Travel Nerd 7

Part 2 The “Amazing” Tree and the Machete Man The next morning at breakfast, Eduardo, outlined the day’s planned hike. I forget exactly what excessive length he started with, but just imagine a guide coming to a group of people who are paying for him to guide them saying we’re taking a 4-hour hike today, and they all turn and look at him and say “no we’re not”.  And he says, well that’s what I…

This is just one of many tales from a memorable trip to Ecuador, which included the Galapagos, Quito, and a few days deep in the Amazon jungle with some good friends. A Rough Beginning and an Unexpected Companion Several of my friends and I wanted to go to the Galapagos and decided to also spend some time in Quito and the Amazon since we were already in the general area.  Our desired trip to…

One of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world, with a labyrinth and riveting cobalt blue medieval stained glass windows, the Gothic Chartres Cathedral is a Unesco World Heritage site.

A beautiful castle well worth a visit in northern France is Chenonceaux Castle in the Loire Valley The building crosses the Cher River and is very picturesque. It is also known as the Ladies Castle since 6 different women were in charge of its development and upkeep over the years. Many rooms in the castle have exquisite floral arrangements designed in the studio on the premises from flowers…

If you are in northern France and have time, I heartily recommend going to see Monet’s Garden. I went because it was on my tour and was surprised to find that it was the highlight of my trip north of Paris. ‘ The gardens are delightfully organized more by color than species as so many are, and the different plants are all mixed in rows that are sometimes similar colors and sometimes…

Check out this article: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-harris-administration-announces-final-rule-requiring-automatic-refunds-airline This new airline rule makes it that airlines have to refund you AUTOMATICALLY if they delay a domestic flight more than 3 hours, international more than 6 hours, change your airport, or add more connections and you refuse their offer. Now, you…

One of my favorite things to do when I’m in different countries is go to the grocery store and check out the different fruits, chips, chocolates, and sodas, that they have. You may find a new favorite, and sometimes you’ll find the item you like is in many different countries (just, sadly, maybe not yours, as in this case). I don’t remember what country I first ran into Paprika Pringles in, but…