Activities / Africa / Bucket List / Facts & Trivia / History / Laid-back / Middle East
by Jeffrey Kontur · Published January 8, 2018 · Last modified January 5, 2018
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 First of all, their website is woefully out of date.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,...
When looking on Google Maps shortly after my arrival in Cairo, I found that I was only a few blocks away from a very large park. This is what it looks like on Google Maps. The apartment where I’m staying is about midway between Bakier Stationers and Cairo American College....
Activities / Africa / Bucket List / History / Laid-back / Middle East / Moderately Active
by Jeffrey Kontur · Published December 26, 2017
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...
Adventure / Bucket List / History / South America
by Jeffrey Kontur · Published June 14, 2016 · Last modified June 15, 2016
Having actually been to Machu Picchu before, I won’t simply help you book your trip. I’ll give you all the tips and insider knowledge that will make the trip smooth and unforgettable! This itinerary can be customized to your preferences and activity level but here is a sample that would...
Bucket List / Disability Friendly / History / Laid-back / Logistics / Mexico / Moderately Active / Sedate
by Jeffrey Kontur · Published June 7, 2016 · Last modified June 15, 2016
Touring the ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is one of those things that seems to make it onto everyone’s bucket list. Roaming the grounds at one of these sites, you may notice a lot of ramps next to or in place of steps. Or you may not notice...
“It has too many notes.” -Amadeus (1984) I tend to plan fairly active vacations. Reading my itineraries, some people have commented that they’ll need a vacation after doing all that! Take my planned upcoming Africa trip as an example. Sightseeing tour of Istanbul, Turkey including the famous Blue Mosque Mingling...
by Jeffrey Kontur · Published February 16, 2016 · Last modified May 1, 2016
I still remember the day. I think I was 33 years old and was actually in the black marble executive bathroom at the huge worldwide mega-bank where I worked at the time. I don’t remember what spurred it but I just had this quiet epiphany and made a resolution to...
The premise was simple enough: I wanted to take my (then)girlfriend on a trip for her birthday. I got the idea while we were on a day trip together to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. She was fascinated by the display with Atlantic Puffins. I read on the placard about...
Activities / Logistics / Modes of Transport / USA
by Jeffrey Kontur · Published December 29, 2015 · Last modified December 23, 2015
Standing near the base of the Statue of Liberty and looking up into her giant green face, it struck me that I had actually done it. No one believed I could. Not even me. Yet here we were. As I looked up at the face of Lady Liberty, I felt...
I expected armed DEA agents to kick down my door any minute. Before my trip to Peru, I got lots of advice and warnings about altitude sickness. Much of it said that drinking coca tea would help. Search though I might, I could not find any coca tea before our...