Category: Laid-back

Mellow and restful

Adventure / Culture / Laid-back / USA

New Orleans, pre-Mardi Gras

It was an accident of timing that I visited New Orleans two weeks before the start of Mardi Gras. But I can now definitively say that’s the best possible time to go. The French Quarter is a ghost town. You get none of the drunks, vomiting, crime, or other unseemly...

Laid-back / South America

On the beach in January: the Montevideo waterfront

Walking along the waterfront in January, it is 80°F but feels considerably warmer. Even though Montevideo has a fantastic swimming beach right in the city, it is a workday so the beach is not the least bit crowded. In fact, it’s all but vacant by North American standards. Technically speaking,...

Laid-back / Modes of Transport / South America

Incredibly wide border crossing

Rio de la Plata, the river separating Argentina from Uruguay, is so wide that it takes two hours to cross by ferry. That’s not even to get you down river to Montevideo. The ferry simply crosses from Buenos Aires to Colonia, the closest major city in Uruguay. From there, it’s...

Africa / Laid-back / Middle East / Off-the-beaten-path

Humongous market bazaar in downtown Cairo

As part of my off-the-beaten-path sightseeing tour, Islam and I (and José, an American we met along the way) all went wandering through a gigantic open-air market bazaar in downtown Cairo. Many parts of this place were just like in the movies. Especially after dark, when it took on a...

Dining / Europe / Laid-back / Modes of Transport / Wandering

Oh, if only Switzerland were tropical…

On my way to Cairo, Egypt I enjoyed a nine hour layover in Zürich, Switzerland. The duration was deliberate. I had never been to Switzerland and wanted to get out of the airport and go see the place. Zürich is lovely! Oh how I wish the climate suited me better....

Activities / Africa / Bucket List / Facts & Trivia / History / Laid-back / Middle East

Egyptian National Museum, part 3 – Statues

The statues that were carved in ancient Egypt ranged from tiny (small enough to stand three of them on a coin) to enormous. All of them were incredibly detailed. Far more detailed than I was expecting. They are also far more well-preserved than I expected. Of course some are broken...

Africa / Facts & Trivia / History / Laid-back / Middle East

Egyptian National Museum, part 2 – Mummies

Probably 90% of the people who go to the Egyptian Museum go there to see the mummies and the most famous mummy of all: King Tut. I got to see both. Photos of everything in the King Tut room is strictly forbidden, however I did get one cool photo that...

Activities / Africa / Bucket List / Facts & Trivia / History / Laid-back / Middle East

Egyptian National Museum, part 1 – Hieroglyphics

After an earlier aborted attempt, I finally got to visit the Egyptian National Museum. First of all, their website is woefully out of date. The admission price had increased from EGP£150 (~US$8.47) to EGP£240 (~US$13.55). That’s only a few cents to Americans but, for some people coming from poorer countries,...

Activities / Africa / Bucket List / History / Laid-back / Middle East / Moderately Active

What I Learned by Visiting the Egyptian Pyramids

I recently quit my day job, sold my house, put all my belongings in storage and set out to wander the world. Part of the whole purpose of this insane plan was to see as much of the world as possible. I also wanted to do it in a way...

Central America / Laid-back / Moderately Active / Sedate / Tropics

Belize: Tropical, English-speaking Paradise

Here’s another trip I’ve actually been on so I know I can give you all the tips and insider knowledge that will make your trip to Belize smooth and unforgettable. This itinerary can be customized to your preferences and activity level but here is a sample: Itinerary length: 1 week Best dates:...