Checking Out Chitchen Itza

Checking Out Chitchen Itza

I'm in Mexico for Alissa Malzman and Justin Sterling's destination wedding. I've scoured the map already and  know that the location of their ceremony is within driving distance of Chichen Itza, the great Mayan architectural site on the Yucatan Peninsula. I've got my camera and have hired a driver and a guide. There is only one problem. I'm sick! I have a temperature of 101 degrees, chills, and early laryngitis. Oh well...I'm not getting this close to a pre-Columbian colossus and staying in my motel room staring at the ceiling. I take 2 Tylenols and hop in the car for what I know will be a mind-expanding experience.

A Day in Dogtown

A Day in Dogtown

Lisa and I got married in Gloucester, MA, and have been spending part of each summer there for 30 years. Each year I have systematically explored the beauty of the Cape Ann area and have been amazed by how there is always new territory worth investigating. With that said, there was one area in the back of my mind that I had heard about over the years named Dogtown. I knew what it was but had no idea how to get there. I had also heard that if I found it, I could easily get lost, which did not originally interest me, having already experienced this in Mljet, Croatia. Today, I would like to introduce you to this hidden treasure of local historical significance.

Sunday in the Pisac Market

Sunday in the Pisac Market

We've been in Cusco, Peru, for several days now, seeing the great sights of this ancient city and taking day trips to the surrounding areas. There is another reason to spend a few days in this entrance to the Sacred Valley. We found out that Cusco is 11,150 feet above sea level. The time spent here allows us to acclimatize to the altitude before hitting Machu Picchu, hopefully avoiding altitude sickness. That's OK. Today we're going to the Pisac Market. I love markets! Let's check it out.

An American Enters Ephesus

An American Enters Ephesus

We've been cruising up the Mediterranean coast on the western side of Turkey. Today's stop is at Ephesus, an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia near Selcuk in Izmir Province. We've had our share of adversity on this trip so far with diarrhea, lost bags, and cloudy weather; however, on this day there is not a cloud in the sky.

The Anasazi Petroglyphs of the Red Rock Canyon

The Anasazi Petroglyphs of the Red Rock Canyon

Today, I'm in Nevada, USA, and have decided to hit an extremely interesting site called the Red Rock Canyon. I've been reading up on the Anasazi Indians and I expect to find remnants of their civilization chiseled into the magnificent red stone of this area.

Tale of Two Trips to the Duomo

Tale of Two Trips to the Duomo

In 1978, I took a year off from medical school and backpacked through Western Europe and the British Isles. One of the most memorable parts of this trip was the time I spent in Florence, Italy, where I first encountered the Duomo. I was amazed to see its pastel colors, interesting geometric shapes and hordes of tourists gaping at it.

The Amazing Amazon Rainforest

The Amazing Amazon Rainforest

We've made it to Puerto Maldinaro in Peru. It's now time to enter the Reserva Amazonica through the Manu National Park and Biosphere Preserve. It is hot and humid down here! I've researched this trip and know that at least 30% DEET and a mosquito net to sleep in are necessities to avoid the bite of an anopheles mosquito.

Saturday in the Arab Market, Jerusalem

Saturday in the Arab Market, Jerusalem

We've been in Israel for 1 week and have arrived in Jerusalem. This is a destination I've known about and had a great desire to visit since I was a teenager. The only problem is that it is a Saturday in Israel, the Jewish Sabbath. I didn't have a complete understanding of the extent to which Jewish commerce comes to a halt on the weekend.

The Pogla Mudmen of Papua New Guinea

The Pogla Mudmen of Papua New Guinea

Cliff and I are on our second week of travel in Papua New Guinea. We've flown in a small 6-seater propeller plane from Karawari to Mount Hagen. There is no runway. The plane descends rapidly over a mountain crest and as we touch down I realize that the landing area has a fair sized incline.

Camping with Tuaregs in the Sahara Desert

Camping with Tuaregs in the Sahara Desert

It's November of 2006. Cliff, Kunta (our guide) and I have just spent 3 days traveling on a small boat up the Niger River to our destination, the fabled city of Timbuktu. Our goal for today is to head up the Sahara Desert to our new destination, a Tuareg camp on the way to Taudenni with its important salt mines.