Travel

A Real Brief Look at Mongolia’s History

3 July 2023

I know next to nothing about Mongolia. So I visit.

Mongolian history dates to the Stone Age, its first recorded empire dating 3rd century BCE. The rise of Chinggis Khan in the early 13th century spread the Mongolian Empire across Eurasia. Difficult to imagine what drew the Khan and others to cross this vast expanse of desert. Dark splotches are shadows of clouds drifting across a bleak landscape.

After Chinggis Khan’s death, his grandson Kublai Khan founded the Yuan Dynasty which ruled for a century before fragmenting into several Khanates, most notably being the Golden Horde. In the 17th century the Qing Dynasty ruled until a series of independence movements broke up the dynasty. The Soviets moved in around 1911 until a peaceful democratic revolution occurred in 1990. Today, Mongolia is a democratic country and a developing economy and attracts over 300,000 tourist a year. In 2023, I am one of them.

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By Pat, ago

Grandpa Ramping It Down

1 July 2023

When one is in pain, one needs distraction.

That was the case while visiting the Third Tunnel of Aggression in the DMZ north of Seoul. Walking down the 11 degree ramp, noting the distance to my destination, it occurred to me how challenging the climb out would be.

The tunnel is 358 meters in length, thankfully cool because it is also 73’ underground. Dripping water everywhere. But that ramp up is long and daunting. So I thought, what if….

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By Pat, ago

Seoul, South Korea

26-29 June 2023

I knew little about South Korea. What first came to mind was Psy’s catchy 2012 K-pop song “Wop Wop Gangnam Style.” My second thought was South Korea survives and thrives under the constant threat of a crazy man. Can’t be too critical about that second thought, as since 2016 the U.S. suffers its crazy, too.

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By Pat, ago

London England – Top Experiences Amid Old Haunts 

23 Feb – 8 March

It feels good revisiting London. Historic sights, museums, art galleries, and monuments are never tiresome. While much remains the same since I visited over 30 years ago, there are new things to learn and neighborhoods to discover. And one can’t get luckier than having a local show one around. 

The biggest change is London’s skyline. The sky is studded by architecturally stunning glass and steel buildings like the Shard, Gherkin, BT Tower, the Cheesegrater, Boomerang, Strata, and Sky Garden known by Londoners as the Walkie-Talkie. Old standards like Big Ben, St. Paul’s and the Tower Bridge seem to tolerate these upstarts capturing far more photographs in the process.

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By Pat, ago

London England –  Ancestors and Historic Neighborhoods

23 Feb – 8 March 2023

Several years ago, I tested a male sibling for Y-DNA. When one does such things, one needs to prepare for the unexpected. The Unexpected was my sibling didn’t match our male cousin. It seems we have illegitimately carried the surname Bunyard all our lives. A more pleasant surprise was I met my closest male cousin. He lived in Bulgaria, but being the inveterate traveler I am, that posed no problem.  

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By Pat, ago

Seven Considerations Before Booking The Canadian

December 2022

I recently boarded The Canadian to accomplish a travel goal – to ride the transcontinental scenic route between Toronto and Vancouver. Travel was to be simple: I board the correct train and chug along in the correct direction, leaving the rest to Canada. Before departure, I discovered there was more than just buying a ticket. 

Depart from East or West?

I chose this train for the scenery. Direction becomes important for timing passage through spectacular vistas during daylight. Canadian Rail posts a detailed itinerary as to expected time of arrival into each station. Keep in mind, trains in Canada are much like Amtrak in the U.S. – they wait on the freights and a perfect schedule should not be expected. One can arrive early or one can arrive a day late. 

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By Pat, ago

Four Great Finds in Toronto

December 2022

I think of gophers. 

They maneuver just below the surface within an elaborate tunnel system. Their tunnels represent a series of underground areas leading to various broad openings such as a main living area, feeding areas, and toilets. Located several feet deep, these enlargements are layered with accoutrements for survival and comfort. 

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By Pat, ago