Portugal, Day 8: The Algarve to Lisbon

Today, the mission was to get to get to the Lisbon airport, drop the car, check in to the airport hotel and then rest for a ridiculously early flight. We had set up three side quests, of which we were able to achieve two.

Portugal, Day 7: The Algarve

The Algarve is full of beautiful sights, and if you tried to jam them all in for the sake of it, you’d kind of be missing the point.

Portugal, Day 6: Sintra to the Algarve

We knew that a “beach vacation” in Portugal in March probably wasn’t going to be a thing, in spite of Daina packing three tank tops.

Portugal, Day 5: Óbidos and Sintra

This place is a virtual Disneyland of castles and palaces, with each one having its own specific design quirks.

Portugal, Day 4: Azulejos and Architecture

So I learned today that Daina wanted to be a seismologist growing up and that I can readily be mistaken for a Portuguese waiter if my tan has come in.

Portugal, Day 3: The Many Miradouros of Lisbon

This is a city of hills. Lots of them.

Portugal, Day 2: Belém

Lisbon continues to win me over in spite of a ridiculous line to start the day.

Portugal, Day* 1: Toronto to Lisbon

Now, full disclosure – up until a few years ago, Lisbon and Portugal weren’t on my radar. I think I always had Portugal in my mind as “Spain Junior”, to modify a Simpsons reference.

40 for 40: Day 40 – Biking to the National Gallery of Canada

These past 40 days, I’ve seen places I’ve dreamed of since childhood, with a partner I could never have dreamed of at the time, while reconnecting with fantastic friends from various stages of the latter half of my life. I fully recognize that most people don’t get to do all, if any, of those things, especially not in the context of leaving home and travelling for 40 days. I’ve thrown out the word “blessed” a few times on this blog, but it definitely seems like the most appropriate.

40 for 40: Day 39 – Ottawa, Canada

Great little moment of patriotism.

40 for 40: Day 38 – Fredericton to Ottawa

Ten hours of functional driving, and now I’m at point B.

40 for 40: Day 37 – Fredericton, New Brunswick

I don’t know that I would ever have sought out Fredericton as a tourist destination on my own. That said, as a place to be for a friends wedding on a long weekend, it was surprisingly nice.

40 for 40: Day 36 – Fredericton, New Brunswick

So here’s a picture of the Fredericton Legislature, which is really the only historic thing we did or saw today. … More

40 for 40: Day 35 – Fiumicino to Fredericton

…the radio played the theme to “The Neverending Story”, which 35 days in, almost seems appropriate, even though the end is in sight.

40 for 40: Day 25 – Cairo to Fiumicino

Cairo, we love you, but could this at least be easy?

40 for 40: Day 22 – Alexandria

For the “Rick and Morty” fans out here, the Citadel reminded me of the episode where an Evil Rick was kidnapping Mortys and using their inferior brainwaves to hide his superior brainwaves. I know Daina is a great photographer, and I consider myself a pretty good one, but here, it’s drowned out by all the bad photography that surrounds you. Part of that bad photography was pictures of us.

40 for 40: Day 21 – Cairo to Alexandria

At this point, we’ve been in Alexandria for only a few hours, and the place looks like it’s crumbling in on itself, but somehow, that adds to its charms.

40 for 40: Day 17 – Luxor to Hurghada

We got off of the Go Bus in “downtown” Hurghada, did a rough negotiation for a cab (first guy wanted 100 LE each, we found a guy for 30 LE total), and now we’re at an all-inclusive resort in Egypt.
 I know, not what you would expect.

40 for 40: Day 15 – Medinat Habu, Tombs of the Nobles, Valley of the Queens, Colossi of Memnon, Banana Island.

“Your friend is rich enough to pay 300 LE for photos but doesn’t have enough to tip guards?”

So this is where the perspective piece comes in.

40 for 40: Day 14 – Valley of the Kings, Memorial Temple of Hatshepsut and Ramesseum

When the place you’re visiting has been considered one of the hottest places on Earth, it’s good to be able to get going early and avoid the heat.

40 for 40: Day 10 – Swimming in the Nile and cruising to Kom Ombo

I don’t know what other spectacular sights Egypt will present, but this experience may become the thing that defines it.

40 for 40: Day 9 – Abu Simbel and Siou, Egypt

We arrived at Abu Simbel at 6:45 am and, already, the sun was baking the ground, coming in at what felt like the mid-thirties. There’s zero shade outside, and you immediately sweat as you pass over a hill to see the temple. You can understand why you wouldn’t be there midday, as it would just be too damn hot.

40 for 40: Day 7 – Elephantine Island, Egypt

If you’re obviously not from here, you have a good chance of getting offered something, from a felucca to a horse ride to, today, hashish (which got an immediate no in the shortest of terms).

Travel in Troubled Times

As I start to type this, I can’t shake Anthony Jeselnik’s epic “Thoughts and Prayers” rant out of my head. … More

SA 21.1: Blockaded in La Paz

So apparently the price of water and gas is too high in La Paz and people have decided to rise … More

SA 21: La Paz, waiting for Arica

So I don’t know if it was a misread computer statement, somebody’s neglectfulness or whatever the deal may be, but … More

SA 20: Chacaltaya and el Valle de la Luna

Okay, first thing’s first – we’re going to Arica tomorrow! Kanoo Tours came through with an earlier bus and I’ve … More

SA 19: Tiwanaku

Well, Bolivia’s most significant archeological site doesn’t really match up to any of the ones we saw in Peru. Kind … More

SA 18: La Paz

This is a crazy city! La Paz may not be the best “crash course” for those experiencing South America for … More

SA 17: Copacabana to La Paz

Okay, so not much to report today as it was mostly a transit day. But we did have one boat … More

SA 14: From Puno to Copacabana

Up early again today! At least we had a good sleep-in day yesterday, which has made a difference in terms … More

Chornobyl, Ukraine

When deciding if I was going to go to Chornobyl… Well, I’m going to stop myself there and drop … More

Lviv, Ukraine

Anyway, one sleep and a billion wedding pictures did nothing to change my belief that Lviv is just unbelievable. I can’t remember the last city I came to where I was just totally amazed by the architecture, the atmosphere, everything.

Kiev, Ukraine

…apparently, the best way to get around the city is to wear impossible stilettos and, shockingly, never fall flat on your face.