to St. Thomas

I head out on June 29th to St. Thomas to visit a relative and see the area. Hope to go to St. Johns and Tortola and plan on some diving while I am there.

My new car

I just got a new 2009 Honda Element. Traded my Honda CRV and sold my other Odyssey in January so it didn't cost me a thing.

Been a while

Haven't blogged in 6 weeks. Had a party for Memorial weekend and had a jam with the Tom Kats, a local blues band. They have become good friends and I always enjoy playing with them.

Back in St. Pete

The trip back to Tampa wasn't so long. We stopped in Manila overnight and then in NYC before heading to Tampa. I don't think I will be so jet lagged since the travel wasn't so long as usual. I had a good trip but this wasn't the best trip I have had. I am already planning my next trip to Sipadan in September. This will be another dive trip, this time to Malaysia.

Hoi An and Hue

We flew to Hoi An and stayed in a really lovely resort there. My room was on the 3rd floor off by itself with an incredible view of the area. We all wish we were staying in Hoi An longer as the resort is lovely but the town is very quaint. The shopping is great and you can get any piece of clothing made in less than a day. Dresses, shirts, pants, jackets, and even suits. One guy said he has suits for over $1000 and the clothing is Hoi An are very well made.
Today we drove all day to Hue. The countryside is beautiful and green. We drove up some mountains and were very high up with great views. We stopped numerous times for photos and even saw some kids riding water buffalos. They even did yoga poses on top of these animals. Great shots. They were doing it for tips but it was still a sight!
We are in Hue and it is rainy so hopefully it is clear tomorrow for our boat ride to the Pagoda. We have another full day tour and then fly to Hanoi for a few nights before heading back to Manila.

Floating Market day

Today we drove almost 3 hours to the Mekong River for the floating market. This one was quite different from the one I saw near Bangkok, Thailand. The boats were bigger and the canal much wider so a whole different perspective. We would stop by the side on the river and see where they made rice cakes, sweets(pineapple hard candy) and other sweets. On the side of the river is a narrow paved road where people can walk, bicycle, or scooter down. You have to be aware at all times in Vietnam and there are so many people moving around constantly.
We stopped by a place for local fruits, and wonderful place for lunch. They had a fish pond there where they cook your fish right there. We didn't have any but people got to see the whole fish while eating. We just dove so didn't feel like eating what we swam with.
It is quite hot here and very sunny so it is a bit tiring. Most of us are or have been sick so it is a bit tough. I still have a cough but have my energy back.
I forgot to mention that yesterday we saw the War Remnants Museum in Saigon. It is filled with guns, airplanes, and many photos from the Vietnam war. Very sobering but Vietnam is thriving and people seem to be doing well with their lives. Their homes are very narrow and usually 2-3 floors high so they live in small spaces.
I am still amazed how the traffic can flow with so many vehicles going in every direction.

We fly to Danang tomorrow and drive to Hoi An.

In Vietnam

Sorry I haven't written but the internet at the resort was too expensive so I only did a couple of hours time to check emails. Then I got really sick, absolutely no energy with chills and congestion. I got a Z pack of antibiotics but I was not doing much for about 3 days.
The diving in Dumaguete of the Philippines was good with alot of soft coral and nice walls.There wasn't a whole lot to see. I guess I got spoiled diving in Indonesia a few months ago.
The resort was seclude so we mainly hung around and dove a couple of island nearby. We did go to a local market nearby on Wednesday to see the locals and get lots of photos. They have an animal auction with mainly water buffalo's, goats, and pigs. Boy did the pigs scream at times when their owner was walking them down the street. They had taxis which carried people along with their animals.

We flew to Manila with an overnight there and had to get up at 4 a.m. to take a 7:25 a.m. flight to Saigon. Then a day tour around the city. The traffic is just incredible with buses, vans, scooters, and bicycles all moving around together. Massive amounts of traffic and it seems like chaos but everyone gets around each other without running into one another.
Going to the night market tonight with a floating market in the morning. I loved the floating market in Thailand as you really get the local flavor plus there are some great pictures.
I will be more in touch from now on as I have my laptop and wireless.

Out of the country

Had a great day in New York City. Saw Times Square, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island.

Heading out for a 28 hour travel time. Having a layover here in Seoul, Korea, then Manila, and Dumaguete in the Philippines for a week.

I have a new blog site

www.atravelinfool.blogspot.com

Off to NYC

Gary Doyle got me the airport early.
In the airport in Tampa. The weather is kinda foggy so I wonder if this is why the flight is delayed. Got a great meal at Friday's so I am ready to go! Ready for a night in Manhattan and a day in NYC

Getting ready to leave again!

I leave in a week to go on another adventure trip. I leave March 23 and fly up to JFK and then visit my nephew in Ct. for 4 days. Then I fly out of JFK on March 27th for a series of long flights to Dumaguete in the Philippines. There we stay at a resort for week to dive the area.
Then off to Vietnam to tour Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, and Hanoi for about 10 days. Then on back to home.

I have a new website www.atravelinfool.com I keep calling myself a travelin' fool so thought I would have a website with the name to showcase my photos.

I haven't written anything much since I got back almost a month ago. I had an idea to have a new website www.atravelingfool.com Haven't got it up and running. I call myself a travelin' fool and thought this website would be a good outlet for my photographs and writing. Want to do it soon as I would like to get an article published with my photos and think a website would be a good starting point.

The picture is off Goblin, one of my black cats. They aren't seen much but got this photo of him when I was going to bed.

53rd Birthday

My birthday was January 23rd and Ray brought over a tasty tiramisu cake. We had a low key night as I have only been home for a few days. Glad to be back but kinda miss being on the road.

Next trip is March 23-April 13 to dive in Philippines and tour Vietnam.

Home again!

I arrived home on Wed. Jan. 21 around 7 p.m. Was supposed to have a ride but my friend bailed on me. Glad that Josh who stayed at my house was able to pick me up. Can't really sleep as for 3 weeks I have on a different schedule, about 12 hours difference. I am used to sleeping during the daytime here so it may take a while to get back on schedule.
The pets are great and glad for that.

in LA, yeah!

Arrived LA early this morning after 24 hours. 24 hours wasn't so bad with some sleep on the flight. Heading home Wed. to St. Pete

leaving Bali for Korea, LA, and Tampa

We transfered to a new hotel near the airport and right on the beach. Nice hotel and scene but only about 8 hours here before we leave at 12:45 a.m. for a flight to Seoul. About 24 hours till I arrive to LA and then a day there and back to Tampa on Jan. 21 to arrive in the evening.

Bali, Bali, Bali!

I know why they say Bali is paradise. You have mountains, volcanos, and so many rice fields. They terrace the rice fields and it is a sight to see. We had a back road tour for the day and they treat you right. The people are so friendly and we waved at hundreds of them. The roads are very narrow and even the young kids ride their motor scooters. No helmets for some and lots of dogs on the streets.
Our rooms are incredible and they treat you like a queen.
Only one more day in Ubud and then we head to a hotel near the airport and leave at 12:45 a.m.on January 20, then to Seoul, LA, a stopover there and then home on January 21.

Here is a picture of my bed and the rice terraces.

in Sulawesi, Indonesia

A week has gone by and I have seen so much.

The LA to Seoul, Jakarta, and Sorong was almost 2 days travel. Too much time and not enough sleep. When we got on the boat for diving, half the people were sick and having problems with their ears. Me included! Did some diving anyway and saw alot and took lots of pix. The boat was comfortable and they really took care of us. We had pre breakfast, then full breakfast, lunch, snack, and then dinner. I forgot to mention lots of diving!
A few of us did take a short trip to village of West Papua so I got some people shots.

We had a short plane ride to Manado, Sulawesi in Indonesia. Now we are the Kasawari Resort with a great view! Now to muck diving. What we do is dive in the muck, dark sand and find critters. Some are pretty prehistoric looking.
Here are some of my favorite pix from diving.

in Seoul

Made it to Seoul, Korea. Not a bad flight as I got a window seat and was able to sleep. Staying in a transit hotel and leaving soon

in LA

My friend Liz picked me up in her tiny Miata and it was a bit tight in her car on the way home to her house. My big bag was in the front seat with me in the middle on the console. Not a comfortable ride but a short ride, thank goodness. Staying in Redondo beach with Liz and her sweet dog, Hannah.
Got a great nights sleep and ready for my 13 hour flight to Seoul, Korea(UGH!!) A nice of dose of ambien will do me right!
We have a transit hotel in Seoul for our 9 hour layover so that should help. Then another 7 hour flight to Jakarta, and then a 9 hour overnight there and then an early flight to Sorong, West Papua. Then on the boat for a week. Whew! I can't wait to get there.