Adventures and observations from around the world
Argentine summer in Buenos Aires and Entre Rios province - learning tango, kayaking the Tigre delta, gaucho ranches, Christmas in Rosario, and a stopover in freezing Toronto.
A week in Italy on a train pass - Bologna, Milan, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Procida, and Venice. This does not have details, just memories.
Returning to the country of my birth for a cousin wedding - Hindu ceremonies in Mombasa and Nairobi, the jaan bus journey, Travellers Beach Hotel, and reflections on magical Kenya.
The final chapter - driving 1000km across France on the wrong side, the lost lake, sleeping under a railway bridge, and the white cliffs of Dover.
The hardest work of my life at Pierre Blanche farm - Jean Trouche, Abu and his legendary phrase, secateurs, buckets, and bowing to the earth.
Born to ride the railroad earth - overnight train adventures, the most expensive shower in history, and arriving in Lyon to meet Mark and Kunal.
Hippy flat in East Berlin with David, Checkpoint Charlie museum, the Berlin wall beach bar, cocktails in Kreuzberg, and preparations for Lyon.
Visiting the Porsche museum with Sybren and Vanessa, house-brewed beer in Stuttgart, the TV tower, and boarding the overnight train to Berlin.
Reflections while waiting for the train to Munich, thoughts on writers and mentors, and getting ready for adventures in Bavaria.
Beer gardens with Jochen, swimming in Bavarian lakes, driving the Autobahn, staying with Jochen's family near Stuttgart, and planning Berlin.
Booking the overnight train from Rome to Munich, visiting the Colosseum one last time, and heading north to meet SCUBA buddy Jochen from the Mexico trip.
Two nights in the eternal city - Vatican City, the Colosseum, prison cell dorms, and the unbearable heat of the big city. Time to head for the country.
Discovering the finest countryside in Italy - the five villages of the Ligurian coast, walking Via Dell'Amore, meeting Adrienne, Luke and Monica, swimming under a full moon.
A date with Dutch girl Anna, walking up the massive hill to Fiesole, dinner as Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and more nights of music at the hostel.
Arriving in Florence on the train through Tuscany, staying at HI Florence hostel, meeting German girls, discussing the Mafia, and seeing Michelangelo's David.
Leaving Milan for Florence, surviving a Dianetics test, singing Peter Frampton to cleaning ladies, and heading for the train to Tuscany.
Arriving in the heart of Lombardy via Ryanair to Bergamo, discovering the heat and passion of Milan, the Duomo, and people watching in this elegant city.
Photos from Jochen and George - memories from diving in the cenotes, Marion's cabanas, and the last days in Playa del Carmen.
Wild nights in Playa del Carmen - diving with George and Johann, fighting off an intruder James Bond style, meeting Sol, Liz and the legendary Rastaman Charles.
Saying goodbye to Tosh, checking into Hostel El-Palomar, meeting the crazy handicraft sellers Jorga and Oba, and arranging my PADI diving course.
The final sunset dinner at Cafe del Mar, then disaster strikes in Cancun as my wallet gets stolen on a city bus with thousands of pesos and credit cards.
Beach barbeques, full moon nights, and mellowing out with tequila and guitar at Playa Bonanza while the moonlight shimmers on the sand.
A 10-hour drive from Palenque to the beach, exploring the last Mayan city at Tulum, and cave snorkelling through the largest underground river system in the world.
Exploring the impressive Mayan ruins of Lord Pacal at Palenque, then a sweaty jungle trek with Rojo and the beautiful Celina through unexcavated temples.
Swimming in the turquoise waters of Agua Azul during Semana Santa, visiting the spectacular Misol-Ha waterfalls, and finding paradise at Maya Bell campsite.
Exploring the dramatic Sumidero Canyon by boat, learning about the proud Chiapas Indians who jumped to their deaths during the Spanish Conquest.
Celebrating Ria's birthday with a traditional pinata, exploring the Indian markets, and discovering the best burger ever at 2am.
Horse riding with Mexican cowboys, a terrifying roadblock by Indians opposing Puebla Panama, and arriving in the beautiful San Cristobal de las Casas.
An 8-hour van journey through Chiapas, stopping at fishing villages and Indian roadside stands, arriving at the brand new Rancho Esmeralda.
Immigration office chaos, exploring the Mayan ruins of Uxmal in unbearable heat, and camping near the Gulf of Mexico with poetry.
Visiting the magnificent Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, exploring the colonial city of Merida, and enjoying beers overlooking the zocolo.
First day with the Suntrek group, driving through lush forests to Piste, meeting my travel companions, and camping in sweltering heat.
Landing in Mexico, first impressions of Cancun, Hotel Antillano, and the beginning of adventure with turquoise seas and mariachis.
The beginning of a two-week journey through Eastern Mexico, starting with poetry and contemplation before the adventure begins.
