Ulster County, Willem Defoe and a Cup of Joe

It was a rough weekend as I dealt with an earache, painful and throbbing best describes it. I think I must have brought back some of the Caribbean from my recent trip to the Yucatan in my ear. The weather was perfect today so feeling a bit better, Lil and I took a little ride in the new Jeep to the New York Store in High Falls. It is a smoking little place that sells coffee, pastries and local products. It was so peacful to sit on the porch and watch the leaf peepers checking out the local flea market. One part time local we ran into was the actor Willem DeFoe one of my favorites. He is one of a few actors that either live in Ulster County or own a home here. Despite his ability to play some real bad guys, he is a real gentleman. He once invited my son and his friends to sit with him at a diner and ask acting questions. That kind of part timer I can really go for.

Kosta Boda Sweden, Blowing Glass

As I work on finishing my piece on Sweden and Finland for GoNOMAD, I came across a photo of me blowing some glass in the Crystal Kingdom, Kosta Boda, Sweden. I can still feel the heat and the heavy weight of the pipe in my hands. As I once heard in an old movie, “just put your lips together and blow”.

Ken Burns, War: Thoughts of my Dad

I watched Ken Burn’s War again tonight and was moved. The names of places passed through on trips kept popping up, especially in France. As I watched each episode thoughts of my father kept surfacing. I remembered as a boy going up to the attic at my grandmothers and trying on the Army uniform jacket that hung on a hook there. It was so small that only a skinny kid could have fit into it. I also remember finding a bronze star once in a drawer at home; I still do not know how my father received it.

My dad never really talked much about WW II and his experiences in it. I only know he was a sergeant because of the stripes on the coat. There is only one picture I ever saw of him during that time period, indeed a skinny kid with another standing next to him. As my dad lay dying in Kingston Hospital our troops had just entered Baghdad and it was on the TV in the room. He just stared at the screen in silence, he never commented on it. He was a man that thought war is hell. I wonder if another boy in the future will climb attic steps to try on a uniform jacket. Historically the odds are great.

Bet Your Ass, The Singapore Zoo

European Market, Food Shots for UCCC

Every year I donate some framed photos to be auctioned for charity events and the Ulster Community College gala is here next week. While reviewing my picts I realized how much I like clicking food shots during market time. These two will be framed and mounted 11 by 14 pictures shot of food from markets in Switzerland and France

Mexican Crafts

I love Mexican handy crafts, they are always so colorful and made from simple things such as a piece of wood or discarded junk. Many visits to Mexico has meant buying a cheap suitcase to lug home treasures. I am not talking about the mass offerings made in China found all over but the stuff that is hencho en Mexico.

My Story Summerized in Australian Book

Getting home is great and with good news even better. In the pile of mail was a package from good guy Larry Hebagger from Travelers Tales, a book that had recently come out in Australia. The Book is called A Safe Place to Land: Life- changing moments of wisdom and grace, and is written by Maggie Hamilton. I was quite honored that Maggie used a summarizing of a story I wrote for TT called the Devil’s Wind as her closing chapter.The story was about a trip I made to Strasbourg, France and a miracle that happened. Thanks Larry and Maggie for thinking the story worthy, the book is published by Penguin.

US Air, Take Me Home Please

I am beginning to feel a bit like this guy I encountered at the ruins in Uxmal a few days ago. Fly US Air and you to can get a free night in Cancun. Required is a seven hour sit at the CUN airport followed with a two hour wait for a shuttle to the Hyatt. Food is included in the package, ten minutes before the buffet closes though. Still I got to say that the local US Air folks did their best and in hundreds of thousands of miles of flying this year, I am well ahead of the odds. Still just ready to get home and be there for a bit. Next up is an adventure trip to St Vincent and the Grenadines in late Oct with their tourism office.

Progresso Pier, Mexico

Street Scene in Palaya Del Carmen

Stranded in Cancun

Unlike this lucky guy my flight from Cancun was cancelled home so I am at the Hyatt in Cancun. Not bad but I was ready to be home. It will be funny in the morning as I am now scheduled on mt sister in law's flight home via PHL in the morning. I am sure that when she sees my face on the plane it will surprise her, she now thinks I am home. Cast your nets and go with the flow, thanks US Scareways for one more frantic attempt at getting home.

Budget Hotels in Cancun

US Air, Stuck in CUN

This is where my day started, it has been down hill from there!Stuck in CUN airport with no word from US Air why or when I will be getting out. The connection to Albany looks bad so I may just be stuck in Charlotte, if I ever get out of CUN. I was warned about U S Air, should have listened!

Back to Playa Del Carmen, 12 Years Later

About 12 years ago I stayed at a small village called Playa Del Carmen, located on the coast across from Cozumal. It was funky and very cool. I returned yesterday and while it has grown and a bit touristy I still like it. With white sand and blue water it is easy to like it. I am staying at the Blue Parrot as I did years ago, it was one of the first hotels here. Now it is deluxe and steep with all things wanted. Playa and I have both gotten a little older, Playa just might have done it better!

Splendor in the Yucatan

Merida has been such a pleasant surprise and I must say I love the place. The people are so friendly and the lodging at the Villa @ Merida simply astounding. Every afternoon after exploring I sit in the inner courtyard in front of room # 2 and let the fountain lull me into a relaxed state. The verandas and high beamed ceilings as well as` art work make for a heavenly space.

As great as the place is the added presence of the friendly and knowledgeable owner Ben and his wonderful family turns it up a few pegs. On our second evening Ben, Grace and Max took us with them to an art opening and the opening of a premier cigar shop. All the people we met were so interesting and open, as well as down right fun. Before we went out that night Ben arranged dinner for us by the pool surrounded with candles and tropical gardens. The Yucatan and the people have won this cynical travel editor’s heart!

Pictures of Villa @ Merida

Just a few pictures of the fantastic Villa @ Merida, one of my best stays ever!

Villa @ Merida, a Hit!

I am feeling like the Lord Zamna (Mayan Lord) this morning and that has alot to do with my fantastic lodgings. I am at the Villa @ Merida, a 19th century villa that will astound any guest. I started the day with a dip in the pool surrounded with gardens and bright sunshine. After I had my cup of coffee in front of my large room in the courtyard. We met the owner Ben last night, a very friendly Canadian gent filled with info and cheer, a few cocktails back at the hacienda insurred a great nights sleep. This place is amazing and I cannot wait to post some pics as soon as some tech problems are solved, viva Merida!

Good Bye Cancun, Heading to Mexico

It has been a few years since my last visit to Mexico, a country I love very much. When we lived in Scottsdale AZ, Mexico became a place that we would explore as much as possible. We always talked about spending a few months there every year, time moves to fast and ideas fade. While there is no deigning that Mexico has fantastic beaches, it was always the historical cities that peeked my interest.

Merida is one city that I never got to on my travels and from all accounts it is stunning and steeped with culture. Even better is our confirmation that we will indeed be basing at the Villa in Merida a place that is itself layered with history. Special places to lodge are as important to me as the destination itself. Sept. 15 is Mexico’s Independence Day and that should provide some excitement for the stories. Goodbye Cancun, hello Mexico!

Back in Mexico

My flight from Albany to Cancun was seamless today even on America’s worst airline for on time, US Airways. It was pleasant and painless, even recovering from tooth pain. While I am not a Cancun fan it sure was nice to get here a day early before heading to Merida and hang out at the Hilton pool and beach, a tough afternoon! The price at the big H was $148 and the room very nice, better after a few Modela brews. I guess I’ll just have to rough it till Marge arrives and we head to a special place to stay, the Villa Merida, it will be a special place to delve into.

Hey Max, Around the World Travel Radio

On a weekend downed with a tooth infection it was great to get an email from Max, reading his blogs from Elba was also great. Over the years I think it was the longest period without phone call, email or blog from the Big Guy. Glad he is enjoying time in Italy with Cindy.

I am not sure if he knows but the new Around the World Travel Radio show website is up and our contributors pages are up also. Even better is the fact that the shows can be listened to on the archives. Max’s great Aug 25 segment about Columbia is up as is mine about Morocco. Since I forgot to include the info on my email, he can read about it here.

Air Museum In Boda Norway, History Repeats

A few years ago I stopped at the Air Museum in Boda Norway, a fascinating look at aviation. It covered the history of flight from the beginning to end and even had a simulator that was fantastic. One of the best exhibits was about the Cold War and the flying of spy planes from both sides of the Iron Curtain.

History repeats itself as Norwegian and British fighters scrambled yesterday as Russian Bombers neared Norway’s airspace. The Tu-95 bombers flew over the Barents Sea, Norway. Norway is a member of NATO and shares both land and sea borders with the Russian Bear. Cross your fingers for a little thaw in the Artic North.

Buying Property In the Yucatan

I once flew to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for a hurricane; it seemed like a good idea at the time. I am heading down to the Yucatan with my sister in-law Marge in Sept. with hopes we don’t see one. She is going to invest in property and I’m checking out Merida a place I have always wanted to see. We are looking into a colonial rental complete with dip pool as a headquarters. There were many great looking options online and they were very reasonable. She can work on finishing her second childrens book and I will report on the buying process in Mexico.

New Beginnings for a Father and Son

Labor Day has passed and traditionally it is the beginning of a new year for me, I tend to count my various wanderings from September to September. I relived my year today while cleaning up the home office and looking at brochures collected from Sydney, Tahiti, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Nevis, St Lucia, Morocco and several places in France. I culled the pile and then decided to burn some of the hundreds of pictures to CDs to give the laptop some room for this coming year. I did it while listening to a CD of songs my son Chance burned me for my birthday awhile back.

It made me think of stopping in Albany yesterday at his new apartment and how he also is starting a new year at a SUNY Albany. I found a young man excited yet a wee bit nervous about making new beginnings. After a rough start last September and a major life change he worked hard to pull things together and it shows, I am very proud of him. I guess new beginnings are always full of that wee bit of nervous, I know I am every September. I just listened to the song The Kid With the Butterfly Net by Graham Parker several times and remembered Chance as that kid. Here is to new beginnings!

Back Roads of New England

My favorite type of traveling is back roads with no schedule and that is exactly what Lil and I did yesterday. We cut through Maine and New Hampshire and ended up in Rutland Vermont. We skirted Lake Winnipesaukee , a part of New England I have never seen before, at lunch time. The sunny skies and great temps seemed to bring out every boat in NE out on the lake.

At 4:30 we crawled through Woodstock Vermont, one of my favorite towns. The glow time of settling sun made the place even more stunning to see. No room at the fancy Inns so we booked a room at the Holiday Inn in Rutland. My new Pearl Blackberry came in handy several times, checking email is an obsession for me and booking a room online from my phone was amazing.

At the Inn I had time to sauna and hot tub before going on the Travel Planners radio show with the affable Kevin & Sue McCarthy. After doing two segments we went to the hotel restaurant and had a pleasant meal, the perfect ending to a day of back roads through New England.

Lobster Facts

You have to wonder who the first human to eat lobsters was, a brave soul no doubt. The prehistoric looking creatures look like they come from outer space but the taste is heavenly. We plowed through this platter with no problem. Here are some lobster facts:

It takes a lobster about 20 molts over 5 to 7 years for one to become an adult.

Lobsters turn red after cooking due to the pigment astaxanthin.

A one pound adult female lays about 10,000 eggs and each egg is about the size of a pin head. Only 1 percent of the eggs reach adulthood.

Put on a bib and dig in!

Canaan's Gardener, Ed DuRaps

Shaft, Super Rooster

This big guy is Shaft and when he crows everybody listens. Fresh eggs are a far cry from the store bought processed babys. The color is deep and the yolk deep golden. Shaft manages to keep the production line moving here in Canaan.