Exploring the World
International travel has been one of the great teachers of my life. Walking through ancient streets, standing before monuments, and sharing moments with people from different cultures has expanded not only my understanding of the world but also of myself. Each journey has left me with new stories, new perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty and resilience woven into every corner of our globe.
Recent Posts
“Hell” – Grand Caymans
On the island of Grand Cayman, there is a place literally called “Hell.” Hell is a small area of jagged, black limestone formations in West Bay, Grand Cayman. This is iron shore, sharp, craggy coral limestone that has been shaped over centuries by salt, wind and erosion. The formations are dark, uneven and twisted into […]
Gothic Barcelona Cathedral – Spain
Standing before the towering walls of Barcelona Cathedral, the structure reminds us of just how ambitious medieval builders dared to be. The construction of the cathedral began in 1298, during Barcelona’s golden age as a Mediterranean trading power. What we walked through today is largely the product of more than 150 years of work. The main Gothic body […]
Gauguin moment on Taboga Island – Panama
While in Panama, we took a ferry across the Gulf to Taboga Island to spend the day on the beach and enjoy some local food. The ride itself was pleasant as the busy skyline of Panama City faded and we approached this small island known for its bright buildings. The beach itself was disappointing, but […]
Berlin Holocaust Memorial – Germany
There are places that we visit, and then there are places we enter. This memorial in Berlin is one of those places. From a distance, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, appears like a vast field of concrete blocks stretching across the city near the Brandenburg Gate. But as we walk into it, the […]
Brandenburg Gate – Berlin Germany
While visiting Berlin, the Brandenburg gate quickly becomes more than just a landmark, it becomes a focal point of the city’s history. Standing at Pariser Platz, we faced a structure built between 1788 and 1791 under King Frederick William II of Prussia. Designed by architect Carl Gottheard Langhans, the gate was inspired by classical Greek architecture. Its […]
Tulum Archaeological Zone – Mexico
While vacationing in Mexico, we traveled to Tulum. We walked through the stone entrance and out toward the cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The building in our family photo is part of El Castillo, the principal structure at the site. Tulum was constructed between 1200 and 1500 AD during the Late Postclassic period of Maya […]
Sacre-Coeur Cathedral – Paris
Rising above the rooftops of Paris from the summit of Montmartre, the domes of Sacre-Coeur dominate the skyline. From almost anywhere in the city, the basilica’s white stone catches the light by day and glows softly at night, anchoring the northern horizon. The church was conceived in the emotional aftermath of France’s defeat in the […]
Lake Wakatipu – New Zealand
Marty and I found ourselves on the South Island of New Zealand, walking along the edge of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The air was crisp and clean, and the mountains, known as The Remarkables, rose sharply across the water as if they were placed for dramatic effect. We wandered the shoreline, drawn by the […]
Jukulsarlon Glacier Lagoon – Iceland
As we drove along Iceland’s Ring Road in the southeastern part of the country, we stopped at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, one of the well-known natural sites in Iceland. This lagoon is filled with floating icebergs that have broken off from an outlet glacier of Vatnajokull. Vatnajokull is the largest glacier in Europe by volume, and it […]
Uspenski Cathedral – Finland
Standing in front of Uspenski Cathedral, Emmy and I wonder about this impressive building. The cathedral was completed in 1868, when Finland was an autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire. Placing the cathedral on this rocky hill was meant to be visible from the harbor, a public declaration of Orthodox Christianity in the capital […]
Lions on Szechenyi Chain Bridge – Budapest
Walking across the Szechenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest, feels more than just a river crossing. The bridge stretches across the Danube, linking Buda and Pest, two historic cities that once separated and later unified into modern Budapest. The bridge is both functional and symbolic. The Chain Bridge opened in 1849, becoming the first permanent bridge across […]
Oskar Schindler’s Museum – Krakow, Poland
While visiting Krakow, we made our way to this powerful museum: Oskar Schindler’s Factory. Of course, his story had already been etched into public memory through the Oscar-winning film Schindler’s List, but standing in the actual factory where so much of that history unfolded brought a different weight to the story. The Oskar Schindler’s Museum […]
