Category: Travel

Travel risks

Recent travel activity levels have nearly reached pre pandemic levels but that doesn’t mean travel risks have disappeared. We ourselves are eager to start traveling internationally yet Covid levels and local responses vary drastically around the world. Imagine the almost Squid Game level of panic you might have felt if you’d been in Shanghai Disneyland this weekend: https://www.wsj.com/articles/shanghai-disneyland-suspends-operations-as-visitors-queue-for-covid-19-tests-before-exiting-11635755117 We ourselves...

The Hanger (Long Beach)

Somewhat akin to Liberty Station in San Diego, The Hangar houses multiple eateries and provides ample indoor and outdoor seating. We loved the Jaybird’s hot chicken and DonerG. Spied a multitude of other eateries surrounding it that also look fun, like Handel’s Ice Cream, Panini Kabob Grill, Silver Lake Ramen, Georgia’s. 4150 McGowen St, Long Beach, CA 90808

Megavalanche 2021

What did I just watch. I have done very little mountain biking so this was terrifying to see. Don’t watch this just before bed, you won’t be able to sleep. Then before I start thinking “that looks like fun, I should take up mountain biking”, I will watch the following again: Carnage. Trigger alert for those with already busted knees....

Galapagos dreams

Check out this itinerary for the Galapagos (and Machu Pichu). After seeing the ocean going, seawater-snorting marine Iguanas on TV, we have to see them in person. I don’t know why, I just do. I like the offbeat destinations like this or Easter Island. And of all the ways to visit, I am definitely interested in the new Celebrity Flora....

Lost River (Detroit)

Took a drive east of Detroit In the wrong direction they said The door was black and dank Heavy smoke was in the air The drinks they were complex The music loud and tropical A menu deep as the ocean But next time take an Uber

Capital Prime (East Lansing, Michigan)

Not a credit card, but a $$$$ steak house in a sort of defunct mall next to the Hyatt House. One thing you can say about the Midwest, they know their steak and potatoes. That Filet au Poivre was the best filet I’ve had in a LONG time. The London Broil was also very good. The Ahi Tartare…just don’t order...

Meat BBQ (Lansing, Michigan)

Exactly what I want out of a BBQ place. Spicy creamed corn, very dry, not soupy. Meaty beans, so flavorful, half meat, almost a condiment. Excellent moist cornbread. Brisket was great (you get 3 pcs). Decor is pure metal (has to be seen to be believed). This place will be a must-do on future trips. GO EARLY. First time we...

Pegasus Taverna and Astoria Pastry (Detroit)

Pegasus Taverna Like stepping into an old-time Mob movie where the Greek ex-mobster maitre’d yells at you to follow him while the kitchen crashes plates in the background. Under the low hanging plastic ivy, under the low wood ceiling, the waiters flame the Saganaki. I think we were the only table to NOT get the Saganaki. Don’t be like us!...

The Great Loop

I have to admit that I knew virtually nothing about the United States east of Las Vegas. YouTube has opened up visibility to things I’d never laid eyes on. Our love of locks (don’t laugh) led us to the Keokuk Lock and Dam in Iowa on the mighty Mississip, which has a wonderful live Webcam often with up to 500...

YouTube/Boats – Mississippi & Great Lakes

StreamTimeLIVE channel hosts these interesting live cams: Mississippi River Lock & Dam 19, Keokuk, IA, USA – frequent tow barges thru what was the largest electricity generating plant in the US when it was built in 1913. Barges pass thru all the way up until ~midnight PST, good for west-coast watchers. Great Lakes: Ship Cam – Port Huron, Michigan USA...

Carnival Cruise Line Temporarily Limits Bacon at the Buffet Fleetwide

File this under: “End of the World”. https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/25686-carnival-cruise-line-temporarily-limits-bacon-at-the-buffet-fleetwide.html?fbclid=IwAR0Mq5TxnhYzXCSVEi7WemGmplCbeaYOdiLExeFlOqOdKEqMmEYck5SHMqY “Carnival Cruise Line is temporarily moving to an every-other-day bacon schedule at its Lido Buffet fleetwide. “We purchase thousands of pieces of bacon every week, and the people that supply us and the cruise industry are having some challenges sourcing bacon for our ships at the moment,” Heald said in a live...

Big Island 2021

It is still Covid times in Hawaii and those longing for the carefree trips of the past should still wait. Restaurants are not seating at 100pct capacity. Businesses of all kinds cannot get staff. Some businesses are still closed. Those that are open are short staffed. Restaurants in Hilo are generally not seating inside and takeout lines are long. Restaurants...

In the News 2021/08/04

– Can we stop beating up Simone Biles now? https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/simone-biles-aunt-dies-olympics/#app – Before the NY AG report, Andrew Cuomo long claimed to be a champion against sexual harassment and attacked GOP politicians for staying silent https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/08/04/politics/kfile-andrew-cuomo-past-comments/index.html – Russian officials to investigate possible consequences to flipping space station https://gizmodo.com/russian-official-experts-to-investigate-possible-cons-1847423624 “This seems ripe for conspiracy theories. This is Russia’s last piece before they...

Why I travel

This, my friends, is why I travel – to get out of my comfort zone. I have touched on this kind of experience during treks to Shaolin Temple (Dengfeng, Henan Province); the Great Wall Mutian section; PanyuLotus Hill (Lian Hua Shan, in Guangzhou); the Tian Tan Buddha part 1part 2 (Hong Kong); Suzhou city (Shanghai), and the Alakai Swamp Trail...

Bergen Line and Flam Railway – YouTube

A fascinating “live” cab view of the Bergen Line and Flam Railway in Norway, in the winter. Many tunnels and stunning mountain vistas. Surprisingly addictive! If you like Country House Gent’s Narrowboat videos you will like this (no locks though lol). Winter Cab View from two of the most SCENIC RAILWAYS