Travel North Korea: Powerful and Prosperous Nation Day 2: Joining our Chinese tour and entering North Korea (DPRK) by train. Going through terrifying North Korean border control, taking a half day train ride to Pyongyang, meeting our North Korean tour guides, and arriving at the Yanggakdo International Hotel. Tour Group We met with our tour … Continue reading No Turning Back. Entering North Korea.
Travel North Korea: Powerful and Prosperous Nation Planning and Day 1: How we planned our travel to North Korea (DPRK), country 51, and the arduous start of our journey from Beijing to Dandong in the middle of a torrential downpour. Planning to go to North Korea Many people were shocked that Christina and I were … Continue reading Travel North Korea: Powerful and Prosperous Nation
Following the Footsteps of Genghis Khan – Mongolia Day 6: Visiting the ancient capital, Karakorum, trekking in the semi-gobi desert and a smelly camel ride! Sleeping in a ger was not as comfortable as I had originally hoped. As the structure is simply set up on the ground there is no seal to the outside … Continue reading Karakorum Day Trip and a Camel Ride
Following the Footsteps of Genghis Khan – Mongolia Day 5: Start of a three day tour to the Semi-Gobi desert, with a stop at the Naadam Horse Race Event. Experiencing a Mongolian’s life in a ger and taking a horse ride to round up cattle! Up around 7 a.m. we quickly got ready and met … Continue reading Ger Life of a Mongolian Nomad
Following the Footsteps of Genghis Khan – Mongolia Day 4: Experiencing the Naadam Festival first hand and seeing the Opening Ceremony, Wrestling, Archery, and Shagai. Also stopping by the National Museum and ending the day with clubbing and fireworks in Sukhbaatar Square. Naadam Festival Today we were going to witness the famed Naadam Festival, listed … Continue reading Naadam Festival: An Authentic Mongolian Experience
Following the Footsteps of Genghis Khan – Mongolia Day 3: Attending Mongolia’s President, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj’s inauguration then touring the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue and Gorkhi-Terelj National Park. Up around 9 a.m. we quickly ate some breakfast provided by the hostel consisting of buttered toast with jam and coffee or tea. The hot water pipe was … Continue reading Genghis Everywhere! The President’s Inauguration, Gorkhi-Terelj National Park and the Genghis Khan Statue
Following the Footsteps of Genghis Khan – Mongolia Day 2: Arriving in Ulan Bator by the Trans-Siberian train from Beijing then finding a place to stay and making an impromptu trip to the black market. At 4 a.m. the sun shining directly into my eyes rudely woke me up. I turned over and try to … Continue reading A First Impression of Ulan Bator and the Black Market
Following the Footsteps of Genghis Khan – Mongolia Day 1: Taking a 30 hour train ride from Beijing to the capital of Mongolia, Ulan Bator on a section of the Trans-Siberian and stopping for immigration and customs in Erlian. Excited for our Mongolia journey, we were up and ready at 5:30 am and soon in … Continue reading 30 Hour Trans-Siberian Train from Beijing to Ulan Bator
Coast of Riches: A Journey Through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama Day 8: Flying from Bocas to Panama to see the Panama Canal at Miraflores. Then going downtown to visit Panama’s Casco Viejo where we saw a guy get shot, then continuing to Panama La Vieja. Ending the day at a restaurant with typical Panamanian … Continue reading Bang Bang Shootout in Panama City!
Coast of Riches: A Journey Through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama Day 7: Leaving Boquete and traveling up to Bocas by bus and ferry. Taking a tour around Bocas del Toro and trying some island fine-dining. Day’s Itinerary Boquete Up with the sun, we got ready for the day and headed out. Finca Lerida’s main … Continue reading Dolphins, Reefs, and Fine Dining in Bocas del Toro