on our first day in Bangkok, Thailand. I had always wanted to ride an elephant. The romanticized idea of scaling and sitting astride a gargantuan pachyderm lent itself to my adventurous
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
WARNING: This is a long post that includes some disturbing descriptions of historic events in Cambodia. It also includes images of smiling Buddhist monks and children at play…to remind us that life, while painful, is also beautiful. Sitting cozy in the back of an open air tuk-tuk, gazing at a fat smiling golden Buddha figurine perched between the handlebars of
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
A late afternoon tour in a classic open air Jeep was the ideal way to experience this incredible, bustling, chaotic city. Flower markets, overflowing city sidewalk street restaurants and the mesmerizing choreography of scooters and motorbikes in a rush hour ballet left us in awe. A visit to the Jade Pagoda, a combined shrine and place of worship for Taoist
Random thoughts on happiness
We all seek happiness: in our relationships, in our work, in our lives. Yet happiness is not found in the seeking. It eludes those who search for it. Happiness is found in the expression of joy and the giving of self. We must recognize happiness, choose it and then wear it like a new piece of clothing. When we see
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
A towering golden statue of Murugan, the Hindu god of war and victory stands guard at the entry of the Batu Caves at Kuala Lumpur’s city edge. (Incidentally, Yahweh, was known as the god of metallurgy and war prior to being elevated to the position of creator God in the Hebrew Scriptures.) November 12, Hindus around the world will celebrate
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
We toured the seafood, meat, flower and fruit markets in Hạ Long Bay, Quảng Ninh – Vietnam. Bustling city streets, choked with scooters led us to the open air markets, where locals converge to get their food. This is where shopping is done. It’s gritty, vibrant, beautiful and bloody. Basins filled with living seafood give way to butcher tables. White
Chan May, Da Nang and Hoi An, Vietnam
A scenic drive from our cruise port in Chan May, Vietnam afforded stunning countryside vistas of rice fields dotted with water buffalo, and breathtaking sweeping views of white sand beaches and jagged tropical mountains. Our time in Hoi An was perfection. The air here is densely humid. A cool breeze feels so welcome that I stop to feel it fully,
Your Perspective Informs Your Opinion: How We Respond to Quarantine is as Complex as our Country
Just today, I saw a Facebook post from a friend that hilariously illuminated how dogs and cats view the current Coronavirus quarantine. The dog asked “Why not work from home forever?" The cat was adamant in stating that "America needs to get back to work!" The divergent natures of these household pets bias their supposed opinions. The dog, ever craving
The Responsibilities of Gratitude: A Thanksgiving Reflection
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” President John Fitzgerald Kennedy uttered those words many years ago as a reminder of the duties that accompany our celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving calls us to evaluate what we treasure most and to give thanks to
Rhapsody of the Seas: Lecture #6
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines: Rhapsody of the Seas: Lecture #6: Uruguay & Argentina: Beaches, Casapueblo, Montevideo and Buenos Aires.
Rhapsody of the Seas: Lecture #5
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines: Rhapsody of the Seas: Lecture #5: The Valdes Peninsula, Argentina: Encounters with Penguins, Elephant Seals, Sea Lions and Whales.
Ushuaia, Argentina
Cruise Day #7: Ushuaia, Argentina; the southernmost city in the world. Today, we toured the national park, visited the end/beginning of the PanAmerican Highway and took a catamaran tour of the Beagle Channel. Breathtaking views, sea lions, and another great day with Dad. Tomorrow is another day of cruising en route to the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina.