Remembering the Past Year and Looking Toward the New Year

I love the time between Christmas and New Years, My son claims it is the most relaxed he sees me. This year’s down time was just great, some nights in Boston at a Ritz Carlton suite and then several more at a family compound in Canaan Maine. No schedules or major moves, lots of family style eating and afternoon movies with walks around the 65 acre property. Tonight it is back to Cottekill NY and my sister’s house for a quiet dinner with just a few to celebrate her partner John’s birthday and New Years Eve. Happy Birthday also to my nephew and best buddy, Drew far away in San Francisco.

I also had plenty of time to reflect on the past years travels, new counties such as Norway, Tahiti, Morocco and Croatia. Returns to old favorites like France, Jordan and Brazil and new experiences in them also fill my thoughts. Times with old friends such as Max, Cindy, Dennis, Denise and the Dills replayed also fill the peaceful days. I also think about those who have passed on such as my old friend Billy (Mapps) Madden. I usually feel renewed and this year I am ready to assist full steam with Max’s plans for GoNOMAD. May 2007 be everyone’s best year ever.

Catching the Wrong Flight

It often happens to me when traveling numerous times in a short period that I get a wee bit confused. I wake up with a start and look around the cabin, where am I headed? Sounds weird but fitting several countries on different continents within a short time period create mind dementia. According to this Reuters piece this poor German traveler took it one step further.


BERLIN (Dec. 29) - A 21-year-old German tourist who wanted to visit his girlfriend in the Australian metropolis Sydney landed 13,000 kilometers away near Sidney, Montana, after mistyping his destination on a flight booking Web site.

Gutt's airline ticket routed him via the U.S. city of Portland, Oregon, to Billings, Montana. Only as he was about to board a commuter flight to Sidney -- an oil town of about 5,000 people -- did he realize his mistake.

Tubbing in Maine

Sitting with the Maine Branch of family in Central Maine in our favorite spa.

Bopping Around Boston

Bopping around Bean Town is always fun for me, it reminds of my days after college when I spent a few years living here. I was a lowly delivery guy for New England Gas & Electric and my job was to deliver stuff to the various offices scattered around Boston. Needless to say I learned a lot about the subway system and various neighborhoods. Lunch today was in one of my favorites the North End. Anyone that knows me will tell you that I am a devotee of Italian food and I never fail to get a good meal at Ristorante Fiore.

Boston is a city that has a small town feel. As if to hammer that point home to me I heard my name called as I was walking down State Street this morning. I ran into a lady that I was recently on a press trip half way around the world with. Chances are that after a few days visiting you will start to recognize faces as you walk down fashionable Newbury Street. At the very least my buddies at Fiore will treat you like family, tell them I sent you.

Boston's Finest

Simon F Cooper and Ritz Carlton's Future

Just across the Boston Commons sits another Ritz Carlton, it follows the European chateau style that was a Ritz staple for years. As I read my paper here in the new Ritz Carlton I came across an article in USA Today about Ritz Carltons move into the future. With 17% of the worlds luxury rooms CEO Simon F Cooper has shaken up the mix by adapting to changing customers. The new traveler is looking for a looser style. Low key and sleek is now the goal. I don't mind looking at the older Ritz across the way, I certainly am enjoying the sleek new version I am sitting in. Ritz Carlton's future looks bright at least from room 1134

The Uncommon Ritz Carlton on the Common

I must have been very good this past year because when we checked into the Ritz- Carlton Commons in Boston we got an upgrade to a two bedroom suite. This hotel located in the Ladders District is just stunning, very contemporary yet still with the class that Ritz represents. Besides the two bedrooms are a living room, library office and two and a half bathrooms. The views of Boston Commons and the State House decked in X-mass lights sure added to the boost of my Christmas. The bottle of champagne and strawberries dipped in chocolate we consumed while listening to music from the Bang & Olufsen stereo was a great way to chill from the Mass Pike drive. The Ritz product is always top notch but Caron Lebrun, Christine Toohey and the whole staff here has made my family’s Xmas. It just may pay to behave.

Putting On the Ritz for Xmas

Every family should have their own Xmas traditions and we start one today that I hope will become permanent. After a great X-mass eve at my sisters complete with cousins, aunts, uncles and their kids we’ve decided to head to the Ritz Carlton in Boston for a few nights. It is the mid way point to the family in Maine where we will head after our Boston layover.

Ritz Carlton Hotels are simply amazing and top of the line and I am glad to be sharing the experience with Lil and Chance. Christmas dinner at the Hotel at 8 PM is the only planned event. Before dinner I want to soak in a massive tub and enjoy a tastefully decorated suite. This is a tradition I can live with.

Holy Land Via TV

As I drifted into conciseness early this morning I could faintly hear names such as Petra, Jerusalem and Holy Sepulchre from the TV. I had stumbled onto a show about the Holy Land and its treasures. I have only been to Israel once and Jordan twice but was amazed by the sites that have been named by Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious texts for centuries. Though I am not a particularly religious being, visiting sites such as Bethany and Bethlehem have struck a chord buried somewhere deep. There is definitely a special feeling when traveling that area that the show captured. I remembered visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Jesus’ tomb and the emotion showed by devout Christians with me on the line to get in. It was amazing to me to see the inter action between various Christian creeds from Roman Catholic, Armenian, Greek Orthodox, Copts, Ethiopian and Syrian. Each has shared and single privileges regarding the church.

It hasn’t been an easy relationship over the centuries and it was under Ottoman rule that in 1852 a decree was issued laying out the various rights and rules that govern the Sepulchre today. It was known as the Status Quo a term needed badly today in the world. Fittingly the Church is unlocked everyday by a Muslim key holder to acting as a “neutral” intermediary. This ceremonial task has been preformed by a member of the same family for generations.

Let it Snow

It’s brown and grey here in NY State these days and the chance of a white X-mass nil. I like my season of cold and snow and contrary to what people here are saying I may just get my wish. Michael Schlacter, chief meteorologist at Weather 2000 predicted that Jan. through March will be colder and snowier than normal this winter. I can only hope.

Portland Maine, Hot for 2007

Portland Maine has been named by Frommers as a hot spot for 2007. I have always liked the city and it is a layover when heading to Maine to visit the relatives. Here is what they say:

Portland, MaineA university town (Bowdoin and U Maine) and burgeoning retirement location, Portland has a fantastic mix of culture and education. It also has an impressive amount of first-rate restaurants, with several perennial entries on Gourmet magazine's "America's Top 50 Restaurants" list--including the excellent Fore Street, which builds its menu around local ingredients. The weather can be extreme, but Portland is an eminently walkable city, with the downtown area compact enough to explore thoroughly, and an excellent indoor farmer's market that is open all year round. For those seeking outdoor adventures along the coast, there is a jogging trail that stretches from Portland to nearby Brunswick. Conveniently, Amtrak has instituted service to Portland from Boston's North Station, making the city much more accessible from the Northeast corridor. For more detailed info head to GoNOMAD.com

Kissing a Ray in Moorea

Finding Nectar in High Falls

As you can see from the photo of my dining room I love collecting artifacts from my assignments around the world. I am willing to bet that I have at least some trinket from all of the 89 countries visited. I love when people come over and space at the interior of my house. I may not come home laden with gifts but there is always something for the house. I now am able to shop for artifacts right down the street from my home at a place called Nectar.

High Falls stores can be a bit pricy but I must say that Nectar’s prices are extremely reasonable and the goods fantastic. I can spend hours looking at art objects, lamps and furnishings. I recently purchased a Berber Rug in Fes Morocco and want to head to Nectar to check out their collection. They also have opened a small tea shop at the location so a little cup of health will fit in nicely. My bags may be lighter returning home from Malaysia, I can most likely find something right down the street, shop local indeed. http://www.nectarimports.com/

Travel Writing, Survivor or Real World, a Reality Show

It may have been the finger cymbals and drumbeat, or perhaps the walk through the twisted alleys of Fes, Morocco that gave birth to the idea. It was good and we travel writers giggled like schoolgirls. A reality show like Survivors. After a few days on the road with six travel writers anything can and will happen, a Real World episode in a third world. I can hear it now, “Who the #**%$* stole my Imodium! Be on time or I’ll kill you,” would be the most repeated phrase. But let some guide pick on one of us and the backlash is appalling. Jockeying for the best free WiFi zone at one AM in a hotel lobby is just the beginning. A favorite line is, “Let’s meet in the lobby at 5 AM so we can fit it all in.” What are we working? Another is, “But I am a vegetarian". Then fill out the form you @#** head! Lord knows who would be the judges; Bill Bryson, Tim Cahill or perhaps Robin Leach? Ultimately we came to our senses and realized that Stuff and the Boston Herald have little in common. After all, we were all invited, and no I am not Richard Hatch; he will not be traveling for awhile. (Income tax evasion) Still, if he were a travel writer I am sure that prison might sound like a destination you just might want to try.

Max in Sweden, Sony in London, Kent at the Computer

After a few days of being laid out with a knock down cold it’s good to be up and running again. Tonight Max & Cindy head for Sweden and Sony to London and me to the computer. It is actually through the GN blogs that we keep up with each other. I was back on the radio airwaves yesterday with Arthur on Around the World Radio http://www.aroundtheworldradio.com/ after a long stretch due to traveling. It was great to babble about Sydney and Byron Bay two great places in Oz, while trying to keep the sniffles at bay. I like doing radio because it is spontaneous, I do not sit with notes. I find that I come up with things about a place that are often missed when I am sitting and writing. It is usually a small detail or happening that is buried in the subconscious.

My trip to Malaysia has been postponed till Feb. so I will have plenty of time here at my computer. That’s great because I have a lot of writing and radio to do. Stories about Sydney, Tahiti, Carcasonne, Providence, Marrakech and Fes are all up for release and fine tuning. My piece on Byron Bay was put up yesterday, one down and six to go!

Tour of the Sydney Opera House

One of the best tours I've taken lately was in Sydney. It was a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House. The tours just started running a few months ago and takes you to every nook and crannie of the six venue complex. Paveratti, anyone?

Thanks Malaysia and SAESHE Inc.

Malaysia is having a birthday party for reaching 50 years of nationhood and I’ve been invited. After checking one of tourisms best websites I can only say I am thrilled. The Malaysian Tourism Boards site is filled with great images and details as well as being easy to navigate. After I had a wonderful talk with Sarah-Jane Wilton from SAEHE Inc. to go over the trips itin. In essence the first couple of days will be spent in Kuala Lumpur at some major celebrations and openings. Then the journalists will each head out to their own places to visit throughout the country for several days. The tough part will be choosing from a place as diverse Malaysia. Marine Parks and coastline is tugging at me, happy birthday Malaysia!

Dental Care in Marrakech

Johnny Jet and his Videos from Morocco

I got a pleasant suprise today in an email from Johnny Jet with links to videos taken during the trip to Morocco. They can be found on http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=johnnyjet747

The Jetster did a great job capturing the spirit of our visit and tagged it all with a great song that I would love to get the name of. If you watch and know the name drop a comment.

A Travel Writer Travels Back Home

Back home in Cottekill and it feels good after traveling a lot during this fall’s busy schedule. France, Tahiti, Australia and Morocco were all interesting and the travel bug has been sated. I have until Jan. third before I head out again to Malaysia. Getting home from Morocco was a trip because my e-ticket was lost somewhere out in cyber space, as was two other writers. With a scant 30 minutes to get it all straightened out it looked as if we were going to spend more time in Morocco than planned. We did get on and I copped three empty seats so I could stretch and sleep.

It was an interesting trip and the writers covered some outlets such as the New York Daily News, Stuff magazine, Esquire, Frommers.com and the dashing Johnny Jet. The seven of us were a mixed bag of writers and all different. The bonding on a press trip is very much an intense quick thing with issues popping up. Still the experience is usually enjoyable and filled with laughter. Thick skin is required and patience a necessity, think of it as traveling with your family.

Fortunately I am home and with my real loved ones for the holiday season and I am back to lighting the fireplace and cooking dinner. Parties with old friends and long time rituals such as men’s shopping night will fill the next few weeks; turning down a trip to England wasn’t hard to do this time of year. I will also catch up getting out stories that are over due such as Providence RI and Byron Bay. My commute to the office relatively easy, feed the cats and just past the kitchen. Time to reflect on travel blessings I have been given!

Camel, its whats for Dinner

Not Blue at the Maison Bleue in Fes Morocco

Last night was our last in Fes Morocco and a fine one it was. the whirling sounds of strings and finger cymbals built higher and higher. Dish after dish of Fes's unique cusine was brought out. After a day of exploring one of Moroccos's far flung treasures the dinner at La Maison Bleue was a fantastic way to bid farwell.

Mehdi El Abbadi was a great host and knows his niche, authentic and classic. La Maison Bleue will be represented at the Melbourne Food Festival in 2007, plan on being there myself.

Riads, Fes's Special Lodgings in Morocco

It was a long day here in Morocco, two planes and exploring Fes and its amazing medina or center. The vibe of Fes is wonderful in its path back in time. Literally life in the medina is much as it was centuries ago. Small shops, mosques and commerce blend together in alleys that are like catacombs. Getting lost is no problem here!

In the distance snow capped peaks provide a stark contrast to deep blue skies. In Fes are some incredible places to stay and eat called Riads, old buildings with hidden courtyards. Many are exquisite with historical detail and superb details. History enfolds you as you enter. My favorite was called Riad Sheherazade and was stunning with its pool and rooms decked in ancient Arab motifs. There are few places left in the world with such cultural settings. Click to check one

The Mysterious Medina of Fes

A Great Guy

M. Marrakchi Benjaafaer is our Tourism leader and a great guy. His humour and great interest in us is just fabulous. Unfortunately for Morocco he is retiring very soon. He has lived and studied in Sweden and the US. He is a credit to his country and the world a large!

Dragging Butt to Fes

I am feeling a wee bit like this guy this morning as we caught a very early flight to Casablanca to connect with another to Fes. Fes is a UNESCO city that is suspended back in time. It boomed after the Muslims were tossed out of Spain in 818. From all accounts it is a special place.

Shopping at the Souk, Marrakech

In Marrakech the souks are the soul of the city, alleyways with shops side by side. The different souks are for different items. The Souk Smata is for leather goods such as slippers and belts. Souk Addadaine is metal works and crafts. Today I bought a woven rug for the house, crafted by the Berber tribe named Akhinj. Stunning with all its colors derived from nature. The yellow is dyed from saffron and the green from peppermint leaves. I went with my friend and guide to Chateau des Souks to insure my purchase was government certified. The souk for rugs is called Semmarine.

Contrasts of Marrakech

Dec. 2 2006 will forever be remembered as a day of contrasts, a day filled with huge varying travel experiences. Marrakech has so many faucets and angles, from ancient to jet set; every twist in the labyrinth of the medina’s alleys brings a revelation. On the Place Jemma el-Fna or main square snake charmers, acrobats and healers perform as they have for centuries. The huge food stalls are laden with erotic dishes that would baffle New York’s most experienced chefs. Men with wizened leathery faces and robes shuffle amidst visitors rushing about with astonishment etched on their faces.

My hotel the Jardin de la Koutoubia is close to all that activity yet remains an oasis of tranquility. My room over looks the courtyard pool that has a huge alcove with a fireplace that is lit every night. The courtyard has gardens and tables where the call to prayers echoes five times daily. This was Collin Farrell’s home for much of the filming of Alexander.

To top off this incredible day of exploration our government host M. Marrakchi Benjaarfar managed to get us invited to a party for the Marrakech Film Festival and magazine launch for a new magazine called Couleurs Marrakech. The palatial house far in the country was filled with music, food, drink and energy. The stylish trend setters moved to the beat of excess, flawlessly heeding their own call to prayers.

Marrakech, Snake Charming

Late Night in the Marrakech Square

Marrakech absolutely buzzes with energy, full force. It whirls and spins and captivates until you surrender. The sites and smells pull you far into this foreign world. The flight over was quick and quite comfortable. I had three seats of my own so sleeping was steady. It was about a three hour drive from the airport in Casablanca to Marrakech and full of eye candy on the way. I can tell already that I am going to love it here especially the souks and the crafts! The snake charmers with cobras was amazing and the winding alleys are made for exploring all in all Marrakech has dazzled. Marrakech Film Festival party tonight and should include some Hollywood types. Time for several reports in the AM, trouble connecting but will update ASAP!

Johnny Jet Fuels Up in Marakech

Johnny grabs some juice at the souk. Tonight we head to a party with the people of the Marakech Film Festival. The party is at a private estate about ten miles from town.

My New Buddy in Morocco

We arrived after a great flight to this magical place. Lawrence Fishburne was on the plane and seems like a great guy. Heading out for dinner but will blog much more after!