17-18 January 2017
Peeking eyes and twitching ears steps from my tent.
I awake to hippo eyes and twitching ears poking from the river in front of my room. I am eager to go in search of that “Disney Matterhorn” moment. But instead, I hope to see some of these massive hippos on land. (more…)
17-18 January 2017
Tent camping at Baker’s Lodge overlooking historic Nile River
What can I say about game drives? You drive around in a huge open safari jeep hoping to spot game. It reminds me of the long drive to Disneyland and the challenge to be the first to spot the Matterhorn above the freeway skyline. But now I am looking for lions, big elephants and chubby warthogs. I am driving to Murchison Falls National Park to explore its grasslands and spot its wildlife. (more…)
16 January 2017
The animal of the day is the African White Rhino. (more…)
15 January 2017
Kampala, the capital of Uganda, was named the 13th fastest growing city on the planet. Having just driven through the city, I know this statistic to be true. (more…)
13-14 January 2017
Cannonball Tree, Entebbe Botanical Gardens
One can see just so many churches, monuments, or museums before all becomes a blur of facts, antiques, or statues. While I cherish all my experiences, I believe the ones I remember most vividly are the trips that included nature and wildlife. I don’t forget the penguins, alpacas, whales, elephants, lions and tigers and bears, oh my. The hiking of mountains, jungles and park trails are indelibly impressed upon my mind. My trip to East Africa will be no different. Not only do I look forward to seeing the natural flora and wildlife of the area, as a researcher of my family DNA, I am returning to Man’s ancient roots. (more…)
10-12 January 2017
Tipping our wing to the lights of predawn Chicago
Travel has become a Marathon experience. Or maybe it’s just me. Distance, time, lack of convenience, age? Either/or, or all of the above?
Distance is a challenge in itself. I am flying from the West coast of one continent to the East Coast of another: United States to Africa, California to Uganda. (more…)
25 September 2016
“Hate at first sight. If there is a thing as love at first sight, then Frankfort is at the opposite extreme. Left peaceful Heidelberg for dust, strip joints, and drug addicts. Got my mail at AmEx and got on next train out of town to Mainz .”
These were my words in the summer of 1972 after 50 days of travel and what must have been a tough night. I remember I went straight to the AmEx office, picked up my mail, got some cash and boarded the next train out of town. Flying through Frankfurt in 2016, I decided it was time I revisited this city. I am extremely glad I did. (more…)