First stop: the Imperial Palace gardens—where we immediately noticed the pine trees looking way more put-together than we did after a long flight.
Tokyo Day 1: Pines, Petals, and Pure Exhaustion
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TIMES – ALL
Tokyo Day 2
First stop: the Imperial Palace gardens—where we immediately noticed the pine trees looking way more put-together than we did after a long flight.
Takayoma Japan 2026
Arrived yesterday in Takayama after surviving what can only be described as a high-stakes, nine-minute train-switching Olympic event.
Day in the Countryside Central Japan
We set off today to explore the countryside and experience what I like to call “Rural Japan: Tunnel Edition.”
Kanazawa, Japan
Kanazawa is a city with about half a million people, hanging out on the Sea of Japan side (while Tokyo is over on the Pacific like, “Hi from the other beach!”).
Kyoto, Japan
Heading on to Kyoto today, we are set for the Olympics again of finding the right train and making a transfer in record time.
Lake Biwa farming village, Japan
Today we took a car to a tucked-away village up in the hills above Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan that’s over 4,000 years old.
Kyota, Japan
Philosophers Path leads up to the Zen Silver Temple and is lined with cherry blossom trees. With the trees currently in full bloom,
Amanohashidate, Japan
First….let me give credit to Connie for some of the pictures I’ve been posting on this trip. We created a shared album and I have pulled several great photos for which she deserves lots of credit.
Osaka, Japan
We made a brief overnight stop in Osaka. I was blown over by how many people and how many neon signs there were in this city. It is more exciting than New York City as far as the activity.
Mount Fuji, Japan
It’s hard to find a word or phrase to describe how I felt at my first glance of Mount Fuji…. Maybe awe-struck, surreal and/or humbled.
Istanbul, Turkey – 2025
Our first few days in Istanbul have been rather challenging. Checked in the Grand Hyatt located in the Beyoğlu area of the Modern side of Turkey (still 600 years old,
Cappadocia, Turkey – 2025
OMG…when I came here in 2011, this was my favorite area of Turkey…and after 3 full days of exploring here…I’m certain it will remain my favorite.
Pamukkale, Turkey – 2025
Pamukkale is famous for its stunning white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal waters.
Gocek, Turkey – 2025
Gocek ….located on the Mediterranean is famous for its natural beauty ….surrounded by 12 islands which create a natural harbor of almost round shape protecting it from the wind making it a “natural marina”.
Kalkan, Turkey – 2025
We all had the same reaction when our van pulled up to the Kalkan Villa…. WOW! The View is spectacular!
Switzerland …2025 let the adventure begin
Our trip from Austin to Lucerne was going well until we arrived in Philadelphia. Then all chaos broke loose.
Lucerne, Switzerland
When we were planning our trip to Switzerland, I asked Cissy where she wanted to stay in Lucerne ….a small city of 82,000
Glacier Express train thru Switzerland – 2025
We traveled by private car about an hour and a half south east of Lucerne to a small thermal spa town called Bad Ragaz.
Germany Summer 2025
Our cruise down the Rhine and Mosel rivers started in Basel Switzerland and floated us thru 4 countries…
Cologne Germany 2025
As we continued to float the Rhine River thru Germany for several days, we had the privilege of visiting some ancient castles
Amsterdam – BICYCLE TOWN
Arriving in Amsterdam was not the thrill I expected. Having visited this city multiple times in the past, I have always been fascinated with its amazing architecture…
UNFORGETTABLE Tanzania!
After almost 3 days of travel, we arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It was touch and go for a week prior to beginning our adventure due to the riots over political unrest following their the recent election.
Tanzania Safari Camp #2
Welcome to Siwandu, tucked inside the lush, lake-dotted Nyerere National Park—formerly the Selous, but now with even more bragging rights.
Norway 2024 – Northern lights
If you’re ever lucky enough to see the true Northern Lights….you’re lucky enough!
Finland 2024
Spent 10 days exploring the Arctic Lapland province, in Northern Finland…mostly wilderness with national parks and ski resorts…although, currently no snow
Rome, Italy
The last 24 hours has been challenging but hilarious. Imagine if you can…. 2 old ladies running thru airports practicing our breathing😩.
Rome Spring 2024
What is it they say??? Rome wasn’t built in a day? How true! This amazing city is so full of history, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with AWE.
Split, Croatia
From the moment we walked off the plane, we were in shock. The drastic difference between the bustling, dirty, crowded city of Rome we had just left …arriving 1 hr later to an empty, brand new, clean airport in Split…
Hvar, Croatia
When we arrived on the ferry, 10,000 km (6,000 miles) from home, I immediately knew this is what I call a Postcard town….a place on this planet that whispers of tranquility with every breath…
Dubrovnik, Croatia & Bosnia
On the ferry ride over from Hvar, we were surprised to learn there are 1244 islands in Croatia. All beautiful!
Taormina, Sicily
Our time to explore Sicily included 3 days in Taormina and 3 days in Palermo….opposite sides of the island. It’s the largest island in the Mediterranean, but by Texas standards it’s a small island.
Palermo, Sicily
Leaving the beautiful town of Taormino, headed for Palermo, we knew there was one place we had to visit on our way across the island. What would a trip to Italy be without seeing Corleone?
Porto, Portugal
Our warm welcome in Lisbon was another attempt by a taxi driver to rip us off….BUT we know the trick now … we had been told it would be approximately 8 to €10 to get from the airport to our hotel for the night…
The Douro Valley of Portugal
We made a couple of stops on our way to our final lodging. Amarante was a quaint little town that is often called “the city of love”.
The Amazon – Ecuadorian Side
I have always wanted to experience what some refer to as one of Mother Nature’s “masterpieces”… the rainforest.
Day 2 Amazon Rainforest
I have always wanted to experience what some refer to as one of Mother Nature’s “masterpieces”… the rainforest.
Day 3 Amazon Rainforest
A very unique experience today was a visit to Clay Lick by motorboat – a huge cliff of orange clay the birds and monkeys…
South Ireland
Although I came to Ireland a decade ago for my birthday…. I was excited when my girlfriends and I decided to explore Southern Ireland this summer.
Last stop Dublin
Leaving Belfast, and headed to our final destination of Dublin for two days, we decided to take the seaside route and go through the Morin mountains. It was a beautiful drive. It only added an hour to our trip.
Exploring Castles
The next few days flew by quickly as we moved further north …from castle to castle staying at 3 of the most beautiful. We decided to try and visit
Cliffs of Moher & Kylemoor Abbey
Packed up and moving further north, we headed for the Cliffs of Moher. These 700 ft sea cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean are located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland.
Dromoland Ireland
Day of relaxing and rest…short coastal drive around the Skilleg peninsula…stopping at their famous chocolate factory…and admiring the beauty of the southern tip of the Ring of Kerry. Nice cozy dinner at the “house with a view” we leased, and early to bed so we could drive north to our next lodging
Happy Birthday to me!
Day of relaxing and rest…short coastal drive around the Skilleg peninsula…stopping at their famous chocolate factory…and admiring the beauty of the southern tip of the Ring of Kerry. Nice cozy dinner at the “house with a view” we leased, and early to bed so we could drive north to our next lodging
Hujambo from Kenya, Africa
Just boarded our 2nd charter flight of this amazing adventure. For the next 2 weeks, our goal is to visit 5 Safari camps and photograph the wildlife in Kenya.
Dian Turner
I believe traveling is the best classroom there is—no homework, no exams, just really good stories.