This place is a virtual Disneyland of castles and palaces, with each one having its own specific design quirks.
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Pride, Panic and a Pamphlet: A Tale of Jury Duty
The phrase “Glad to have been a part of it” may not be a wholly accurate expression of my feelings, but it’s the first one that comes to mind.
40 for 40: Day 34 – Ostia Antica, Italy
Dating back to the 4th century BC, Ostia was Rome’s seaport, though thousands of years now sees it three kilometres from the sea. It has several well preserved frescoes, some huge black-and-white museums, a theatre, and an impressive sculpture museum within its huge, huge, hot, unshaded grounds.
40 for 40: Day 33 – Kotor to Fiumicino
While we were stopped at the first border checkpoint, my driver showed me the border line on the regular road via some app. It was substantial. I asked him for an approximate time of arrival at the airport, which he responded with “one”. Language was definitely a barrier, so I didn’t have much choice but to sit back and see if we’d get there in an hour, with me making my flight, or at 1 pm, at which point, I’m scrambling.
40 for 40: Day 32 – Biking the Bay of Kotor
Since this was a long, self-propelled physical activity, all of it beautiful, I’m going with subtitles on this one to keep things organized. Here we go.
40 for 40: Day 31 – Kotor & Budva
Back at the hostel, typing with worst writers block. Tomorrow will be a bit more of an adventure, promise.
40 for 40: Day 30 – Mostar to Kotor
The hostel told us about a way around, a switchback path next to the city that allows you to climb next to the walls, leading up to a window that you can climb through and BOOM, you’re on the walls. The walk up features cats, goats, other hikers and a cheese house that I didn’t stop at because I wanted to catch the sunset. And what a sunset!
40 for 40: Day 29 – Mostar and other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Just based on today, Bosnia has earned a spot on the “Return List” at some point in the future. The stuff I’ve seen today has been beautiful, and I’m sure it’s just a sampling.
40 for 40: Day 28 – Cavtat
The gift shops and restaurants along the main strip definitely let you know that the secret is out, but it never feels as crowded as Dubrovnik.
40 for 40: Day 27 – Dubrovnik & Lokrum
I’m looking at my FitBit. I’ve taken 39086 steps, walked 31 kilometres, 142 steps, and burned 5688 calories. It’s been a monster day. A big, beautiful, monster of a day.
40 for 40: Day 26 – Fiumicino to Dubrovnik
So out of the tours I saw going around today, all of them were talking about Game of Thrones and not once did I hear a guide talk about the history of the city itself. Pop culture has transcended actual culture here.
Egypt: The Best & The Leftovers
I’ve wanted to visit this place since I was a kid. Achievement Unlocked!!!
Final thoughts, recommendations and “bonus material”.
40 for 40: Day 24 – The Citadel and Islamic Cairo
“Do you realize we were in a car accident, a fistfight, and there was a mass shooting? That’s pretty much everything under the sun.”
40 for 40: Day 23 – Alexandria to Cairo
So, we went back to the Platform Believed To Be Seven, and I was frantically looking and hoping for any indication that the broken-looking train was leaving. Some kind of a sign, either physically or metaphorically.
40 for 40: Day 20 – Islamic Cairo, Al-Azhar Park and the Cairo Tower
Cairo doesn’t really care about your plans.
40 for 40: Day 19 – The Monasteries of St Paul and St Anthony
As much as I like cheap DIY, no way we could do it and fit in the rest of the things on our trip, so private car was the option.
40 for 40: Day 18 – Hurghada
…to drive home how much today isn’t about adventure, I’m doing bullet points.
40 for 40: Day 16 – Abydos and Dendera
It was at this point that friends of mine may have read a “Hey, LOL, police escort just taking us out of Abydos with masks on, OMG” type post on my Facebook, because even though I was pretty sure nothing was happening, I wanted there to be some kind of digital record.
40 for 40: Day 13 – Luxor
Figuring that we’d want to spend a couple of days on the West Bank sites, and having heard that Luxor is the Hassle Capital of Egypt and that not of that takes place in the East Bank, I figured a 9.4 rated guesthouse on the West with a pool would be a solid bet.
…
We are REALLY far away from everything.
40 for 40: Day 12 – Edfu and Al Kab
At this point, I got a bit loud and, in my best kindergarten voice said “NO! That is NOT how you do things! You do NOT push me! Good-bye!” Which shut him up for almost a minute before he went back to trying to sell me something as I was across the parking lot.
40 for 40: Day 11 – Gebel el-Silsila
Gebel el-Silsila isn’t going to be overrun by tourists any time soon, mostly due to the fact that the bigger boats aren’t allowed to dock anywhere near it, so the ability to flexible was appreciated and a bit of a given.
40 for 40: Day 8 – Around Aswan, Egypt
I had readied myself for Philae ahead of time, having read that the ferry negotiation was intense, the guards and caretakers would aggressively follow you or try to photobomb your shots for tips, and that there was quite a bit of hassle at the temple.
Well, ferry price came in at cheaper than Kalbasha, guards were nice and asked us where we were from before leaving us alone, caretakers asked if we wanted to take pictures of them, but nothing nearly as intense as what I had heard.
40 for 40 Day 6: Coptic Cairo and Historic* Cairo
Soon after, another guy comes up to us and tries the same shtick, following us until I literally see people walking into the mosque and say “Oh look, it’s open”, at which point he says “It’s open! After, do you want some spices? Backgammon board? Anything you need!” Worst attempted save of a hustle ever.
40 for 40: Day 5 – The Egyptian Museum and the Museum of Islamic Art
It’s rare that you get to check two big items off the bucket list in two consecutive days. With the pyramids yesterday and the Egyptian Museum today, we were lucky enough to do just that.
40 for 40: Day 4 – The Pyramids of Egypt
I’ve started off with that long disclaimer to let you know that today was absolutely one of the best days of my life and that’s including the hassle and hustle that came with it.
40 for 40: Day 3 – Rome to Cairo
I think the last time I was this excited to be on a plane going somewhere was Easter Island, and considering how strange, rare and wonderful that place was, that’s a big deal for me.
40 for 40: Day 2 – Rome
Once we got to the office, we found out that, yes, on the first Sunday of the month, admission to several of Rome’s major sites is free, so we would pay nothing for the Colosseum and Forum.
40 for 40: Day 1 – Rome
Rome requires multiple viewings, so I’m happy to be along for the ride.
40 for 40: Day 0 – Pearson Airport, Toronto
…figured since 40 is, culturally, a big thing, I would do some big things.
40 at the Falls
So I’ve been blessed enough to travel large swaths of the world, seeing amazing sights ranging from the famous to … More
Newfoundland: The Lookout in Gros Morne
So we’ve come to the last day of our Newfoundland adventure. A nice sleep at Parsons Motel, a decent breakfast … More
Newfoundland: L’Anse Aux Meadows to Rocky Harbour
Another big day of driving and sight-seeing, but I think we’re finally getting the hang of it. Unfortunately, we’re doing … More
Newfoundland: Western Brook Pond to St. Anthony
So much done today, starting with the famous Western Brook Pond. A three kilometer hike off of the highway, fifteen … More
Newfoundland: Corner Brook to Cow Head
Before typing anything else, I think the Newfoundland titles on this blog may be among the cutest. Just saying. So … More
Newfoundland: Man in the Mountain Trail
You can always count on your brothers to keep you busy. Yes, the wedding is tonight and, no, I won’t … More
Newfoundland: Gander to Corner Brook
Long day, mildly eventful, but not the most touristy. We are now entering wedding mode. Before we got to the … More
Newfoundland: Bonavista to Gander
I did not expect to cram so many things into our time in Bonavista. Yet, here I sit, tired out … More
Newfoundland: St. John’s to Trinity to Bonavista
One of the great things about having a vehicle is, on occasion, you have the ability to say “we will … More
Newfoundland: Petty Harbour Whale Snorkel, Cape Spear & St. John’s
A few months ago, I was blessed enough to be able to snorkel with wild dolphins in their natural habitat … More
Newfoundland: Fogo Island to St. John’s
TRANSIT DAY! Every once in a while, I check in on the stats for the blog, and I’ve noticed that … More