Travel North Korea: Powerful and Prosperous Nation Day 4: A full tour day in North Korea starting with the Korea DMZ, the ancient capital Kaesong, watching a student play, and ending with a visit to the Monument to the Founding of the Korean Workers’ Party and the Juche Tower. We were on time for breakfast … Continue reading On the Wrong Side of the Korea DMZ
Travel North Korea: Powerful and Prosperous Nation Day 3: A packed day on the North Korea tour to Mansudae Fountain Park, Mansudae Grand Monument with the bronze Kim statues, the mountainous Myohyangsan, the laughable International Friendship Exhibition, Pohyonsa the Buddhist temple, Kim Il Sung’s Birthplace, the Pyongyang Metro, the Friendship Tower, and watching the Arirang … Continue reading Obligatory Bow to Supreme Leaders on North Korea Tour
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 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
Coast of Riches: A Journey Through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama My experience at Finca Lerida, a fine resort and plantation in Boquete. This property was our first stop in Panama from Costa Rica! Highlights Lush, beautiful countryside and plantation nestled in the mountains. Plethora of exotic birds to delight. The best coffee I’ve ever … Continue reading Finca Lerida a Journey through Time and Tastes
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
Coast of Riches: A Journey Through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama Day 6: Entering country 49, Panama via the border at Paso Canoas. Then traveling through David to Boquete and experiencing an amazing coffee tour at Finca Lerida. Day’s Itinerary Paso Canoas I awoke to a lady shouting at around 5 a.m. and fell back … Continue reading Boquete a Coffee Lover’s Dream
Cruising for Saints in the Caribbean Day 11 and 12: Ending the cruise and spending two more days in Puerto Rico to see the Bacardi Factory, kayak in Bioluminescent Bay Fajardo, and explore the beach of New San Juan. Sighting land and knowing that our cruise was coming to an end was a sobering moment. … Continue reading Bacardi and Bioluminescent Bay in Puerto Rico
Cruising for Saints in the Caribbean Day 10: A day on the French and Dutch Island of Saint Martin with sailing on the prized Stars and Stripes Yacht then chilling on the beach! Arriving in the Dutch port of we debarked and split up. The men of the group were going on a tour while … Continue reading Saint Martin, The Friendly Island