Sarnath is a very sacred site for Buddhist’s as it is the site where the first five followers began the religion. The ficus tree evolved from that time and people were picking up the fallen leaves to take home for their private shrines. I found the place serene and clean amongst the frenzy of India.… Continue reading A Farewell to India
Author: wanderlustandwhimsea
Let the adventures begin!
The Taj Mahal
My first view of the Taj Mahal was from the hotel rooftop, and it nearly took my breath away. Here was this iconic image, and I had the privilege to be standing there. Frankly that image, was so powerful it might have been sufficient to check the “I’ve seen the Taj Mahal box” but the… Continue reading The Taj Mahal
An Indian Safari and Village Visit
We went on a Safari in Ranthambore National Park via a 18 passenger open jeep. We spotted Monkeys and deer and exotic birds but for nearly 3 hours no tigers. Just as we were getting bored and our patience waning, the magic happened. We were heading out of the park and the tigers headed out… Continue reading An Indian Safari and Village Visit
Impressions of India
India assaults all the senses immediately upon arrival. Driving is nothing like the calm streets of Ponte Vedra, Fl. The lane markers, lights and even the direction of travel are mere suggestions. The streets are filled with Cars, Buses, Trucks, Motorcycles, Scooters, Bicycles, Pedestrians, Camels, Cows, Horses, Water Buffalo and I even saw a Wild… Continue reading Impressions of India
The Northwest Passage, The Beaches, The Caribbean
So it’s been awhile since I posted on the Blog. That doesn’t mean I quit traveling, just a lack of WiFI and motivation while on the Northwest Passage trip that got me out of the habit. This post will be a quick summary of my travels for the past 5 months. I booked the Northwest… Continue reading The Northwest Passage, The Beaches, The Caribbean
Off the beaten path in Poland
The 2 week trip to Poland was off the beaten path as we explored the countryside beyond the typical tourist stops. I’ve been to many “folk music” evenings in my travels and most are cringe worthy commercial tourist traps, but this one was different. The dinner was in a barn on a very working farm.… Continue reading Off the beaten path in Poland
Slovakia and the Czech Republic
The last time I was in this area, about 34 years ago, it was a combined Czechoslovakia. Today it is 2 distinct countries with Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Two different languages and two different currencies. I have to say the currencies hardly matter any more as most transactions are contactless payment with credit cards.… Continue reading Slovakia and the Czech Republic
A Baltic Adventure
My Baltic Adventure started in Tallin, Estonia. The Baltic countries include Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all on the Baltic Sea. I originally planned to visit on a cruise that included St Petersburg, but the political winds no longer favor that trip, so a land adventure must suffice. As I have learned during my visit, the… Continue reading A Baltic Adventure
FINALLY it’s time for a Safari in Senegal
My Safari in Senegal was an unexpected treasure. I had my doubts as Bandai Wildlife Reserve is just an hour outside of Dakar the largest city in Senegal with a population of over 6 million. I was expecting a cross between the Columbus Zoo and Disneys Wilderness experience. In this place the animals seemed wild… Continue reading FINALLY it’s time for a Safari in Senegal
Null Island – The Prime Meridian
I’ve crossed the Equator several times but this was the first time I got to the Prime Meridian at 0’ Latitude and 0’ Longitude. The ship hovered at the 0’ 0’ for a bit and we greeted King Neptune in an elaborate ceremony. As a mariner, studying navigation this was a very memorable experience. The… Continue reading Null Island – The Prime Meridian
WanderlustandWhimSea 