So today we went to the Los Glaciares National Park in El Calafate. We arrived by air to El Calafate yesterday not really knowing what adventure was in store for us today. Everyone kept telling us that El Calafate is amazing. Ok, it’s amazing. But we did hear it repeatedly throughout our trip when I spooled our […]
Ranching in Patagonia is not a lifestyle, it’s a way of life. Over 90% of all land in Patagonia is privately owned — known as Ranches. These large lots of land are owned by either generations or by wealthy national and international people and range in size from a small swat of land to a single
Ranching Patagonia Style Read More »
Yah, yah, of course I could have chosen a beautiful range of mountains for the main picture for today, but what the heck. The place Patagonia for me always conjured an image of great white mountains and a hinterland in the furthest southern range of the earth — connected to the Antarctic. That is not
I’ll save the best until the end. Learn about UNESCO and this colorful mountain range below. Remember you can click on any picture to enlarge. North Western Argentina is like living on the moon. So far from a nice hamburger with fries. More like a plate of beans — a desert environment with inhabitants scattered in
You’re totally missing the point if you find that the toucan in the tree is the most important sight of the day. Yes, its cool to see a toucan in a tree. Even cooler to see another bird chase this toucan. Look close, or click on the picture to the left to see the black bird
Toucan’s in Iguacu? Read More »
We left Rio at 10am and flew TAM Airways just over 2 hours south-west to some place which I had no clue about. A few people have told me how incredible it is, but I have to be honest, it meant nothing to me. I had not done any research prior to today. More fun
Have you ever envisioned a place for a real long time which you believe is just perfect only to find out the that facade is not quite as you dreamed? Well, that was Rio de Janeiro for me. I really envisioned that it was exotic, modern, active, interesting, unsafe but safe, growing and an exciting beach location.
Well, we finally arrived in Rio at noon. A bit more gritty than I had imagined, but lets lay off the judgement for now since we have arrived on no sleep and at 5pm we crashed in bed for a few hours so we could rest to get out in Rio at night a bit
After going for lunch with Larry Schecter in August, 2014, it had to happen. I knew it was something which I had to do. No bucket list or anything, just an ongoing plan to explore unique places and don’t stop. No-if-and-or-butts. Neurons were snapping, or burning or whatever they do. I was going with Paula to
Let’s Get Out of Here Again – The Trail to Antarctica Read More »
If I were chosen to be the Italian Minister of Tourism, I would surely show this poster of my wet back all over the world to sell Cinque Terre. Sells the location and uses a fabulous male model who is likely not asking for a fee. It’s a lovely campaign. Look at the water in the
Welcome to Cinque Terre in July Read More »
Not sure if you’ve ever seen sweat from someones back drop down to the seat of a chair. Well, it happened to me. I have not seen that before either. It was so hot in Florence, Italy — like over 100 degrees and probably 90 percent humidity. Worse, I was on a city tour bus
Given my poor command of the English language, I can only say one thing about Barcelona, Spain — Fucking INSANITY. Sorry for those poor choice of words. But its true. This place is insane, lively, active, youthful, growing, fun, historical, unsafe, safe, and a hundred more adjectives. Said another way… It’s a great town. Won’t
Insanity (In A Good Way) Read More »
You can’t go to Switzerland for a week and not eat chocolate — or you know what? Don’t come. Just don’t come. Your missing the point that Swiss make the best chocolates and have the biggest brands in the world. In fact, the Swiss eat more chocolate per capita than any other country in
And The Winner is? Read More »
I’m going to give you all a lesson on how to rate what I will call a very good hotel. After traveling around the world for years, I am pretty good at scoping out decent hotels. Certainly we can assume that having air conditioning is a good thing. A clean bathroom, bed and dust free room
Phil’s Top Hotel Award Winner Read More »
Ok, lets play the game — Who likes chocolate better, you or me? Don’t even bother, lets agree to disagree. My mind gets messed up when I am around chocolate. In fact, often, its my dinner along with ice cream (frozen yogurt). Love the shit. And I represent one of the 20% of superior intelligence
Just call it Heaven Read More »
We had decided to take a long bike ride today instead of hiking. Choosing a bike route from Interlaken to the Capital of Switzerland, Bern. Government in this region has built a whole network of paths dodging through farmers fields, shores of glacier lake, shoulder of river with great rapids, through towns and even forests with
58 Km Ride to Bern Read More »
This character is the real deal. Serious. Paula and I went for a 6.5 hour trek around one of the most beautiful scenes on earth — the Swiss Alps. Anyway… our travels took us through this breathtaking area where these BASE jumpers call home in the cliffs which are no less than a 2,000 – 3,000
Ok men, this post is only for you. Can we talk one-on-one, man-to-man, bro-to-bro? Lets say your married, in a long term relationship or have a secret love which you need to show true intent. How best to share your love with that significant other? That is the age old question. Now if you’re bleeding
I know, I know, I said that I would not spend any time at one of those boring big-ass old European buildings which house some kind of extinguished Monarchy. Well, ok, when in Rome… Sorry, I broke down. I’ll make it quick. This picture on the left look familiar? Well, its the Summer Palace for
Best Dinner and Bier! Read More »
First things first, I have zero DNA for Culture. Like Zero-point-Zero. I just don’t give a shit. I happened to get a call from the Professor, Dr Jeffrey Habert who told me that his absolute worst place to visit is Vienna. I asked him why this is the case Doctor? What do you think of when
Nie Vergessen or, “Never Forget”. I think this headline for this post says it all. So it would be unconscionable not to share the feeling I had when visiting the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin. Now I am not one to have a religious overtone. I am non-secular by in large. But
So if you were to ask me what is the most significant event in the past century for Berlin, or Germany for that matter, I would have to take a good month to noodle on that one. Wow, so many events have occurred that are so outrageous and over the top. Think of your home
I know, I know, I can hear it now — did you go to the Berlin wall? Checkpoint Charlie? Tons of facinating museums? Maybe the Philharmonic? Some Jewish historical site? Possibly visit Angela for dinner? Yah, yah, yah… Sure. I’ve got days to do that stuff. Sorry folks, no pictures of me in front of
I will say the following with Peace and Love — Peace and Love This message is directed to the large lady with the bowl haircut in the pod next to mine on the Air Canada flight from Toronto to Frankfurt, Germany. Next time you travel, if you feel the pressure, would you please consider relieving yourself in the lavatory at
Travel Etiquette Please Read More »
It’s now time to get ready for our next journey to Europe. Leave tomorrow in afternoon. Today is packing day. New backpack in hand, packed and ready to go. Its also Puppet and Woody wash day so they are clean for Camp Paige. This oral herpes transmission blog is now ready and setup. Oh, got
Off to Europe we will go! Day -1 Read More »