Bora Bora
Bora Bora. Just its name alone exudes romance. Sandy beaches lined with swaying palms and azure blue waters of the deep contrast the turquoise waters of the lagoon. Continue reading Bora Bora
A Visit to the Australia Zoo
Located in Beerwah, on Australia’s Sunshine Coast in Queensland, about an hour’s drive from Brisbane, the Australia Zoo was made famous by Steve Irwin, the “Crocodile Hunter”. Continue reading A Visit to the Australia Zoo
Jaszczurówka Chapel, Zakopane, Poland
The Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Jaszczurówka Chapel) is a Roman Catholic Church built in Zakopane Style between 1904 and 1907. The building was erected by “goral” carpenters under the supervision of Aurelian Blocha, who is said to the be the designer of the church’s main altars. The Goral people are an ethnic group primarily found in Southern Poland and Northern Slovakia. Continue reading Jaszczurówka Chapel, Zakopane, Poland
Cappadocia’s Fairy Chimneys
The Fairy Chimneys in the central Anatolia region of Turkey are truly a geological phenomenon. You see, as a result of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, hardened ash turned into porous rock. Then, after years of erosion, the softer rock wore away leaving pillars, some of which stand as high as 130 feet and topped with mushroom-like caps. Continue reading Cappadocia’s Fairy Chimneys
A Visit to Santos, Brazil
I am not sure which might be more loved by Brazilians; coffee or football. What better way to dive into the local flavor of the region, than a visit to the Brazilian Coffee Museum. Located in the former Official Coffee Exchange building, the Museu do Café offers exhibits intended to give information about the history of coffee in Brazil. Besides nearly 500 trophies, there are life-size photos, banners, documents, uniforms, and soccer balls, making the Santos Football Museum an interesting stop. Santos Botanical Gardens displays over 100 species of orchids and is home to a few peacocks, iguanas and turtles. Continue reading A Visit to Santos, Brazil
Street Art in Rio
Rio de Janeiro has always been known as one of the most vibrant cities in South America. Several years ago, the Brazilian government passed a law, making street art legal and thus began the evolution from typical graffiti to street murals. These photos were taken along the avenue leading to the new Aqua Rio Aquarium, built just before the Olympic games were held in Rio. Continue reading Street Art in Rio
Nosy Be, Madagascar
A large percentage of Madagascar’s flora and fauna exist nowhere else on earth. Accessed only by boat, the Lakobe Nature Reserve is a natural habitat for the endangered black lemur. After my guided walk through the forest, I spent some time relaxing on the beach while being entertained by a group of ethnic Sakalava women and children, performing a traditional folk dance. Continue reading Nosy Be, Madagascar
Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa
The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve is home to magnificent wildlife viewing. This game park proclaims to be the oldest in Africa, dating back to the late 1890’s. Located in Central Zululand, Kwa Zulu-Natal, South Africa, Hluhluwe is easily accessed from either Durban or Richards Bay. Continue reading Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa
