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Valkala Is My New Valhalla, India
We headed for Valkala, Kerala, after being interned in the Shivandanda Ashram over Christmas and to my utter joy, I found my future stomping grounds. Valkala beach is broken into two parts. North Cliff is busy and crazy, while South Cliff is a little busy in the center and peaceful elsewhere. Backstory Once upon a…
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Shivananda Ashram Isolation, Kerala, India
The Shivananda Ashram is actually why we visited India in December, and not just for the sun and fun escape from Northern Europe’s dreadful winter. Sure we wanted to spend Christmas in the sun but also with a touch of spiritualism. The surprise was that Kerala is a very Christian state and that the ashram…
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Marari Beach Life, Kerala, India
This post is about how to escape from the cold, grey, winter months in Northern Europe via Marari Beach, Kerala, India. It takes place in December and early January. Let’s begin with my general observation. The Christmas holidays in Kerala are quite busy (the state was converted to Christianity by the disciple Thomas in AD…
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Travel Escapes from Kampala, Uganda
This is a collection of travel and adventure activities I performed (or almost performed) while living in Kampala, Uganda in 2022-2023. They are generally weekend escapes but some are a bit longer. Many involve a bicycle, some a car (private and hired) and ultimately just about anything else I could get my posterior into. Visit…
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Punishment Island (Akampene), Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda
This is a quick post about how we visited Punishment Island (Akampene), Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda. I provide details that include maps, costs, logistical requirements and facts as well as links to additional details, photos and videos. This is a self-guided cultural adventure on a shoestring. Once at Lake Bunyonyi, we used Itambira Island as…
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Nyero Rock Paintings, Uganda
This is a quick post about how we visited the Nyero Rock Paintings in Uganda. I provide details that include maps, costs, logistical requirements and facts as well as links to additional details, photos and videos. This is a self-guided cultural adventure on a shoestring. Visit Maps & Facts to dig deeper into the adventure.…
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Caving In My Front Yard, Croatia
For years I’ve heard stories about the old mines in Istria, Croatia and especially the one in the front yard of our summer house. So when I found a volunteer crazy enough to explore the uncharted depths I couldn’t resist attaching a harness to her and setting out on a mini-adventure (caving in my front…
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Mua Mission Side Trip, Malawi
This is a side trip of stop over at the Mua Mission on our drive north along Lake Malawi. I provide details that include maps, costs and photos. This is a self-guided day of goofing off and boredom. Follow the links to dig deeper into the adventure. An easy side trip from Dedza (about 20km…
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Adventures in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo)
This is a quick post about my adventures in the DRC. Specifically two weeks exploring and visits with Silverback gorillas and Nyirangongo volcano. This is a self-guided adventure on a shoestring. Follow the links to dig deeper into the adventure. The Virunga Silverback gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are the last in…
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Adventures in Uganda
This is a quick post about how to have adventures in Uganda. I provide a few details, photos and videos. This is a self-guided adventure on a shoestring. Follow the links to dig deeper into the adventure. My jump-off point for this visit to Uganda was Gisenyi in Rwanda. I used public transport to get…